PROGRAM STATEMENT
The College Student Affairs Leadership curriculum prepares graduate students for professional student affairs positions in higher education. As a medium size university with a “small college” style, Grand Valley State University offers numerous opportunities to prepare student affairs practitioners for the varied professional challenges of smaller and medium size campuses as well as for larger, more specialized university environments. Graduate assistantship are available (but not required) in a variety of areas, including Student Life, Housing, the Dean of Students Office, Career Services, Wellness and Recreation, Continuing Education, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Alcohol Education, and the School of Education.

The academic component is complemented by professional development training provided by the Division of Student Services. Graduate assistants participate in an intensive orientation/training program before the beginning of the fall semester, monthly in-service training sessions, occasional conference participation, and regular practica learning opportunities.

PROGRAM MISSION
The student affairs concentration is designed to provide doctoral level students with both a rigorous academic background and a comprehensive experiential background. This is accomplished by a combination of classroom learning and practical experience via the practicum and internship assignments. in addition, there is a practical research component designed to provide for an application of research skills and student affairs theory to everyday student affairs problems.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS
For the past four years, the CSAL program has offered a study abroad at the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. Approximately 25 students have participated in this experience, which includes a study of Mexican culture, education and politics, as well as a service learning component.

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards: YES
Meets CAS Standards:
Other/Comments:

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master's Application GPA: 3.0 in last 60 hours of undergraduate work GRE: Optional in lieu of GPA requirement 3 letters of recommendation Deadline: Rolling Admission

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: Master's - 42 credit hours

 

Master's Curriculum Foundations (one from each group – 9 credits) A. Psychology of Education* Classroom Management Counseling for the Classroom Teacher Education for the Exceptional Student School Learning B. Research and Evaluation Educational Evaluation and Research** Educational Testing and Measurement C. Issues in Education Critical Issues in Special Education Current Issues in Education Current Issues in Multicultural Education**    Emphasis Courses (9 credits) The Adult Learner Career Guidance for Secondary & Adult Students   Is a thesis required? No. May choose either thesis or research project.

Electives (6 credits) Students may select elective courses from graduate offerings in the Schools of Education, Business, Communications, Public Administration, and Social Work. Concentration Courses (21 credits) Theories of College Student Development* Higher Education and Students Affairs Functions The American College Student Administration of Student Affairs Programs The Student Affairs Administrator and the Law Intervention Strategies for Student Development Practicum/Graduate Field Experience College Student Affairs Leadership Capstone (3 credits in the form of a research project or thesis) *Fulfills Foundations Category A with advisor’s approval **Recommended for CSAL

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2003-2004):

	Total Number	# of Males	# of Females	# of Whites	# of Persons of Color
Master's	42	15	27	33	9
	% of part-time students	% of full-time students	% of students enrolled in the program who also hold some form of financial assistance (graduate assistantship, fellowship, tuition waiver, scholarship)
Master's	2	98	95

PROGRAM FACULTY - Faculty members with areas of specialization and percentage of time devoted to the program.

B. Lorraine Alston, Ph.D., Associate Professor, 100%
Jay R. Cooper, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, 100%
Andrew Beachnau, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty, 15%
Thomas A. Butcher, J.D., Adjunct Faculty, 15%
H. Bart Merkle, Ed.D., Adjunct Faculty, 15%

Last modified 06/03/2005
Information submitted by: B. Lorraine Alston

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