University of Maryland Student Affairs Concentration (HISA) 3214 Benjamin Building College Park, MD 20742
STUDENT AFFAIRS CONCENTRATION (HISA)
We offer graduate preparation programs for those seeking advanced training to work in
students affairs and higher education environments, as well as researchers seeking to
study higher education and students. We seek to advance justice and equity for all
students in our work.
2023
Admissions Information
Basic Admissions Criteria
We seek purposeful well-balanced professionals who are serious scholars and
committed practitioners. Master's students ordinarily have a 3.0 or higher GPA, strong
references, research interests, and goals that fit the program’s focus. Doctoral students
have a strong Master’s GPA, focused research interests, successful experience in
practice, and strong vision of their scholarly interests. We also seek students who
demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and justice in higher education.
Use your personal statement to show us more than your résumé. We appreciate
reflection on meaningful personal or professional/academic experiences
(something that expanded your intellectual curiosity or has informed the person
you are today, including social identities such as race, class, gender, or sexual
orientation, to name a few. Master's personal statements should be 3-4 pages
double spaced, and Ph.D. statements should be 4-5 pages.
Doctoral students are expected to have a Master’s degree in student affairs,
higher education, counseling, or a closely related field.
When submitting references, Master’s and Ph.D. applicants should include at least
two recommendations from professors or faculty members who can attest to their
potential for graduate level education.
Master's students are expected to register for classes full-time. We accept both
full-time and part-time Ph.D. applicants.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are
offering on-line visits with faculty and current
students.
If you are interested in a virtual visit, please
send an email message to our program
graduate assistant at [email protected].
Planning to Visit?
Key Features of our Student Experience
Teach undergraduate and/or co-teach
graduate courses
Engage in internship at one of the 30+
colleges in the local area or at the University
of Maryland
Work in higher education professional
offices with significant responsibilities
Experience national professional
association headquarters in
Washington, D.C.
Network in a strong national community
of graduates and friends on the
campus and across the U.S.
Conduct original research
Master’s Program
The master’s program offers a thesis and
non-thesis option; this is a 40 credit
program (average completion is 2 years).
Unique features include the Counseling/
Intergroup Dialogue Practicum and the
Seminar Paper (M.Ed.) or Thesis (M.A.).
Ph.D. Program
The doctoral program is approximately
a 66 credit program (average full time
student completion is 4-5 years). Unique
features include training in research,
methods, and opportunities to engage in
research with faculty.
NEW: GRE is NOT REQUIRED for the
Master's and PhD programs
December 1, 2022
Deadline to apply for Fall 2023
admission
February 2023
Admission decisions are made by the
middle of February
Preview Days for admitted students
will take place mid to late February
2023
Important Dates
Application Process
Applying to Maryland in four easy steps!
Submit an on-line application at: http://gradapply.umd.edu/
Under the “Educational Intent” tab select Education--HES
I--HISA (the Student Affairs code)
Our codes are CHSE (department), HESI (program level), and HISA (area of
specialization/concentration).
In addition to the other supplemental materials requested as part of the application (letters of
recommendation, statement of goals/experiences, etc.), please upload your résumé. A
writing sample is not required.
Send transcripts and the $75 non-refundable application fee (if paying by check only) to:
Enrollment Services Office (ESO)—Graduate Admissions
0130 Mitchell Building
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742
For questions, notify our graduate assistant at [email protected]
*We encourage you to keep copies of all application materials in case there is any difficulty with
the materials being received and scanned.
All applications are individually reviewed. A semi-finalist group of doctoral applicants are offered a
phone interview. (There is no interview for the master’s application.)
University of Maryland Student Affairs Concentration (HISA) 3214 Benjamin Building College Park, MD 20737
Starting Fall 2020, GRE scores
are no longer required for both
the Master's and Ph.D.
programs.
GRE Information
After you submit all of your materials to
the ESO-Graduate Admissions Office, the
University will give you a login ID. Once
you receive this ID, you can check the
status of your application on-line by
logging in at http://gradapply.umd.edu/.
Please be aware that all application
materials must be manually entered into
the University’s system. As such, you should
wait for a few days after submitting your
application before checking your status
on-line.
Checking Application Status
Contact our Graduate Assistant at
Visit our website:
https://go.umd.edu/HESI-StudentAffairs
Questions ???
Testudo, Maryland’s mascot, is a
diamondback terrapin. Graduate
students are able to get tickets to all
sports events at Maryland. Go Terps!
Assistantships / Fellowships
Our Connection to the UMD Higher Education Concentration
The Student Affairs (HISA) and Higher Education (HIED) concentrations work
collaboratively toward joint
research opportunities and course offerings. Be sure
you explore the Higher Education concentration if that is of interest to you. Higher
Education and Student Affairs are part of the same program (Higher Education,
Student Affairs, & International Education Policy program) but each
concentration requires separate applications.
Check out various Student Affairs or Higher Education programs:
ACPA: http://gradprograms.myacpa.org/
NASPA: https://naspa.org/careers/graduate-program-
directory
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://go.umd.edu/HESI-StudentAffairs
Want info on
other
programs?
Admitted students are invited to the Preview Program. Employers review résumés,
students review job descriptions, and both send in preference lists. Interviews are
scheduled. Over 50 assistantships were posted in the 2022 session—you do not need to
apply for assistantships prior to notifications of admission.
12-month assistantship remuneration is a minimum of $30,914, plus tuition
remission and health benefits.
9 and 9.5-month assistantships are also available with varying packages
Some Ph.D. admitted students may be recommended for fellowships by the faculty. If
admitted, it is your decision whether to enroll full-time or part-time; we encourage
you to be full-time if you can manage it. Check the web page for more general
information on assistantships.
Our Driving Principles
Equity and justice for all students
We seek to advance equity and justice for all students. The inequality that influences how students get
to college does not end when they enroll. As a community, we seek to fight for more equitable and
just higher education institutions and environments.
Understanding what is, pushing for what could be
Through our curriculum, we work together to understand the complexity, challenges, and inequities
that are endemic throughout student affairs and higher education. We do not stop at “what’s wrong”.
We encourage one another to envision how the world could be different, and push for change where
it is needed.
Big ideas, real issues
We are a rigorous program, driven by research and scholarship. We are committed to generating
new knowledge through inquiry, and sharing that knowledge to advance policy and practice. Many
of us are involved in policy discussions in Washington DC and beyond, and we are committed to
taking our research out into the real world to advance equity.
Thank you for your interest!
We will have virtual info sessions in
October 2022. Sign up HERE.
Please check out our website for
more information.
University of Maryland Student Affairs Concentration
3214 Benjamin Building
College Park, MD 20742
https://go.umd.edu/HESI-StudentAffairs
Application Deadline:
December 1, 2022
Thanks for your patience as we respond to your email!
