SAA Applicant Statement

Submit a 750–1000-word statement answering the following questions:

1. What experiences led to your interest in pursuing a career in student affairs?
2. How have your qualities, experiences, and skills prepared you to be a successful student in the SAA MA Program?
3. How will the Michigan State University SAA MA Program help you meet your personal and professional goals?

Upload the applicant statement in PDF format to the “Student Affairs Administration Supplemental Questions” section of the Graduate Application portal. 

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation

Two recommendations are required for admission to MSU. Submit the information requested in the Graduate Application portal, including emails, for 2 recommenders. Each recommender will receive an auto-generated message with instructions to submit a letter of recommendation. 

At least one (1) letter solicited by the applicant must be an academic recommendation from a faculty member who can speak to the applicant’s ability to excel in graduate study. The additional letter should be an academic or professional recommendation from an individual who can speak to the characteristics, skills, and abilities the applicant has that will support their success in graduate school and the field of student affairs.

The Graduate Application portal does not send automatic reminder notices to recommenders. It is the responsibility of the applicant to remind recommenders to submit their letters by the application deadline to be considered during the review process. Applicants may send reminder notices to recommenders in the Graduate Application portal after the application fee is paid and submitted. Applicants with fewer than 2 letters of recommendation cannot be considered for admission. 

Resume

After the application is paid and submitted, return to the Graduate Application portal to open your application. In the “Upload Materials” section, upload a resume (or CV) highlighting your education/degree(s), as well as professional and/or paraprofessional experience demonstrating commitment to higher education/student affairs.

Resumes can include leadership roles/involvement with on-campus organizations, volunteer work, and/or professional employment.

By uploading a resume, there is no need to fill out the “Employment” or “Activities” sections of the Graduate Application portal.

Official Transcript(s) Demonstrating GPA of 3.0 or Higher

Send the MSU Office of Admissions official college-level transcripts from each degree-granting higher education institution attended AND upload unofficial copies of those transcripts in PDF format to the “Upload Materials” section of the Graduate Application portal (you may access this section by opening your application after the application fee is paid and the application is submitted).

MSU requires official transcripts to be considered for admission. Official transcripts must be sent directly from each degree-granting higher education institution attended. Many schools offer electronic submission of official transcripts through an online service such as the National Student Clearinghouse. Contact the institution(s) you attended to confirm their required process. It is the responsibility of the student to request their official transcripts are sent to MSU and to ensure official transcripts are received by MSU’s Graduate Application portal.

Hard copy transcripts are only considered official if they come directly from the degree-granting institution or are received in the original, sealed envelope from the degree-granting institution with the official seal of the institution. Electronic PDF copies of transcripts uploaded to the Graduate Application portal or emailed by students are unofficial. 

Send official transcripts electronically or by mail to:

426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 355-8332
Email: admis@msu.edu

If your degree has not yet been conferred, you must send your current transcript to date. If you are admitted, you will need to submit your official final transcript indicating your conferred degree. Note: current MSU students and MSU alum applying to the SAA MA Program are still required to submit official transcripts with their application.

MSU & SAA Application Requirements

Note that both the MSU Graduate School and the SAA MA Program have required processes for a complete application. It is the responsibility of the student to meet the requirements of the graduate application process and the SAA MA Program process to be considered for admission.

Graduate Application Portal Checklist

After logging into the Graduate Application portal, open your application to view a checklist of submitted and outstanding required documents including a resume, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. It is the responsibility of the student to review this checklist periodically to make sure all required materials have been received by MSU by the SAA MA Program’s deadline.

Optional COVID-19 Statement

The Graduate Application portal includes an optional space if you would like application reviewers to know information regarding hardships or your experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you choose, please complete the “COVID-19” section of the application under “Other Information” for the program to review with your application materials.

Admission Interviews

The SAA MA Program does not require an interview for admission.

International Students

Passport Information: International applicants planning to attend MSU on an H1 or J1 visa need to enter their passport information in the Graduate Application portal after submitting their application. Applicants should visit the Graduate School website to find specific information about international student applicants.

English Language Competency: International applicants may be required to submit proof of English Language Competency. Those international applicants who may be eligible for a waiver of the English Language Competency policy should review the Procedure to Request a Waiver for English Language Competency.

Affidavit of Support: International applicants must provide financial proof in order to comply with U.S. Government regulations. The Graduate School provides an Affidavit of Support form and information under the “Financial Proof” drop-down. Applicants do not need to upload this information to the Graduate Application portal for their applications to be reviewed by the SAA MA Program for admission recommendation decisions. International students recommended for admission will need to submit an Affidavit of Support before MSU can officially admit them.

Please review the Graduate School International Applicants webpage for additional requirements for international applicants. Note that additional resources, support, and general information can also be found on the Office for International Students and Scholars website.

Transfer Students

Applicants who wish to transfer to the SAA MA Program from another institution or from another MSU graduate program outside the Department of Educational Administration (EAD) must complete a new application via the Office of Admissions Graduate Application portal. Current EAD students interested in transferring to the SAA MA Program should consult their faculty advisor and the Coordinator of the SAA MA Program.

Credit Transfer

Applicants considering transferring credits should review the Transfer Credit Policy.