Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs, M.A.

(Major Code: 08271) (SIMS Code: 331917)

The Master of Arts degree in postsecondary educational leadership and student affairs (PELSA) is intended for students who desire to enter and advance in postsecondary education positions, student services, or other administrative careers. Students will become grounded in the theoretical foundation of student learning, development, and success. Students will apply theory to practice to positively influence student success and to work towards embodying equity-mindedness, social justice, and mindful compassionate leadership to transform educational contexts.

A single application is be required to apply to this program and it may be submitted through Cal State Apply. All applications must include a curriculum vitae or résumé, a 500-word personal statement, and at least two letters of recommendation. All applicants should note that previous academic degree and experience required varies with the career goals of the student. Upon admission to the university and the program, all students will be assigned a faculty adviser during their first semester in the program. Only students who show reasonable promise of success in student affairs leadership positions will be admitted to this program. In order to continue in the program, the student must demonstrate ongoing academic, personal, and professional growth.

For more information about the PELSA program, contact:

Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education

https://education.sdsu.edu/arpe/ma-student-affairs

mapostsecondaryedinfo@sdsu.edu

619-594-6115

Specific Requirements

A minimum of 36 units to include:

Required Core Courses

(30 units)

ARP 610 - Educational Leadership Units: 3
ARP 620 - Student Affairs and Student Success Units: 3
ARP 621 - Theoretical Foundations of Student Affairs and Student Success Units: 3
ARP 622 - Intra and Interpersonal Communication for Student Success Units: 3
ARP 623 - Seminar in Critical Leadership Issues in Student Affairs Units: 3
ARP 624 - Advising and Coaching for Student Success Units: 3
ARP 747 - Equity-Minded Approaches for Student Success Units: 3
ARP 755 - Governance and Policy Development in Postsecondary and Disability Systems Units: 3
ARP 760 - Internship in Postsecondary Educational Leadership Units: 1-6
OR three units selected in consultation with the graduate adviser
ED 690 - Methods of Inquiry Units: 3

Research

Selection of Plan A or Plan B.

Six units selected from the following:

Plan A: Thesis

ED 799A - Thesis Units: 3
and
ARP 798 - Special Study Units: 1-6
OR

Plan B: Comprehensive Exam

ED 795A - Seminar Units: 3
and
ED 795B - Seminar Units: 3

Additional Information

In general, students will be programmed for Plan B, the Research Seminar plan. After the student is approximately halfway through the program, permission to transfer to Plan A may be requested. Requests for transfer to Plan A must be prepared as an official change in program for the master’s degree, countersigned by the faculty adviser, and submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs in the College of Education. The Plan B option provides students the opportunity (1) to have experiences that emphasize research and writing, (2) to participate actively in the projects of other members of the seminar, and (3) to subject their own work to critical evaluation by the other seminar members. Both plans require the ability to formulate and define research or assessment problems, to assemble data pertinent to the problem, to draw conclusions, and to present the study in acceptable written form. Both require a formal presentation upon the project’s completion.