Student Development in Higher Education M.S.

Program Rationale:

The mission of the student development master's degree program is to prepare graduates to function effectively as student development specialists in rapidly changing institutions of higher education. Students are trained to understand and to meet the developmental needs of college students, taking into account worldviews and expectations which are influenced by age, ethnic background, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and other "non-traditional" perspectives. Graduates are prepared to function as student affairs/services professionals in higher education settings, such as student activities, academic advising, career counseling, orientation, first-year experience programs, residence halls, and learning centers.

Admission Requirements for Student Development in Higher Education

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Admissions to the Student Development in Higher Education program is made on a competitive basis only once per year. All applications must be completed and received by February 1 for summer admission.

For consideration, applicants must submit the following:

A complete online application with supplemental materials (ccsu.edu/apply):
1. Submit one name and contact information (email & phone) for professional or academic reference
2. Essay (2-3 pages, double spaced) describing:
  1. Reason for entering the student affairs/services profession
  2. Experiences that influenced your decision
  3. Personal characteristics you believe will contribute to your success as a student affairs/services practitioner
Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (GPA of 2.70 or higher)
Current Resume
A personal interview by the program's faculty admissions committee

The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college/university (except CCSU) where any course has been taken must be sent directly to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.

Instructions for uploading the essay, resume, and the recommendation letter will be found within the graduate online application.

Contact: 860-832-2154

Outcomes

Articulate and apply knowledge of theory, practice, and ethical standards relative to the practice of Student Development in Higher Education;

Demonstrate appropriate counseling, advising, and group facilitation techniques for use with students, staff, and faculty in higher education.

Demonstrate the ability to use and critique appropriate Student Development theory to understand, support, and advocate for student learning and development by assessing needs and creating opportunities for the learning and development.

Identify the effects of their cultural worldview with an emphasis placed on the development of culturally appropriate skills for use with diverse populations and the development of various learning approaches to support student, faculty and staff on a college campus.

Identify and apply knowledge of federal and state laws pertinent to the roles and functions of student development professionals and to the responsible management of colleges and Universities.

(36 credits)

Counseling Core Courses (15 cr)

CNSL 501	Theories and Techniques in Counseling	6
CNSL 521	Career Counseling and Development	3
CNSL 525	Multicultural Counseling	3
CNSL 598	Research Methods in Counseling	3

CNSL 598 may be waived by advisor based on undergraduate record of statistics and research.

Student Development in Higher Education Core Courses (15 cr)

SDHE 530	Student Development in Higher Education	3
SDHE 531	Student Services in Higher Education	3
SDHE 532	Program Design in Student Services	3
SDHE 533	Legal, Financial, and Policy Issues in Student Affairs	3
SDHE 534	Case Studies in Higher Education	3

Capstone Plan E

SDHE 592	Supervised Practicum in Higher Education	3
Total Credit Hours:		6

SDHE 592 shall be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Optional Thesis

Students may select to complete an optional thesis for an additional 3 credits. Students will still need to complete two semesters of SDHE 592 to complete the program.

CNSL 599

Thesis

Total Credit Hours: 36