The graduate certificate in College Student Affairs is designed for learners who have already earned a master's degree in a different field or who have two years (full-time equivalent) of direct student affairs experience following the completion of their bachelor's degree. The program curriculum for the graduate certificate is delivered 100% online, and focuses on student affairs administration and college student development through a social justice approach.
Program Requirements
Common Core
This course is designed to facilitate a broad understanding of the historical and philosophical foundations that have shaped the student affairs profession. Legal and ethical principles that guide practice, examining how they intersect with functional and institutional contexts and with current issues impacting higher education, will be central to the course.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices in the administration and finance of student affairs programs in higher education through a social justice framework. Models of planning and management, techniques related to budgeting and staffing, and current issues and trends in student affairs administration and finance are also explored.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of today's college students through various theoretical perspectives including social identity development (i.e., racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual, disability, and social class) as well as psychological, intellectual, and moral development. Special focus will be paid to recognizing the unique characteristics and issues faced by today's college students and applying theory to practice.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices of assessment and program evaluation in higher education and student affairs, particularly regarding the process of assessing student learning and development. Models of organizational development and change, as well as the impact of campus environments on diverse student populations, will also be central to this course.
Prerequisites:
none
Degree Plan
The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan. * Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 3 Credits
This course is designed to facilitate a broad understanding of the historical and philosophical foundations that have shaped the student affairs profession. Legal and ethical principles that guide practice, examining how they intersect with functional and institutional contexts and with current issues impacting higher education, will be central to the course.
Prerequisites:
none
Spring - 3 Credits
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of today's college students through various theoretical perspectives including social identity development (i.e., racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual, disability, and social class) as well as psychological, intellectual, and moral development. Special focus will be paid to recognizing the unique characteristics and issues faced by today's college students and applying theory to practice.
Prerequisites:
none
Second Year
Fall - 3 Credits
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices in the administration and finance of student affairs programs in higher education through a social justice framework. Models of planning and management, techniques related to budgeting and staffing, and current issues and trends in student affairs administration and finance are also explored.
Prerequisites:
none
Spring - 3 Credits
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of current models and practices of assessment and program evaluation in higher education and student affairs, particularly regarding the process of assessing student learning and development. Models of organizational development and change, as well as the impact of campus environments on diverse student populations, will also be central to this course.
Prerequisites:
none
Policies
The graduate certificate in College Student Affairs has rolling enrollment with two options for start dates each year: Fall and Spring semesters. For Fall admission, priority deadline is January 15 with a final deadline of August 1. For Spring admission, priority deadline is August 15 with a final deadline of December 1. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on a rolling basis and on space availability.
1. Master's degree from an accredited university OR a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 WITH two years (full-time equivalent) of direct student affairs experience following the completion of the bachelor's degree.
2. One letter of recommendation from a current or past supervisor focusing on your potential to become an effective student affairs educator.
3. Personal statement submitted by answering prompt questions.
Application Instructions
1. Upload a current resume to the Supporting Information section.
2. Request recommendation from reference in the Program Materials section.
3. Complete the personal statement form by answering the questions prompted in the Program Materials section.
4. Upload unofficial transcripts from all previous college coursework to the Academic History section.
