WMU launches fully online option for Higher Education and Student Affairs master's program
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The College of Education and Human Development’s Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Leadership Master of Arts program, which has prepared higher education professionals for more than 30 years, is expanding access for aspiring and current professionals with a new fully online option beginning in spring 2027.
The online option provides greater flexibility for working professionals and students while maintaining the individualized, cohort-based experience at the heart of the HESA program. Students progress alongside a supportive group of peers, build meaningful connections with faculty and receive personalized guidance throughout the program.
“Expanding HESA to a fully online format allows us to make this highly personalized program accessible to more students without losing the relationships and sense of community that make the experience so valuable. Students will have the flexibility to pursue their degree from wherever they are while still benefiting from a close-knit cohort, individualized advising and opportunities to shape the program around their professional goals.
The 33-credit program features a thoughtfully structured curriculum designed to connect coursework with theory-to-practice learning and includes two one-week residencies. The curriculum aligns with standards of practice from the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, helping students develop the knowledge and professional competencies needed for the field. Through these experiences, students also build intercultural understanding and leadership skills that prepare them to work across diverse higher education settings.
The new online option builds on the College of Education and Human Development’s strength in online graduate education. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report ranked WMU No. 45 nationally and No. 2 in Michigan for Best Online Master’s in Education Programs.
With both in-person and fully online pathways, HESA students can choose the format that best fits their professional and personal needs while receiving the same supportive, customizable educational experience.
Learn more about WMU’s Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership master’s program at wmich.edu/leadership/hesa/masters.
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