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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 and it provides a solid foundation for students wishing to pursue doctoral work. Graduates from our program work in practitioner or leadership roles across institutional types including positions in academic advising, admissions, athletics, residential life, academic affairs, and student affairs, among others.
Why earn an M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Redlands?
A leader in delivering educational excellence for over 100 years, the University of Redlands School of Education's higher education and student affairs master's degree program transforms students, like you, into post-secondary practitioners and leaders who make a difference.
As a cohort, you will work with expert faculty who are renowned scholars, educators, and administrators in their field guided by critical and justice-oriented lenses. In our program you will have the opportunity to learn about: how to design and evaluate supportive programs for diverse students, how to apply digital leadership in higher education, and how to work as part of HESA in an interdisciplinary environment, embedded in different institutional types. Our program offers the chance for you to learn specifically about Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in a vibrant post-secondary regional landscape. The program also has student-centered course offerings where elective courses can be tailored to student interests. Recent courses include Intergroup Dialogue in HESA, International Higher Education, and Social Movements and Campus Activism. When you finish the program, you will have learned the skills to practice informed decision-making from an educational justice perspective for your current or future roles as a higher education or student affairs professional.
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 (no application fee required)
- Evidence of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Evidence of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or an approved petition
- 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
Undergraduate Program
| Program | Credits | Cost Per Credit | Tuition Total |
| Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies: Elementary Education with Multiple Subject Teaching Credential | 60 | $578 | $34,680 |
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, or Dual Credential | 36 or 39 with Internship | $905 | $32,580/$35,295 |
| Preliminary Teaching Credential, Multiple or Single Subject | 30 or 33 with Internship | $905 | $27,150/$29,865 |
| Preliminary Teaching Credential, Education Specialist | 30 or 33 with Internship | $905 | $27,150/$29,865 |
Department of Counseling & Human Services
| Program | Credits | Cost per Credit | Tuition Total |
| Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 60 | $905 | $54,300 |
| Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling (K-12) Track - *with or without Pupil Personnel Services Credential | 48 | $905 | $43,440 |
| Master of Arts in Education, College Counseling Track | 48 | $905 | $43,440 |
| Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling and College Counseling (Combined) | 54 | $905 | $48,870 |
| Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychotherapy | 40 | $478 | $19,120 |
| Pupil Personnel Services Credential | 42 | $905 | $38,010 |
Department of Leadership and Higher Education
| Program | Credits | Cost Per Credit | Tuition Total |
| Preliminary Administrative Services Credential | 15 | $905 | $13,575 |
| Master of Arts in Education, Higher Education | 36 | $905 | $32,580 |
| Master of Arts in Education, Leadership for Social Justice Specialization | 36 | $733 | $26,388 |
| Doctorate of Education, Leadership for Educational Justice | 60 | $1,249 | $74,940 |
| Doctorate of Education, Leadership for Educational Justice with Preliminary Administrative Services Credential | 60 | $1,249 | $74,940 |
Wellness Fee: $100 per year
Student Service Fee: $5 per term
2025/2026 tuition and fee schedule effective July 1, 2025
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
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
Want to know more?
Get in touch with our admissions team.
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