Online Student Affairs & Development Graduate Programs in New York
Online student affairs graduate programs, also sometimes referred to as student development graduate programs, help professionals pursue leadership, supervisory, and management positions in student affairs. They may also help professionals pursue knowledge and develop skills in a particular area of student affairs such as advising, counseling, management, administration, or student advocacy. Best of all, through online programs, students may do so while working fulltime and from locations throughout the country. For many professionals, the convenience and accessibility of online education may make pursuing advanced education possible.
What is Student Affairs?
As you may know, educational institutions and campuses are incredibly dynamic. Social, political, and economic influences guide student and institutional action, and any of those factors can make or break a student’s academic, personal, social, and even professional experience in the classroom and on campus.
Student affairs professionals may help create programming and provide services that promote student growth, development, security, and success. They might work as advisors, counselors, administrators, managers, or in a number of other positions in departments such as admissions, financial aid, student activities, developmental learning services, or advocacy services (to name several). Through their roles, they may strive to provide programming and services that support students and align with institutional goals and objectives.
Graduate programs in student affairs may help professionals learn how to promote students’ social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development in the classroom, on campus, and beyond. For example, individuals in these programs may learn how to design and use programming and services to create a positive campus experience that is safe, inclusive, and promotes student success. Some examples of programming include diversity training, workshops on eating healthy and exercising, and buddy systems that keep students safe on weekend nights. Some examples of services include financial aid advising, counseling services to help handle grief, and student union services that help students register for campus clubs. Student affairs students may also learn how to provide leadership, supervision, or management in various areas of student affairs such as financial aid, admissions, Greek life, and student unions. Their goal, no matter their positions, may be to enhance the student experience in all areas.
For many professionals in higher education, student affairs graduate programs teach them how to act as leaders, trainers, educators, advisors, counselors, program designers, researchers, conflict negotiators, and in many other capacities. They may also submerse professionals in student affairs culture—one that often embraces principles of social justice, communication, sound policy, and community action. Overall, the field and discipline of student affairs is incredibly expansive.
Who Might Pursue an Online Graduate Degree in Student Affairs?
In many cases, professionals who pursue an online certificate, master’s degree program, or doctorate degree program in student affairs are working professionals who may already be steeped in the field of student affairs. They may be interested in pursuing a career in a particular area of student affairs, or they might want to pursue a leadership, management, or supervisory position. Some professionals currently employed outside of student affairs might pursue a graduate degree program in the subject to enter the field.
Those who study student affairs commonly take great interest in the success and well-being of students, especially at the college level. They’re typically interested in acting as advocates for students and ensuring that students have everything they need to successfully pursue their degrees. Providing effective, efficient service and developing great programming (across areas of student affairs) may be at the forefront of many student affairs professionals’ minds.
What Graduate-Level Programs Are Available in Student Affairs in New York?
As you’re looking for student affairs graduate programs online, you’ll likely find them at the certificate, master’s degree, and graduate degree level. And, just below, you can find many gathered in one place (you can also refine your search to look for online certificate, master’s degree, or doctorate degree programs). But first, here’s a little bit of information on the different types of programs:
Many people who work in student affairs want to enhance their careers or develop their knowledge and skillset in a particular area of student affairs. For those students, online certificate programs may offer an attractive option. These shorter programs typically require just one year or less of fulltime study (though in online formats, students may opt to take longer). Through them, students may develop their knowledge of theories and practical applications in student affairs and the subjects’ historical and philosophical contexts. They may also study areas of student affairs such as programming, financial aid, and advising (to name a few).
Student Affairs & Development Online Programs in New York
Program | Institution | Degree Awarded |
---|---|---|
M.A. in Higher Education Student Affairs | Grand Canyon University | MA |
M.Ed. in Christian School Administration | Regent University | N/A |
The Master’s Degree in Student Affairs Online in New York
There are three types of student affairs master’s degrees students might pursue online: the Master of Arts (M.A.), the Master of Science (M.S.), and the Master of Education (Ed.M.). Professionals might pursue a master’s degree in student affairs to learn how to manage, lead, and supervise in the field. They might also do so to learn about a particular area of student affairs such student advocacy, advising, administration, counseling, or another.
Pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs online generally requires one to two years of fulltime study. To conclude their programs, students might complete an internship, take a comprehensive exam, or write and defend a thesis.
The Doctorate Degree in Student Affairs Online in New York
Students commonly pursue one of two doctorate degrees in student affairs online: the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Depending on their curricula, either of these programs could teach professionals principles and theories of leadership and management in student affairs. They could also help professionals gain highly specialized knowledge in an area of student affairs or learn how to conduct research and analysis in the field. However, the Ph.D. typically emphasizes theory and research, while the Ed.D. typically emphasizes practical application. Professionals who earn a Ph.D. might work as educators or researchers in higher education, while professionals who earn an Ed.D. might work directly in a student affairs department. The role a doctorate program prepares professionals to fill ultimately depends on its particular curriculum.
Students most commonly earn their doctorate-level student affairs degree through three to six years of fulltime study. At the end of their programs, they might complete field work and students teaching, write a dissertation, or take a comprehensive exam.
State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|
California | 30,050 | $62,790 |
Texas | 24,380 | $60,280 |
New York | 22,430 | $61,140 |
Florida | 14,820 | $48,300 |
Illinois | 11,180 | $49,950 |
Metro Area | Annual Mean Salary | Employment |
---|---|---|
California-Lexington Park, MD | $84,730 | 50 |
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $81,650 | 230 |
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,380 | 2,210 |
Leominster-Gardner, MA | $74,900 | 130 |
Bend-Redmond, OR | $73,890 | 70 |
Online Certificate Programs in Student Affairs in New York
What Might I Study in Online Student Affairs Graduate Programs?
In many cases, online curricula may mirror on-campus curricula. However, the curricula, and perhaps even the program, might be structured slightly differently to take advantage of digital tools. Despite a program’s digital structure, students will still likely complete a collective of core and elective courses. Broadly, they might study theories, applications, and contexts across disciplines that influence student affairs. They may also take courses that help them specialize and focus their knowledge.
In your certificate, master’s degree, or doctorate degree program, you might study subjects such as:
- Historical and modern-day philosophies of students affairs
- Principles and theories in higher education
- Leadership and administration in student affairs
- Student advocacy and development
- Program design, implementation, and assessment
- Political, social, and economic factors of student success
- Research methodologies and analysis
- Ethnographic research and programming
- Student and campus diversity
You might study these and numerous other subjects in your Online Student Affairs Graduate Programs. The degree to which you’ll do so will depend upon your program level and objectives.
How Can I Find Online Student Affairs Graduate Programs in New York?
If you want to pursue your advanced degree in student affairs, you can begin your journey now. Gradschools.com has put together a list of programs that offer student affairs education online. If you want to refine your Online Student Affairs Graduate Programs search—say to browse by program level (certificate, master’s degree, or doctorate degree)—you can use our search tool on the left. When you find Online Student Affairs Graduate Programs of interest, don’t hesitate to use our form to contact the program directly. A representative of Online Student Affairs Graduate Programs can give you additional information and tell you how to register. We wish you luck as you embark on your journey!
GradSchools.com offers Graduate Programs in Student Affairs & Development in New York
Grand Canyon University
Regent University