Hybrid MA in Leadership Overview
Build your career in higher education leadership.
The hybrid MA in Leadership with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) is designed to develop transformational leaders in student affairs operations in colleges and universities. Our core values are centered around belonging and are embedded throughout the curriculum. You’ll incorporate them through foundational studies, professional studies, and supervised practice.
The MA in Leadership program follows a hybrid model, with required in-person classes one Saturday per month from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST. The rest of the program is delivered in a flexible, asynchronous format.
There is still time to apply for Summer 2025! We accept students up until the week before classes start.
Student Affairs in Higher Education - Leadership, MA
College of Education
Hybrid
Delivery Method
$710*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state
$1440*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state
Priority Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline
36
Credit Hours
2 Years
Average Completion Time
MA in Leadership Course Overview
The MA in Leadership with a concentration Student Affairs in Higher Education requires students to complete 36 credits of coursework and fulfill 100 hours of practicum work in higher education. Students are also required to submit a culminating portfolio.
In the practicum experience, students choose a site based on their learning and professional goals. The SAHE program has strong connections to area campuses and recent students have completed their practicum at UCCS and nearby institutions, including Colorado College, Pikes Peak Community College, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University-Pueblo, the Air Force Academy, and Regis University.
As a SAHE student, you will:
Develop as a leader through an expanded self-knowledge and worldview
Develop student affairs competencies and leadership strategies
Learn how to guide a professional team as you integrate data-informed assessment
Explore the political and social implications of higher education
Examine and evaluate conditions for a diverse, democratic, and multicultural campus community
Acquire the confidence necessary to ignite and inspire others
- Personal and Professional Development in Student Affairs in Higher Education (Lead 5010)
- Vision, Values, and Leadership in Student Affairs in Higher Education (LEAD 5030)
- Social and Cultural Foundations of Higher Education (LEAD 5610)
- College Student Development Theories (LEAD 5260)
- Counseling and Helping Skills in Higher Education (LEAD 5210)
- Legal & Ethical Issues in Higher Education (LEAD 5280)
- Introduction to Research & Statistics (LEAD 5700)
- Culturally Responsive Practices in Higher Education (LEAD 5110)
- Student Services Program Development & Evaluation (LEAD 5310)
- Budgeting & Finance of Student Affairs in Higher Education (LEAD 5290)
- International Study of Higher Education (LEAD 6000) or Master’s Research Laboratory in Leadership (LEAD 7000)
- Practicum for Student Affairs in Higher Education (LEAD 6830)
Below are ongoing practicum experiences that are available to students. Students may also create agreements with other departments and other campuses based on their goals.
- UCCS Academic Advising Practicum Experience
- UCCS Campus Connections Practicum Experience
- UCCS Campus Recreation Practicum Experience
- UCCS Career and Innovation Center Practicum Experience
- UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program Practicum Experience
- UCCS Alumni Office Practicum Experience
- Colorado College Campus Events Practicum Experience
- Colorado College CCE Practicum Experience
- Colorado College Summer Programs & College Access Practicum Experience
- Pikes Peak State College TRIO Disabled Student Support Services Practicum Experience
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An updated list of GA positions will be posted periodically, so please check back to see updates. Please complete the application form by Friday, February 21st, 2025 and include your last name and the document name in each file submitted. The following application materials will be required for the GA application.
- Goals Statement with the following sections:
- ½ -page single-space response: Why do you want to enter the field of student affairs and what impact do you hope to have?
- 1-page single-space response: Describe your greatest strengths and how you apply them in work settings.
- ½-page single-space response: What are your career goals in student affairs?
- Any additional materials requested in specific GA position descriptions
Please reserve Friday, March 7th, 2025, from 12-5 p.m. MST for GA interviews, which will be conducted virtually.
- Goals Statement with the following sections:
LEAD 5030: Vision, Values, and Leadership in Student Affairs in Higher Education
Students will develop an understanding of leadership theory. The traditional roles and functional areas of student affairs and the role of student affairs professionals in student learning in higher education will be discussed.
LEAD 5110: Culturally Responsive Practices in Higher Education
Examine historical and contemporary social inequalities in higher education at both the systemic and individual levels. Engage in self-reflection and acquire knowledge and skills in culturally responsive practices.
LEAD 5310: Student Services Program Development & Evaluation
Programs and services that fall under the student affairs umbrella are constantly evolving and vary from campus to campus. Students learn what the various programs/services are, how to decide which to offer, and how to evaluate their effectiveness and make changes when needed.
Careers in Student Affairs
Graduates with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education will gain hands-on experience and applicable knowledge they can begin using in the workforce. Whether you’re seeking to advance your higher education career or make a switch to student affairs, you’ll gain the necessary skills and experience to work in roles like:
- Associate Dean for Student Success
- Student Advisor
- Director of Educational Strategy
- Dean of Student Affairs
- Director / Assistant Director of Admissions
- Resident Director
- Student Accessibility Manager
- AVP of Enrollment Management
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job category of postsecondary education administrators had a median pay of $102,610 as of May 2023. Around 15,200 job openings were projected each year in this category.
Take the First Step
Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
At the UCCS College of Education, we believe that geography shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your career goals. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Going the Distance Scholarship, a $2,000 award for students who live 50 miles or more outside of Colorado Springs and are enrolled in the Master of Arts in Leadership with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE). Our hybrid format requires just one in-person session per month, allowing students to balance work, life, and academics. This scholarship is designed to help cover travel expenses, including gas and meals, so you can focus on preparing for a rewarding career in higher education without worrying about the cost of commuting. Students who live 50 miles or more outside of Colorado Springs are automatically awarded the Going the Distance Scholarship
Students in the Student Affairs in Higher Education - Leadership MA program are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships. Currently there are 12 graduate assistantships ($2,000 each). Four of these assistantships come with a one-time $2,000 matching tuition reduction.
Complete the formComplete the form on this page to connect with our Enrollment Team and get more information about tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid.
Western Region Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE)
Students from the following states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States) have the opportunity to pay a reduced tuition rate which is currently equal to in-state tuition.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$710
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$1440
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to the UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will pay for on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.
Admissions Information
The following items are required to be considered for admission to the SAHE program:
- Application and fee
- Resume
- Personal statement
- One reference letter or rating form
- Transcripts
- Interview (offered to all applicants)
For details on the program's admission process, please visit the Admission Details page.
Start the application process by filling out the formfilling out the form on this page.
Important Dates
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process. However, submitting your application by the preferred deadlines is advisable.
- Summer Semester: March 15
- Summer 2025 – June 9, 2025
Student Affairs in Higher Education Success Stories
"The SAHE program was flexible for those student affairs professionals already in their career, as well as those who started out their higher education experience as a graduate assistant and worked up to a full-time position."
"The SAHE program has helped me become a true student affairs practitioner. Every day I find myself putting the tools and knowledge I gained from the SAHE program into my day-to-day practice."
"The networking with instructors and other classmates was, and continues to be, invaluable. This program really changed the course of my life for the better, and I wouldn't change any part of it."
"Not only did I receive a solid educational foundation in student affairs including current and relevant topics, but I also gained practical time in the field through my graduate assistantship and the practicum experience."
Expand Your Opportunities
Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment advisor by filling out the form on this page today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Occurring biennially, students have studied abroad in Ireland (2013, 2023), Italy (2015), London, Paris, Amsterdam (2017), and Japan (2018). Students visit a variety of higher education institutions in host countries to learn about the administration of higher education, the practice of student affairs work, and local history, culture, and politics.
The SAHE Travel Tour is a biennial domestic travel experience (non-credit) where SAHE students travel outside of Colorado to visit institutions and explore diverse professional opportunities. Since 2016, the SAHE program has explored the American Southwest (2016), Los Angeles (2018), New Orleans (2020) and San Diego (2024).
We provide monthly professional development sessions on campus for students to prepare them for transitions during and after the SAHE program experience. These include:
- Mock Interview Night for Graduating Students
- Engaging in Professional Development and Professional Association Involvement
- Cover Letter Workshop
- Doctoral Student Panel
- Creating Inclusive Communities
- Transitioning from Graduate School
- Using Your Summer Wisely
Online courses at the University of Colorado are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course.
The Master of Arts in Leadership with a concentration Student Affairs in Higher Education is offered in a hybrid format, which means you will be required to visit campus one Saturday per month. The rest of the program is delivered online in a flexible, asynchronous format.
We’re here to help. We emphasize to all students that faculty members are here for them. As faculty seek to connect with you, feel free to use their flexible office hours or contact them if you need additional help.
A common barrier to success is time management, especially if you are working a full-time job. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to develop better balance among your commitments, but having a plan for completing your studies each week can help you get on track to success early.