UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The Master of Science degree program in College Student Personnel (CSP) at the University of Rhode Island is offered through the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDF). The CSP program, in existence for over 40 years, prepares students for entry-level positions in college and university settings and for careers as advisors, coordinators, directors, and deans at institutions of higher education.

PROGRAM MISSION

Our mission is to prepare reflective practitioners for professional careers in college student affairs. The program provides a solid foundation for those who pursue post-master’s studies in college student affairs, higher education, or closely related fields.

Vision

To engage one another in an extended community of co-learning relationships that inspire optimal development and promote growth in leadership, all based on creating and sustaining the best practices in college student personnel preparation and professional work.

Values

The values foundational to our program are a blend of not only those historically associated with a student personnel point of view but also those reflective of the dynamic nature of higher education environments. Qualities and behaviors that we value include honoring each person’s uniqueness and potential, mutual respect and trust, social justice and equity, integrity, ethical behavior, servant leadership, collaboration, freedom to take risks, constructive conflict and change.

Beliefs

Our basic assumptions and beliefs include the following:

• The wholistic development and learning of adults participating in higher education need to be considered in sociohistoric and systemic contexts.
• Student affairs practitioners assist people in realizing their unique potentials not only for the betterment of self but also the enrichment of society.
• Meaningful relationships that promote both individual and societal transformation are enhanced when they occur in multicultural communities that embrace and respond effectively to a diversity of people, ideas, and processes.
• Human development and learning are life-long processes.
• Communities develop in dynamic, systemic contexts.
• As collaborative partners in the educational process, student affairs practitioners have positive effects on the learning and development on individuals as well as communities through the intentional uses and creative applications of theory-assessment/evaluation/research-practice cycles.
• Preparing people to serve as professionals in college student affairs requires, therefore, an intricate blending of awareness, knowledge and skills related to human development; individual and group interventions; organizational development; leadership; cultural competence; and assessment, evaluation and research.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

The program is a learning community of both full– and part-time students, all who have a direct link to practice in higher education settings. The University of Rhode Island is located in the southern part of Rhode Island in the historic village of Kingston. The spacious, rural campus is located 30 miles south of Providence in the northeast metropolitan corridor between New York City and Boston. One of its most attractive assets is proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, which provide the area with some of the most beautiful beaches in the nation. There are approximately 12,000 undergraduate students and 3,000 graduate students enrolled at URI.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To apply, submit the following:

• Completed application preferably submitted online at URI's Graduate School web site, which includes a Statement of Purpose that outlines the applicant's reasons for pursuing graduate work in College Student Personnel
• Two letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member and one from a student affairs professional)
• Two copies of official transcripts of all previous college work
• Current resume
• Application fee

Applicants with undergraduate averages below the B level (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) may possibly be admitted with submission of other evidence of academic potential (e.g., satisfactory performance in post baccalaureate work, professional experience as evidenced by publications or letters of recommendation, and/or high scores on the GRE).

Admission to the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School is based on academic qualifications and potential without regard to age, race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Deadlines

The application deadline is April 1 for the Fall Semester, however, all application materials should be submitted no later than January 1 for inclusion in the Interview Day Program held in early spring.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION