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Can I get an application fee waiver?
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- The application fee is only waived for university employees, McNair Scholars, veterans, and GN4U qualified participants. No fee waivers are awarded under any other circumstances.
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Do you admit students in the spring?
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- No, we do not. We admit students in the fall (August) only. The program is cohort based. This means that students take the same classes and proceed through the program together.
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Can I apply if I have a bachelor’s degree in a different field?
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- Yes. There is no bachelor’s in student affairs. Students come from a variety of educational backgrounds.
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Are there any internship or practicum opportunities for hands-on experience?
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- Yes. An internship is part of the program requirement and is completed as a course in the summer between the first and second years. You can complete your internship at any student affairs, or other approved office, of your choice at EIU or at a different institution.
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What career path can I pursue with this degree?
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- With a degree in College Student Affairs, you can pursue various career paths within higher education such as academic advising, career services, residence life staff, student support staff, financial aid, other student affairs administration and many others.
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Can I pursue this program on a part-time basis?
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- The CSA program at EIU is cohort based and therefore the whole cohort starts in the fall semester of every year. However, you can check out our Higher Education and Community Colleges (HECC) program which is online if you are employed and are looking to do the program part-time. On rare occasions, you may get permission to take a class in person.
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Do you offer any networking or professional development opportunities for students?
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- Networking and professional development opportunities are provided through conferences, workshops and partnerships with professional organizations in the field like ACPA, NASPA, ACUHO-I and many others.
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What funding opportunities or scholarships are available for this program?
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- The major source of financial support for students in this program is through the Graduate Assistantship which waives the cost of tuition (students will be responsible for fees, e.g. textbook rental, technology fees, other student fees). Students also receive a monthly stipend for nine months. The department also has some support for professional development, but these are limited usually to presentations at conferences. Lastly, a few scholarships are offered by nomination of the faculty. These are paid directly to your student account and any excess is issued to the student by check.
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Do you guarantee a Graduate Assistant, or do I have to find it on my own?
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- We do not guarantee a GA position, but we are able to assist students in interviewing with the various campus offices that offer them. CSA days is the formal interview process for offices looking to fill GA positions.
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Can I do the program online with a Graduate Assistantship?
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- To be a full-time graduate student you must be enrolled in nine (9) credit hours and the HECC program (online) only offers six (6) per semester so you can choose that option, but you will have to take additional classes that will not apply for your degree outside the program to maintain your full-time status.
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Can I complete the degree in one year?
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- No. The program is 43 credit hours with ten (10) credits/semester for both years and a three (3) credit class in the summer (Internship).
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Do I have to do the thesis?
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- Yes. All students are required to complete a capstone experience, and the Thesis is an original research study developed by the student from design through completion.
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| Is the CSA program STEM |
- No this is not a STEM program
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