Master's of Arts in Postsecondary Educational Leadership and Student Affairs

The master's program curriculum at San Diego State University is designed for student affairs practitioners—those who want to commit to supporting students through their college experiences from holistic, culturally competent, and compassionate perspectives. The program emphasizes student learning centeredness, integration of curricular and co-curricular learning paradigms, and considers the responsible practice of leadership in a justice-centered and global environment.

The program utilizes leadership theories to educate students to become savvy consumers of research, policy, and practice in order to apply ethical, evidence-based decision making to promote access, justice, equity, inclusion, and quality student development and learning.

Quick Program Facts

Mission

We aspire to prepare compassionate and competent educational leader-practitioners who advocate for institutional equity and support the holistic success of students within postsecondary education.

Program Goals

The Postsecondary Educational Leadership with a specialization in Student Affairs (PELSA) Program is committed to supporting students by preparing them to:

1. Enter and advance in entry-level careers.
2. Become grounded in the theoretical foundations of student learning, development, and success.
3. Apply theory to practice to positively influence student success.
4. Embody equity-mindedness, social justice, and mindful, compassionate leadership to transform educational contexts.

View curriculum and degree learning outcomes.

Announcements

MA Program Interview Days 2022

Candidates who are invited to campus will participate in a two-day interview process in which they will interview for available graduate assistantships and admission into the PELSA program. Upon the conclusion of the interviews, candidates and graduate assistantship sites will submit their respective preferences, and assistantships will subsequently be awarded on the basis of the best matches.

This coming year, interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, February 16th and Thursday, February 17th, 2022. To be considered for admission, you must submit all required documents and attend the interviews either in person or virtually.

 

Contacts

Contact us and let us know how we can help you.