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- Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs
Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs
This program is designed for aspiring higher education administrators in academic advising, residential life, student advocacy, campus activities and athletic programs.
Student affairs professionals are at the front lines of higher education. Prepare to transform education systems to advance equity, student development, and the student experience.
Program Overview
The Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) program will equip you with a broad understanding of the key aspects of higher education administration, including student affairs, student development, legal issues, identity and diversity and the history of higher education. You will select three focus courses that align with your interests or career goals.
Through this program, you will:
- Prepare for a variety of roles in higher education.
- Learn to advance educational equity for historically marginalized students.
- Interact with one of the most diverse cohorts on campus.
- Learn from leading professors and practitioners who will support your professional growth and challenge your perspective.
Curriculum
The PASA program prepares you to meet industry-established competencies for student affairs professionals developed by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). The curriculum includes core courses, a variety of focus courses and a capstone project.
| Component | Courses | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | 6 | Understand the theory and practice of student affairs work. |
| Focus courses | 3 | Gain depth in focus courses on a variety of topics. |
| Capstone | 1 | Apply research and learning from other program components to address a problem of practice. |
Capstone
The capstone project will strengthen your ability to use evidence-based arguments to influence others and advocate for student needs. During your first semester, you will select an existing problem in student affairs to address. After conducting research in the research methods course, you will complete your project during the capstone course. Your work, which will be peer-reviewed and receive regular feedback from your professor, will culminate in an oral presentation at a symposium.
Graduate Assistant Positions
Graduate assistant positions provide hands-on experience in higher education settings and preparation for your desired career. While the majority of PASA students obtain graduate assistant positions on the USC campus, the city of Los Angeles is home to many colleges and universities. Graduate assistant positions are often compensated by an hourly wage, tuition remission, or, in the case of residential education, room and board.
With the support and guidance of our team, you can select and apply for paid and unpaid opportunities tailored to your personal goals throughout your time in the program. However, we recommend that you first interview for opportunities at the annual USC Rossier Preview Day for incoming students.
Scholarships
As an applicant, you will be automatically considered for several USC Rossier scholarships ranging from $15,000 to $30,000. There is no need to submit a separate application for these scholarships. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other distinguishing characteristics. Priority consideration is given to those who apply in rounds one and two.
View USC Rossier’s scholarship finder to identify other scholarships and funding opportunities. You do not have to be admitted to apply to these scholarships. Carefully note the scholarship application deadlines, which may occur before the final program application deadline.
Financial Aid
The USC Office of Student Financial Aid provides information regarding various types of financial aid and financing options.
To be considered for financial aid, you must apply for the FAFSA. After you apply, the financial aid office will determine your financial need and inform you of the federal or private loans that are available to you.
Career Outcomes
Our graduates work at public and private colleges and universities in a variety of departments and roles. Other graduates enter PhD and EdD programs immediately, often working in the field full-time or part-time as they earn their doctorate.
Our graduates work in programs and departments including:
- Academic advising
- Orientation and new student programming
- Residential life/housing
- Student advocacy and judicial affairs
- Greek life
- Campus activities and student organizations
- Athletic programs
- Student life and leadership
- Multicultural affairs
- Diversity, equity and inclusion programs
Program Details
Degree Awarded
Master of Education (ME)
Estimated Length
Full time: 12 months
Part time: 24 months
Units
30
Program Cost
$2,354 per unit (estimated)
Modality
- On Campus
Next Deadline
February 15, 2025
Start Date
August 25, 2025
Class Times
Mondays through Thursdays from 4:00-6:40 p.m. or 7:00-9:40 p.m. Pacific Time
Take the Next Step
Faculty
Our faculty have real-world experience grounded in research and student affairs practice.
Shafiqa Ahmadi
- Professor of Clinical Education
- Co-director of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Diversity • Legal Protection of Underrepresented Students, Including Female Muslims, Bias and Hate Crimes, and Sexual Assault Survivors
Cory Buckner
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Education
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Intercollegiate Athletics • Higher Education • College Student Development and Success
Darnell Cole
- Professor of Education
- Co-director of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Race/ Ethnicity, Diversity, Student-Faculty Interactions, Learning, and Student Experiences within K12 and Higher Education Environments.
Zoë Corwin
- Research Professor
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Sociology of Education • College Access & Success • Digital Equity • Qualitative Methodologies
Steve Desir
- Assistant Professor of Research
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Equity Issues in K-12 and Higher Education, College Access and Student Transitions, College Admissions, Graduate Education, Student Affairs Administration, Student Success, Educational Policy, Organizational Theory
Shaun Harper
- University Professor
- Provost Professor of Education, Business, and Public Policy
- Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership
- USC Race and Equity Center Founder and Chief Research Scientist
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Race in K-12 • Higher Education, and Corporate Contexts • Urban Education • Boys and Men of Color • College Student Success • Intercollegiate Athletics
Jihye Kwon
- Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Associate Director for Survey Research
- Higher Education
Expertise
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion • Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodology • Survey Research • Institutional Research • Finance in Higher Education
Tr'Vel Lyons
- Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Higher Education
Expertise
- College Readiness, Race, Equity, Organizational Partnerships, and Student Experiences within K-12 and Higher Education Environments.
Program Outcomes
54%
of PASA graduates work at USC or UC or CSU
31 states where PASA alumni work 136 Institutions employing PASA graduates
85%
of PASA alums said their USC Rossier education prepared them to be more effective in their career
81%
of PASA alums said their USC Rossier education prepared them to be more effective in their career
81%
of PASA alums said their studies at USC Rossier prepared them well for future employment
12%
Less than 12% of alumni took more than six months to find a job after graduating from USC Rossier
From Our Alumni
"My time in the PASA program was a truly formative experience. I was given the opportunity to explore my passions for fundraising and athletics, while getting a holistic view of the higher education administration landscape. I use some aspect of my education and experience every day in my current fundraising role at Kellogg, and I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without Rossier."
Alex Burden, ME ’16
Associate Director, Leadership Giving, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
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Established in 2017, the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice has a compelling interest in eradicating all forms of discrimination based on the intersection of an individual’s identities that include religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability. Using rigorous research and legal analysis, we empower educators to utilize laws and policies in order to identify and extricate bias and unequal distributions of power within educational institutions.
Program Contact
Beverly V. Yanuaria, M.Ed.
Assistant Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships
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