Student Affairs Administration Graduate Certificate

Earn a certificate in higher education administration online

Build your skills and knowledge to design programs that help college students realize their learning and development potential through on-campus experiences. This four-course online series will help you become a competent practitioner by developing an understanding of:

• How and why students develop during their college years,
• Historical and philosophical foundations of student affairs,
• Relationships among college students and their social and physical environments, and
• The finance environment for higher education.

Advance your career in student affairs

No matter if you have experience in student affairs or are seeking to enter into the field, Colorado State University's student affairs certificate sets you apart as a professional with the knowledge to succeed in a broad range of settings on college and university campuses including:

• Financial aid,
• Admissions,
• Student activities,
• Advising,
• Residence life,
• and many other functional areas.

This program can be completed in one year, by taking one class in the spring, one class in the summer, and two classes in the fall, though you do have the option to alter or extend your program of study if needed.

Option to pursue a master's

This graduate certificate is a companion to the Student Affairs in Higher Education Master's Degree. The credits completed as part of this certificate can be applied toward the degree after formal admission per University transfer policies. Note that successful completion of the courses or certificate does not guarantee admission to the degree program.

Get started with a free course

If you’re unsure whether this profession would be a good fit, consider taking the Exploring the Student Affairs in Higher Education Profession free online course. If you’ve ever considered what it might be like to work in areas such as college admissions, campus recreation, enrollment services, housing and dining, or other student affairs departments, take this risk-free opportunity to learn more.

Health and Human Science Matters Podcast

Find out how CSU’s research is making an impact by tuning into the Health and Human Science Matters Podcast, a collection of lively, engaging conversations with members of the college community.

This certificate comprises four foundational courses introducing you to many facets of the profession. Courses explore the application of college student development theory, the function of student affairs within an institution, the impact of campus environment on student development and learning, and fiscal management in a university and student affairs environment.

You must be admitted to this program for the certificate to appear on your official University transcript.

• EDHE 660 – Financial Management in Student Affairs (2 cr., fall)
• EDHE 670 – Foundations and Trends in Student Affairs (3 cr., fall)
• EDHE 673 – Student Development Theory (3 cr., spring)
• EDHE 676 – Organizational Behavior and Campus Ecology (3 cr., summer)

This program can be completed in one year, by taking one class in the spring, one class in the summer, and two classes in the fall.

A class taken in this certificate program cannot be applied to another certificate program.

Applications are reviewed as they are received. You can expect to be notified of your application status within two weeks of submitting all application materials.

Note: You may enroll in and complete courses before being admitted into this certificate program. However, to earn the certificate, you must be admitted into the program prior to completing the final course.