Programs for Grad Student Affairs?

[lzs]

Hi everyone,

 

As far as I can tell, most HESA programs are heavily or exclusively focused on undergrads. I realize this makes sense because lots of higher education institutions have undergrads but no grad students. However, are there master's programs that are good for people interested in grad student affairs? I certainly don't object to working in undergraduate affairs, but I do have a particular interest in grad students. (There are a lot of people working in graduate student services at the university I currently work at, so I know this is an actual thing that exists, even if it's less common than undergrad student services.)

 

An example of the kind of thing I'm looking for: University of Michigan, which has faculty with research interests in faculty attitudes and career patterns (presumably relevant to grad students because they work so closely with faculty and many of them aspire to become faculty), undergraduate research (relevant in that many undergrad research assistants are aspiring grad students), and graduate education itself. Plus, they have both a master's and PhD program and it sounds like the master's students and PhD students take some classes together. I'm not interested in doing a PhD program myself, but since I am interested in someday working with PhD students professionally, it seems good to study with some and get a close perspective on their needs and concerns.

Anyway, does anyone know of any other programs that have any of those features, or features that are similarly relevant to grad student affairs? I'm not planning to apply anywhere for at least a couple years, so feel free to cast a wide net and include programs that might require a lot of planning, prep work, unusual experience, etc.

[lzs]

Thanks for your advice! To clarify, I'm not married to having super close relationships with professors, and I'm not necessarily looking to do research -- I just mentioned faculty research interests because those can affect the content of the coursework, and perhaps the assistantship/internship opportunities? And because it's easier to tailor an application to a program that fits my particular interests.

[confusedkate]

I'm not sure of any masters programs that have graduate student centric coursework. However, a lot of programs have internships/assistantships in this area. I would suggest looking at what opportunities each school has in terms of working with the types of students you are interested in, or if any former students have been placed in these areas. I know a lot of schools offer (or require) internships/assistantships in graduate admissions, graduate student affairs, advising for schools of continuing studies, etc.

Edited June 29, 2014 by confusedkate

[Edugy]

I would look into Higher Ed masters.