PROGRAM STATEMENT
Student affairs is a helping profession committed to enhancing the learning and development of college students. This is accomplished through a variety of student services that are managed by student affairs professionals. These services include (but are not limited to) housing and residence life, career services, student activities, admissions, multicultural student services, leadership programs, academic advising, orientation, judicial affairs, international student services, financial aid, and greek life. Student affairs professionals engage in advising, service/program development and administration, teaching, supervision, and consultation. Professionals work in a wide variety of higher education institutions from large public universities to small private colleges to community colleges.

The Student Affairs in Higher Education program at Slippery Rock University is based on the premise that student affairs work is primarily educational and developmental in its aim, and complements formal instruction as part of the total mission of higher education. The Student Affairs program prepares its graduate students to function effectively working with diverse populations (both U.S. and international) in the area of student affairs at colleges and universities.
The basic curricular components of the program include the following: an overview of student affairs work in colleges and universities; student development theory, research and application; student affairs leadership and higher education management; student and college/university cultures and environments; understanding and working with diverse populations (both U.S. and international); counseling theory and techniques; and ethical and legal issues in student affairs/higher education.

PROGRAM MISSION
See above.

PROGRAM UNIQUENESS

• Small, seminar style classes taught by faculty committed to quality teaching and learning
• Diverse student affairs Practicum and Internship opportunities available within the region, nationally, and internationally
• Graduate Assistantships available in various student affairs offices at Slippery Rock University (over 90% of program students have a Graduate Assistantship in student affairs)
• Annual spring break service-learning opportunity to work with students at a college or university that serves historically underrepresented groups in American higher education (e.g., African Americans, Latinos, American Indians)
• Financial support for professional development such as attending and/or presenting programs at state, regional and national student affairs conferences
• Program emphasis on assisting students to integrate theory with practice through utilizing the case study approach to learning combined with relevant Practicum and Internship experiences
• CACREP Accredited

NATIONAL STANDARDS
Meets ACPA Professional Preparation Commission Standards: YES
Meets CAS Standards: YES
Other/Comments:

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master's Application GPA: 2.75 GRE or MAT required 3 letters of recommendation Written statement of career goals and philosophy Campus Interview Application Deadlines – Applications are reviewed two times a year for fall semester enrollment. Deadlines for submitting completed applications are January 15 and April 15.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Program Required Hours: Master's -  48 credit hours

 

M.A. Curriculum Introduction to Student Affairs Life-span Developmental Psychology Social and Cultural Diversity Techniques of Counseling Higher Education Environments, Cultures, and Students College Student Learning and Development 1 College Student Learning and Development 2 Leadership and Managing Change in Student Affairs Organizational Behavior in Higher Education Legal Issues in Student Affairs Psychology of Career Development and Planning Group Counseling Research and Program Assessment Elective Student Affairs Practicum Student Affairs Internship Is a thesis required? No.

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

	Total Number	# of Males	# of Females	# of Whites	# of Persons of Color
Master's	33	11	22	27	6
	Nof part-time students	N of full-time students	N of students enrolled in the program who also hold some form of financial assistance (graduate assistantship, fellowship, tuition waiver, scholarship)
Master's	6	27	31

PROGRAM FACULTY - Faculty members with areas of specialization and percentage of time devoted to the program.

Michael G. Ignelzi, Ed.D., college student development and application of theory to student affairs practice; professional development and developmental supervision of student affairs staff; moral/ethical reasoning, development, and education; 100%
Melissa A. Rychener, Ph.D., student affairs administration; international education; intercultural experiential learning; higher education policy and management; women's career advancement in higher education and student affairs: 100%

Last modified March 1, 2009
Information submitted by: Ashley Weir

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