Counseling, MS (Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education)
Master of Science Degree in Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education

University of Nebraska at Omaha
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The online Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education is designed for individuals who are passionate about advocating for the development, wellness, and safety of students in the higher education setting. The program curriculum focuses on the modern college student experience including online and digital learning experiences, diversity and ethics in higher education settings and current issues in the field.
Students of this program gain:
- Preparation for work with students across traditional and distance/online education settings
- Counseling knowledge and practices to utilize in an educational setting
- An engaging curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based content and student development theory
- A flexible, online learning opportunity that utilizes a cohort –style learning environment with courses taught asynchronously and synchronously
Career Outlook: As more and more individuals search for post-secondary education, the demand for education administrators is expected to grow 10% from 2016 to 2026 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic and changing educational landscape has increased the need for professionals in the digital education and mental health fields to support student success beyond the classroom.
The program is designed to prepare higher education professionals for careers in:
- Community colleges, public and private institutions
- Online and distance education services
- Student Affairs roles including:
- Advising
- Career Services
- Student Life
- Admissions
- Financial Aid
- Multicultural Affairs
- Online student support services
- Many others!
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
3 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
Completed coursework
9 semester hours in behavioral sciences or closely related fields for Clinical Mental Health and Student Affairs applicants. Can be completed concurrently with the program.
Previous work experience
Work experience in a student environment or related field.
A written personal statement
Statement of Purpose, maximum of 2 pages in length double-spaced. Statement of Purpose must include reasons for pursuing the counseling profession, any relevant experience, personal career goals and why UNO's counseling program would be a good fit.
3 letters of recommendation
Must be from persons who can speak for the candidate's professional competence and academic ability
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Resume/CV
Taken the MAT or GRE. This requirement may be waived if the student has completed an advanced degree.
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application for admissions.
- Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee.
Courses You’ll Take
Course Information
Note: Some courses may be offered synchronously
Core Courses
Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|
COUN 8950 | Organization, Administration and Leadership in Higher Education | 3 |
This course will provide an analysis of leadership, management, and organizational theory and practice in US higher education with particular emphasis on student affairs/student development. An examination of current practices of management will include human, fiscal, and physical resource management. This course is required for all students who are seeking a master's degree (M.S.) in Student Affairs in Higher Education. | ||
COUN 8980 | Digital Learning: Policy, Programming & Systems | 3 |
This course provides an introduction to digital learning in higher education. Within this broad topic, we will examine digital learning organizational structures and institutional support; relevant policy guiding digital education in postsecondary education; examine key technology systems that support and empower digital courses; and understand the student affairs practitioner’s role in shaping programming and approaches to reach the digital learner. We will focus on understanding a digital student’s perspective and needs; an institution’s approach and prioritization; and a student affairs practitioner’s knowledge and options related to supporting and advancing digital learning in higher education. | ||
COUN 8810 | Law and Ethics in Higher Education and Student Affairs | 3 |
This introductory course is designed to ground future student affairs practitioners in the guiding ethical and legal standards and principles of higher education administrators and student affairs professionals. The course will examine ethical and legal principles through evidence-based readings, discussion/lecture, case studies, exams, and projects. The course will also challenge students to examine their personal values and beliefs and their potential influence on future decision-making responses as a student affairs professional. | ||
COUN 8820 | Crisis and Emergency Management in Higher Education | 3 |
This course will highlight the present higher education atmosphere and cover characteristics and attitudes of contemporary "traditional" and "non-traditional" college students. Further, this course will cover crisis in college settings and highlight basic crisis intervention strategies. Major topics covered will include the impact of college environments on students, current issues and concerns, and implications for delivery of student services. | ||
COUN 8830 | Current Issues in Higher Education and Student Affairs | 1 |
This course involves a detailed exploration of current events and issues related to Student Affairs and Higher Education. The higher education ecological environment will be explored and issues pertaining to students will be investigated within the context of the current higher educational landscape. Finally, the college campus’s social, political, and physical landscapes will be discussed and current events facing student affairs and higher education professionals will be examined in order to provide students with information on conflicting perspectives related to relevant issues across academia and higher education as a whole. | ||
COUN 8450 | Internship in Student Affairs in Higher Education | 4 |
This course serves as an internship in Student Affairs in Higher Education - counseling and is designed to provide practical, day-to-day, work experience (under supervision) in various areas within student personnel services. The areas of specialization are selected by the student: i.e., admissions, financial aid, placement, careers, counseling, testing, student organizations, a residence hall, student center activities, etc.
The SAHE COUN 8450 course (Internship I, II, & III if necessary) provides opportunities for students to demonstrate competence with increasingly complex and diverse client caseloads. SAHE COUN 8450 interns will provide direct and indirect counseling and student affairs services under the supervision of UNO Counseling Department instructors and licensed mental health professionals at their respective internship sites. Internship experiences may include working in diverse settings related to higher education, focusing on both personal and professional development. In particular, attention is given to the continued development and refinement of counseling skills, skills directly related to working in student affairs and higher education settings, and the provision of ethically and culturally competent counseling services to diverse students/clients.
| ||
COUN 8006 | Student Development Theories | 3 |
This course is designed to allow candidates to pursue independent study of a topic under the direction and guidance of a faculty member. Topics studied and the nature of the learning activities are mutually agreed upon by the candidate and instructor. This course will prepare graduate (or undergraduate) candidates as dedicated practitioners, reflective scholars, and responsible citizens who can meet the challenges of their profession in a changing world. | ||
COUN 8030 | Counseling Practices | 3 |
The major purpose of Counseling 8030 is to assist students in skill development as noted in Ivey's Intentional Interviewing and Counseling Model. Candidates practice, develop and improve counseling skills in an environment of professional and constructive criticism. Candidates will continue to develop counseling skills through additional coursework leading to practicum and internship experiences. | ||
COUN 8850 | The College Student Experience | 3 |
The major purpose of Counseling 8030 is to assist students in skill development as noted in Ivey's Intentional Interviewing and Counseling Model. Candidates practice, develop and improve counseling skills in an environment of professional and constructive criticism. Candidates will continue to develop counseling skills through additional coursework leading to practicum and internship experiences. | ||
COUN 8930 | History of Higher Education and Student Affairs | 3 |
This course will examine a range of topics relevant to understanding and working in higher education institutions. Specific topics will include the purpose of higher education, accessibility and student diversity issues, financial and legal factors, extracurricular activities, and issues related to faculty and staff experiences. | ||
COUN 8150 | Student and Student Personnel Work in Higher Education | 3 |
An overview of the characteristics of college students and their interaction with campus environmental influences. The impact of student personnel work is considered as it affects personality growth, social development and career planning by college students. | ||
COUN 8940 | Diversity and Wellness in Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
This course is an exploration of holistic wellness and of power, privilege, social identities, social justice theories and multicultural issues and practices within the context of higher education. We begin by offering foundational definitions of terminology used throughout the course and delve into understanding systems of oppression, privilege, power, and activism through a holistic wellness lens. We then explore and discuss specific social identities, returning again to think about identity through a social justice lens. | ||
Choose 1 of the following: | 3 | |
COUN 8010 Introduction to Research | EDL 8010 Introductory Research Methods |
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $351.00
- Fees
- $50.75
- Total
- $401.75
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1053.00
- Fees
- $152.25
- Total
- $1205.25
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $457.00
- Fees
- $50.75
- Total
- $507.75
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1371.00
- Fees
- $152.25
- Total
- $1523.25
About Faculty
University of Nebraska online courses are taught by expert faculty who embody the qualities resulting from research experience and professional/field experience. Students learn from faculty with a variety of backgrounds, many of whom are published researchers in their fields. NU faculty who teach online do so in a way that optimizes learning within the online modality and because technology enables students to access education they may otherwise may not be able to pursue.
Application Deadlines
- Fall semester deadlineMar 01