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Student Development Administration, MA & MEd

Seattle University's Higher Education Leadership and Administration program is designed for those passionate about leading within college or university settings and advancing social justice.

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About this Program

Become An Equity-Minded Leader In Higher Education 

Seattle University’s Higher Education Leadership and Administration (HELA) program is built on the foundation of our well-established, highly respected Student Development Administration program with more than 30 years of history.  

Applications will open January 7, 2026

Expand Knowledge and Professional Competencies

  • Direct strategic change on an organizational level 
  • Advocate for just policies and practices in higher education 
  • Lead campus-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives 
  • Assess and evaluate student success through innovative program design  
  • Engage in scholarly research, grant writing and fundraising 
  • Develop student-centered programs that improve college access and success 
  • Foster identity-conscious supervision and student leadership development 

Program Highlights

  • Build a lasting network on a local and national level, with colleagues for life, enriching your professional journey beyond graduation. 
  • Design a practitioner or research project that aligns with your career aspirations and showcases your newly developed competencies 
  • Online, asynchronous formatting tailored for working professionals 
  • Affordable tuition that makes quality education accessible (with graduate assistantships, graduate coordinator positions, and institutional scholarships.) 
  • Engage with a team of faculty scholar-practitioners who teach and mentor. 
  • Publish research and writing in peer-reviewed journal.

Master's in Higher Education Leadership and Administration at a Glance

Learn how a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership and Administration will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University master's can be.

The Higher Education Leadership & Administration (HELA) program prepares students to become equity-minded leaders in various educational fields such as student affairs, higher education administration, educational tech and educational non-profit organizations.

The HELA program focuses on theory, research and practice in higher education, covering areas like:

  • Strategic Leadership
  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Organizational and Change Theory
  • Law and Policy Analysis

The Higher Education Leadership and Administration program has ten learning outcomes. They are:

  1. Understanding the foundations and emerging nature of the Student Affairs profession and higher education.
  2. Understanding students and student issues.
  3. Exhibiting professional integrity and ethical leadership in professional practice.
  4. Understanding and fostering diversity, justice and a sustainable world formed by a global perspective and Jesuit Catholic tradition.
  5. Adapting student services to specific environments and cultures.
  6. Developing and demonstrating skills in leadership and collaboration.
  7. Utilizing assessment, evaluation, technology, and research to improve practice.
  8. Communicating effectively in speech and in writing.
  9. Understanding issues surrounding law, policy, finance and governance.
  10. Establishing and enhancing professional identity.

Through our holistic mentorship approach, our nationally recognized and dedicated faculty will work with you to gain the experience and skills necessary to serve students in a variety of educational environments, including community colleges, 4-year colleges, college access organizations and high-tech companies (university recruiting and leadership development).

Assistant Professor Paige Gardner, '11 MEd, PhD, co-program director of the Student Development Administration program, has more than 12 years of practitioner experience and offers students a unique perspective as a scholar-practitioner. Read more about Dr. Gardner in this Seattle University Magazine profile.

Associate Teaching Professor Erin Swezey, MPS, MA, Program Director of the Student Development Administration program has more than 30 years of practitioner experience and guides students through their career discernment through internship placement process.

Year 1 (21 credits)

Fall 2026 Quarter (9 credits)

HELA 5000 Research Methods, Critical Inquiry & Data Analysis (3 credits)

HELA 5300 Leadership & Governance in Higher Education (3 credits)

HELA 5400 Higher Education Theory & Organizational Change (3 credits)

Winter 2027 Quarter (6 credits)

HELA 5700 Operationalizing Equity & Inclusion in Higher Education (3 credits)

HELA 5800 Higher Education Law & Policy (3 credits)

Spring 2027 Quarter (6 credits)

HELA 5850 Higher Education Finance & Enrollment Management (3 credits)

HELA 5750 Curriculum & Pedagogy in Higher Education (3 credits)

YEAR 2 (21 credits)

Fall 2027 Quarter (7 credits)

HELA 5500 Strategic Leadership, Assessment & Evaluation (3 credits)

HELA 5900 Capstone Leadership Formation & Practice in Higher Ed (3 credits)

HELA 5920 MA Portfolio Seminar I (1 credit)

Winter 2028 Quarter (7 credits)

HELA 5590 Community College & Educational Access (3 credits)

HELA 5640 Community Engage Learning & Internship I (3 credits)

HELA 5930 MA Portfolio Seminar II (1 credit) 

Spring 2028 Quarter (7 credits)

HELA 5050 Academic Advising for Student Success (3 credits)

HELA 5650 Community Engage Learning & Internship II (3 credits)

HELA 5940 MA Portfolio Seminar III (1 credit) (1 credit)

 

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Flexible Schedule That Fits Your Life

This program is designed for graduate students who desire an online, asynchronous learning environment and is especially designed for full-time professionals who have a desire to expand their professional formation.

Featured Faculty

All Faculty & Staff
  • Paige Gardner, PhD
    Paige Gardner, PhD

    Interim Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Success and Development
    Co-Program Director for Curriculum and Instruction Design and Higher Education Leadership and Administration
    Assistant Professor, Higher Education Leadership and Administration

  • Erin Swezey, MPS, MA
    Erin Swezey, MPS, MA

    Co-Program Director, Higher Education Leadership and Administration (HELA)
    Associate Teaching Professor, Higher Education Leadership and Administration (HELA)
    Internship Coordinator, Higher Education Leadership and Administration (HELA)

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Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!

Ashley Miller

Senior Admissions Counselor

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