Student Affairs Administration

The SAA program meets the standards of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS).

Students must complete a Capstone project as part of SAA 780 and SAA 790 to meet program requirements. 

In the on-campus cohorts, the vast majority of courses are taught face-to-face, though may have online content. The one exception is our 720 Special Topics courses, which are all taught completely online, and give students from all cohorts the chance to interact with each other. Students are in a face-to-face class roughly nine hours per week at the UWL campus.

In the blended cohort at UW-River Falls (UWRF), all classes are taught online, though faculty offer regular face-to-face instruction in most courses. Students are in a face-to-face class roughly three hours per week at the UWRF campus, and spend an additional six hours per week in online courses.*

In the online cohorts, all classes are taught online. Courses are designed as asynchronous (students are not required to be available at the same day/time), but most include synchronous (live) virtual meeting options.  Students are in online classes roughly six hours per week.*

*For every hour in class, students should plan on spending two-three hours outside of class on readings, projects, papers, etc.  Thus, on-campus and blended students commit roughly 30 hours per week to their studies during the academic year.  Online students commit roughly 20 hours per week to their studies year-round.

SAA requires students to hold at least half-time employment in student affairs and higher education throughout their time in the program.  Those who are not working full-time in the field already are expected to hold graduate student assistantships or internships.

Additionally, students must complete a 1-credit practicum (SAA 775) in a different area than their primary position. Students seek these practicum experiences at an institution of their choice and should meet with their faculty advisor to discuss options. Each single practicum credit equals 70 hours of work. SAA 775 is graded on a pass/fail basis, and hours must be completed in the term the student registers for the credit(s).

No. All online classes are taught asynchronously, where teacher(s) and learner(s) are not physically at the same place at the same time. Each course includes weekly due dates for discussions, assignments, or other course activities. Most online courses offer students the opportunity to interact with peers or their instructor(s) synchronously, using virtual rooms, to work on assignments or engage in course discussions. 

Yes, all students are required to participate in the SAA Capstone event to present their capstone project. This event typically takes place the Friday before Commencement weekend at UWL. Students who are unable to travel to La Crosse for our Capstone event, the SAA Graduation Celebration, or UWL Commencement may be allowed to meet the program requirement by presenting their Capstone research to the full faculty using a virtual meeting.

The Capstone Project has been designed so it can be completed over the two courses, SAA 780 & SAA 790, taken the final two semesters in the program. In case of communicated emergencies, students can request a grade of incomplete in the course and complete their final assignment after the course ends. This happens at the discretion of the faculty member in communication with the student.

Per UWL Graduate policy, students who have completed all coursework required for a graduate degree but who are still working on required research, comprehensive exams, or terminal projects (thesis, capstone or other culminating graduate project) must register for GRC 799 for up to two semesters of continuous registration. If students can complete their work in one semester, then only one semester is necessary. If students take more than one semester, they must take two and no more than two continuous semesters of GRC 799. Fees for GRC 799 will be equivalent to 1 in-state graduate credit each semester.

Absolutely.  Our ambassadors include:

Current Students:

• Alex: farrell6553@uwlax.edu, current first-year student in campus-based blended program, working as GA in SAA office and also part-time hall director at Viterbo
• Cierra: neitzel.cierra@uwlax.edu, current second-year student in online asynchronous program, working full-time at UW Extended campus

Online / Blended Program Alumni:

• Ting: ting.wang@uwrf.edu, Class of 2021, Coordinator for New Student & Family Programs, University of Wisconsin - River Falls
• Morgan: theobalm@uwgb.edu, Class of 2020, Graduate Recruiter, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
• Micah: McCannM@westerntc.edu, Class of 2019, Lead Advisor, Western Technical College
• Joann: martinjo@uwec.edu, Class of 2019, Student Activities Coordinator, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
• Nichole: nmiller@uwec.edu, Class of 2018, Academic Advisor, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
• Simón: sfranco@morris.umn.edu, Class of 2017, Student Activities & Leadership Coordinator, University of Minnesota - Morris
• Manee: myang75@hamline.edu, Class of 2017, Multicultural Student Programs Coordinator, Hamline University (MN)
• Christine: crmunson@gmail.com, Class of 2016, Advising, Diversity, and Success Specialist, Northcentral Technical College (WI)
• Karen:  karen.thomas@wisc.edu, Class of 2015, Assistant Director of Online Student Experience, UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies
• Sergio:  sergio.perez@loras.edu, Class of 2015, Director of Intercultural Programs and First Generation Scholars Program, Loras College (IA)

We can also connect you to on-campus alumni or current online/blended students.  Let us know (apply2saa@uwlax.edu) what you need!

To arrange a visit, please contact saa@uwlax.edu. Clarify if you are interested in the on-campus, online, and/or blended program at UW River Falls. The visit may include a meeting with current students, faculty, site supervisors, or an in-person or online class observation (depending on day and time of visit). 

Per UW-La Crosse policy, students must complete their degree in seven years. The start of the first course in the first term starts this period. Please see the Graduate Catalog for more information.

Please discuss your plans with your faculty advisor and/or the program director. If you leave while in good academic standing, you can apply as a re-entry student to return to the program. Since some courses are only offered once per year, you will work with your advisor to develop a revised degree completion plan.  

See Records & Registration for more information on course drop / add deadlines. If you need to withdraw after the drop deadline due to a health emergency, work with your advisor and the Student Life office to discuss medical withdrawal options. 

Per UWL policy, only courses completed within the past seven years can be considered for transfer credit. All transfer credits must be approved by the M.S.Ed. Program Director. For a course to be considered for transfer credits, the course must closely resemble a course in the SAA curriculum. 

Decisions about allowing students to enroll in classes as a "special" or non-degree-seeking student are made on a case by case basis. Please contact the Program Director if you are interested in a particular SAA course.

Currently, the UWL Foundation has some scholarships named after SAA alumni and friends. The application deadline is February 1 of each year.  Go to the UWL Foundation website for more information. 

Because online and blended program students do not pay segregated fees, they are ineligible for most grants offered by Graduate Studies or International Education. 

More information about additional options can be found on our financial information page.

Students in our program have found jobs in student affairs or academic affairs at both 2- and 4-year institutions. This includes positions in Admissions, Academic or Career Advising, Residence Life, Multicultural Services, Student Centers and Student Unions, Financial Aid, Registrars Offices, Dean of Students Offices, International Education and more.

Generally, most of our students find employment within a few months of graduation. Chances for employment increase exponentially when graduates increase the areas (geographic or functional) in which they're willing to consider employment. Those who are looking for positions in a small geographic community tend to take the longest time to find positions.