PROGRAM STATEMENT
The University of Iowa Student Development in Postsecondary Education (SDP) / Student Affairs Administration and Research (SAAR) program provides comprehensive preparation necessary for careers in the field of student affairs in higher education. The SDP/SAAR program offers two degrees: MA in SDP and PhD in SAAR. With each degree program, study of relevant research and theories is complemented by practical experience. Members of our student body are actively engaged in their own development through conference presentations, mentoring, on-campus assistantships, research, and writing for publications. Enrollment in the degree programs is limited, not only to ensure a low student-faculty ratio, but also to help students obtain graduate assistantships. The Graduate Student Development Association (GSDA) engages in professional development and service to the community and campus.

PROGRAM MISSION
Our values and beliefs as a community of faculty and students include the following:
• We believe the purpose of student affairs work is facilitating learning.
• We value the use of systematic inquiry for understanding, informing, and improving student affairs practice.
• We value reflective and intentional student affairs practice.
• We value diverse experiences, perspectives, and learning processes.
• We value professionalism and assume our students are committed to the development of their professional identity.
• We value the acquisition and use of helping skills as a means of making effective change with students.
• We value active learning through practica, internships, assistantships and volunteer activities which allow experimentation, involvement, reflection, and feedback.
• We hold high expectations of students' performance in and out of the classroom.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS
The SDP/SAAR faculty members have achieved national distinction for contributions to student affairs scholarship and practice and all are leaders in American College Personnel Association (ACPA), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), and American Counseling Association (ACA). The faculty share scholarly interests in college student experiences and professional development in student affairs. These common interests offer a unique opportunity to build a program that draws on the expertise of the faculty. Their expertise is translated into course offerings as well as collaborative research opportunities for graduate students.

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

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master's Application GPA: 3.00 GRE Letters of recommendation Essay or writing sample Deadline – April 1, with preference for those before February 1

Doctorate Application GPA: 3.00 Undergraduate/3.50 Graduate GRE Letters of recommendation Essay or writing sample 3 to 5 years full-time experience Deadline – January 1

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: Master's - 48 credit hours Doctorate - 90 credit hours

 

Master's Curriculum Introduction to Student Services College Student Learning & Cognitive Dev. College Student Psychosocial and Identity Dev. Administration in Student Services Microcounseling Research Process and Design Theories of Counseling and Human Development Across the Life Span Career Guidance & Job Placement. Capstone Seminar in Student Services I and II College Students and Their Environments Practicum in Student Services Multiculturalism in the Helping Professions Is a thesis required? No.

Doctorate Curriculum The SAAR curriculum comprises elements of the following areas of study: - college student learning and development - student affairs administration - integrative experiences - research tools - a minor outside the College of Education - a research dissertation Courses include: The Impact of College on Students Doctoral Seminar: Research on College Students Administration Theory in Student Affairs Doctoral Seminar: Student Affairs Practice The Law and Student Affairs Doctoral Seminar: Current Issues In Student Affairs Administration Intermediate Statistical Methods Qualitative Research Design and Methods. Independent Instruction: Research Practicum

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
Total	31	4	26	22	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)
Total	10	90	90

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

Elizabeth J. Whitt, Ph.D., Professor & Program Coordinator (100%)
Debora L. Liddell, Ed.D., Associate Professor (100%)
Ernest T. Pascarella, Ph.D., Professor / Mary Louise Petersen Chair in Higher Education (40%)
Sherry K. Watt, Ph.D., Assistant Professor (100%)
Adjunct faculty include full-time student affairs professionals from The University of Iowa

Last modified 12/08/2005
Information submitted by: Elizabeth J. Whitt

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