UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The Student Personnel Program at the University of Memphis is dedicated to providing a rich educational experience for individuals entering student personnel or higher education. The program introduces students to the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of the profession, literature and research in the field, and the role of student affairs in higher education and the global society.  By employing a theory-to-practice model, the program encourages students to concentrate on the practical application of what they learn in the classroom. Students get practical experience through Graduate Assistantships and internships at the University of Memphis and nearby campuses.

The faculty believe that graduate students are persons who experience and cope with the concerns, difficulties, and aspirations common to all individuals and are concerned that students’ needs can be met successfully.  The graduate program is designed to provide in-depth experiences for those seeking to develop and extend their competencies as professionals engaged in leadership roles. We believe graduate students in our program are responsible and responsive human beings, and thus participate in planning their education and assume a major share of the responsibility for their own learning.  They exercise their right to request those professors with whom they will consult in planning and completing their preparation program.  We believe that the graduate education of college student personnel specialists, regardless of employment setting, requires a mix of theoretical, experiential, and supervised practice activities.  Integration of theory and practice is obtained through a planned sequence of such experiences that spiral toward more advanced concepts and responsibilities.  In such a program the student is able to pursue knowledge, to master information, and to integrate attitudes of many kinds. We believe that preparation as a student personnel specialist is not confined solely to those courses and experiences provided by the student personnel faculty.  Although primary responsibility for the program rests with this faculty, it is recognized that other departments within the university and the community may contribute measurably to the preparation of new professionals. We believe that it is essential for students in this program to examine their own values, motivations, personal characteristics, and relationships with others.  It is believed that self-understanding contributes to personal and professional competence as well as to the capacity for sound judgment. Therefore, opportunities for personal growth and development are infused in coursework and program activities.  Faculty are committed to the ethical treatment of graduate students within these personal growth experiences, but students are equally responsible for monitoring professional boundaries within these contexts. We believe that it is important for students to develop a theory or approach to leadership that fits their philosophies, behaviors and personal styles. We believe that research training assists students to develop the critical faculties of analysis and synthesis.  Therefore we expect students to be involved in research at a variety of levels throughout their graduate education and career. Finally, we believe that a student develops as an individual and as a professional when close, cooperative interpersonal relationships exist between student and student, between student and professor, and between professor and professor.  Therefore, we shall endeavor to establish and maintain such relationships.

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the program is to educate leaders to work as student personnel practitioners or other types of administrators in diverse higher education environments.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

The University of Memphis is an urban institution with a majority commuter population. Students in Student Personnel have an opportunity to gain practical experiences in a variety of settings: the University of Memphis , Rhodes College , Lemoyne Owens, Christian Brothers University , the University of Phoenix , and Southwestern Community College . Many students in the program work full-time at nearby campuses and bring a broad range of experiences to the classroom and, thus, they enrich the learning environment for all students. The program is integrated with the higher and adult education programs, so students can tailor their coursework to fit their individual interests and needs.

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

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate School Application
• GRE scores, Transcripts
• 2 letters of reference
• Application deadlines April 1 and November 1
• Contact Sarah Sutton at (901) 678-3531 for further information.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Curriculum:

• Educational Leadership
• Education and Community
• Adult Learning and Development
• Educational Research
• Overview of Higher Education
• Introduction to Student Personnel
• College Student Development
• Campus Environments
• Multiculturalism on College Campuses
• Group Processes in Student Personnel
• Internship   
• Electives in higher education, adult education, and counseling

Is a thesis required? No. A portfolio is required.

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2005-2006):

PROGRAM FACULTY (Name, title, typical number of coursed taught annually, interests)

Last modified October 4, 2007
Information submitted by: Frances Pearson

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