The University of Texas at Austin

Masters Program

Application Deadline: January 13th

The Master of Education in College and University Student Personnel Administration is designed to develop knowledgeable and skilled professional administrators in such career areas as student housing, organizational and leadership development, services for special populations, financial aid, admissions, learning skills development, counseling, health education, recreation, and similar programs and services in institutions of higher education.

Although conventional instruction is the province of the faculty, student personnel professionals provide invaluable assistance to students outside the classroom by fostering personal growth and by ensuring the availability of support services that enhance learning and improve the likelihood of a successful educational experience.

Typical Program of Study

Download the M.Ed. Program Plan

Your coursework will be tailored to your interests and needs, with the advice and approval of your faculty mentor. However, the following courses in Higher Education Administration are required unless their subject matter has been mastered in another setting and at the level of graduate study:

  • Organization and Administration of Higher Education
  • The College Student
  • College/University Student Personnel Administration
  • History of Higher Education
  • Higher Education Law
  • Higher Education Business Management

At least thirty-six semester credit hours of coursework are required, with at least twenty-one hours of approved coursework in Higher Education Administration and a minor of at least six hours outside the Department of Educational Administration. Up to six hours of graduate work may be transferred from another institution and counted toward the Master's degree if approved by the student's advisor and the graduate advisor and Graduate School. More information please refer to the transferring coursework page. A thesis or master's report is not required. An internship of at least three semester credit hours (approximately 120 clock hours) is required unless you have significant concurrent or prior experience in student personnel administration in a college or university setting. Also, note that the Graduate School has a residency requirement, "Each student must be enrolled in residence as a full-time student for at least two semesters or the equivalent and must complete the major portion of the degree program at the University of Texas at Austin."

Learning and Earning  

Most students working toward the Master of Education in College and University Student Personnel Administration need some degree of financial support. While the Higher Education Program does not have scholarships or fellowships available, loans and a very limited number of grants are available through the Office of Student Financial Services.

A more important source of financial support for most students in the program is employment in the Division of Student Affairs, in other areas of the University, and in the Austin metropolitan area. The Higher Education program enjoys a particularly close relationship with the Division of Student Affairs, working cooperatively to assist students in finding employment opportunities. In addition to providing income, jobs in the Division have the dividend of providing experience in student personnel administratin, an important asset when applying for employment after you receive your degree.

  • The Division of Student Affairs includes:
  • Counseling, Learning and Career Services (including the Learning Skills Center and Career Center)
  • Student Health Center (including Health Education)
  • International Office (including Study Abroad)
  • Recreational Sports
  • University Honors Center
  • Texas Student Publications
  • Housing and Food Services
  • Office of the Registrar
  • Student Financial Services
  • Office of Admissions (including Graduate and International Admissions)
  • The Texas Union
  • Office of the Dean of Students (including Student Judicial Services, Services for Students with Disabilities, Retention Services, Campus and Community Involvement and Fraternal Education)

Most of the University's schools and colleges, as well as some of the larger academic departments, have a staff of academic advisors whose interests and duties are in student personnel administration. These offices, in addition to the Division of Student Affairs, offer opportunities for field experience and employment. See this Web site for employment listings.

All persons seeking employment with The University of Texas at Austin must first make application through the Employment Office, P.O. Drawer V, Austin, TX 78713. The employment office will inform you of appropriate job openings as they occur. To provide additional services at the time of your admission to the degree program, you will be given an opportunity to indicate areas in which you are particularly interested and whether you seek part-time or full-time employment. The Department of Educational Administration will inform relevant offices of your interests and provide them with a copy of the appropriate portions of your admission credentials for any current potential openings. This does not guarentee a job offer but will enhance your opportunities considerably.

Still Interested?

For more information or to receive application materials, write, email, or telephone:

The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Educational Administration
Higher Education Administration Program
1 University Station D5400
Austin, Texas 78712-0374

eMail: edadmin@teachnet.edb.utexas.edu
Telephone: (512) 471-7551
Fax: (512) 471-5975