The Graduate Certificate in Student Affairs Administration is designed to prepare professionals who work in higher education settings with the foundations of practice, research, and theory related to working with diverse populations of college and university students.

This program will enhance knowledge and skills in:

• Foundations of student affairs
• Enrollment management and student retention
• College student development theory
• Campus environments
• Career counseling

The program of study requires the following four courses (12 credit hours):

• EDUC 704 - Collegiate Environments(offered Spring semesters)
• EDUC 706 - Theories of College Student Development(offered Spring semesters)
• EDUC 708 - Higher Ed Student Affairs & Enrollment Management(offered Fall semesters)
• CNED 714 - Career Counseling(offered Summer semesters)

This program is open to everyone with a baccalaureate degree who is interested in working with college students, including faculty, staff, and administrators at NDSU and the surrounding colleges and universities.  Current graduate students can also add this certificate to their plan of study.  Courses can be taken in any order.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Student Affairs Administration Certificate program, the applicant must:

• Submit a letter of support from their supervisor (if applicable) as well as a one page statement of intent
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing
• Have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses at the baccalaureate level

Applications should be submitted directly to the graduate school and are due by July 1 for Fall admission or by December 31 for Spring admission.  Prospective students can enroll in courses as non-degree seeking before applying to the certificate.

Please contact Laura Parson, Ph.D. for more information.