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Students are the Center of Higher Education

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 not only the diversity of today’s college students but adult learning and development issues. You’ll learn how supportive, safe and inclusive environments can facilitate desired student outcomes. Earning your certificate opens doors to a variety of jobs in academia from advising to retention programs and residential life.

Where It Is Offered Commerce, Online
Duration

1 year

Foreign Language

No foreign language credits required

Delivery Online (86-99% Online)
Total Credit Hours

12 hours

Thesis Requirements

No thesis required

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Higher Education Student Affairs Graduate Certificate:: Feature Courses

Featured Courses

Introduction to Higher Education HIED 615

This course provides a foundation for understanding how institutions of higher education in America function. Includes a study of systematic philosophies of education and their influence on instruction and administration in higher education.

The Adult Learner HIED 620

This course examines 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 Affairs HIED 658

Examines 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/multicultural centers, and how these resources contribute to the mission of higher education institutions.

Institutional Effectiveness and Outcomes Assessment HIED 637

Examines 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.

View Full Curriculum In The University Catalog
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ADMISSIONS DOMESTIC/Current Tabs

Admission

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Higher Education Student Affairs Graduate Certificate:: Domestic Application section

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application through ApplyTexas.

  • 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.
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

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

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.
Dayla Burgin Headshot.
Dayla Burgin Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Step 4. Register for Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Jennifer Faunce Headshot.
Jennifer Faunce Graduate Enrollment Specialist
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Higher Education Student Affairs Graduate Certificate:: International Application section

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

*International applicants must be admitted to a master’s or doctoral program at A&M-Commerce to pursue a graduate certificate.

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application through ApplyTexas.

  • 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

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

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.
Dayla Burgin Headshot.
Dayla Burgin Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

Step 4. Register For Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Jennifer Faunce Headshot.
Jennifer Faunce Graduate Enrollment Specialist
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Higher Education Student Affairs Graduate Certificate:: Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Once admitted, you must:

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Higher Education Graduate Certificate :: Request More Information

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Higher Education Graduate Certificate :: We are here to Help

We Are Here to Help!

Jennifer Faunce Headshot.
Jennifer Faunce Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Dayla Burgin Headshot.
Dayla Burgin Graduate Student Services Coordinator
JoHyun Kim Headshot.
JoHyun Kim, Ph.D. Associate Professor
Dimitra_Smith-9791
Dimitra J. Smith, Ph.D. Department Head/Associate Professor
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Higher Education Graduate Certificate :: Related Degrees

Related Degree Programs

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