
Fall 2025 Certification Exam Prep Course
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- Non-member - $175
- Member - $75
October 13-November 14, 2025
Prepare to become a Certified Student Affairs Educator with the NASPA Certification Exam Prep Course! This five-week exam prep program for the Student Affairs Educator Certification Core Exam includes four live, moderated study sessions plus a library of on-demand and self-paced exam prep resources. Through this enhanced exam prep program, you will have the opportunity to connect with other prospective certificants, learn from colleagues who have taken and passed the exam, and brush up on your student affairs knowledge and skills through a series of self-paced study modules.
The course combines a variety of synchronous and asynchronous learning and study opportunities designed to prepare prospective Certified Student Affairs Educators for all aspects of the exam. Live sessions in weeks 2-5 include a kickoff session, two learning labs, and a wrap-up session. In between these live sessions, there are eight self-paced study modules based on the Student Affairs Educator Certification domains, which form the basis of the exam. Each module includes an on-demand recording and accompanying slide deck, a list of additional resources, and an ungraded quiz of example questions to test your knowledge. All self-paced elements of the course are optional and can be done at any time and in any order, allowing you to choose whatever is most helpful for your own individual exam preparation. We highly recommend completing the self-study elements each week in order to keep your exam prep on schedule.
Cost
The Certification Exam Prep Course is available at a member rate of $75 for members of ACUHO-I, ACUI, AFA, ASCA, NACA, NASPA, and NIRSA, and a general non-member rate of $175. Participants will need to create a free NASPA account and complete a short registration in order to access the course, which is hosted in the NASPA Online Learning Community.
Learning Lab: Live Sessions
The five 60-minute live sessions will be held every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET. Each session will feature Certified Student Affairs Educators, provide a high-level overview of certification exam domain topics, and create space for discussion. Course registrants are asked to come to learning labs having first reviewed that week's recording and materials, and prepared to engage in discussion. These sessions are live and will not be recorded.
Learning Labs are scheduled for the following dates:
- October 22, 2025
- October 29, 2025
- November 5, 2025
- November 12, 2025
Fall Exam Cycle
Getting your exam date on the calendar is a great way to stay motivated. Apply to take the exam as part of your exam prep efforts!
- Applications open: October 1-December 15, 2025
- Exam period: January 5-31, 2026
Questions? For technical assistance, please reach out to us at virtuallearning@naspa.org.

Dr. Helen Mulhern Halasz, CSAEd
Director, Student Affairs Research and Strategic Initiatives
University of North Carolina Greensboro
Helen Mulhern Halasz (she/her) serves as Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives for the Division of Student Affairs at UNC Greensboro. She also had roles in student affairs assessment at East Carolina University (NC) and the University of South Carolina Columbia. Her focus is on fostering a culture of evidence and building assessment confidence and capacity among department assessment leaders related to professional competency areas.
Helen previously served in academic and student support roles at large universities and small colleges in academic advising, dean of students, fraternity/sorority life, residence life, student conduct, study abroad, and as acting VP of student affairs. She was recognized with university and national research awards for her dissertation research on advising students in academic transition leaving selective academic programs. Helen is an alum of Davidson College and earned a master’s degree and PhD at the University of South Carolina. She earned Student Affairs Educator Certification in January 2024.
bill harcleroad, MSEd, CSAEd, CSAEd-CA, CSAEd-CU
Director of Campus Activities & Leadership
SUNY Oneonta
bill harcleroad is a lifelong activities professional who began his career at the University of Rochester, his alma mater, and now works at SUNY Oneonta where he has worked for more than 18 years as Director of Campus Activities and Leadership. He has both a bachelor’s in psychology and a Master’s in Curriculum Development from Rochester. He is a lifelong learner who has recently earned a badge in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from the University of South Florida as well as has completed multiple Lumen Fellowships including, most recently, Belonging and Inclusive Teaching. He is an avid listener of podcasts, which serve as great education and inspirational tools for him. Lastly, he is most proud of raising an amazing human being who has recently transferred to SUNY Oneonta.
Dr. Priscilla Arungwa, CSAEd
Director of Student Services
Utah State University Blanding
Priscilla Arungwa, or "Pri" for short, is a proud wife, mother, and daughter. She and her husband, Sam, (professor) have been happily married for over a decade and were sealed in the Bountiful, UT temple. They are blessed with five amazing children: Hannah, Sammy, Max, Michael, and Ruth! A first-generation college student, Pri achieved her Ph.D. at the impressive age of 28. She's also the daughter of an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen and dedicated himself to his community, helping build homes and businesses. Pri's mother, a strong figure, retired after serving with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Pri is a driven leader. She serves as the Director of Student Services on the executive team at USU Blanding. Her motto is "live each day to the fullest," and she leads by example through servant leadership. Her passion lies in empowering others. She thrives on helping team members "strengthen their wings" and providing them with the space and freedom to be creative. Beyond her professional life, Pri is also the proud owner of a local micro-bakery, Best Dough Bread, LLC. When she's not busy, Pri enjoys long walks, online shopping, and cozy movie nights with her family.
Benjamin Williams, CSAEd
Associate Dean of Students
Trinity University
Ben Williams (He/Him) CSAed is the Associate Dean of Students at Trinity University. In his role he co-chairs the Student Success Team, oversees the student engagement areas on campus, advises Student Government Association, and is the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Prior to this role, he served in student affairs roles at Miami University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Colorado Boulder. In addition to his professional role, he also serves in a leadership role with the NASPA Foundation and the Mid-level Administrator Committee. He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation study focused on campus ecology and a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ collegians.
Harmony Osei, CSAEd
Director, The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program
New York University
Harmony D. Osei is the Director of The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program at New York University where she cultivates a culture of inclusivity and belonging and enhances high-impact initiatives grounded in the frameworks of Dr. King. She has worked in higher education for 15 years and presented on hair discrimination, leadership strategies, Caribbean culture, racial trauma and grassroots organizing. In 2023 she co-authored a book chapter titled “Exploring the Relationship between Mindset, Mental Health, and Academic Performance Among College Students." Harmony earned a B.S. in Human Development from SUNY Plattsburgh and an M.A. in Higher Education from NYU. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Urban Education and Certificate in Africana Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. Harmony was in the first cohort of professionals to earn the Student Affairs Educator Certification and is an active NASPA member.
Joseph DeSanto, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification
Joey (he/him/his) serves as the inaugural executive director of the Consortium and leads its efforts to promote and advance the field through Student Affairs Educator Certification. This new certification program recognizes student affairs educators who demonstrate competency in established domains, commit to ongoing learning and professional development, and comply with the code of ethics.
Joey has also held numerous professional roles with NASPA including founding director of NASPA Advisory Services, assistant vice president for organization development, directing professional development programs, and managing volunteer engagement efforts. Over the course of his 20-year career, he has led or participated in approximately 50 external reviews of student affairs divisions, programs, and services at public and private colleges and universities of various sizes in the United States and Canada.
He holds an M.Ed. in College Student Personnel and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Week 1: October 13-17, 2025
Self-paced Pre-work Module: Get Ready to Get Certified!
This optional pre-work module includes on-demand recordings of general information sessions about Student Affairs Educator Certification and the test-taking experience, and a self assessment to help you plan your exam prep efforts.
Week 2: October 20-24, 2025
Live Session: Certification Exam Prep Course Kickoff | October 22, 2025 , 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern
Self-paced Study Module: Foundations of the Profession Domain
Self-paced Study Module: Student Learning, Development, and Success Domain
Week 3: October 27-31, 2025
Live Session: Learning Lab | October 29, 2025, 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern
Self-paced Study Module: Assessment and Evaluation Domain
Self-paced Study Module: Social Justice and Inclusion Domain
Week 4: November 3-7, 2025
Live Session: Learning Lab | November 5, 2025, 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern
Self-paced Study Module: Leadership Domain
Self-paced Study Module: Talent Management Domain
Week 5: November 10-14, 2025
Live Session: Certification Exam Prep Course Wrap-up | November 12, 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern
Self-paced Study Module: Crisis and Risk Management Domain
Self-paced Study Module: Financial and Facility Management Domain
Fall Exam Cycle
Getting your exam date on the calendar is a great way to stay motivated. Apply to take the exam as part of your exam prep efforts!
- Applications open: October 1-December 15, 2025
- Exam period: January 3-31, 2026