HESA Admissions

Preferred Application Deadline: December 1

Final Application Deadline: January 1

The HESA program is ideal for students who have shown academic excellence in undergraduate work and feel a calling to higher education, demonstrated by leadership positions during their undergraduate careers.

**Requirements* for Admission:**

Application through the Baylor Graduate School
Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
GPA of 3.0 or above
Cover letter/statement of interest and résumé
Three letters of recommendation
Interview
Desire to have a career in higher education

Please note: The GRE is considered but not required.

*All application materials due by January 1.

Fall 2026 Admissions Timeline:

Interviews & Events

December 2025–January 2026: Round 1 Interviews with Admissions Committee (Virtual; Zoom)
January 23, 2026: Round 1 “Meet the Program” Event (Virtual; Zoom)
February 9-13, 2026: Round 2 Apprenticeship Interviews (Virtual; Zoom)

Offers & Campus Visits

February 20, 2026: Admission and Apprenticeship Offers Made
March 26-28, 2026: Visit Event for Admitted Students
April 2026: Virtual Offers for Waitlisted Students (If Available)

**Requirements* for Admission for International Students:**

Baylor University's Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program wants our students to be prepared to succeed. As an international student interested in applying to the Baylor University HESA program, it is crucial to demonstrate a background and familiarity with American higher education by graduating or having prior work experience from a regionally accredited American institution. In addition, your statement of interest is a valuable opportunity to share any other experiences you have had with American higher education.

International students who meet the admissions requirements are invited to apply to the program. Below, you will find the admissions documents required by the HESA program:

Application through the Baylor Graduate School
Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Cover letter/statement of interest and résumé
Three letters of recommendation
Interview
Desire to have a career in higher education
Familiarity with American higher education through graduating from or having prior work experience from a regionally accredited American university. Please explain in your statement of interest.
For full international admissions requirements e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, transcript evaluation, visit this page: Baylor Graduate School International Application Requirements
*All application materials due by January 1.

HESA and Full-Time Baylor Employees

The Baylor Higher Education and Student Affairs Master's program is proud to offer full-time Baylor University employees an opportunity to enroll in our program. Spaces are limited, and admissions are competitive. More information can be found here: HESA for Baylor Employees

SCHEDULING NOTE:

The HESA program begins in the fall, and students arrive on campus in early August. There is a 3-day orientation course in August to help students launch successfully.
Because the orientation course technically falls in summer, our program is listed on the Baylor application as summer enrollment (rather than fall).