From Brooke Heath, Southern Utah University
To meet the growing need for student affairs professionals in higher education, Southern Utah University (SUU) is proud to announce its redesigned Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education and Student Affairs degree program. This graduate program provides a unique combination of practitioner-learning in student development. Launching in fall 2026, SUU’s Student Affairs master’s degree is the only one in Utah delivered entirely in a flexible, asynchronous online format.
“Cultivating an environment where students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically is at the heart of our mission at SUU,” said SUU Vice President for Student Affairs Jared Tippets. “Student affairs professionals are the vital bridge between enrollment and graduation, often serving as the deciding factor in a student’s persistence and ultimate success. Graduates of this program will enter the workforce equipped with the strategic tools necessary to champion student advocacy, elevate institutional retention efforts, and shape the future of higher education.”
Designed with modern working professionals in mind, this innovative degree opens doors to diverse careers within higher education institutions. Graduates of the Higher Education and Student Affairs program will be prepared to guide and support collegiate communities across a wide spectrum of functional areas. The program welcomes graduates from any bachelor’s degree program; no prior teaching license or teaching experience is required.
“As colleges and universities across the nation navigate an increasingly complex academic landscape, the role of well-trained, student affairs professionals has never been more vital, “ said SUU’s M.Ed. Program Director and Assistant Professor Doug Stump. “This new graduate program gives students both the theory and practical campus application, so that graduates are ready to step into high-impact student development work immediately.”
Learn more about the new degree program through an interactive recruiting webinar on June 17 at noon MT (2 p.m. ET). Get the details and sign up at https://suu.edu/online/events.
About SUU Graduate and Online
As part of its more than 128-year history as Utah’s first experiment in distance education, Southern Utah University’s Graduate and Online department continues its pioneering legacy by offering to students across the globe affordable and flexible college degrees: 13 master’s, 13 bachelor’s, two associates, and 10 graduate certificates. This includes one of the most affordable bachelor’s degree in the nation, Speedway | Bachelor of General Studies. SUU Online’s combination of affordability, flexibility, and vast student success programs provide an extraordinary education without compromise.