Program Details | Student Affairs in Higher Education

Curriculum

Shaped by faculty and practicing student affairs professionals, the certificate program prepares individuals to support student success and development across diverse higher education settings. Participants build a strong foundation in student learning and development theory, engage with strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners, and collaborate with faculty and campus partners to create supportive environments that foster student growth. The program emphasizes applying research and theory to inform professional decision-making, as well as using assessment and reflection to continually improve practice and enhance student outcomes.

Course Descriptions

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

Program Format

Modality

Online, scheduled meetings and no scheduled meetings: This program is held entirely online Some classes have required meeting times, others have no required meeting times.

Part-time or Full-time

Estimated time to completion: 1-2 years

Scheduling

Evening: Online classes with meeting times are typically held in the late afternoons or early evenings from 4-6:30pm or 6:40-9:20pm.

Weekly Estimated Time Commitment

The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. PSU operates on the quarter system, and terms last 10 weeks.

Graduate school is a big commitment; please consider this information as a starting tool to help you gain a sense of the time commitment. Students learn differently and you may find that it takes you more time to complete the coursework on a weekly basis. Generally, a graduate program is more intensive and should require more time on homework than undergraduate courses; therefore, we recommend planning for more time than the minimum.

In the certificate program, students have the flexibility to design a plan of study that fits their individual goals and schedules. Most students maintain employment while completing the program and typically enroll in 4–9 credits per term, adjusting their course load as needed. There is no requirement to register every term. Because classes emphasize extensive reading and writing, students are encouraged to plan their time carefully. Students participating in the internship option of the culminating experience should also plan to commit approximately 30 hours of daytime engagement during the term.

Program of Study

Self-paced: This program is self-paced, meaning that students can take most or all courses on their own schedule, attend full-time, part-time or change their enrollment on a term-by-term basis. Classes follow the regular PSU academic calendar structure. All classes must be completed within 7 years of beginning the program.

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