MISSOURI STATE MASTER'S PROGRAM

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The Student Affairs program has been developed at Missouri State University to meet the staffing needs of colleges and universities throughout the nation. Our goal is the development of individuals to successfully enter the field of student affairs administration in higher education. Individuals who participate in this program will have both a theoretical understanding of the history and traditions of higher education, and the practical experience needed to address current issues which face campuses in the 21st century.

PROGRAM MISSION

The Student Affairs program at Missouri State University provides a combination of educational theory and practical experiences to develop individuals who are ready to be placed in professional roles. The Student Affairs portfolio includes responsibilities to co-create learning environments with undergraduates, manage programs, and deliver services that impact student success. The program provides the basic knowledge and skills necessary for effective and successful administration.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

It is important to know that members of the faculty teaching in the program also hold administrative positions within the Division of Student Affairs, allowing students to share in the real-life application of the knowledge gained in the classroom. Administrators as faculty provide students with critical information related to experience in the Student Affairs arena. Also, students accepted into the program are given valuable hands-on experience through the completion of a semester-long practicum. The practicum in Student Affairs gives the students the opportunity to be actively involved in the work environment of the student affairs field.

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Admission Requirements:
In addition to the Graduate College admission requirements, the Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education requires the following:

1. A written “Statement of Purpose” containing long-term professional or personal goals, a statement regarding how this degree will contribute to the applicant’s long-term goals (minimum of 300 words) and an indication of what has been done to prepare for this profession;

2. Submission of three “Applicant Reference Forms” available online, or from the Department Office (417-836-5392);

3. Completion of the “Technology Skills Checklist” available online, or from the Department Office; and

4. Access to the Internet and an active e-mail address.

Students admitted under conditional circumstance will gain full acceptance into the program after achieving a 3.50 GPA or higher in the first 12 hours of graduate study. However, probationary students will be ineligible for graduate fee-waiver scholarships until they have obtained full acceptance into the Graduate College.

Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores of 550 on the paper-based or a comparable score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL are required for admission.

Candidates who meet the Graduate College minimum will be placed in the pool from which the cohort will be selected. Final date for application review is March 15th with special consideration given to those applications received before the priority date of January 10th. Credential review will continue until the available spaces are filled.

Applications:
The application process can be found on the website, along with the relevant forms. They may also be obtained by contacting the department office or Dr. Brown. (See contact information above)

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

The curriculum provides nine (9) required courses (27 credits) and three (3) courses (9 credits) of electives to allow each student to personalize the program to meet his/her career goals and objectives (e.g., enrollment management, student activities, judicial affairs, residence life). Students are required to complete one (1) semester-long practicum in Student Affairs (3 credits).

Course Listings:
Introduction to Students Affairs (EAD 621) 3 credits
Student Development Theory (EAD 623) 3 credits
Higher Education in the United States (EAD 626) 3 credits
Research in Student Affairs (EAD 629) 3 credits
Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs (EAD 632) 3 credits
Governance and Finance in Higher Education (EAD 635) 3 credits
Legal and Ethical Issues in Student Affairs (EAD 638) 3 credits
Practicum in Student Affairs (EAD 647) 3 credits
Currents Issues in Higher Education (EAD 649) 3 credits

Nine elective credits may be taken in the following areas to best meet the student’s career objectives: Business Administration, Education, Counseling and/or Humanities and Public Affairs. A student will need a minimum of 36 credit hours to complete the program.

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Students in student affairs or higher education administration programs  (2005-2006):

PROGRAM FACULTY (Name, title, typical number of coursed taught annully, interests)

Dr. Sue Saunders, Ph.D. Program coordinator for the master’s program 100%

Last modified 11-11-08
Information submitted by: Glibert Brown

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