Overview

Program Curriculum

SAA 501: Assessment and Research in Student Affairs (4 credits)

SAA 555: Foundations of Higher Education (3)

CCE 556: The Community College (3)

SAA 557: Student Development Theory and Practice (4)

SAA 558: Interviewing and Interpersonal Effectiveness  (3)

SAA 559: Leadership and Organizational Management  (4)

SAA 560: Student Affairs Practice and the College Student   (4)

SAA 561: Collaboration and Group Dynamics  (3) 

SAA 562: Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education (3)

SAA 564: Current Trends and Issues in Higher Education (3)

SAA 592: Internship in Student Affairs (9)

SAA 599: Graduation Seminar (2)

SAA 691: Research Seminar (6)

              or

SAA 690: Thesis (6-9)

Elective: Non-thesis option only (3-4)

               Suggestions include:          

        SAA 563: Program Development and Teaching (4)

        IT 544: Technology and Education (4) 

        HS 450: Survey of Addictions (3) 

        HS 484: Program Funding and Grant Writing (3)

Total Credits Required: Non-Thesis 54 credits; Thesis 52 credits

Course Schedule Sequence

SUMMER QUARTER

5 Quarter Option (13 Credits):

SAA 555: Foundations of Higher Education (3)
SAA 560: Student Affairs Practice and the College Student (4)
CCE 556: The Community College (3)
SAA 558: Interviewing and Interpersonal Effectiveness (3)

2 Year Option (7 Credits):

SAA 555: Foundations of Higher Education (3)
SAA 560: Student Affairs Practice and the College Student (4)

FALL QUARTER

5 Quarter Option (11 Credits):

SAA 557: Student Development Theory and Practice (4)
SAA 501: Assessment and Research in Student Affairs (4)
SAA 592: Internship (3)

2 Year Option (8 Credits):

SAA 557: Student Development Theory and Practice (4)
SAA 501: Assessment and Research in Student Affairs (4)

WINTER QUARTER

5 Quarter Option (10-11 Credits):

SAA 561: Collaboration and Group Dynamics (3)
SAA 592: Internship (3)
SAA 691: Research Project (1)

Elective Course (3-4)*

2 Year Option (7-8 Credits):

SAA 561: Collaboration and Group Dynamics (3)

SAA 691: Research project (1)

Elective course (3-4)*

SPRING QUARTER

5 Quarter Option (13 Credits):

SAA 559: Leadership and Organizational Management (4)
SAA 562: Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education (3)
SAA 592: Internship (3)
SAA 691: Research Project (3)

2 Year Option (7 Credits):

SAA 559: Leadership and Organizational Management (4)
SAA 562: Cultural Pluralism in Higher Education (3)

SUMMER QUARTER

5 Quarter Option (7 Credits):  

SAA 564: Current Trends and Issues in Higher Education (3)
SAA 599: Graduation Seminar (2)
SAA 691: Research Project (2)

5 Quarter Option ends

2 Year Option (6 Credits):

CCE 556: The Community College (3)
SAA 558: Interviewing and Interpersonal Effectiveness (3)

2 year option - Second Year 

FALL, WINTER, SPRING QUARTERS

SAA 592: Internship (3)
SAA 691: Research Project (1-3)

SUMMER QUARTER

2 Year Option (6 Credits):

SAA 564: Current Trends and Issues in Higher Education (3)
SAA 599: Graduation Seminar (2)
SAA 691: Research Project (2)

2 Year Option ends

Electives*

SAA 563: Program Development and Teaching (4)
IT 544: Technology and Education (4)
HS 450: Survey of Addictions (3)
HS 484: Program Funding and Grant Writing (3)

Or others with the permission of an advisor.

Course Descriptions

Descriptions for all of the courses can be found in the WWU General Catalog.

Download pdf file of course descriptions for the SAA program (SAA courses only).

Thesis Option and Culmination Portfolio

Thesis Option

Students may choose to conduct research and write a traditional thesis as an alternative to the applied research project.  The program director can advise about this option. 

Culmination Portfolio

In order to assess attainment of the program learning outcomes, during the final quarter students will prepare a culmination portfolio in which learning gained from the program is discussed and analyzed by the student, and evidence is provided to document learning of each of the fourteen learning outcomes.  Each graduating student presents the applied research project and culmination portfolio at a “public” session of faculty, students, internship supervisors, and other invited individuals.