The MA program prepares students for a career in higher education. Our curriculum encompasses broad themes in the history and development of higher education both in the US and abroad and includes the study of colleges as institutions; student learning and development; the profession of student affairs; research and assessment methods; and access to higher education and diversity. Our degree blends academic study with practice through intensive internships at NYU and throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

Part-time students combine academic study with their practice in current higher education positions. You can select a program of study from a wide range of interdisciplinary courses, and have the option of selecting an unofficial area of study in order to design a course plan around one of the following areas: student affairs, administration and academic affairs, international education, workplace learning leadership, and social justice.  During the final semester of study, you’ll complete a capstone project that integrates your experiences in the program into a portfolio that communicates your developing areas of interest.

The program study consists of 36 credits of coursework and continuous paid internship. It is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time study; course work starts each September (summer course work is also available and encouraged), and full-time students can complete the program in three, 12-point semesters.

HESA Internship Overview

All entering full-time Higher Education and Student Affairs MA students are required to hold a 20 hour per week internship. Securing an internship requires interviews, which are held at our invitation-only Recruitment Days event, occurring in mid-March. If you are selected to interview, you will be contacted in early-to-mid February. Applicants are only offered admission upon the acceptance of an internship offer. These positions subsidize the cost of attendance and may include a stipend, tuition remission, housing, professional development funds, or some combination thereof. Our full-time students currently intern at the following institutions and offices*:

New York University, Pratt Institute, Fordham University, SUNY Maritime, Adelphi University, Stevens Institute of Technology, CUNY John Jay, and the School of American Ballet.

● Athletics: Academic Adviser

● New Student Orientation

● Multicultural Affairs

● Student Activities and Leadership

● Residential Life and Housing Services

● Fraternity and Sorority Life

● Financial Aid

● Community Engagement

● Parent and Family Programs

● Graduate Student Life

● Career Services

● LGBTQ Student Center

● Undergraduate Admission

*Please note that this listing is not exhaustive. Not all positions are available at all

institutions.