Student Affairs

100% Online Certificate Program

Overview

The Student Affairs certificate provides professional development for student life professionals seeking continuing education in the student life field. This program is designed to increase knowledge of student development and leadership principles and how they apply to the various areas of the institution as well as working with students and other members of the university community.

Program 

Students who have completed the Student Affairs Graduate Certificate and subsequently are admitted into the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Higher Education concentration) or Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Higher Education concentration) may have some certificate credits applied toward the degree program of study. See the catalog for exact number of credits allowed.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

  • Apply student development theory to practice in higher education.
  • Determine how issues in higher education affect current or future work in the field of student life.
  • Articulate how the role of student life professional impacts students and institutions.

 

Cost 

TN Residents eRate (Out of State, 100% online) Out of State
$613 per credit hour $765 per credit hour $1454 per credit hour

-Note, tuition discounts are available for border county students.
-This amount may not include program-specific fees.


Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid, or use the Tuition and Fees estimator to see approximate costs.

The information presented in the Tuition and Fees estimator is only an estimate; it is not an actual statement of costs.

 

Steps to Apply 

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Certificate," term, then choose  Student Affairs and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I pursue this program at ETSU? 

    This certificate will provide foundational knowledge for people who work in a higher education setting, particularly in the student affairs/student services areas but who don’t have an educational background in student affairs.


  • Is this program accredited? 
    There are no program specific accreditations that apply. However, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. ETSU may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of ETSU may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
  • What are my job prospects with this degree?

    For positions in higher education that require a master’s degree in higher ed, student affairs, counseling, or related field, this certificate will not be sufficient. However, for an entry-level position that requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but not a master’s degree, an applicant with this certificate could provide more than the minimum.

  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous? 
    Asynchronous. 
  • Are there any on-campus requirements, meetings, orientations, etc.?
    No.
  • Does this program require an internship or field work? 
    No.
  • Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?
    Yes.
  • What is the time to completion if pursuing full-time or part-time?

    It depends on the student and how many/which courses taken to complete the 12 credits. It’s designed for students who are employed full-time in a higher ed setting. However, if students are able to enroll full-time, it would depend on the courses they took in the elective portion. The program advisor would work with the students to develop their program of study.

  •  Is there a plan of study/course schedule I can review for the full-time and part-time options?

    The program of study is individualized so it’s not one-size-fits-all.

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?

    This program is not cohort based. Students can apply to start in the fall or spring (fall start is ideal because the one specifically required course is offered in the fall).

  • Does your college/department offer scholarships?

    Not specifically for this certificate program. Employees of TN public institutions of higher education, including TBR, can use their employee education benefits.

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