On-Campus M.Ed. – Higher Education

SPHE On-Campus M.Ed. Program

The University of Florida Student Personnel in Higher Education program is designed to prepare students to enter Student Affairs leadership positions in two- and four-year institutions of higher education.

Students who join the SPHE on-campus master’s program graduate prepared to take on leadership roles in student affairs divisions in any higher education setting. This program integrates academic coursework with practitioner-based experience to put theory into action.

The SPHE master’s degree consists of 33 credit hours of core classes and 3 credit hours of supervised practicum and internship experiences (36 credit hours total). Students enter the graduate program in the fall semester as members of a cohort group. The group provides support and builds a sense of community for the students. All students are assigned a faculty advisor at the time of admission to help you reach higher.

Additional information about the On-Campus M.Ed. program can be obtained by contacting the Program Coordinator, Dr. Jia Zheng.

September 20 Information Session

October 13 Information Session

November 11 Information Session

Program Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States college or university, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University of Florida Office of Admission prior to the first day of class
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work.

Exceptions to the above requirements are made only when these and other criteria, including letters of recommendation, are reviewed by the academic unit, recommended by the college, and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.

NOTE: The Student Personnel in Higher Education master’s program no longer requires a submission of Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores.

For additional questions or concerns not addressed on the webpage, contact the Program Coordinator, Dr. Jia Zheng. To check on the status of your application please email COE Graduate Admissions.

Program Overview

  • Entry: Fall
  • Typical course load: 9 credits/semester
  • Full-time/Part-time: Full-time
  • Priority Deadline: December 1
  • Final Deadline: December 15
  • Average Class Size: 15-20 Students
  • Program Completion: 2 years

Program Faculty

Full-Time Faculty

Cliff Haynes, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator of HDOSE, & Program Coordinator for online SPHE program
cliffh@coe.ufl.edu

Lindsay Lynch headshot

Lindsay Lynch, Ed.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator for Online Ed.D. program
lblynch@coe.ufl.edu

Justin Ortagus

Justin Ortagus, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of Higher Education, & Program Coordinator for the On Campus Ph.D. program
jortagus@coe.ufl.edu

Jia Zheng, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator for On-campus SPHE program
jia.zheng@ufl.edu

Affiliate and Emeritus Faculty

Mary Kay Schneider-Carodine, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Affiliate Assistant Professor

Shaun Boren, Ph.D.
Director of Assessment and Research, Office of Student Affairs. 

Nancy Chrystal-Green, Ph.D.
Director of Student Activities and Involvement Affiliate Assistant Professor

Arthur Sandeen, Ph.D.
Emeritus UF Vice President for Student Affairs

Ebony Okafor

Ebony Okafor, Ph.D.
Outreach Coordinator & Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling & Wellness Center, University of Florida
ebony01@ufl.edu

James Tyger

James Tyger, J.D., Ph.D.
Director of Campus Engagement, University of Florida
jtyger@ufl.edu

Program Testimonials

The SPHE program has really helped me to develop and grow as an individual and also as a professional. I have gained multiple experiences through this program as well as wonderful connections within higher education. I truly feel that the SPHE program has helped me to become the best professional I can be.

Taylor TurnerGraduate Assistant for the Machen Florida opportunity Scholars/First-Generation Student Success Office
Danica Mandarano

My experience within the Student Personnel in Higher Education program at the University of Florida has been extremely rewarding. I gained professional experience in higher education prior to beginning this program and it has been fascinating utilizing the skills I learned in the field and then applying them to the theory I am learning through my coursework. I will be applying to the Higher Education Administration PhD program for fall 2021 as well as beginning the job search process, and I believe this program has prepared me for success in both of these professional goals.

Danica MandaranoHousing & Residence Life Graduate Community Coordinator
Brad Lanza

I’ve really appreciated how I have been able to find such a supportive network of people from both SPHE cohorts that have encouraged me to keep pushing forward. The faculty has also provided us with a great blend of theories and student affairs knowledge combined with practitioner experience. Another part of SPHE I have enjoyed in my time here is that the faculty really care for you inside and outside of the classroom, challenging us to push our comfort zones to become the best student affairs educators we can be.

Brad LanzaGraduate Assistant Off Campus Life

Alumni Testimonials

Meghan R. Talman

The best part of the UF SPHE program is the dedication to providing its students with practical experience. Through the program, I was able to have a hand in almost every functional area I was interested in and gain a wide array of tangible and transferable skills. Because of the SPHE program I have been able to capitalize on my networks, translate my transferable skills, and utilize the theory-to-practice model in my everyday work. Without the practical piece of this program, I am unsure if I would be in the supervising role I am in today.

Meghan R. TalmanAssistant Director of Career Services Austin Peay State University
Hollie Daniels

The SPHE program at the University of Florida provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the various functional areas in higher education, which allowed me to confidently transition from master’s student to full-time professional and, eventually, doctoral student. Additionally, the applied nature of the program, wherein students have multiple opportunities to apply the theories, scenarios, and practices that they learn in the classroom, has proven to be invaluable in my academic and professional experiences.

Hollie DanielsPhD Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant Florida State University
Rachel Cohen

The University of Florida’s Student Personnel in Higher Education (SPHE) program allowed me to further strengthen and acquire the skills necessary to professionally succeed in higher education. The opportunity to take theory learned within the classroom and apply it in hands-on experiences, such as my graduate assistantship, practicum, and internship, instilled the confidence I carry in my work today.

Rachel CohenAssistant Director of Events & Employer Relations, Jacksonville University
Riccardo Puria

I liked that the SPHE program provided me with the necessary experiences and knowledge to feel prepared to enter the higher education profession. I had the leadership capacity and efficacy to continue to build my professional skills after graduation through my studies, work, and SPA (Student Personnel Association).

Riccardo PuriaPh.D Student in Higher Education program at Florida State University
Mick Earley

I absolutely loved my experience as a student in the SPHE program. The structure of the program provides an excellent balance between the theoretical knowledge and framework that guides our work, with practical experiences guided by passionate experts in the field. The cohort based program has also provided access to colleagues and friends across the globe that I can connect with for support at a moments notice.

Mick EarleyAssociate Director, Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution, University of Florida
Alejandra "Ali" Ramirez

Being a Florida Gator is one of my proudest accomplishments to date. One of my favorite parts of this program was that we had actual Student Affairs practitioners that taught our classes; we were learning from people who were (and still are!) working in the field. The cohort model of our program cultivated friendships that to this day still exist and having each other during our time. Probably the most special and best thing is that once you become a Gator in the SPHE program you join a huge community of SPHE Grads that continue to support and look out for you; from job postings to consulting about an issue, the community of Gators I gained from this program has been unparalleled. 

Alejandra "Ali" RamirezCase Manager, Office of the Dean of Students University of North Carolina