Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) faculty and students spark innovative practice and produce research to address the contemporary challenges and persistent inequities in higher education.
# 21
Higher Education Administration Program (U.S. News & World Report)
Top ranked HESA program
Program Overview
HESA offers educational leaders, scholars, and practitioners comprehensive expertise built from a range of intellectual traditions. Faculty have diverse philosophies, methods, disciplinary training, and personal backgrounds, ensuring students gain a deep understanding and interconnected view of the field.
A hallmark of the Iowa HESA program is its abundant opportunities for experiential learning; through assistantships, internships, practica, and more, HESA students have opportunities for leadership, service, teaching, and research.
Programs
MA Higher Education and Student Affairs
A theory-to-practice master’s preparing scholar-educators for careers in student affairs and higher ed administration.
PhD Higher Education and Student Affairs
A terminal doctorate preparing scholar-educators for leadership, faculty positions, and policy analysis.
EdD Educational Policy and Leadership Studies
A practice-based terminal doctorate preparing scholar-educators for upper-level leadership.
Graduate Certificates
Certificate in Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Certificate in Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE) prepares professionals to use data for institutional and organizational decision-making, reporting, and accountability in higher education and K-12 contexts.
Certificate in K-12 Equity and Inclusion
The Certificate in K-12 Equity and Inclusion offers professionals currently working in K-12 schools, districts, and area education agencies expertise in equity and inclusion to better support the needs and interests of a diversifying K-12 student population.
Faculty and Research
Higher Education and Student Affairs faculty are nationally and internationally recognized in the field and are active in a wide range of research areas.
To see associated faculty, please visit: Faculty Listing.
Areas of expertise include:
- Minoritized students’ experiences
- College choice and access
- Student outcomes
- Inequality in higher education
- History of higher education
- Multicultural initiatives
- Internationalization
- Higher education administration, policy, and governance
- Student development
Center for Research and Undergraduate Education
The Center for Research on Undergraduate Education (CRUE) implements and disseminates research and scholarship that fosters an understanding of effective undergraduate education.
Multicultural Initiatives Research Team (MCI)
The Multicultural Initiatives Research Team (MCI) researches ways of being in relationship, constructs and strategies that disrupt dehumanizing practices that perpetuate inequity.
Missions and Values
The Higher Education and Student Affairs program is united in its commitment to advancing knowledge, and cultivating transformation in the practice and study of postsecondary education. The HESA program offers educational leaders, scholars, and practitioners comprehensive expertise built from a range of intellectual traditions. Our differences (philosophies, methods, disciplinary training, and personal backgrounds) exemplify the respect and concern we have for ensuring that students develop a deep understanding and interconnected view of the field. Together, the HESA program coalesces around a shared sense of responsibility to produce research, and to spark innovative thinking, that addresses the contemporary challenges and persistent inequities that permeate the field of higher education and student affairs.
Together we pursue these tasks by:
- Engaging authentically with civility and respect
- Critically examining issues of justice and social change
- Offering learning experiences that require holistic reflection
- Examining the classic and contemporary contexts of postsecondary education
- Cultivating a caring and dynamic learning community and a rigorous culture of scholarship and ethical practice
Admissions and Application
For general admissions information, please visit Graduate Admissions. Please visit the degree pages for specific admissions information:
Questions?
Apply Now
Please review your specific degree requirements before starting the general graduate application.
News
Gyesi selected for 'Dare to Discover' campaign
Mavis Gyesi, a PhD student in the higher education and student affairs program, was selected to be featured in this year’s OVPR campaign.
Alumnus Jon Sexton inspires others as a leadership champion
Alumnus Jon Sexton returned to the University of Iowa as the keynote speaker for the 2024 College of Education fall commencement, where he shared his experiences and insights from college and his career.
Perez selected for 'Dare to Discover' campaign
Maria-Victoria Perez, a PhD student in the higher education and student affairs program, was selected to be featured in this year’s OVPR campaign.
Contact Us
Application questions can be directed to:
Anne Sparks
319-335-2146
anne-sparks@uiowa.edu
General program questions can be directed to:
Becky Vargas
epls-hesa@uiowa.edu