Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education (SAPHE) Master's Program
Home | Director's Welcome | Faculty | Ph.D. Program | Activities | Alumni | Courses
Students |Financial Aid | Helpful Links | Newsletter | Contact
Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education (SAPHE) Master's Program
The Center for the Study of Higher Education at the Curry School of Education offers the Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education program (SAPHE) specifically for students preparing to be college or university administrators, particularly in student affairs or related areas. The program emphasizes essential skills and content areas, including college student development and management of higher education organizations.
For full-time students, the SAPHE program lasts approximately 12 months. It begins on or about June 9 each year and concludes on May 31 of the following year. Students primarily take courses offered by the Center. A master of education (MEd) degree is awarded upon completion of 36 credit hours. Part-time enrollment options are also available; most part-time students complete the program in two to three years.
Important Dates (2010 Cohort)
| SAPHE Open House (4:00-6:30 PM, 200 Ruffner Hall) | 12/03/09 |
| Deadline: SAPHE Application | 02/01/10 |
| Deadline: Curry Financial Aid Application | 02/01/10 |
| Internship Interviews | TBA |
| Priority Deadline: Free Application for Federal Student Aid | 03/31/10 |
| SAPHE Program Begins | TBA |
| SAPHE Program Ends | TBA |
Higher Education Faculty
- David Breneman, PhD, University of California at Berkeley
- William Harvey, PhD, Rutgers University
- Margaret Miller, PhD, University of Virginia
- Brian Pusser, PhD, Stanford University
- Sarah Turner, PhD, University of Michigan
- Christian Steinmetz, PhD, University of Virginia
- Heather Wathington, PhD, University of Michigan
Sample Program of Study (actual sequence subject to change)
The SAPHE program includes the following academic courses and internship requirement.
| Summer | |
| EDHS 729 | Essential Counseling Skills (3) |
| EDLF 850 | History of Higher Education (3) |
| EDLF 855 | Student Affairs in Higher Education (3) |
| Fall | |
| EDLF 589 | Assessment in Student Affairs (3) |
| EDLF 852 | College Student Development (3) |
| EDLF 854 | Organization & Governance of Higher Education (3) |
| EDLF 894 | Academic Internship (3) |
| Spring | |
| EDLF 799 | Capstone Project (3) |
| EDLF 810 | Politics of Difference (3) |
| EDLF 852 | College Student Experience (3) |
| EDLF 894 | Academic Internship (3) |
| EDLF ### | Elective (3) |
Internship
All full-time SAPHE students are required to complete a one-year internship in a particular area of student affairs administration. The internship gives students an opportunity to synthesize and apply the theoretical aspects of their area of specialization in practical administrative settings and in turn to enrich, complicate, and complement their theoretical understanding. Additionally, internships permit students to develop competencies required of new professionals in the field of student affairs. Internship openings vary from year to year; most are paid positions but do not include tuition remission.
Among current or recent on-grounds internship sites are the Office of the Dean of Students, Office of the Associate Dean for Fraternities and Sororities, Undergraduate Admissions, Career Center, Office of Residence Life, and the Center for Alcohol and Substance Education (CASE). Current or past off-grounds sites have included neighboring institutions such as Piedmont Virginia Community College and Mary Baldwin College.
Financial Aid
All UVA graduate students may apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who have financial need and who are not dependents of their parents may also qualify for work-study stipends. For additional information, please review the financial aid section of our website.
Tuition and Fees
Virginia residents pay approximately $14,750, and non-residents pay about $28,350 to complete the 36-credit SAPHE program. For a detailed tuition and fee schedule, please consult the summer session web site and the facts at a glance web page.
Apply Online
The deadline for admission to the full-time program is February 1. For admission requirements, applications and financial aid forms, please visit the Curry Office of Admissions and Student Services.
To be considered for admission, please submit:
- an online application,
- two letters of recommendation,
- official GRE scores,
- official transcripts,
- a resume (the resume can be directly uploaded to the online application).
Please submit sealed transcripts in a single envelope to the Curry Office of Admissions and Student Services.
More Information
For more information about the SAPHE program or for further assistance, email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or contact us by telephone at 434-924-7782.
Non Discrimination Policy
The University does not discriminate in any of its programs, procedures, or practices against any person on the basis of age, citizenship, color, handicap, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. The University operates equal opportunity and affirmative action programs for faculty, staff, and students. The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information, please visit the Equal Opportunity Programs website.