Program Details | Student Affairs in Higher Education

Total creditsEstimated resident costEstimated Washington border costEstimated non-resident cost
18$11,298$12,245$15,510

Program cost estimates are based on 2024/25 PSU tuition and fees only. This chart is provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion. Additional fees may apply depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue and the specific courses for which you enroll, so you may also find it useful to review detailed tuition and fee information and the full cost of attendance for PSU programs.

Financial aid and scholarship options may be available to offset program costs. Visit COE Scholarships for specific details on how to qualify and apply.

Certificate learning objectives

Shaped by faculty and practicing student affairs professionals, the certificate program aims to prepare professionals who:

  • Are knowledgeable about student learning and development,
  • Are committed to meeting the needs of diverse learners,
  • Collaborate with faculty and other campus colleagues to shape support services and campus environments that enhance student learning and development.
  • Support professional decisions by applying research findings and theoretical frameworks to local contexts,
  • Continually strive to improve practice through assessment of student outcomes

Program of study

The program length is approximately one year and can be started ANY academic term. For the convenience of our diverse student body, we strive to offer courses in a variety of formats: hybrid (meet 4 times face-to-face with online work between meetings), fully-online (asynchronous) and online with scheduled Zoom meetings. Hybrid and synchronous meetings take place in the afternoon or evening or on Saturday. 

Refer to the PACE Planning and Course Guide for current offerings and delivery formats.

CourseCR #
Required courses The Graduate Certificate requires 18 academic quarter credits. (All credits can also be counted toward/rolled-over into a PACE Master's degree.) Students can complete required courses in any order.
ELP 525 Student Services in Higher Education4
ELP 526 Facilitating Student Success4
ELP 527 Legal Issues in Higher Education4
Elective
Any ELP course 511-599 can count as an elective. See PACE Planning and Course Guide for current offerings and delivery formats.4
Required culminating experience: In consultation with the faculty adviser, students will either design and complete a Self-Directed Learning comprehensive project and/or related internship. A total of 2 credits is required and these credits can be taken over separate academic terms if needed.
ELP 506 Culminating Project (Self-Directed Learning Experience), OR2
ELP 509: Internship2

Course descriptions

For course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.