Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration Program Code: 2246

Admission Requirements and Procedures:

PLEASE NOTE: ALL supporting application materials are to be sent to the program for which you are applying. This includes official transcripts, letters of recommendation and Recommendation for Admission Forms, and the MA/SAA Personal Record Form. Please send materials to:

Linda Driscoll, HALE Graduate Admissions Assistant
Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) Program
Department of Educational Administration
Michigan State University
423 Erickson Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034

Graduate admission to Michigan State University's Master's in Student Affairs Administration (MA/SAA) program is dependent upon your status at the time of application. Submit the necessary materials based on whether or not you are:

Prospective Students Not Presently Enrolled at MSU:

Complete the on-line MSU graduate application and pay application fee
a. On-line Graduate Study Application for Admissions indicating the proposed program of study (The SAA Program Code is 2246)
b. Application Fee
c. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (750-1000 words) that address each of the following points:

• What experiences led to your interest in pursuing a career in student affairs?
• What qualities, characteristics and skills do you possess that will make you a strong candidate for the SAA program at Michigan State?
• How will the SAA program at Michigan State help you meet your personal and professional goals?

Complete and mail to the Student Affairs Program as a complete packet:
a. Official Transcripts
b. Three Letters of Recommendation on Letterhead
c. MA/SAA Personal Record Form (downloadable PDF) (downloadable word doc).

Current MSU Graduate Students:

Complete the on-line MSU Application for Change of Program and Status (The SAA Program Code is 2246)

Complete and mail to the Student Affairs Program as a complete packet:
a. Official Transcripts
b. Three Letters of Recommendation on Letterhead
c. MA/SAA Personal Record Form (downloadable PDF) (downloadable word doc).
d. Personal Statement (750-1000 words) that address each of the following points:

• What experiences led to your interest in pursuing a career in student affairs?
• What qualities, characteristics and skills do you possess that will make you a strong candidate for the SAA program at Michigan State?
• How will the SAA program at Michigan State help you meet your personal and professional goals?

International Students:

International students who have not been admitted to graduate study at MSU are required to submit the International Graduate Application for Admission, proof of financial support, and proof of proficiency in English. For more information please contact the Office of International Students and Scholars, 103 Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, (517) 353-1720 or email: oiex@msu.edu.

Complete the on-line MSU graduate application and pay application fee
a. On-line Graduate Study Application for Admissions indicating the proposed program of study (The SAA Program Code is 2246)
b. Application Fee
c. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (750-1000 words) that address each of the following points:

• What experiences led to your interest in pursuing a career in student affairs?
• What qualities, characteristics and skills do you possess that will make you a strong candidate for the SAA program at Michigan State?
• How will the SAA program at Michigan State help you meet your personal and professional goals?

Complete and mail to the Student Affairs Program as a complete packet:
a. Official Transcripts
b. Three Letters of Recommendation on Letterhead
c. MA/SAA Personal Record Form
d. Copy of Demonstrated proficiency in English Language


Assistantship Application Procedures:

All assistantship selection processes are separate from the academic admission process. Admission to a graduate program is required for all assistantships, but securing an assistantship is not required for admission to the SAA Master's Program.

If you are interested in a Graduate Assistantship in Student Affairs,
you can apply online for Residence Life assistantships by visiting
http://www.reslife.msu.edu. If you are admitted to the program, you will receive additional information on applying for non-residential assistantships, which typically do not begin hiring graduate assistants until later in the spring semester. We have many opportunities for students that do not follow a regular process from year to year.

In conjunction with our annual HALE Graduate Research Colloquium on February 16, 2008 we will sponsor an optional opportunity for admitted students to come to campus, learn more about the SAA program, and meet prospective assistantship and practicum placement providers. So, keep Thursday, February 14th to Saturday, February 16th in mind as an opportunity to visit MSU as part of Spartan Preview Days. We expect that admissions decisions for those students who have all of their materials in by the January 5th deadline will be made in early February, in time to complete travel plans for the 14th to the 16th.

Admissions Deadline:

The Student Affairs Master's program has two admissions deadlines: January 5 and April 1. Applicants that meet the January 5th deadline will be most competitive for graduate assistantships. Although we will make multiple attempts to inform you of missing application materials, it is your responsibility to make sure that your application is complete. You are best assured of this if you send all your application materials in the same envelope to the address above.

<back to top