Student Affairs Administration

The Student Affairs Administration Certificate is a four-semester (12-credit) graduate certificate designed to prepare professionals who work in higher education settings with the foundations of practice, research, and theory related to working with diverse populations of college and university students. This program will enhance knowledge and skills in the foundations of student affairs, enrollment management and student retention, college student development theory, campus environments, and career counseling.

Admission Requirements

This program is open to everyone with a baccalaureate degree who is interested in working with college students, including faculty, staff, and administrators at NDSU and the surrounding colleges and universities. Current graduate students can also add this certificate to their plan of study.

Applications should be submitted directly to the graduate school and are due July 1 for fall or December 31 for spring. Prospective students can enroll in courses non-degree-seeking before applying to the certificate.

To be eligible for admission to the Student Affairs Administration Certificate program, the applicant must:

• Submit a letter of support from their supervisor (if applicable) as well as a one page statement of intent
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing

• Have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses at the baccalaureate level

Certificate Requirements

The program of study requires the following four courses (12 credit hours). Courses may be taken in any order.