In order to advance in a student affairs administration career, a Masters degree in Student Affairs Administration or related discipline is necessary. Most positions above entry level are Masters degree required as well as experience related to the position.


Student Affairs Administration degree programs have different names with the most common being College Student Personnel and Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education. There are numerous programs throughout the United States.  


When researching graduate programs, it is helpful to have a clear idea of what the person is looking for. Perhaps the most common criteria for potential candidates are the reputation of the academic program, the assistantship opportunities, the location, and the academic curriculum and faculty. Consult a variety of information and speak with professionals you already know in the field when you research graduate programs. They can provide valuable insight into the process as well as specific programs you may be interested in. Dr. Will Barratt has an excellent resource on selecting a graduate program on the ACPA Commission for Professional Preparation web site.  


There are three web sites which include listings of graduate programs in Student Affairs Administration.
-ACPA Commission for Professional Preparation- This site includes graduate programs which meet the Council for the                         Advancement of Standards (CAS).  
-NASPA Graduate and Professional Students Services Knowledge Community-  You can search their listing by                                     state, keyword, or institution.
-GradSchools.com- You can search for programs based on geographic area, distance learning, and those programs                             outside the United States. It also includes a menu of related graduate programs.


Once you find some programs you are interested in, get in contact with the program director or consult the program web site to become familiar with the application timeline and acceptance guidelines. Most programs require an application to the program as well as the graduate school. You may have to take the GRE and have a certain GPA to qualify for the program or graduate school. Many school will have a graduate program visit day as well as other opportunities to visit campus and interview for assistantships in Student Affairs offices.