M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education

The Student Affairs in Higher Education program at Slippery Rock University is based on the premise that student affairs work is primarily educational and developmental in its aim, and complements formal instruction as part of the total mission of higher education.  The Student Affairs program prepares its graduate students to function effectively working with diverse populations (both U.S. and international) in the area of student affairs at colleges and universities.  Major strengths of the Student Affairs in Higher Education program include:

*Two full-time Student Affairs program faculty with significant teaching and student affairs professional experience

*Small, seminar style classes taught by faculty committed to quality teaching

*Diverse student affairs practicum and internship opportunities available within the region, nationally, and internationally

*Graduate Assistantships available in various student affairs offices at Slippery Rock University (typically over 90% of program students have a Graduate Assistantship in student affairs)

*Financial support for professional development such as attending and/or presenting programs at state, regional, and national student affairs conferences

*Program emphasis on assisting students to integrate theory with practice through utilizing the case study approach to learning combined with relevant practicum and internship experiences

Program Curriculum for Student Affairs in Higher Education

The Student Affairs in Higher Education M. A. program is a 48 credit hour program that meets the professional standards set forth by the Council for the Advancement of Higher Education (CAS) and is in keeping with those set by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The basic curricular components of the program include the following: an overview of student affairs work in colleges and universities; student development theory, research and application; student affairs leadership and higher education management; student and college/university cultures and environments; understanding and working with diverse populations (both U.S. and international); counseling theory and techniques; and ethical and legal issues in student affairs/higher education.

Additionally, the Student Affairs in Higher Education program provides both practicum and internship opportunities in a variety of student affairs offices and settings available within the region, nationally, and internationally.

Program Course Requirements

Student Affairs in Higher Education

(Effective for Students Entering Program as of Fall Semester 2006)

48 Credit Hours

CORE I: BASIC KNOWLEDGE (12 credit hours)

CDev 602 Introduction to Student Affairs

CDev 621 Social and Cultural Diversity

CDev 610 Life-span Developmental Psychology

CDev 614 Techniques of Counseling

CORE II: PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE – STUDENT AFFAIRS/HIGHER EDUCATION (18 credit hours)

CDev 623 Higher Education Environments, Cultures, and Students

CDev 631 College Student Learning and Development 1 (prerequisite CDev 610)

CDev 632 College Student Learning and Development 2 (prerequisite CDev 631)

CDev 642 Leadership and Managing Change in Student Affairs

CDev 643 Organizational Behavior in Higher Education (prerequisite CDev 642)

CDev 608 Legal Issues in Student Affairs

CORE III: ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE (12 credit hours)

CDev 603 Career Counseling and Development

CDev 612 Group Counseling

CDev 699 Research and Program Assessment

             Elective

CORE IV: FIELD EXPERIENCE (6 credit hours)

CDev 705 Student Affairs Practicum

CDev 755 Student Affairs Internship (prerequisite CDev 705)