Program Description

Student Development in Higher Education

The MS in Counseling, Student Development in Higher Education (SDHE) program consists of 51 to 57 units over three years (6 semesters). A program planner will be provided to each student upon admission, and each student will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students enroll in 3 to 4 courses each semester of the program. See Typical Schedule below. 

With Thesis: 57 unit minimum
Without Thesis: 51 unit minimum

There are no course prerequisites for the program.  Please review the Eligibility Requirements website for GPA and application information.

Take all of the following (51 - 57 units):

  • SDHE 510- Student Development in Higher Education (3) Ó˦♦Ó˦
  • SDHE 511- Equity and Access for the U.S. College Student (3)
  • SDHE 512- Law & Ethics in Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 513- Critical Perspectives in Student Development Theory and Practice (3)
  • SDHE 514- Leading for Equity and Change in Higher Education
  • SDHE 516- Counseling and Adult Development: Theory and Practice (3)
  • SDHE 517- Critical Approaches to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 520- Introduction to Counseling for Diverse Populations in Higher Education (3) Ó˦♦Ó˦
  • SDHE 521- Advanced Counseling for Diverse Populations in Higher Education (3) Ó˦♦Ó˦
  • SDHE 522- Group Dialogue and Counseling in Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 523- Career Counseling in Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 530- Introduction to Research Methods in Student Affairs and Higher Education (3) Ó˦♦Ó˦
  • SDHE 531- Advanced Research Methods in Student Affairs and Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 532- Institutional Effectiveness for Equity and Student Success in Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 640- Professional Development Seminar: Student Development in Higher Education (1) Ó˦♦Ó˦
  • SDHE 641- Intermediate Professional Development Seminar: Student Development in Higher Education (1)
  • SDHE 642- Advanced Professional Development Seminar: Student Development in Higher Education (1)
  • SDHE 643- Fieldwork: Student Development in Higher Education (3)
  • SDHE 644- Advanced Fieldwork: : Student Development in Higher Education (3)

Take one of the following:

  • SDHE 698 Thesis (must take 6 units)
  • Comprehensive examination

Ó˦♦Ó˦ Denotes this class is required for Advancement to Candidacy

Please see the  for course descriptions.

Please note this is a typical course schedule for a student. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor. A program planner will be provided to each student upon admission. 

Year 1: Fall

  • SDHE 510
  • SDHE 520
  • SDHE 530

Year 1: Spring

  • SDHE 511
  • SDHE 512
  • SDHE 521
  • SDHE 640

Year 2: Fall

  • SDHE 513
  • SDHE 514
  • SDHE 522

Year 2: Spring 

  • SDHE 516
  • SDHE 523
  • SDHE 531
  • SDHE 641

Year 3: Fall

  • SDHE 517
  • SDHE 643

Year 3: Spring

  • SDHE 532
  • SDHE 642
  • SDHE 644

Note: The timing of course offerings may change on an annual basis and with limited advanced notice.