MA in Leadership with Concentration in SAHE

• SAHE Student Professional Development Funding Request
• SAHE Handbook 2023
• Student Affairs in Degree Plan

The SAHE program is a cohort-based Saturday program with courses running one at a time to allow for students to be successful academically and professionally while in the program.

Thank you for your interest in the SAHE program at UCCS! If you have questions about the Admissions process or the program after reviewing the welcome video and reviewing the information below, please reach out to the SAHE Program Coordinator, Dr. Phillip Morris, at pmorris@uccs.edu. You can also email Dr. Morris if you are interested in a meeting with a SAHE faculty member or current student. If you would like to schedule a phone or in-person interest/informational meeting, please contact the Student Resource Office at (719) 255-4996 to schedule it.

This cohort program admits approximately 20-25 students each year and coursework begins each SUMMER semester (mid-July).

Admission deadline for those interested in participating in the Graduate Assistantship process: December 15th annually.

Admission deadline for those not interested in participating in the Graduate Assistantship process: May 15th annually.

Admissions Process

Online Application: Applications for admission to the MA Leadership Program in Student Affairs in Higher Education must begin with completion of the online Graduate application found at: Apply Now!  The application deadline is December 15th if interested in a Graduate Assistantship and May 15th for those not interested in a graduate assistantship in order to be considered for the SAHE cohort the following Summer. 

Fee: Pay the $60.00 application fee. 

Career Goals Statement: Upload your career goals statement into the online application and include responses to the following prompts. Please limit your narrative to 1500 words.

1. What are your reasons for applying to this program?
2. What are your professional career goals? And how does this program align with your goals?
3. In what ways have your life experiences, your work, and your volunteer activities prepared you for a career in student affairs?
4. What do you bring to the program that will benefit your student colleagues?
5. What personal strengths will enhance your ability to be successful in this program?
6. What factors might limit your ability to complete this program?
7. Are you seeking assistantship opportunities? If so, which area of student affairs would interest you most for an assistantship position?
8. What other factors do you believe are important for consideration in evaluating your application?

Professional Résumé: Upload your professional résumé (please include relevant paid work and volunteer experience where applicable)

Tuition Classification Form: Complete and upload the Tuition Classification Form

References: List the name, title/organization, and email of three references. They will be emailed the SAHE recommendation form/instructions. Ideally, one reference should be a former instructor, one should be a current or former supervisor, and one should be a professional colleague. However, applicants who completed their undergraduate degree more than 5 years ago may replace the former instructor reference with another current or former supervisor who can speak to professional abilities.

Background Check: All applicants must submit a copy of their background check with their application. This is required because many school and clinical practicum and internship sites require the background check prior to accepting a student for field work. Current Colorado school or agency employees who have already completed a background check for employment may provide a copy of their Colorado license or background check results.

*International applicants only complete this step if they have lived in the United States for more than one year.

Instructions for completing your background check are below:

1. Go to website: https://www.cbirecordscheck.com/Index.aspx
2. Click on Individuals
3. Pay $6.85 to receive the results
4. Print a copy of the background check and email/mail your background check or proof of licensure to the College of Education Student Resource Office (education@uccs.edu) as part of admissions materials.

Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts (minimum GPA of 2.75 required for admission*) of all academic work ever completed to date (undergraduate and/or graduate GPA must be included on transcripts) directly to:

Office of Admissions
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80918-3733

*Students with a GPA below 2.75 may still apply and if admitted provisionally, must complete the first two courses in the program with a B or better to continue in the program.

Admissions Interview: Once ALL application materials are received (including receipt of all three completed reference forms), prospective students should contact the Student Resource Office at (719) 255-4996 to schedule a formal (phone or in-person) interview for program admission.

Additional items of note for International applicants: English Proficiency must be demonstrated through providing evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, a TOEFL score of 550-(paper-based) or 80-(internet-based) or an ACT/COMPASS® English score of 270 or above (the ACT/COMPASS® may be taken through the UCCS Office of International Affairs). Please contact the UCCS Office of International Affairs at: international@uccs.edu or call: (719) 255-7218 to make arrangements to take the ACT/COMPASS® at UCCS.

Applicants with any post-secondary course work from an international higher education institution that is recognized by their country’s Education Ministry must submit a course-by-course foreign degree evaluation by member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/members.htm), AACRAO (http://www.aacrao.org/) or World Education Services/Wes (https://www.wes.org/).

Financial Aid Resources

The financial aid priority filing date is March 1st annually.

Financial Aid Resources for Graduate Students available at:

Financial Aid Office:https://www.uccs.edu/finaid/

Graduate School: //www.uccs.edu/graduateschool/uccs-finances

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities.

SAHE Graduate Assistantship (GA) Application and Selection Process

To apply to a Graduate Assistantship through the SAHE program at UCCS, submit the following materials by Friday, February 3, 2023.

Attach the following items separately in an email to st-coe05@uccs.edu:

Additionally, please fill out the following form before Friday, February 3, 2023: 2023 GA Application Form

Name each file with your last name and document name (e.g., Smith.Resume, Smith.Why Student Affairs, Smith.Strengths, Smith.Career Goals):

Resume

1-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

Reserve Friday, February 24, 2023 from 12-5pm MST for GA Interviews, which will be conducted virtually.

Initial offers for GA positions will be sent by Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

Note about Graduate Assistantship Expectations:

Graduate Assistant positions during your graduate program are a stepping stone into professional roles and responsibilities in the field of student affairs. GA’s will be given experience and developmental opportunities through the practical administrative and student support experience. As such, students who choose to pursue a GA position during the SAHE program at UCCS are expected to prioritize the GA position as part of the learning experience.

Current GA Positions at UCCS:

• Graduate Assistant for Student Engagement - Sorority/Fraternity Life and Student Organizations
• Graduate Assistant for Academic Advising
• Graduate Assistant for University Center Building Operations
• Graduate Assistant for Campus Connections

Current GA Positions at Other Institutions: 

• Pikes Peak State College: Graduate Assistant for Academic Advising (hiring two GA's)

A 100 hour practicum experience in higher education is a requirement of the SAHE program. 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 as well as nearby institutions, including Colorado College, Pikes Peak Community College, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University-Pueblo, the Air Force Academy, and Regis University. Below are on-going 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 Career and Innovation Center Practicum Experience

UCCS First Year Experience

UCCS First Year Experience First2Go Practicum Experience

UCCS Global Engagement Office Practicum Experience

UCCS Orientation Practicum Experience

UCCS Parent and Family Programs Practicum Experience

UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program Practicum Experience

UCCS Residence Life and Housing

Campus Recreation Graduate Student Practicum Experience

Colorado State University-Pueblo Office of Student Affairs Practicum Experience

United States Air Force Academy Cadet Activities Practicum Experience

Colorado College Residential and Campus Programs

Colorado College Campus Events Practicum Experience

Colorado College Admissions 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

Student Affairs A-Team Graduate Student Practicum Experience

Students are expected to adhere to the highest codes of personal and professional ethics, as set forth by the Honor Code of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which appears each semester in the Schedule of Classes. Students who do not meet these standards may be dismissed from the Graduate School by the Graduate Dean upon recommendation of the chair of the Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations (LRF). Additionally, SAHE faculty will be systematically assessing students' progress in :

1. Academic Performance
2. Student Affairs skills development
3. Professional and personal growth throughout their program of study, as recommended by CAS.

Year 1 (21 credits)

Year 2 (15 credits)

The SAHE program has taken 39 students abroad through the LEAD 6000: Internationalization of Higher Education course since 2013. Occurring biennially, students have studies abroad to Ireland (2013, 2023), Italy (2015), London, Paris, Amsterdam (2017), Japan (2018). Through the course, students immerse themselves in an international study of higher education through an overseas experience, which includes site visits to higher education institutions abroad. Topics include the administration of higher education, the practice of student affairs work, as well as study of the history, culture, and politics of the chosen location.

The next study abroad course is in 2025, location is to be determined. 

Travel Tour:

The SAHE Travel Tour is a biennial domestic travel experience where SAHE students travel outside of Colorado to visit institutions and continue to explore professional opportunities. Since 2016, the SAHE program has taken 20 students to explore new opportunities during the Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah) tour (2016) and the Los Angeles tour (2018).

Here is what some participants have to say about the program.

"The SAHE Travel Tour is a great opportunity for students to learn a wide array of student affairs practices across institutions."

"The travel tour is a great opportunity to learn about other people and get a better understanding of your life and career goals."

"It was such a great experience getting to visit 3 different institution types and really feel how their vibes differed."
 

 

Professional Development Sessions Offered on Campus:

Monthly professional development sessions are provided for students to prepare them for transitions that occur 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