PROGRAM STATEMENT
The Counseling and Psychological Services Department, School of Education, at the State University of New York at Oswego offers a Masters of Science degree in Counseling Services with a track in Student Affairs Practice. The Student Affairs Practice track is a 48-credit-hour curriculum that meets preparation standards for student affairs professionals and college student personnel workers. The purpose of this track is to prepare candidates for positions in college or universities in such areas as academic advisement, student activities, residence life, campus life, admissions, or career planning. Skills in counseling, program development and implementation, and knowledge of student development are considered to be an important basis for student affairs work. Students are trained to work with individual students and as advisors to groups. Students participate in learning experiences that focus on gaining an understanding of college students, various student subcultures, and the nature of higher education institutions in the United States.

PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the Counseling and Psychological Services Department is to facilitate the personal and career development of individuals from diverse and representative background who adopt professional roles that contribute to the betterment of the human condition. This mission is implemented through our programs in Counseling Services, School Psychology, and Human Services/Community Counseling.

This Student Affairs Practice track, in the Counseling Services Program, prepares generalist practitioners for student services careers in higher education. Graduates have a broad understanding of the role of student affairs in postsecondary education and a solid grasp of college student development. They are trained to work both with individuals and groups in the planning and implementation of college student activities and programs, whether in academic advisement, student activities, residence life, admissions, financial aid, career planning and placement, student unions, commuter student programs and services, counseling services, disabled student services, judicial programs or other student services programs. They are also expected to be competent to accept responsibilities for administrative and managerial duties in student affairs programs. Graduates are prepared for positions in colleges or universities through the integration of theory-based course work emphasizing student development, complemented by professional internships in the college or university setting. All aspects of this track will enable students to become reflective practitioners who are able to combine knowledge and skill with their personal and professional values as they serve their profession. The Student Affairs Practice track is focused on enhancing the learning environments for students during their collegiate experiences especially through program development, program implementation, and program assessment.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS
The Student Affairs Practice track at SUNY Oswego demonstrates an extremely high collaboration with the directors and staff of its own Student Affairs offices. Graduate assistantships, and practicum and internship placements are available in almost every Student Affairs department. Student Affairs staff members are frequent guest lecturers in the track’s specialized content courses.

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards: YES
Meets CAS Standards: YES
Other/Comments: School of Education has both NCATE and Middle States Accreditation

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master of Science Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college Undergraduate GPA: >3.00 preferred GRE Aptitude Examination scores, typically Verbal and Quantitative scores are each at the 50th percentile or higher. 3 letters of recommendation (at least one faculty letter required) Personal statement of interest Group Interview Essay or writing sample at time of interview Deadline – review of applications begins in November with deadline for submission February 1st each annual cycle.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: M.S. -  48 credit hours

 

M.S. Curriculum Introduction to the Profession Psych. Foundations: Patterns of Emotional Adjustment Student Development and the College Environment History and Practice of Student Affairs Race, Gender, and Class Issues in Counseling Counseling Theory and Process Consultation Trends and Issues in Higher Education Introduction to Group Process Vocational Development and Decision-Making Foundations of Psychological & Educational Appraisal Program Evaluation Research Methods Practicum & Internship Is a thesis required? No, but successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required.

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	4	1	3	3	1
	% 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	25	75	75

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

Jean M Casey, Ph.D., career development through the life span, low-aspiration students, group counseling; 33%
Jody Fiorini, Ph.D., disability services, race/class/gender issues, qualitative methods; 33%
Joan M. Gibson, Ph.D., student development theory, campus environments, supervision in higher education; 50% - track coordinator
Michael LeBlanc, Ph.D., group counseling, educational assessment, quantitative methods; 33%

Last modified 06/03/2005
Information submitted by: Joan M. Gibson

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