Gladys L. Benerd School of Education

M.A. in Educational Administration and Leadership with Student Affairs Emphasis

About the Degree

The College Student Affairs Program is offered by the Department of Educational Administration and Leadership.

It is designed to meet the standards of the  Council for Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and the requirements of the university, school, and department.

The CAS standards require a curriculum that consists of Foundational Studies, Professional Studies, Supervised Practice, Cognate Studies, and Research Courses.

Courses, seminars, independent studies, research, and practica in this program at the University of the Pacific fulfill the requirements as outlined by CAS.

The College Student Affairs specialization is a 36-unit program, with an optional thesis. The curriculum consists of courses in Research, Educational and Professional Leadership, a Concentration area, and Cognate Studies:

• M.A. Core Courses (12 Units)
  
  
  • ESPY 220, Nature and Condition of Learning, 3 units
  • CURR 209, Curriculum Theory, 3 units
  • EADM 204, Pluralism in American Education, 3 units
  • EPSY 201, Techniques of Research, 3 units
  
  
• Educational Administration & Leadership Core Courses (6 Units)
  
  
  • EADM 278, Educational Organizations & Diverse Constituencies, 3 units
  • EADM 289, Educational Leadership, 3 units
  
  
• Student Affairs Core Courses (9 Units, selected from the courses below)
  
  
  • EADM 240, Introduction to Student Affairs, 3 units
  • EADM 241, Student Development Theory, 3 units
  • EADM 242, College Student Environment, 3 units
  • EADM 243, Legal Issues in Higher Education Student Affairs, 3 units
  • EADM 244 (Strategies for Promoting Student Development)
  
  
• Concentration (3-6 units, selected from the courses below)
  
  
  • EADM 292A, Student Affairs Field Experience, 6 units required per guidelines
  • EADM 293, Seminar: Variable Topics, 3 units
  • EADM 245, Counseling Theories in College Student Affairs, 3 units
  • EADM 246, Counseling Special Populations, 3 units
  
  
• Cognate (3-6 units)
  
  Candidates are required to complete 6 units of study in a discipline outside of one’s major area of study and normally outside of the area of education. Candidates are encouraged to explore a cognate outside of the Benerd School of Education.  Candidates should consult with their advisors concerning the cognate choice.
  
  
• Thesis (Optional, 3-6 units)

Admission Information

Admission to the specialization is determined by an admission committee composed of program faculty. The precise criterion includes an earned GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.  Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for admission.

Admission to this program is a holistic decision, and is based on the following:

• The  Graduate School application forms including supplemental information for departmental placement of assistantships
• Grade Point Average
• Official sealed transcripts of all previous academic work
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• A writing sample of either a scholarly paper written in the last three (3 years or a 3-5 page essay on the following topic: The Role of Student Affairs in the Undergraduate Experience
• A current resume
• An interview with program faculty (in person or on the phone)
  

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available in Student Life and related departments on campus. Multiple housing positions are reserved for students enrolled in this specialization. For additional information about these specific graduate assistantships, contact the  Housing Office at (209) 946-2331.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact   Dr. Joanna Royce-Davis, Dean of Students.

Student Life
University of the Pacific
3601 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2365