Counseling - Student Affairs, Master of Education

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Purpose Statement

The Counseling-Student Affairs MEd is for students seeking graduate preparation in student affairs with an emphasis in counseling theory and processes. Our approach is built on the philosophy that counseling is a foundation for student affairs work. Students develop strong counseling skills, including the understanding and application of student learning and development theory. Coupled with a foundation in the historical, philosophical, ethical, cultural, and research foundations of higher education, and knowledge of organization and administration of student affairs, our students have the well-rounded knowledge and skills to be successful in a broad range of Student Affairs areas (residence life, multicultural affairs, student life, recreation services international education, athletics and academic advising).


Student Learning Outcomes

Foundational Studies: study in the historical, philosophical, ethical, cultural, and research foundations of higher education that informs student affairs practice.

• Reference historical and current documents that state the philosophical foundations of the profession and to communicate the relevance of these documents to current student affairs practice.
• Articulate the values of the profession that are stipulated or implied in these documents and indicate how these values guide practice.
• Knowledgeable about and be able to apply a code of ethics or ethical principles sanctioned by a recognized professional organization that provides ethical guidance for their work.

• Extensive examination of theoretical perspectives that describe students' growth in the areas of intellectual, moral, ego, psychosocial, career, and spiritual development; racial, cultural, ethnic, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, and sexual identity; the intersection of multiple identities; and learning styles throughout the late adolescent and adult lifespan.
• Study of collegiate environments and how person-environment interactions affect student learning and development must also be required.
• Ability to use and critique appropriate theory to understand, support, and advocate for student learning and development by assessing needs and creating opportunities for learning and development.

• Knowledge of student characteristics, how such attributes influence student educational and developmental needs, and effects of the college experience and institutional characteristics on student learning and development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of how student learning and learning opportunities are influenced by student characteristics and by collegiate environments so that graduates can design and evaluate learning experiences for students.
• Ability to articulate the roles that higher education institutions have in maintaining and dismantling injustices related to individual-level identities (e.g., race, gender, class) and systemic oppressions (e.g., racism, sexism, classism). This is done with particular attention paid to how these identities intersect and the social and systemic implications for people with these identities.

• Knowledge of studies, techniques, and methods of advising and helping skills as well as assessing, designing, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate strategies with individuals and organizations.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to design and evaluate effective educational interventions for individuals and groups.
• Ability to identify and appropriately refer persons who need additional resources.

• Knowledge of studies of organizational, management, and leadership theory and practice; student affairs functions, organizational models, and partnerships; legal issues in higher education; human and organizational resources; and professional issues, ethics, and standards of practice in the context of diverse institutional types.
• Ability to identify and apply leadership, organizational, and management practices that assist institutions in accomplishing their missions.

• Study of assessment, evaluation, and research that centers on evidence-based practice to further accountability and continuous improvement.
• Studies must include assessment planning and design, outcome development, both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, measurement of learning processes and outcomes, assessment of environments and organizations, measurement of program and environment effectiveness, effective reporting, and critiques of published studies.
• Ability to critique a study or evaluation and be able to design, conduct, and report on a sound research study, assessment study, or program evaluation, all grounded in the appropriate literature. Graduates must be able to use assessment results to inform and improve professional practice and student learning.
• Awareness of research ethics and legal implications of research, including the necessity of adhering to a human subjects review.

• Reserved for students who have successfully completed a sequence of courses pertaining to basic foundational knowledge of professional practice. Before participating in practicum, students must demonstrate basic knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication, consultation, and referral skills. Students must comply with all ethical principles and standards of appropriate professional associations.
• Ability to develop and maintain personal plans for professional development and habits that support life-long learning.