WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Program name: Student Affairs in Higher Education

College:  College of Education & Behavioral Sciences

Department:  Counseling and Student Affairs

Degrees and Emphases:
M.A.E. - Administration, Student Development

Tuition and Fees:
http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/Registrar/fees.html

Contact Persons:

Dr. Tracy M. Lara
Department of Counseling and Student Affairs
TPH 417-D
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Phone: (270) 745-4849
Fax: (270) 745-5031
e-mail: tracy.lara@wku.edu

Web Page (URL) address: http://edtech.cebs.wku.edu/~counsel/sa/sa-index.htm

Degree first offered: 1970's (master's)

Typical number of students admitted each year: 20 (master's)

PROGRAM STATEMENT

At Western Kentucky University, students successful in the Master of Arts in Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education develop proficiency in all areas of student affairs work. Individual students are provided opportunities to focus on specific content areas which may be of particular interest. The actual program content can be divided into three broad areas: (1) theoretical foundations (history and evolutionary considerations, theories of student development and learning, theories of leadership and organizational development, etc.), (2) parameters of professional practice (ethical, legal, and political issues; diversity and multiculturalism; social and moral responsibilities, etc.), and (3) strategies for enhancing administrative effectiveness (leadership training, staff recruitment, training, and evaluation; budgeting and planning; program development, implementation, and assessment, etc.).

The program meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards and is designed to meet the standards established by the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in Higher Education for Master’s level student affairs administration preparation programs.

PROGRAM MISSION

The Master of Arts in Education degree in Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University is designed to prepare students to obtain entry and mid-level student affairs professional positions. Through a theory-based yet applications-oriented program, students gain necessary skills and competencies to succeed in a variety of student affairs units and postsecondary settings. The Counseling and Student Affairs faculty comprised of academics and practitioners cultivate active partnerships with student affairs professionals to provide a living learning laboratory for student professional development. Program content covers three broad areas: theoretical foundations, professional practice, and administrative effectiveness.  Individual students are also provided with opportunities to focus on specific content areas which may be of particular interest.

Aligned with the institutional and departmental mission the Student Affairs program is committed to:

  1. Foster student professional development through networking, scholarly writing, research, presentation opportunities, and the Student Affairs Graduate Association.
  2. Provide the university and community with in-service training, professional development, research, and consultation in the area of student affairs/student development.
  3. Deliver highly interactive application based courses.
  4. Focus on diversity and multicultural competencies.
  5. Facilitate meaningful supervised practicum and internship experiences.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

Our program emphasizes the pragmatic aspects of the Student Affairs profession. Extensive utilization is made of current Student Affairs professionals who provide tangible support of the program through instruction of applicable courses and supervision of internship and practicum experiences. The program also has a sponsors SAGA, the Student Affairs Graduate Association, which is comprised of current students, alumni, and Student Affairs professionals. This organization conducts social and professional development activities for the program and helps to build a sense of community and connection among its members.

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

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: 48 credit hours

Program Curriculum:

Research Methods
Counseling Concepts and Applications for Student Affairs Professionals
Developmental Career Counseling
Counseling Theories
Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling
Introduction to Student Affairs
The American College Student Leadership in Student Affairs
Student Development
Administration of Student Affairs
Parameters of Law in Student Affairs and Higher Education
Practicum
Internship (6 hours)
Electives (6 hours)

Is a thesis required? No.

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

 
Total Number
# of Males 
# of Females 
# of Whites 
# of Persons of Color
Total 50 30 20 40 10
 
% 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
40 60 60

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

Dr. Sue Saunders, Ph.D. Program coordinator for the master’s program 100%

Name Title Number of Courses Taught Interests
Dr. Aaron W. Hughey Department Head 3 All areas
Dr. Kelly Burch-Ragan   1 Counseling; diversity issues/group
Dr. Don Dinkmeyer, Jr.   1 Counseling, Adlerian
Dr. Jill Duba, Counseling   1 Marriage and Family
Dr. Bill Greenwalt   1 Counseling relationships
Dr. Tracy M. Lara   4 Student Affairs; contemporary college students, career counseling, assessment
Dr. Karl Laves Adjunct 1 Student Affairs, student development
Dr. Cynthia Mason   1 Counseling, diversity issues
Dr. Donald Nims   1 Counseling, conflict resolution
Mr. John Osborne Adjunct 1 Student Affairs, facilities and budgets
Dr. Vernon Sheeley   1 Counseling and Student Affairs
Dr. Shawn Spurgeon   1 Counseling, Mental Health Counseling
Dr. Fred Stickle   1 Counseling relationships
Dr. Gene Tice Adjunct 1 Student Affairs, leadership & administration
Dr. Jerry Wilder Adjunct 5 Student Affairs, administration

 



Last modified December 12, 2006
Information submitted by: Aaron Hughey

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