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Master of Arts in Education: Higher Education and Student Affairs
The Master of Arts in Education: Higher Education and Student Affairs (MA.EDHEA or HESA) program prepares professionals to lead change and promote equity in higher education. Through an educational justice lens, the program builds expertise in higher education leadership, student development, and the application of research to practice.
Degrees Offered
Master of Arts
Program Types
Graduate
Mode of Study
Hybrid
Department
Leadership and Higher EducationSchool / College
School of EducationWhat is a Master of Arts in Education: Higher Education and Student Affairs degree?
The Master of Arts in Education: Higher Education and Student Affairs program is designed for people pursuing careers at colleges and universities. It also provides a solid foundation for students who wish to pursue doctoral work. Graduates of the program work in practitioner and leadership roles across many types of colleges and universities. Career paths include academic advising, admissions, athletics, residential life, academic affairs, student affairs, and other areas of higher education.
Why earn an M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Redlands?
For more than 100 years, University of Redlands School of Education has delivered educational excellence. The higher education and student affairs master's program at Redlands transforms students like you into postsecondary practitioners and leaders who make meaningful change.
As part of a cohort, you will work with expert faculty who are renowned scholars, educators, and administrators guided by critical and justice-oriented lenses. In the program, you will learn to design and evaluate supportive programs for diverse students. You will also explore how to apply digital leadership in higher education and how to work in interdisciplinary HESA environments across different institutional types.
At Redlands, you'll have the opportunity to learn specifically about Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) within Southern California's vibrant postsecondary landscape. Student-centered course offerings allow you to tailor elective courses to your interests and career goals. Recent courses include Intergroup Dialogue in HESA, International Higher Education, and Social Movements and Campus Activism. When you finish the program, you will be prepared to make informed decisions through an educational justice perspective in your current or future roles across student affairs and higher education.
Classes you'll take
To view specific classes, program requirements, and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.
Courses
- EDUC607: Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs
- EDUC644: Introduction to Educational Research
- EDUC669: Diversity and Social Justice in Higher Education
- EDUC633: Working With College Students
- EDUC631: Law, Policy, and Ethics in Higher Education
- EDUC612: Media and Digital Technologies for Leadership in Higher Education
- EDUC608: Evaluation & Assessment: Enhancing Program Effectiveness & Student Learning
- EDUC624: College Student Development
- EDUC637: Master's Seminar
Fieldwork requirement
- EDUC666: Practicum in Higher Ed
Elective courses
Students must take an additional 6 credits of coursework based on consultation with their academic advisor.
Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
- EDUC601: The Counseling Process
- EDUC605: Community College Today
- EDUC606: Topics in Higher Education
- EDUC614: Organization Theory & Leadership in Higher Education
- EDUC654: Counseling for Career Choice and Development
The coursework and field experience segments of the program are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Pathways are recommended for timely program completion. Learn more by viewing this pathway resource.
Program information
One course each term is in a hybrid format, other courses are face-to-face. In the HESA program, hybrid courses meet in-person on the Redlands campus for at least 50% of the class meetings. The remaining class sessions are facilitated via a synchronous online modality.
- Completed application
- Evidence of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Evidence of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or an approved petition
- Application files with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA require two additional letters of recommendation (for a total of four) and a GPA petition statement.
- One (1) official transcript issued by the Registrar of each institution attended, sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who know your work
- Personal Statement: Essay of 500 words describing personal experience and interests in relation to higher education and/or student affairs
Department of Teaching & Learning
| Program | Credits | Cost Per Credit | Tuition Total |
| Master of Arts in Education, Learning and Teaching with Single Subject, Multiple Subject, Special Education | 36 or 39 | $932 | $33,552/$36,348 |
| Master of Arts in Education, Learning and Teaching with Dual Credential | 45 or 48 | $932 | $41,940/$44,736 |
| Preliminary Teaching Credential with Single Subject, Multiple Subject, Special Education | 30 or 33 | $932 | $27,960/$30,756 |
| Preliminary Teaching Credential - Dual Credential | 39 or 42 | $932 | $36,348/$39,144 |
Department of Counseling & Human Services
| Program | Credits | Cost per Credit | Tuition Total |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 60 | $932 | $55,920 |
| Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling (K-12) Track - *with or without Pupil Personnel Services Credential | 48 | $932 | $44,736 |
| Master of Arts in Education, College Counseling Track | 48 | $932 | $44,736 |
| Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling and College Counseling (Combined) | 54 | $932 | $50,328 |
| Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychotherapy | 40 | $492 | $19,680 |
| Pupil Personnel Services Credential | 42 | $932 | $39,144 |
Department of Leadership and Higher Education
| Program | Credits | Cost Per Credit | Tuition Total |
| Preliminary Administrative Services Credential | 15 | $932 | $13,980 |
| Master of Arts in Education, Higher Education | 36 | $932 | $33,522 |
| Master of Arts in Education, Leadership for Social Justice Specialization | 36 | $932 | $33,522 |
| Doctorate of Education, Leadership for Educational Justice | 60 | $1,286 | $77,160 |
| Doctorate of Education, Leadership for Educational Justice with Preliminary Administrative Services Credential | 60 | $1,286 | $77,160 |
Wellness Fee: $100 per year
Student Service Fee: $5 per term
2026/2027 tuition and fee schedule effective July 1, 2026
In addition to the direct costs identified above, the University estimates a number of indirect costs a student may incur while completing their degree program. The combination of direct and indirect costs creates the student’s cost of attendance, which is used to determine the students financial need and set the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive for a period of enrollment. Indirect costs include:
- Personal expenses
- Transportation expenses
- Housing and food expenses
- Books and supplies
- Federal Direct Loan Fees
A breakdown of your total cost of attendance can be found on your financial aid offer letter in Self-Service Financial Aid.
Graduate application deadlines
Fall Term
Priority 1 Deadline: January 15
Priority 2 Deadline: June 1
Note
Most graduate program applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications submitted after the Priority 2 deadline will be reviewed based upon program capacity.
What you'll learn
You’ll learn to analyze key concepts, theories, and research to gain insight into the history, evolution, and future challenges of higher education.
You’ll learn to identify inequities in higher education institutions and implement inclusive strategies to foster student development, engagement, and belonging.
You’ll learn to evaluate professional challenges and make strategic decisions to improve policies, services, and operations within colleges and universities.
You’ll strengthen your written and oral communication skills while developing techniques essential for leadership and collaboration in higher education.
What you'll learn
Why Redlands
Mentorship
Students work with faculty who have expertise in various areas of the field using a critical and justice-oriented lens. They contribute to the study and practice of higher education, influencing regional, national, and international conversations.
Why Redlands
Tailored elective courses
The program offers elective courses that can be tailored to students' interests. Recent courses include: Intergroup Dialogue in HESA, International Higher Education, and Social Movements and Campus Activism.
Why Redlands
Range of learning opportunities
In our program, students have the opportunity to learn about: the support of diverse students at an HSI, how HESA works in an interdisciplinary environment, and different institutional types in a vibrant HE regional landscape.
Why Redlands
Community
Students will join a historic university community that helped found the consortium of The New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) in 1995 and has one of the first School of Education’s in the state. An interesting piece of the School's history for HESA students, is that Elizabeth Hidden, the first women to work as a faculty member in the School (1926-1954), earned the influential Deans of Women professional diploma from Teachers College, Columbia University, which is widely described as the precursor to graduate degrees in student affairs.
Graduates pursue careers in
For graduates who have not worked in institutions of higher education before, the program provides an excellent platform for their first HESA job in a range of positions in higher education and student affairs. Former students enjoy careers in: academic advising and success, academic technology, admissions counseling, athletics, career development, college access and readiness programs, diversity and inclusion centers and programs, financial aid, housing and residential life, international student support, registrar offices, student centers and unions, student conduct programs, student leadership programs, student success programs and centers, study abroad, Title IX offices, TRIO programs, and more.
Some graduates already work at institutions of higher education in some capacity. These graduates leverage their HESA degree for advancement in their current job or to find new opportunities in different areas of higher education and student affairs work. What students learn in our program allows them to move into leadership positions, explore new areas of HESA work, or apply what they've learned to engage in their current positions in fresh ways.
Graduates pursue careers in
Career and Alumni Outcomes
Potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to what is displayed below.
Student Testimonial
“The Higher Education and Student Affairs program at University of Redlands provided a strong foundation in understanding the structure and complexities of the higher education system. Through engaging classroom discussions and hands-on fieldwork experience, I explored key theories that inform student support and participated in meaningful opportunities to directly apply practical skills in real-world settings. The program's social justice emphasis profoundly shaped my professional perspective, reinforcing that student success is not a one-size-fits-all model and that effective support across all areas of higher education begins with meeting students where they are in their individual college journeys.”
— Alicia Reyes ’24, Master of Arts in Education: Higher Education and Student Affairs
Leadership and Higher Education
The Leadership and Higher Education department is part of the School of Education. We are dedicated to providing exceptional learning experiences for graduate students in small, personalized educational settings. Our faculty are accomplished professors who work in the areas of leadership, educational administration, and policy. Learn more about all our programs, student resources, and faculty.
MA.EDHEA (HESA) At-A-Glance
Guaranteed Classes
Meet 2 nights per week + fieldwork
Program Length
24 months, 36 credits
Features
120 internship hours and opportunities for elective courses
Designed for
People pursuing careers at colleges and universities, and to pursue doctoral work.
Student Success
Academic advising, Career & professional development, Extensive alumni network
Upcoming Information Sessions
We’re so glad you’re interested in learning more about graduate programs at University of Redlands. Our graduate admissions team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Connect with us
Want to know more?
Get in touch with our admissions team.
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