The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a competency-based approach to designing and assessing master's level professional preparation programs in the field of higher education administration. Given the absence of a universal set of competencies defined for HEA master's degree programs, the authors draw from the CAHEP (2010) and Wright (2007) general guidelines for HEA graduate programs, and the literature pertaining to graduate competencies and outcomes that are specific to early career student affairs positions. The competency-based approach described here contributes to the literature on competency-based assessment models for master's level graduate programs, and has utility for faculty and administrators seeking to assess professional master's programs, especially those that lack nationally defined standards or certification.