College Student Affairs (MS)

Summary

College Student Affairs is designed to prepare future leaders in higher education for a variety of positions, including  academic advising, career services, diversity and inclusion, residence life, and student activities. The program offers a balanced curriculum of student affairs administration and counseling skills while emphasizing social justice and college student development. Through intensive practicum and internship experiences, students directly apply knowledge gained from courses to their work in multiple areas of student affairs. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

36

Total Credits

36

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Education and Training

Apply

Program Requirements

Common Core

Students will explore the functional areas represented by the student affairs profession and will examine current issues and problems facing student affairs and higher education. Philosophical and historical underpinnings of the student affairs profession will also be examined.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices in the administration and finance of student affairs programs in higher education through a social justice framework. Models of planning and management, techniques related to budgeting and staffing, and current issues and trends in student affairs administration and finance are also explored.

Prerequisites: none

Focus on helping skills model, professional issues, and skill acquisition of basic listening responses.

Prerequisites: none

A combination of classroom lecture and interaction with community professionals involved in crisis intervention. Designed to give students practical experience in distinguishing between crisis intervention, theory, and practice.

Prerequisites: none

This course is specific to the counseling profession, focusing on both the cultural and sociopolitical forces influencing people in a multicultural society, as well as the microskills necessary for engaging in cross-cultural counselor-client interactions.

Prerequisites: none

Overview of theories of career development, career guidance, career choice, and decision-making. Career counseling interviews and assessment techniques are also emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of today's college students through various theoretical perspectives including social identity development (i.e., racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual, disability, and social class) as well as psychological, intellectual, and moral development. Special focus will be paid to recognizing the unique characteristics and issues faced by today's college students and applying theory to practice.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices of assessment and program evaluation in higher education and student affairs, particularly regarding the process of assessing student learning and development. Models of organizational development and change, as well as the impact of campus environments on diverse student populations, will also be central to this course.

Prerequisites: none

Major theories of group development are presented along with analysis of group notes, group techniques, and groups for special populations. An experiential component is included for experience in group processes.

Prerequisites: none

Supervised practicum experiences. Admission by prior application. Pre-requisite: permission from instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

This course will prepare students to effectively understand and utilize the results of research and will provide an understanding of the processes involved in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and reporting of research, including program evaluation research.

Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). * Students may need four credits to meet supervised practice requirements. Consult with your advisor on credits needed for your program.

Supervised integrative experience. Admission by application only.

Prerequisites: none

Supervised integrative internship experience. Admission by prior application.

Prerequisites: none

Degree Plan

The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 9 Credits

Students will explore the functional areas represented by the student affairs profession and will examine current issues and problems facing student affairs and higher education. Philosophical and historical underpinnings of the student affairs profession will also be examined.

Prerequisites: none

Focus on helping skills model, professional issues, and skill acquisition of basic listening responses.

Prerequisites: none

This course will prepare students to effectively understand and utilize the results of research and will provide an understanding of the processes involved in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and reporting of research, including program evaluation research.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 9 Credits

Overview of theories of career development, career guidance, career choice, and decision-making. Career counseling interviews and assessment techniques are also emphasized.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of today's college students through various theoretical perspectives including social identity development (i.e., racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual, disability, and social class) as well as psychological, intellectual, and moral development. Special focus will be paid to recognizing the unique characteristics and issues faced by today's college students and applying theory to practice.

Prerequisites: none

Major theories of group development are presented along with analysis of group notes, group techniques, and groups for special populations. An experiential component is included for experience in group processes.

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 9 Credits

This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices in the administration and finance of student affairs programs in higher education through a social justice framework. Models of planning and management, techniques related to budgeting and staffing, and current issues and trends in student affairs administration and finance are also explored.

Prerequisites: none

This course is specific to the counseling profession, focusing on both the cultural and sociopolitical forces influencing people in a multicultural society, as well as the microskills necessary for engaging in cross-cultural counselor-client interactions.

Prerequisites: none

Supervised practicum experiences. Admission by prior application. Pre-requisite: permission from instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 9 Credits

A combination of classroom lecture and interaction with community professionals involved in crisis intervention. Designed to give students practical experience in distinguishing between crisis intervention, theory, and practice.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices of assessment and program evaluation in higher education and student affairs, particularly regarding the process of assessing student learning and development. Models of organizational development and change, as well as the impact of campus environments on diverse student populations, will also be central to this course.

Prerequisites: none

Supervised integrative experience. Admission by application only.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Admissions Standards

Applications for summer and fall are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications received by January 15 will receive priority consideration. Applications will be reviewed until the program is full.  

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Students with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above will be most competitive for admission to the program.

Three letters of recommendation focusing on your academic potential and your promise to become an effective counselor/helping professional. One of the recommendations must be from an instructor, an academic advisor, or a professional reference.   

Personal statement submitted by answering prompt questions.  

Progression Standards

Students must make adequate yearly progress toward degree completion and must know the MSU, Mankato, Graduate College Policy and Course Requirements and adhere to time limits for program completion. Students are strongly encouraged to complete in two to three years and inform their advisor if they are unable to enroll in classes during a given academic year. 

Current students must possess skills and abilities to successfully complete the course of study for their emphasis or program. Students must meet the Professional Dispositions and Competencies established by the Department of Counseling and Student Personnel.

Completion/ Graduation Standards

Students attending part time are encouraged to complete at least two courses per semester during the academic year and 3-6 credits each summer. Students completing their program on a part-time basis should discuss their plans with their advisor. To complete Practicum and Internship requirements, all students must commit to at least nine months of extensive practice and supervision

All students seeking degrees must take CSP 675 Research and Program Evaluation in Counseling and Student Personnel.

Students in the College Student Affairs program must complete a capstone experience that includes a 350-hour practicum and 350-hour internship.