About Student Affairs
If you think you would like working in a college environment, and if you have a strong desire to help college students grow and develop, then the field of student affairs and higher education may be perfect for you. Eastern Michigan's graduate program, along with a comprehensive and individualized graduate assistantship program offered through the Division of Student Affairs, provides you with the solid academic foundation and outstanding hands-on experience needed for this exciting profession. Student may also enroll in the program on a part-time basis.
The Program at Eastern Michigan University is practitioner-based, with an emphasis on professional development and on working directly with student affairs professionals on campus and other local institutions. Graduates of Eastern Michigan University are well-prepared for a variety of careers in higher education, as well as for doctoral studies in areas such as Higher Education Administration. The Department of Leadership and Counseling is part of EMU's renowned College of Education, whose reputation for excellence in producing the largest number of educators in the nation is unmatched.
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Graduate Programs in the Dept. of Leadership & Counseling
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership- Higher Education/ Student Affairs (HESA)
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Faculty
Our College of Education faculty are fully engaged in teaching, research and student service activities. They are published scholars and practitioners from higher education settings. Small class sizes and attention to both didactic instruction and experiential learning provide graduate students with rich learning opportunities. Courses are available face-to-face, online and in hybrid formats.
The graduate program is further enhanced by strong support from the Divisions of Student Affairs. Graduate students may be able to fund their education through full-time graduate assistantships available on campus.
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Graduate Assistantship Opportunities
There are a number of graduate assistantships offered throughout Eastern Michigan University.
Eastern Michigan University graduate assistant financial package consists of 18 tuition free credit hours per year plus a graduate assistantship stipend. The stipend amount averages about $7,800. The total financial package includes paid tuition, registration, general funds, parking permit, priority registration, and library privileges.
Some assistantships provide housing and dining services support. Additionally, several departments provide supplemental travel expenses to professional conferences.
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Tentative Timeline for Graduate Assistantship
Graduate Assistant Interview Days Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs
- January-March
- Complete a graduate school application package for the Educational Leadership masters program and be admitted to a program. Contact Dr. Elizabeth Broughton for more specific information.
- February
- Graduate Assistantships are posted in Februray/early March (and possibly throughout the year) on EMUjobs.com. After February/March, graduate students should monitor the website for further graduate assistant opportunities. After applying for the GA position, applicants will be selected to interview during the GA Interview Day.
Process for obtaining Graduate Assistantships
- February-April
- April-May
- Graduate assistantship applicants will be called to interview and then will be notified about decisions regarding assistantships. Assistantships are provided only after acceptance into a program of study
- May
- Candidates must confirm the offer of employment.
- Most assistantships begin Fall semester and last one or two fiscal years
Campus Departments that Offer Assistantships:
Numerous scholarships and other types of financial aid are available to all graduate students through EMU's Graduate School. Eastern Michigan University graduates are eligible to apply for the Barton Scholarship through the graduate school. In addition, a number of graduate assistantships/scholarships/fellowships are available for minority and nontraditional students in underrepresented disciplines though EMU’s graduate school.
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Housing for Graduate Students
Eastern Michigan offers a number of housing opportunities for graduate students, including on-and off-campus apartments and single room residence halls. There are numerous apartments/houses available for rent in the surrounding community. For more information call:
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Professional Participation
Our students actively participate in professional activities and have been recognized for their professional achievements while still in their graduate programs. Our students have made presentations at the Michigan College Personnel Association (MCPA), the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA), and EMU Graduate Student Research Fair. Students have also been published in the Michigan College Personnel Association Journal.
Every year a number of our students participate in case study competitions at two major conferences: held by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the Michigan College Personnel Association (MCPA). One of our graduate students was recognized for the "Overall Best" case study at the 2000 National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) conference:
2010-2011
- Student Affairs graduate student, Mary Beth Fawcett, was Awarded the Gold Medallion Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Employee in the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Division, March 2011
2009-2010
- Mary Beth Fawcett received the Outstanding Graduate Student Leader Award from the National Orientation Directors Association, Region VII, March 2010
2006-2007
- Graduate students from the program presented at various different national and regional conferences for such organizations as MIACADA, ACUI, NACA, and EMU’s own Graduate Research Fair
- One of our graduate students, Sara Carter, won the EMU Gold Medallion for Graduate Students, given by the Division of Student Affairs
2005-2006
- Students competed in the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Case Study championship at this year’s annual convention. One of our students, Kristen Arnold, won 1st place in the competition. Many other graduate students from the program presented at both national and regional conferences such as ACPA, MCPA, and the COE Graduate Research Fair
2002-2003
- Students competed in MCPA's and NODA's Case Study competitions. A team received first place at MCPA and second place at NODA
2000-2001
- One of our graduate students, Abbey Parsons, was awarded the EMU Gold Medallion for Graduate Students, an honor given to one graduate student each year by the Division of Student Affairs.
- Another recent graduate from our program was awarded the 2000-01 NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region V New Professional Award
Recent graduates have reported on a positive and supportive learning environment with the faculty and the program of study. Several graduates remarked upon the "professional experience" gained through their academic experience and their assistantship. In fact, one former student remarked that "my grad experience with the academic program, the assistantship and other campus-wide opportunities have placed me ahead of my other colleagues"
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Additional Information
For more information on the graduate program in student affairs practice, contact the Department of Leadership and Counseling at 734-487-0255.
If you are interested in our programs of study, we offer a specific formal visiting day for prospective graduate students in order to meet students, faculty and student affairs professionals. The purpose of the visiting day is to acquaint you with the campus, the graduate program, and graduate assistantships available to students.
For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Elizabeth Broughton, Professor
John W. Porter Bldg., Ste. 304
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
elizabeth.broughto@emich.edu
734.487.7120 ex.2682
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Last updated on
April 5, 2012
