SAA Curriculum

Please note this is a reference page for students who matriculated to the Student Affairs Administration (SAA) Program prior to the academic year 2024-25.

The Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration (MS SAA), a 45-minimum credit hour program, includes:

• 15 credit hours of core student affairs required coursework
• A 3-credit hour research methods course
• 21 credit hours of electives
• A minimum 3-credit hour internship
• A 3-credit hour capstone course (SAA 524 - New Student Affairs Professionals)

SAA students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 and must receive a B or higher grade in all required courses to graduate. It typically takes full-time students two years to complete our program.

Curriculum

Core Courses (15 Credits) 

• SAA 510 - Intro to Stdnt Personnel Srvcs

  This course provides a comprehensive study of the organizational structure, functional units, and administrative relationship of personnel services in two- and four-year institutions of higher education. These include understanding the relationships among admissions, academic advising, career services, counseling centers, judicial affairs, multicultural affairs, orientation, residence halls, student activities, financial aid and student health to name a few. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered: fall only. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• SAA 511 - Clg Std Dev Thry, Rsrch, Pract

  The primary purpose of this course will be to explore current programs, issues, practices, research, and trends in college student development. Special attention will be given to the historical, philosophical and theoretical foundations of student development as it relates to practice. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered: fall only. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• SAA 512 - Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

  This is a core (required) course for the SAA Degree. The purpose of this course is to prepare students for integrating critical reflection, multicultural research, and social justice advocacy in student affairs practice. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered spring only. 3 Credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• SAA 513 - Orgnztn & Admin in Higher Edu

  This course will focus on the organization and administration of higher education. The course is designed to provide basic information about the organizational and function of major administrative units and administrators in institutions of higher education. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered: spring only. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• SAA 514 - Law in Higher Education

  This course will explore some of the pressing legal issues that today confront American institutions of higher education. Special attention will be given to how courts have attempted to balance the sometimes competing rights and responsibilities of institutions, faculty, staff, and students. Issues to be explored include: first amendment rights of students, academic freedom of faculty, search and seizure issues in residence halls, affirmative action in admissions, regulation of athletics, privacy issues, religious freedom on campus, rights of students with disabilities, employment discrimination and institutional liability for student behavior. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered: spring only. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

Educational Research Requirement (3-4 Credits)

• SAA 515 - Research Mthds in Higher Ed

  The course will introduce students to research methods used in the social sciences. Topics include competing epistemologies; quantitative and qualitative research methods; concept development; valid and reliable measures; and data analyses. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered: fall. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

OR

• PAFF 510 - Research Design and Methods

  This course is intended as an introduction to research methods. It focuses on the ""logic of inquiry""--how one goes from theory or research interest to empirical results. Upon completion, students are able to: 1) construct a research hypothesis/research question; 2) identify appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative method(s) for investigating that question; 3) collect and analyze data; and 4) present research results. Offered: fall and spring. 4 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

Application of Learning (3 Credits) 

• SAA 595 - Internship

  The Student Affairs Administration Internship is an experiential learning opportunity that provides students in the Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration (MS SAA) program with real-world practical experience in a Student Affairs/Services, or closely related area of interest at a two-year or four-year institution of higher education. Note: If you're a student who is pursuing a dual degree in MS SAA and MPA, and you want to use the same placement site for both SAA 595 and PAFF 594 internships, you will need to complete 300 internship hours and all of the coursework for PAFF 594 and SAA 595. Additionally, you will need to select a placement site that fulfills both the MPA and SAA requirements. Prerequisites The student must be matriculated in the MS SAA program having completed their core MS SAA courses (SAA 510, 511, 512, 513, and 514) with a grade of B (3.0) or better. Dual Degree students must also have completed these additional MPA core courses (PAFF 520, 521, and either PAFF 510 or SAA 515) with a grade of B (3.0) or better. Offered: semester varies. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

Demonstration of Competencies (3 Credits)

• SAA 524 - New Student Affair Professiona

  The purpose of this course is to provide you with a structured opportunity to reflect on and synthesize your learning in the SAA master’s program and to prepare you for the transition to a professional role. Emphasis will be placed on reflection and synthesis, understanding your professional strengths and interests, the student affairs job search, and transition from a student role to a professional role. Prerequisite: Admission into a recognized graduate program at Binghamton University, or consent of the SAA department chair. Offered: spring. 3 credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

 Elective Courses (21 Credits)