Graduate assistantship opportunities give students experience within their field while gaining academic knowledge. The financial benefit of this requirement is immeasurable as it provides a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend to the student. The combination of classroom theory and practice with practical hands-on experience gained through graduate assistantship work is essential to overall pre-service preparation for the profession of College Student Affairs.
Required graduate assistantships and internship placements are practical experiences and intended to combine course work with field experience conducted in a setting as similar as possible to that in which the student intends to seek employment. The nature of this experience should be very much like that of a regular post master’s professional position. With intensive supervision both on-site and on-campus, these placements play a pivotal role in helping students begin the transition into their professional identities. Lastly, the master’s program aligns with the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies in course offerings, internships, and the graduate assistantship.
The CSA program has an outstanding, caring, and accessible faculty composed of individuals who are extremely qualified as instructors and also have impressive experience in the field to give students a well-rounded, practical educational experience.
EIU recognizes the M.S. in CSA as a program that meets the highest standards of scholarly excellence as documented through sustained achievement.
The purpose of the master’s thesis in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education is to allow the student the opportunity to engage in basic research that addresses a relevant educational issue in a parsimonious, coherent and documented manner resulting in a finished product that has increased knowledge in the field and prepares the student for future research endeavors.
Whether it’s getting a professional job or going on to a Ph.D. program, our students have been very successful after they graduate our program. Building on significant theoretical and methodological commitment, the graduate program provides the background necessary to be successful in numerous community college and higher education careers. With a strong focus on fostering students’ writing, critical thinking, and program solving skills, we are dedicated to the success of our students in the program and beyond.
CHE 5490: Special Topics, 1 credit
Provides the student an opportunity for investigation and analysis of educational problems of a significant nature. May be repeated with different topics for a total of six semester hours credit.
CHE 5505: Research Methods in College Student Affairs I, 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to research methodology in the college student affairs profession. The course has two purposes: 1) to develop informed consumers of research and 2) to develop the student as scholar. Student will emerge with a well-developed review of the literature.
CHE 5715: Individual & Group Intervention, 3 credits
This course is designed to provide graduate students in college student affairs with the knowledge and experiences that relate to providing counseling, advising support, direction, feedback, referral, and guidance to individuals and groups. Students will have the opportunity to study the various theorists and to apply their theories to facilitate positive change through reading, self-reflection, classroom exercises, role-plays, group processes and observation. In addition, students will learn and practice skills involved in helping relationships.
CHE 5720: Student Developmental Theories I, 3 credits
This course is designed to provide graduate students in college student affairs with a working knowledge of the concepts that form the major and emerging theories of college student development. Students will have the opportunity to study the various theorists and to apply their theories to the field through class discussion, papers, and other special projects. In addition, a model for the development of reflective judgment will be considered along with its implications for professionals in the area of college student development. In addition, students will become familiar with a variety of uses for technology both in their coursework and in their profession.
Spring Year One
CHE 5491: Special Topics, 1 credit
Provides the student an opportunity for investigation and analysis of educational problems of a significant nature. May be repeated with different topics for a total of six semester hours credit.
CHE 5741: Collegiate Environments, 3 credits
This course will introduce students to the complexity of college campuses and cultures including the physical, social, and psychological aspects of these environments. Theories, research, assessment devices, and design strategies will be utilized to describe the college environment and explain its impact on students and staff. The intent of the course is to become familiar with higher education settings and strategies for enhancing these environments. Also, students will examine environmental influences on human behavior in the collegiate setting in an effort to maximize student learning and development. Throughout the course, attention will be paid to the impact of campus environment on diverse student populations and a variety of student groups.
CHE 5725: Advanced Student Development Theory
This advanced course in student development theory is designed to acquaint future student affairs professionals with a broader range of theory than the foundation theories studied in the introductory course. Special focus will be directed toward understanding the implications of these models for the policies and practices of education in general and student affairs in particular. The major purpose of the course is to provide students with an in-depth review of contemporary student development theories, an opportunity to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate current and emerging theories in a seminar format in preparation for significant roles of leadership working with college students.
CHE 5506: Research Methods in College Student Affairs II
This course is designed to deepen students’ understanding of research methodology in the college student affairs professional through application of quantitative and qualitative principles. Students will emerge with a completed research proposal in preparation for the required thesis.
Summer Year One
CHE 5880: Supervised Experience, 3 credits
This course is designed to provide graduate students in college student affairs with practical working experience in which they work in an area of student affairs. Students will be supervised by a professional working in an area of student affairs along with the course instructor. Through course assignments, discussions, and interactions with professionals in the field students will become familiar with the functions of various careers in college student affairs.
3 credits
Fall Year Two
CHE 5492: Special Topics, 1 credit
Provides the student an opportunity for investigation and analysis of educational problems of a significant nature. May be repeated with different topics for a total of six semester hours credit.
CHE 5710: Leadership and Administration in Higher Education, 3 credits
Leadership and Administration in Higher Education. A study of student personnel functions and leadership strategies. Attention to the history, ethical and legal issues, staff development programs, management and evaluation.
CHE 5760: Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education, 3 credits
This course is designed to equip students with a working knowledge of current, past and potential laws and legal issues affecting higher education, and to apply ethics standards and ethical decision making into all aspects of professional practice.
CHE 5950: Thesis and Research, 3 credits
(Credit/No Credit) As arranged. NOTE: A maximum of nine semester hours may be earned in a combination of 5950 and 5990.
Spring Year Two (Apply for Graduation, Cap& Gown & Hooding)
CHE 5493: Special Topics, 1 credit
Provides the student an opportunity for investigation and analysis of educational problems of a significant nature. May be repeated with different topics for a total of six semester hours credit.
CHE 5735: Multicultural Competencies and Social Justice in College Student Affairs, 3 credits
This course is designed to acquaint future student affairs professionals with competency skills deemed necessary for the successful practice of student affairs administration in multicultural and diverse higher education settings. Characteristics, policies, practices, and organization dynamics of higher education institutions that affect the delivery of services and programs for all members of the higher education community are the focus of this course.
CHE 5750: Governance and Finance in Higher Education, 3 credits
This course is designed to acquaint future student affairs professionals with governance, administrative, financial and budgetary information, and activities relevant to the operation of institutions of higher education. Emphasis will be placed on developing budgeting and planning skills to be used in administrative positions.
CHE 5730: History & Philosophy of Higher Education, 3 credits
This course is designed to acquaint students with the evolution of higher education primarily in the United States. Special attention will be given to forces that have shaped its development including the history of critical philosophical debates and issues about the nature and role of higher education.
10 credits
Overall total: 43 credits
* Schedules are tentative and subject to change.