Graduate Catalog
Degree Programs

Master of Science
College Student Personnel

Dr. Chris Giroir, Head
Crabaugh, Room 126
(479) 964-3251
cgiroir@atu.edu

The Master of Science in College Student Personnel is a two-year, practitioner-oriented program, philosophically based in college student development and university administration. It is designed to prepare thoughtful, compassionate, first-line student and university service administrators armed with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to begin or enhance a career in the variety of settings in which such services are needed. The goals of the College Student Personnel (CSP) program include:

  1. Demonstrating mastery and application of foundational and professional studies in College Student Personnel.
  2. Demonstrating professional behavior in carrying out student services work.

Unconditional Admission

Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Science degree program in College Student Personnel if they meet the following requirements:

  1. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.
  2. Applicants must submit a current resume/vitae highlighting any co-curricular experiences and/or student affairs experience.
  3. Applicants must submit two (2) letters of reference from faculty or staff at an educational institution who can attest to the candidate's ability to work with students.
  4. Applicants must meet a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.70 or a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours.
  5. Applicants must submit a reflective writing sample, consisting of 3 short-answer reflection items, which include:
    1. Define student affairs and how you see yourself contributing to the field;
    2. Explain how your undergraduate grade point average reflects or does not reflect your ability to succeed at the graduate level; and
    3. What can faculty and classmates expect from you in the classroom and/or virtual classroom?
  6. Approval from Program Director.

In addition, applicants must submit admission materials no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester as a priority admission date. Applicants submitting after the priority deadline will be considered if space is still available in CSP graduate classes.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who fail to meet the minimum requirements for admission have the opportunity for conditional admission if applicant meets the minimum graduate admission standards and upon a successful appeal to the program director. Students admitted under a conditional status must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA on the first twelve (12) graduate hours in the program. Note - the GRE and/or MAT scores are no longer being required for conditional admission.

Academic Advisors

The director of the program will assign a faculty advisor to each student admitted to the degree program. The advisor will assist the student in the design of a curriculum of study that leads to the fulfillment of degree requirements. Subsequently, the academic advisor, the Department Graduate Committee, and the Graduate College will monitor the student's progress as they progress through the program. It remains, however, the student's responsibility to understand and to satisfy all degree requirements.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are eligible for admission to candidacy for the degree upon the completion of twelve (12) hours with a 3.00 grade point average or better and completion of all deficiencies. Students who do not submit an "Application for Admission to Candidacy" prior to the end of the semester in which the student becomes eligible will not be allowed to register for subsequent graduate classes.

Degree Requirements

  1. The completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work including the following courses:

    Required Core Courses (30 Hours)

    Foundation Course (3 hours)

    CSP 6023 Introduction to College Student Personnel Work

    Professional Studies (21 hours)

    CSP 6033 Theory and Practice in College Student Personnel
    CSP 6043 American College Student
    CSP 6053 Legal Issues for Professionals in College Student Personnel
    CSP 6073 Counseling with College Students
    CSP 6113 Research Design and Analysis
    CSP 6123 Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
    CSP 6143 Administration in College Student Personnel

    Supervised Practice (6 hours)

    CSP 6083 Practicum 1 in College Student Personnel
    CSP 6063 Special Topics: College Student Personnel Capstone Seminar

    Elective Courses (6 Hours Required)

    CSP 6013 American Higher Education in Transition
    CSP 6093 Practicum 2 in College Student Personnel
    CSP 6133 Ethical Leadership in Higher Education
    CSP 6153 Advising Student Groups
    CSP 6163 Academic Advising
    CSP 6191-6 Thesis in College Student Personnel
    CSP 6881-3 Special Problem (Workshop) in College Student Personnel

  2. A thesis option is available. The thesis option must be approved by the Program Director. Students completing the thesis would take six (6) credits of CSP 6191-6: Thesis in College Student Personnel in the place of six (6) credits of electives.
  3. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 in all graduate courses completed at Arkansas Tech University with a maximum of six (6) hours of "C" Grades.
  4. A minimum of 27 semester hours of graduate course work completed at Arkansas Tech University.
  5. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination. Comprehensive examination policies are available from the program director.
  6. Completion of all degree requirements within six (6) years from the time of unconditional or conditional admission into the program.

Special Conditions of Graduate Credit

Graduate Credit Taken Prior to Admission to Arkansas Tech University

A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit with a grade point average of "B" or better may be transferred from an accredited graduate school if deemed appropriate to the graduate program by the head of the student's major department and the Dean of Graduate College. Students must send a written request to the head of their major department to petition an acceptance of the transfer credit prior to requesting admission to candidacy to the graduate program. Graduate credit earned six (6) years prior to the completion date of all degree requirements may not be applied toward the degree without the approval of the appropriate program director and the Dean of Graduate College. Credits earned by correspondence courses or for remedial purposes will not apply toward the graduate degree. No undergraduate course may be repeated for graduate credit.

Graduate Credit Taken After Admission to Arkansas Tech University

If after admission to graduate study, a student wishes to take a course at another institution to count toward degree requirements at Arkansas Tech University, the student must (in advance of enrollment) obtain written approval from the program director and the Dean of Graduate College.