WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The M.Ed. in College Student Personnel is designed to meet the guidelines set forth by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. Specifically, it will prepare student affairs professionals to work in positions that promote the intellectual, social, and personal development of college students. Student Affairs personnel work with colleagues, faculty, administrators, and staff to provide college students an array of services that enhance their educational and campus experiences.
The degree requires 48 semester hours of course work. Coursework includes 39 semester hours of core courses, including 6 semester hours in internships, and 9 semester hours in electives that complement the program. Courses incorporate content that is appropriate for student services in a variety of two and four-year higher education settings. Students will complete a common core of courses that will integrate theoretical constructs and supervised internship experiences. Students may also complete electives in such areas as foundations of adult education, human resource development, outdoor recreation and instruction, career counseling, psychology, and special topics in student affairs. Degree requirements also include a written comprehensive examination and written portfolio which integrates coursework and practical experiences and relates them to programs and learning goals.

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the program is to prepare highly effective student affairs educators and leaders with the competencies and values required to meet the challenges facing both two-year and four-year institutions and to help them shape the futures of these institutions. The program is academically rigorous and values the benefits which can come from strong supervised internship experiences. A personal, supportive advising approach to our students – from admission to the job search process - complements the academic program.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards: No
Meets CAS Standards: YES
Other/Comments:

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate School application
• GRE (General Test)
• 3.00 GPA in last 60 hours of undergraduate study or 2.85 cumulative g.p.a.
• Personal interview
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of professional goals outlining applicant’s rationale for seeking graduate study in CSP
• Official transcripts
• Rolling admissions process

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Curriculum:

Introduction to College Student Personnel
Individual and Group Helping Skills
Organization and Administration of CSP Services
Theories of Student Development
Student Characteristics and College Impact
Research Methods
Administrative Internship
The Two-Year College
Two-Year College Administration
Program Development and Evaluation
Legal Issues in CSP
Capstone Seminar in CSP
Special Topics in CSP
Electives: Diversity Issues, Budgeting, Teaching, Managing Student Crises, Disability Support Issues.

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

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

Last modified November 27, 2006
Information submitted by: Robert Caruso

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