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Why Illinois State's CSPA Program?



Here are some reasons our CSPA students chose Illinois State:

"I feel that the faculty really takes an active interest in the students."

"The CSPA program has allowed me to refine my professional skills and build a network of colleagues."

"I chose ISU's CSPA program because it is practice-based, small, and because of the camaraderie of the students and faculty members."

"Graduate assistant program offers excellent on-the-job experience."

"Communication, inclusion, opportunity."

College Student Personnel Master's Program

Program Goals and Outcomes | Admissions Requirements | Course Requirements | CSPA Faculty | Contact Advisor  | EAF Department GoalsGamsky Endowed AssistantshipGRAD Days 2008 | CSPA Links | CSPA Alumni |

Students in the College Student Personnel Administration degree program reflect the increasing diversity of today's college campuses with respect to race, ethnicity, orientation, gender, and age. The CSPA program includes students who are:

  • Recent graduates
  • Career enhancers
  • Persons seeking a career change

Full-time enrollment is preferred and recommended, yet the program is flexible enough for those students who wish to attend part-time.  Tuition and fees for the program are determined each year by the University. These costs exclude textbook or software requirements for courses. The University also has a computer ownership requirement.  Courses are offered nights and weekends to accommodate schedules of full-time educational professionals.  Some online options exist for selected courses.

What are the CSPA goals and outcomes?

The CSPA program provides students with the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable them to perform the roles of administrator, advisor, and programmer in Student Affairs and Higher Education Administration. After completing the program, a master’s graduate will have acquired the skills, knowledge, values, and commitment necessary to succeed at entry- to mid-level student affairs positions in public and private colleges and universities.

A master’s degree graduate with the CSPA degree will have the knowledge and skills necessary to:

  • Be conversant in the historical, philosophical, organizational, and student developmental issues in higher education and student services.
  • Be committed to the continual education, growth, and understanding of college students.
  • Facilitate the success of college students and staff through effective management of personnel, resources, and facilities.
  • Work successfully in student service settings at 2 and 4 year colleges and universities
  • Fulfill the obligation to educate him/herself in order to become a more informed consumer of research in student affairs and higher education.
  • Assess, evaluate, and improve student services in colleges and universities.

The Specific goals of the program meet the CAS National Standards.

Admissions

Admissions to the CSPA program is limited to full-time admission for the Fall semester.  Class size is limited to 25 students per year.  Applicants for the CSPA program must submit materials to two different offices:
 
Office of Admissions Materials
Illinois State University
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 2200
Normal, IL 61790-2200
(309) 438-2181 or toll free (800) 366-2478 (Voice)
EAF Department Materials
5900 EAF Department
Admissions
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-5900
(309) 438-5422
Complete and submit an application to the Office of Admissions (apply online, download and submit, or request that one be mailed to you). The University has an application fee that may be waived under certain circumstances.  Complete the Credential Supplement Form (editable pdf)
Submit two official copies of your transcripts to the Office of Admissions (not EAF). Preferred qualifications include:
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA*** (on a scale in which A equals 4) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. The preferred GPA is greater than 3.4.
  • Undergraduate leadership experiences in both curricular and co-curricular activities and organizations (if one is coming from a traditional undergraduate background.)  If one is a nontraditional student working full-time, the person is expected to have experience in a community college, college, or University office that works with students.

TO CHECK YOUR STATUS OF THE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION, Create Welcome2ISU account. It is an easy, one-time process that will provide you with quick access to a number of useful services including an online admission application, application status check, financial aid information, important reminders, and much more! https://www.welcome2isu.ilstu.edu/createAccount.jsp

Submit a current resume that includes, leadership, involvement, and education history

 

TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE EAF SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION, contact Kelly Peiffer (kdpeiff@ilstu.edu).

***If one's GPA is below 3.0, one must submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores to Admissions.
  • Official scores can be obtained from GRE (if < 5 years) or sometimes from a previous institution (sometimes on a transcript). Check with the admissions office for what constitutes an official GRE.
    Computer-based GRE tests may be taken at any time at various centers throughout the nation. Visit http://etsis4.ets.org/tcenter to select a site.
    Download the practice software

The target scores are 900 for combined Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 4.5 for the writing section.  If scores are slightly lower or are inconsistent (lower verbal but high writing score--5 or higher) see the Supplemental information section below.  If scores are substantially below the targets and consistent, one may retake and resubmit GREs.

 Send two letters of references.
  • Applicants with full-time college or university work experience should have one's supervisor send a letter discussing  leadership and work experience. If no recent academic reference is available, ask a second reference in some supervisory role to address oral and written communication abilities as well as analytical abilities.
  • Applicants who are undergraduate students with no full-time college or university experience should have one reference from a faculty member who can discuss academic career specifically addressing oral and written communication skills and analytical abilities. A second reference should come from a supervisor/advisor who can describe leadership abilities and experiences that would relate to the College Student Personnel  Administration program.

TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE EAF SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION, contact Kelly Peiffer (kdpeiff@ilstu.edu0.

  Include a statement describing your career objectives (minimum 750 words, typed and doubled-spaced) addressing the following points.

A. Why are you interested in pursuing the College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) Program?
B. What experiences have you had that prepared you for academic work in the CSPA program?
C. What are your short and long-range career goals?
D. How will the CSPA program help you meet those goals?
E. What qualities and characteristics do you possess that make you a strong candidate for admission to the CSPA program?

 

Supplemental information that is sent to the EAF Department

The Department considers multiple criteria for admission.  If an applicant does not meet the preferred criteria, the admissions committee looks for strong credentials in the other areas that would indicate success as a graduate student.

Applicants who do not meet the one of the criteria above (such as lower GRE scores, lower GPA, not able to provide a faculty/academic reference, etc.)  are strongly encouraged to  provide additional evidence that would indicate their ability to conduct doctoral research.  For example, if one has a lower verbal GRE score but has published an article, one should submit the article with a note explaining its relevance. The admissions committee looks for consistent indicators of one's ability to complete graduate work. If one measure is not consistent, additional evidence is extremely useful.

Deadlines:

The Department has a rolling admissions policy. However, the following dates are general guidelines for complete files to be in to assure sufficient time one to register for each semester. Full-time students are only admitted for the fall semester.

  • Fall semester target: March 1 for first consideration  May 1 if the program has not been filled.
  • Spring semester target: One should have everything into the Department by November 1
  • Summer semester target: One should have everything into the Department by March 1.

 

Course Requirements for CSPA Master's program:

One may elect a 36-hour option completing a thesis or comprehensive exams, or a 42-hour option.
  • EAF 410 Research Methods and Statistics I
  • EAF 428.01 Foundations of Student Affairs Practice
  • EAF 461 Student Development Theory
  • EAF 462 Org & Admin. of Student Personnel Admin.
  • EAF 463 College Students and Their Cultures
  • EAF 464 Practicum in Student Personnel Admin.
  • EAF 466 College Students and The Law
  • EAF 467 Counseling College Students
  • EAF 473 Admin & Org of Community Col.
  • EAF 482.01 Capstone Seminar in CSPA
  • EAF 484 Adm. of Cont Ed & Public Serv.
  • EAF 499 Thesis hour option
  • 2 Elective courses

Our CSPA Program faculty:
Have demonstrated success in teaching, scholarship, and service in the field, and prepare students for careers in student affairs and academic services.

"Our faculty are entirely invested in sharing their knowledge and experience with their students!"

"I am truly grateful for the opportunities that have been available to me at Illinois State University.  The practical experiences as well as the outstanding faculty have influenced the professional I am today."

Note: There are several other faculty in EAF who are involved in the College Student Personal Administration Master's in teaching, scholarship, or professional service roles as well as professionals having adjunct, part-time relationships.

  • Diane Dean, Ed.D.
    Teachers College, Columbia
    Research interests include: leadership, finance, strategic planning, women in administration
    drdean@ilstu.edu
     
  • Elizabeth Lugg, Ph.D., J.D.
    University of Iowa, Iowa City
    Research interests include: school law, higher education law, legal issues related to church-state relationships, negotiations and contracts
    etlugg@ilstu.edu
     
  • Phyllis McCluskey-Titus, Ed.D.
    Florida State University
    Research interests include: student affairs administration, college students, women in administration, organizational cultures, current issues
    pamcclu2@ilstu.edu
     
  • Mohamed Nur-Awaleh, Ph.D.
    University at Albany, State University of New York at Albany
    Research interests include: comparative higher educational administration, governance, organizational/administration, foundations, minorities in higher education
    manuraw@ilstu.edu 
     
  • James C. Palmer, Ph.D.
    University of California at Los Angeles
    Research interests include: community colleges, strategic planning, assessment, adult education, curriculum
    jcpalmer@ilstu.edu  

Direct your questions to the program advisor:

"Registration has been a breeze with the help of Dr. Marcia.  I always enjoy our advising meetings and leave refreshed and assured about my degree."

Dr. Marcia Escott Hickrod
Email: mescot@ilstu.edu
By appointment. DeGarmo Hall 340D

 

The goals of the Department ensure that students possess:

  1. An advanced understanding of the broad system and dynamic content of education and educational policy.
  2. A conceptual understanding of and personal competency in basic interpersonal skills and group process.
  3. An understanding of instructional and learning processes and the leadership and management ability to maintain creative educational systems.
  4. An ability to skillfully interpret the legal, political, historical, philosophical, social, economic, technical, and cultural influences operating on and within the educational system.
  5. A professional commitment to the field of education and the ethical practice of administration.
  6. A continuing concern for the initiation, utilization, and dissemination of scholarly research in education and administration.

The goals of the Department are further enhanced by faculty who:

  1. Have demonstrated success in teaching, clinical activities, and knowledge production in the field, and who can prepare persons for educational leadership roles in the public and private sector including positions in administration, instruction, and research.
  2. Conduct research and transmit the findings to the professional community.
  3. Provide professional service to the university and external constituents such as professional organizations; local, state, and federal agencies; P-12 schools and districts; and higher education institutions.

 

Additional Information:

Graduate Catalog (pdf) - program requirements, course descriptions and prerequisites

Graduate School - grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, graduate assistantships