Dear WCU Students,
Welcome to the West Chester Master of Science degree in Higher Education Policy and
Student Affairs.
More than likely, you are seeking out this degree program so you can make a difference
in the lives of college students. If you are like me, you want to place students at
the center of your work and do what you can to help them succeed! As higher education
changes, so must the support programs, student services and policies change to meet
the needs and wants of the current college student – especially as they relate to
issues of equity and access.
The M.S. in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs seeks to prepare student affairs
professionals and higher education policy-makers to genuinely comprehend, analyze
and meet those changing needs – working to assure that institutions of higher learning
fulfill their stated missions as welcoming and supportive spaces for all students.
We designed this program to provide you with a theoretical foundation in higher education
policy and student affairs. Each course is grounded in the ACPA/NASPA Professional
Competencies. We have intentionally included experiential opportunities into the curriculum
to allow you to put theory into practice in the field. The college campus will become
your "lab," and you will have many learning experiences outside of the classroom.
I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns you have about the program
so that I might be able to help you actualize your goals. I am happy to meet with
you and answer any questions you might have. I am very excited to meet you!
With warmest regards,
Dr. Jacqueline Hodes
Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration
Program Director, Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs
Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration
Email Jacqueline S. Hodes
Program Highlights
The focus of this program is on preparing graduate students to work as educators,
practitioners and policy-makers in student affairs, student services and higher education.
The program will help students comprehend, analyze and meet the changing needs and
wants of the current college student. Students will learn how to use interpersonal
skills and strategic interventions, especially as they relate to issues of equity
and access, that lead to success for ALL students. Employing an Action Research Methodology,
graduates of this program will be prepared to analyze current higher education practices
and policies and create programs, services and interventions that generate positive
impact and student success.
The program is aligned with the CAS (Council on the Advancement of Standards in Higher
Education) Standards and the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies.
This program is a 36-credit program that can be completed in 2 years on a full-time
basis. Students wishing to pursue the degree on a part-time basis can be accommodated
by speaking with the Program Coordinator for an individualized graduation plan.
View course catalog
- The classes will be held in the evenings starting at 4:25 M-Th in West Chester.
- Students are eligible for graduate assistantships on campus and in Academic Departments.
- Students will have two internship classes and opportunities totaling 300 hours in
the field. Internship 1 will focus on developing the interpersonal, listening and
referral skills necessary for work in the field of higher education and student affairs.
Internship 2 will focus on developing an understanding of strategic planning and institutional
structure as well as planning for and creating policy changes.
- All students in their second semester will take a course on Critical Action Research
where they will have an opportunity to ask a question about student affairs/higher
education that they would like to understand. Throughout their program they will answer
that question through their course work. The capstone project will result in a publishable
thesis answering that question. This process will help to position students as experts
on their topic of interest as they move to a professional or new role.
- The course listing for this program is available from the Graduate Catalog.
- WCU has a chapter of the Chi Sigma Alpha Student Affairs Honor Society. Students are eligible to join after their first semester.
