The master's degree program in college student affairs (CSA) prepares students to enter professional positions in student affairs at a variety of postsecondary institutions. Learning opportunities for students include combinations of classroom instruction, project-based learning, field experiences, internships, and individualized learning. CSA students pursue a rigorous program of academic study combined with practicum and internship experiences that enable them to focus on their particular areas of interest or gain experience across a variety of student affairs programs.
The CSA program has an applied focus: the integrated learning experience helps students develop the requisite knowledge, skills, and work experience to be successful student affairs professionals and leaders. Student affairs professionals work directly with students in a wide range of specialty areas that include, but are not limited to: housing and residence life, campus unions or student centers, student activities, volunteer student services, educational programming, counseling and advising, career development and placement, new student orientation, admissions and enrollment management, services for students from underrepresented groups, retention programs, assessment offices, parent and family programs, student judicial programs, service learning, academic advising, disability services, fraternity and sorority affairs, campus recreation programs, veterans services, cultural centers, and health and wellness services.
Students may enroll in the full-time or part time track, completing a total of 42 credits. Full-time students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment while being employed in an approved graduate internship. The part-time track is
open to entry and mid-level professionals working in student affairs who are looking to obtain their master's degree in the field. Applicants seeking admissions as part-time students must be currently employed full time in student affairs work by an accredited postsecondary institution.
Course of Study
Required core (33 credits)
15:230:606 Higher Education Law (3)
15:230:620 Organization and Administration of Higher Education (3)
15:245:501 Introduction to Student Affairs (3)
15:245:502 Student Development and Learning: Theory and Research (3)
15:245:601 Field Experience (6)
15:245:602 Student Leadership, Workshop, and Program Development (3)
15:245:603 Introduction to Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (3)
15:245:604 Capstone Course (3)
15:245:605 Internship Seminar (3)
15:297:501 Introduction to Counseling and Interview Skills (3)
Electives (9 credits)
Electives are chosen in consultation with faculty adviser. Six out of the 9 credits must be Special Topics in College Student Affairs courses. These electives may include:
15:245:640-645 Special Topics in College Student Affairs (BA)
15:295:580 Psychology of Learning (3)
15:297:505 Group Counseling: Theory and Practice (3)
15:297:507 Multicultural Issues (3)
15:297:510 Career Counseling and Development (3)
Application Requirements
Full-Time Track
Completed application materials for the full-time college student affairs program may be submitted electronically via the
Graduate Admissions website. The application deadline is
December 15; all application materials must be received by this deadline. Applications are accepted only for fall admission.
Applicants for admission must have an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; competitive applicants have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA. In addition, all applicants must submit:
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
- (Optional) scores from the verbal and quantitative tests of the GRE (score reports from up to five years ago will be accepted)
- A personal statement
- Résumé
- Three letters of recommendation. At least one must come from a faculty member and at least one must be from a student affairs professional. The third letter may be from another faculty member, another student affairs professional, an academic or student organization adviser, or a work supervisor.
Part-Time Track
Completed application materials for the part-time college student affairs program may be submitted electronically via the Graduate Admissions website.
Applications are accepted for fall or spring admission. The application deadline is
December 15 for the fall start date, and October 15th for the spring start date; all application materials must be received by the deadline.
Applicants for admission must have an earned bachelor's degree
from an accredited college or university; competitive applicants have a
3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA. In addition, all applicants must
submit:
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
- A personal statement
Résumé
- Three letters of recommendation. At least one must come from a faculty member and at least one must be from a student affairs professional. The third letter may be from another faculty member, another student affairs professional, an academic or student organization adviser, or a work supervisor.
Additionally, part-time applicants:
Must be currently employed full time as a student affairs professional by an accredited college or university.
- Must commit to completing all the required coursework specified in a timely manner.
- Should tailor their personal statements to reflect integration of their professional goals, their professional experience in student affairs, and their interest in the CSA program.
