History
Dr. Merrill C. "Jack" Beyerl, Ball State University's Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of the Counseling Center, realized the need for educated staff in various academic and student support services on Ball State's campus. Dr. Beyerl was a national leader in student affairs, serving as the president of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), and being recognized as an ACPA Diamond Honoree for outstanding and sustained contributions to higher education and student affairs. In 1965, he launched the Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (as it is currently titled) so that professional staff would know how to extend learning beyond the classroom and campus offices would provide high-quality service.
In the 40 years since the program's inception, nearly 800 graduates have served both private and public colleges and universities of all kinds in multiple student affairs positions. Among the graduates are senior student affairs officers and higher education faculty members.
The academic home for the program is in the department of Educational Studies in Teachers College. Since the program is co-sponsored by the division of Student Affairs, nearly all students have graduate assistantships so that, in addition to their classroom learning, they gain practical experience. The program employs a collaborative faculty model using full-time faculty with rank in the Department of Educational Studies along with affiliated faculty members who are campus leaders in student services positions.
The program was ranked 14th among 186 students affairs and higher education graduate programs in a 2004 national study.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE) graduate program is to prepare student affairs educators to work in college and university academic and student support services such as academic advising, academic support, admissions, alumni affairs, financial aid, career centers, disability services, first-year experience, Greek life, housing and residence life, international student programs, judicial affairs, multicultural centers, ombudsperson, orientation, recreation services, registration, religious affairs, service learning, student activities and programs, student life, student voluntary services, student unions, and student health.
Program Philosophy
Colleges and universities provide many outside the classroom learning opportunities and support services for students and many other clients. The educators who work in these roles need an understanding of contemporary college students, academic and student services, how to enhance learning in the classroom and extend learning outside the classroom, and how to provide high-quality service so that client needs are met.
In addition to being a professional in a specific student services office, student affairs educators must also be generalists understanding how to facilitate learning and provide service. The overall emphasis is of Ball State University's Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education is on student development and applying theory to practice. The program provides students with a generalist's understanding of higher education and the role of student and academic services; it facilitates the understand of developmental needs of college students; and it provides students with opportunities to pursue areas of interest that they feel will contribute to personal and professional growth and development.
Intended Outcomes
Graduates of Ball State University's Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education will understand:
- The developmental process and needs of college students,
- Learning and service roles of academic and student services,
- Contemporary issues in American higher education,
- How to apply theory to practice, and
- How to apply research, evaluation, and assessment to practice.
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