MASTER OF ARTS (MA) PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATION & STUDENT AFFAIRS Center for Student Affairs Research, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University December, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Beijing Normal University.. 3 About Our HESA Program.. 4 Program Mission & Learning Outcomes. 4 Program Mission.4 Learning Outcomes 4 Program Requirements.5 Thesis Requirements...5 Thesis Proposal and Eligibility Requirements.5 Credit Hour Requirements..5 Time Limit... 6 Program Course Requirements. 6 Prospective Students and Applications. 7 Application Documents....7 Review Process. 7 Notification Date. 7 Scholarships...8 Estimated Tuition, Fees, and Living Expenses 8 Admissions Contact Information. 8 2
Welcome Message from the HESA Program Director Thank you for your interest in the Master of Arts program in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) at Beijing Normal University (BNU). The HESA program provides students with excellent class-based and practicum-based learning experience. The program is designed to prepare students as entry-level professionals in international higher education/student affairs and also to prepare them for continued training. As a leading comprehensive research university in China, BNU is best known for its disciplines in education and psychology which have been ranked # 1 nationally for several consecutive years. We are proud that, through its educational programs, BNU has provided training for generations of educational leaders in China. Currently, there are more than 1,800 international students from 94 countries who pursue their academic degrees at BNU. Our location in the nation s capital, along with our distinguished history of scholarship, research, and training, is also something that makes us unique. The HESA Program is a centerpiece of BNU s efforts to internationalize its academic community. Our goal is to attract students of academic and professional excellence from all over the world and to provide them with excellent academic and professional training. As our students and our guest faculty members are recruited from different countries, members of the HESA Program constitute a vibrant academic community and global context where students can develop competence to interact across cultures, a sense of global awareness, a tolerance for difference, and an appreciation for diversity. The following pages provide more detailed information about our HESA Program. If you have any questions regarding our program, please feel free to contact us. Welcome to the HESA Program at BNU! All the Best, Qi Li Professor and Director, Higher Education and Student Affairs Program Beijing Normal University 3
ABOUT OUR HESA PROGRAM Our MA graduate program in higher education and student affairs administration (HESA) is the first program of its type in China. It is a 34 credit hour program designed for students who are planning careers as student affairs administrators and other professionals in higher education in China. Students have up to two years to complete the degree program. The HESA program enrolls approximately 15-18 international students per year in the program. We believe that the small size and the diverse background of the class cohorts are conducive to forging positive and powerful relationships among students and faculty, enriching the educational environment, and expanding horizons through international partnerships. Most of our students are placed in some type of scholarships, ranging from full coverage of tuition, fees, and living expenses for two years to partial coverage of tuition and fees for one year. Students are also provided with opportunities to do practicum in the functional areas at BNU or in other places to gain the professional experience that enables them to apply theory to practice. Our faculty have strong scholarly records and extensive experience in senior and midlevel administrative roles. Overall, our faculty resources include expertise in the areas of student development, organization and administration, teaching and learning, assessment and evaluation, comparative education, economics and finance, enrollment management, institutional research, and policy studies. PROGRAM MISSION & LEARNING OUTCOMES Program Mission: The mission of our HESA program is to prepare student affairs administrators and other professionals in higher education who can work effectively, efficiently, and ethically in a variety of higher education environments. Learning Outcomes: By the time our students have successfully completed all coursework and practicum requirements, they will be able to: 1. Understand the dynamic roles and functions of higher education and student affairs in higher education. 2. Articulate the mission and philosophy of their institutions and their functional areas. 3. Work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of students and faculty to promote their success. 4. Design, implement, assess, and evaluate development programs within the context of higher education. 4
5. Engage in managerial and administrative functions with an ethical and cultural awareness. 6. Manage and develop resources, including program budgets, staff, information technologies, and strategic plans. 7. Solve problems that require effective communication, thoughtful decision making, coping with ambiguity, and managing conflict. 8. Develop a professional identity based on professional values, career goals, group dialogues, and personal reflections. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Thesis Requirements The HESA program requires that each and every student complete a master s thesis (6 credits) before they are permitted to apply for graduation. This final project must be approved by and conducted in conjunction with the adviser. Students are strongly encouraged to focus on a research topic which relates their knowledge and expertise to their future careers. For detailed information about your thesis, please read BNU s Graduate Student Handbook. Thesis Proposal and Eligibility Criteria At the beginning of the third semester, students must meet eligibility criteria before they are allowed to write and defend their thesis proposal. Minimum eligibility requirements include: Matriculation in the HESA program Successful completion of all core and elective courses Preliminary identification of a thesis topic or area of interest. Agreement from at least two faculty members to serve on the thesis committee, including his/her advisor. Minor exceptions to the above criteria may be made in exceptional cases. Students who fail to pass the minimum eligibility criteria will have a second chance to start with their thesis proposal if approved by their thesis committee and their advisors. In case they fail for the second time, they will no longer be allowed to continue in the HESA program. Credit Hour Requirements A minimum of 34 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree is required to earn a master s degree in the HESA program, including at least 9 core courses, 5 electives, and a thesis. In addition, candidates should complete at least 20 credits in the first academic year and submit a thesis proposal, to be examined and approved by their supervisors in Mid-Course Examination. All required credit hours must be completed at BNU within a period of two years. 5
Time Limit Requirements for the Master of Arts degree must be completed within two years of the semester of first enrollment. No scholarship will be extended beyond the time limit of two years. PROGRAM COURSE REQUIREMENTS Semester Title Course Credits Chinese History and Culture Core 2 Chinese Higher Education Core 2 1 Administration in Higher Education and Student Affairs Core 2 Student Development Theory Core 2 Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Core 2 Chinese Language Elective 2 Qualitative Research Methods or Quantitative Research Methods Core 2 2 Education Statistics Core 2 Globalization and Education Elective 2 Education and National Development Elective 2 Financial Management in Higher Education and Student Affairs Core 2 3 IT in Higher Education and Student Affairs Elective 2 How to Write a Master s Thesis Elective 2 Independent Study Elective 2 4 Practicum Core 2 Master's Thesis 6 6
Notes: 1. At least 34 credit hours are required to complete the degree requirements. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND APPLICATIONS Please note that the application for entrance into the HESA program is now available! The application deadline is June 15, 2014. Due to curriculum and scholarship considerations, admission to the HESA program is restricted to the fall semester only. Application Documents Students must apply online before they mail out the following application documents to BNU s Office of International Students and Scholars. Application Form. Admission Approval Form Application Fee of RMB 600 or 100 US dollars (non-refundable). Curriculum Vitae. Personal statement (2-3 pages, double spaced) which addresses the following areas: What experiences have led to your interest in pursuing a career in higher education and student affairs? What qualities, characteristics, and skills do you possess that make you a strong candidate for the HESA program? What do you hope to learn from the HESA program and how does this relate to your personal and career goals? Two (2) letters of recommendation. Official transcripts from all previous institutions attended. Applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit test scores on the TOEFL or IELTS for admission consideration. Test scores must be from within the past 5 years. Two 2-inch photos taken within the last 6 months (no hats, glasses or other obstructions to a full head shot allowed) A copy of the photo page of a valid personal passport Any published academic papers, patents or other academic achievements (originals or copies) All documents should be submitted in English and mailed out, before June 15, to the Office of International Students and Scholars, Beijing Normal University, 19 XinjiekouWai St., Beijing, 100875, China Review Process All application materials will be screened in the Office of International Students & Scholars Affairs before they are reviewed and evaluated in the Center for Student Affairs Research and the Institute of Higher Education. Final admissions decisions will be made by the end of June, 2014. Notification Date Once our review process is completed, we will notify all applicants of our admissions decisions. Due to the fact that our scholarship application deadline is March 1, it is always advisable to apply early. Students will be notified whether they have been 7
admitted or not by the end of June, 2014. For detailed information about the application documents and process, please visit the web site of BNU s Office of International Students and Scholars at http://www.bnulxsh.com/english/index.htm. Scholarships Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for scholarships provided by the Chinese government and Beijing municipal government. All application materials should be received at BNU s Office of International Students & Scholars Affairs before March 1. More detailed information about the application is accessible via the following address: http://www.bnulxsh.com/english/index.htm. Estimated Tuition, Fees, and Living Expenses Tuition: RMB 68,000 (for 2 years) Living expenses in Beijing: On-campus Apartment: RMB 1,800-2,700 per month Other expenses: RMB 1,700 per month on average Health Insurance: RMB 600 per year Admissions Contact Information For application affairs, please contact: Ruilian HAN The International Students Office Email: hanruilian@bnu.edu.cn Tel: 0086-10-5880-0309 For academic or administration affairs, please contact: Dr. Xiang-pin LI Centre for Student Affairs Research, Faculty of Education E-mail: lxpf4@163.com Tel: 0086-10-5880-6993 Mobile: 0086-135-8191-9504 For more information about the Center for Student Affairs Research and the Institute of Higher Education, please visit our website at www.sarc.bnu.edu.cn and at http://fe.bnu.edu.cn/html/002/1/201003/1176.shtml. 8