Program Overview

The Master of Science program in College Student Personnel Administration provides professional preparation for students seeking student services positions in both two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions. The program is interdisciplinary to prepare student services administrators for diverse areas of responsibility, including campus climate, finance, grant writing, assessment, career advising, leadership, and legal/ethical issues.

Consistent with the standards and beliefs stated by ACPA: College Student Educators International, NASPA, and the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), UCA’s course of study offers opportunities to experience the exciting relationship between theory and practice. Students are expected to meet the intellectual challenges of coursework, assistantships, and professional involvement, while participating in learning experiences leading to an understanding of college student development, collegiate subcultures, organizational dynamics, and the nature of higher education.

The CSPA specialization provides coursework and practica leading to a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration.

The CSPA program is aligned with the standards and beliefs of:

• ACPA: College Student Educators International
• NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
• Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS)

UCA’s course of study offers opportunities for students to discover the relationship between theory and practice. Students in the CSPA program are expected to meet the intellectual challenge of bridging theory to practice through integrated coursework, field experiences, and professional involvement.

Mission:

The College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program provides professional preparation for students seeking student services positions in both two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions. The program is interdisciplinary to prepare student affairs professionals for diverse areas of responsibility including:

• diversity, inclusion, & equity
• interpersonal skills
• research
• finance & budgeting
• grant writing
• assessment
• leadership
• legal/ethical issues

Cohort Model:

The CSPA program follows a cohort model in which approximately 15-20 students are admitted to pursue courses concurrently. Students take their classes with the members in their cohort during the two-year track.

Students benefit from:

• Mutual academic and emotional support for program success and timely completion
• Camaraderie and collaborative learning with experienced colleagues

Objectives

• To enhance the leadership skills of student personnel services administrators who can recognize and adapt quickly to changes in the field
• To promote an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities required of student personnel services professionals
• To familiarize students with the theoretical foundation in models of human and student development and learning and to apply those concepts to the creation of more effective service units
• To foster interpersonal communication skills
• To promote the use of qualitative and quantitative analysis and research to investigate and solve problems
• To use technology to create more efficient organizations
• To engage in strategic planning and visioning to provide services that deliver maximum benefit to students
• To engage in sound financial and budgeting practices to use the resources of the organization most efficiently