SPHE On-Campus M.Ed. Program
The University of Florida’s Student Personnel in Higher Education (SPHE) program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to assume leadership roles in student affairs across higher education institutions. Graduates are prepared to thrive in various higher education settings, thanks to a balanced curriculum that combines academic rigor with practical, hands-on experience.
This 36-credit-hour master’s program includes 33 credit hours of core coursework, complemented by 3 credit hours of supervised practicum and internship experiences. This degree program offers advanced study in areas such as contemporary trends and issues in student affairs, the philosophy behind student affairs, and hands-on practicum experiences. It prepares you to critically engage with and articulate key theories and models of college student development, while also equipping you to create the conditions and practices that promote holistic growth and success for students.
Students enter the program in the fall as part of a cohort, fostering a strong sense of community and mutual support. Each student is also paired with a faculty advisor upon admission, ensuring personalized guidance throughout their academic journey.
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.
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.
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.
Alumni Testimonials
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
