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Why Choose Student Affairs in Higher Education - Administration?
If you are interested in a rewarding professional career in student affairs, consider Wright State’s student affairs in higher education program. You will have the opportunity to be involved in practical applications of student services and student development while you complete your master’s degree. Practicum, internships, and graduate assistantships are designed to complement your academic course work. Assistantships are not required but highly recommended.
Your fellow students represent gender and racial diversity, geographical spread, and different undergraduate academic disciplines. Many have been active in student government, residential services, Greek life, and campus recreation, and others have worked full time in various campus offices. You will also find significant career opportunities, as demand for our graduates has been strong.
Contact Information
Carol Patitu, Ph.D., Program Director
937-775-4148
carol.patitu@wright.edu
Careers
View the Student Affairs in Higher Education-Administration program profile for sample occupations, average salary, and employment projections.
Almost 83 percent of our 2018-2019 graduates pursuing an educational leadership related degree were employed in Ohio within a year of graduation. (ODJFS Data Match, 2019).
The College of Health, Education, and Human Services has provided a dedicated career consultant to assist you in connecting your major to a career. The career consultant focuses on staying up to date on career trends in education, kinesiology and health, leadership, and human services. Our assigned career consultant is an extension of services offered through Wright State’s Career Services.
Real-World Experience
A biannual study abroad trip is normally available to you and others who desire to learn more about global diversity in higher education.
Alumni Success Stories
Kayla Patterson graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2015 with her B.S. in Integrated Language Arts Education and has spent the last seven years as a high school English teacher in the Dayton area. She graduated with a degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education in December 2022. She is excited to be a part of the Columbus Promise team and is eager to help students with their transition from high school to college. |
Dr. Scott Markland graduated from the Wright State Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) Master’s Program. Scott holds a B.A. and an M.S. from Wright State University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Ohio University. Dr. Markland joined Sinclair in 2009 as the Senior Director of Student and Academic Support Services. Starting in 2010, Dr. Markland served as a campus lead for Completion by Design, a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation national project to improve completion rates among community college students. |
Academics and Curriculum
Program of Study
View the Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education-Administration program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Student Affairs in Higher Education Program of Study (PDF)
Career and Advising Focus
The Career and Advising focus consists of three courses dedicated to increasing the helping skills competence of students pursuing the master’s degree in student affairs in higher education. By pursuing this focus, you will develop skills that apply to academic advising and career services work. Choosing the career and advising focus allows you to gain knowledge and skills in the delivery of supportive and directive services to individuals and groups. Enhance your competencies as a professional helper and refine your capabilities to guide students, supervisees, and colleagues.
Sport Management Certificate
The sport management focus consists of five courses dedicated to increasing your knowledge and skills related to managing sports programs at the higher education level. By pursuing this focus, you will learn about the business aspects of sports and recreation. The curriculum exposes you to a wealth of issues including the role of athletics in higher education, sport and event marketing, current issues in American sports, finance, and law. Choose this focus and earn a sport management certificate in addition to your master’s degree.
Admission
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- 2.7 cumulative undergrad GPA (or 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA with a 3.0 or better GPA for the last half of the undergraduate program)
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on any previous graduate work
Admission Process
2
Submit to the Graduate School
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended (except Wright State)
- Statement of goals and objectives (uploaded to the application)
NOTE: Although you can submit application materials later than the annual December 1 deadline, you must reapply for the next academic year once the cohort for the upcoming year is full.
3
Submit the following to the Department of Leadership Studies by mail or email:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume or vita
Mail documents to:
Leadership Studies Department
Attn: SAHE Program
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton, OH 45435
or email them to cehs-ldr@wright.edu. Use SAHE Recommendation as the subject line.
4
Successfully complete an interview, held annually in January and February, with program faculty.
Program History
Student Affairs in Higher Education Graduate Program: A Brief History
The Wright State University graduate program in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) began in 1983 as a concentration in the Counselor Education program in the College of Education and Human Services. In 1995–1996, the program moved to the Department of Educational Leadership (currently the Department of Leadership Studies in Education and Organizations). A program review conducted in 1999–2000 recommended that the SAHE graduate program be discontinued due to low enrollment, and a moratorium was placed on admission.
The Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Dan Abrahamowicz, thought there was a need for the program, and he and the dean of the College of Education and Human Services, Dr. Greg Bernhart, agreed that if an adequate number of students could be recruited, the SAHE program would continue. They jointly funded a half-time faculty position and set a goal of 15–20 graduate students within two years. Dr. Joanne Risacher, a previous student affairs administrator at Wright State, was completing her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and was recruited for the half-time position beginning in September 2001.
The enrollment goal was easily met and interest in admission continued to grow. Today's enrollment in the two-year graduate program stands at 45–50 students. In order to provide an optimal learning experience with relatively small class sizes and to assure a high percentage of graduate job placements, the number of new students per academic year is capped at 20–22. For the past seven years, there has been a waiting list for admission.
There have been four SAHE program directors: Dr. Wilma Henry, while the program was housed in Counselor Education; Dr. Charles Ryan, when the program moved to Educational Leadership; Dr. Joanne Risacher, and the current program director, Dr. Carol Patitu.
Admitted Student Information
- Orientation: Friday, August 1, 2025 (for the Fall 2025 cohort)
NOTE: Attendance at these events is required for all newly admitted students.
