Take a closer look at the student experience with our Higher Education Student Affairs graduate certificate. Designed for current or aspiring student affairs educators, our certificate prepares you with the knowledge and tools to handle critical matters that college students face. Offered fully online, the 12-hour program enhances your understanding of higher education and its relationship to student affairs administration. While here, you'll study the diversity of today's college students and adult learning and development issues. You'll learn how supportive, safe and inclusive environments can facilitate desired student outcomes. Your certificate will help open doors to a variety of jobs in academia, from advising to retention programs and residential life.
Where It Is Offered
Online
Duration1 year
Foreign LanguageNo foreign language credits required
This course provides a foundation for understanding how institutions of higher education in America function. The course includes a study of systematic philosophies of education and their influence on instruction and administration in higher education.
The Adult LearnerHIED 620
Examine the unique nature of the adult learner in higher education in contrast with young learners in K-12 classrooms. Emphasis will be placed upon theories of andragogy and practices in adult learning.
Administration of Student AffairsHIED 658
Examine organizational structures, leadership and management processes associated with college and university student affairs administration. Special emphasis is given to institutional policies, planning and coordination to support students' development, growth and engagement in areas such as housing and dining, recreation, advising and counseling, career and multicultural centers, and how these resources contribute to the mission of higher education institutions.
Institutional Effectiveness and Outcomes AssessmentHIED 637
Examine the application of a variety of institutional assessment processes to the development or improvement of the organization and to the measurement of accountability. Special attention will be devoted to accreditation.
Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
Select “Higher Education Student Affairs, Graduate Certificate” as your “Major.”
Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Provisional Status
After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
Official Transcripts
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Postal Alternative
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce Attn: Graduate School PO Box 3011 Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
Select “Higher Education Student Affairs Graduate Certificate” as your “Major.”
Pay the $75 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
Official Transcripts
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to: Texas A&M University-Commerce Attn: Graduate School 2600 S. Neal St. Commerce, Texas 75428
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.