College Student Development

Full Time Sequence

First Year

Fall Semester

• CSDV 601 Introduction to Student Affairs 3 credits
• CSDV 605 Career Development and Life Planning 3 credits
• CSDV 636 Principles of Advising and Supporting 3 credits
• CSDV 642 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education 3 credits

Spring Semester

• CSDV 607 Functions in Student Affairs 3 credits
• CSDV 617 Exceptionality: College Students with Disabilities 3 credits
• CSDV 644 Intercollegiate Athletics in Higher Education 3 credits
• CSDV 657 Practicum in College Student Development 3 credits

Second Year

Fall Semester

• CSDV 668 Internship in College Student Development I 3 credits
• CSDV 674 Legal Issues in Student Affairs 3 credits
• CSDV 671 Assessment, Evaluation, and Research 3 credits

Spring Semester

• CSDV 670 Internship in College Student Development II 6 credits
• CSDV 695 Topics in Student Affairs 3 credits

Part-Time Sequence

First Year

Fall Semester

• CSDV 601 Introduction to Student Affairs 3 credits
• CSDV 636 Principles of Advising and Helping 3 credits
• CSDV 642 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education 3 credits

Spring Semester

• CSDV 607 Functions in Student Affairs 3 credits
• CSDV 617 Exceptionality: College Students with Disabilities 3 credits
• COUN 644 Intercollegiate Athletics in Higher Education 3 credits

Second Year

Fall Semester

• CSDV 605 Career Development and Life Planning 3 credits
• CSDV 674 Legal Issues in Student Affairs 3 credits
• CSDV 671 Assessment, Evaluation, and Research 3 credits

Spring Semester

• CSDV 657 Practicum in College Student Development 3 credits
• CSDV 695 Topics in Student Affairs

Third Year

Fall Semester

• CSDV 668 Internship in College Student Development I 3 credits

Spring Semester

• CSDV 670 Internship in College Student Development II 6 credits

Program Total: 42 credits

Practicum/Internship

Students in the College Student Development Program will complete 100 total hours of practicum in an approved student affairs setting working under the supervision of a student affairs professional. In a student's final year, they will complete 500 hours of Internship, continuing to develop conceptual and professional skills related to their practice as a student affairs professional in training.

Capstone project

Beginning in the practicum semester and continuing throughout the remainder of the program, students will develop a capstone project, which will be presented in written form as well as a poster at during a student's final semester. The capstone project is one that highlights a practical problem in student affairs and higher education, as well as advances a practical solution to an identified issue. This can take the form of a programmatic intervention, a strategic plan, a curriculum or course, a training program or professional development, a comprehensive assessment, or other initiatives.

College Student Development 2020 Student Handbook

Admissions

Is your program a quality program?

Yes. Alfred’s program in College Student Development is a 42-credit hour program designed to meet the ten professional competency areas that were jointly established by the American College Personnel Association and NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Alfred’s program utilizes these competencies as a foundation for the program’s curriculum and as a means for systematically reviewing student learning outcomes and overall program effectiveness.

How many students are accepted each year?

Typically, we accept 15 to 18 beginning full-time students and 2 to 4 beginning part-time students. Students are allowed to enter the program only in the fall semester.

What are the admissions requirements?

Students must submit the following materials to the Graduate Admissions Office:

• the completed application form and fee;
• three letters of recommendation;
• official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework;
• scores from the GRE general test if undergraduate cumulative GPA is less than a 3.0;
• a brief personal statement of your program interest.

In addition, because of the high level of maturity, sensitivity, independence and flexibility necessary in the program, an on-campus interview is required. You will be contacted for an interview once all application materials have been received.

Wait, so if I have a 3.0 or higher as an undergrad, I don’t have to take the GREs?

Correct. In general, students admitted to the program typically have GPA's of 3.0 or better. This is often the best predictor of success in graduate school. Therefore, Alfred’s graduate program in College Student Development only requires the GRE for applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

If, however, your undergraduate GPA is less than a 3.0, and you have other strengths you wish for us to consider, we strongly encourage you to apply, as Alfred utilizes a holistic screening process for admissions. We very much view one’s interpersonal skills, work and volunteer experience, leadership abilities, and motivation for the profession as significant to one’s success in graduate school and as a Student Affairs Professional.

For students taking the GRE, we do not require a minimum cutoff score. However, students should strive for at least the 50^th percentile for verbal reasoning and a 3.5 for analytical writing.

How long does the program take?

Full time students can complete the program in two years, without any summer commitment. Part-time students who are athletic graduate assistants can complete the program in three years.

When are classes taught?

Each class is taught in a three-hour block of time, one day per week. Most classes are held during the day; however, there may be a class which needs to be taught during an evening block.

Financial Aid

Is financial assistance awarded to students who are admitted to the program?

There are three types of assistantships that graduate students may acquire: 1) General graduate assistantships; 2) Enhanced graduate assistantships; 3) Athletic graduate assistantships.

While other graduate programs in student affairs provide only a handful of competitive assistantships to students, at Alfred, ALL full time graduate students receive a graduate assistantship. All full time students entering graduate programs in School Psychology, Counseling, College Student Development and Education at the university are granted a general graduate assistantship for $3,000, which requires the student to work 5 hours per week for a professor or university division. Students are responsible to the faculty or staff member to whom they are assigned.

Full-time students may however, choose to apply for an enhanced graduate assistantship instead, through the Division of Student Experience, either as a Residence Hall Director, Weekend Supervisor, or Assistant Coordinator of Leadership Programming. An enhanced graduate assistantship covers 50% of tuition costs and provides the student with a stipend of $3,000 to $5,000 (depending on the exact assistantship), in exchange for working 20 hours per week. Some assistantships provide a furnished on-campus apartment and full meal plan when the University is in session. For more information, please contact the appropriate directors in Residence Life, The Center for Student Involvement, or the Judson Leadership Center.

Students interested in the part-time program may apply for an athletic graduate assistantship, which covers a maximum of 18 credits of tuition per academic year (54 credits, or 90% of one’s tuition) and a stipend in exchange for working 20 hours per week as an assistant coach, athletic trainer, or facilities manager. You may contact the Assistant VP for Athletics & Recreation for more information.

Every full-time student entering the program receives a graduate assistantship that covers one half of the tuition in exchange for 7.5 hours of work per week. More specifically, the assistantship is divided between a tuition credit of 75% and an educational stipend of 25%. The tuition credit is automatically deducted from a student’s bill, while the educational stipend is payable directly on a bi-weekly basis.

Practical Experience

How much practical experience is gained in the program and when does it begin?

The College Student Development program incorporates valuable experience into each semester of training, including graduate assistantships in a variety of student affairs offices, and of course the practicum and internship experiences. During the first year, second semester, students are required to participate in a 100-hour practicum in a specific student affairs placement (either right here on Alfred's campus or at neighboring institutions). During the final year, students complete a 500-hour internship over the course of the fall and spring semesters, under the supervision of a student affairs professional.

Does the internship have to be completed in New York State?

No. Since the university is in close proximity to the Pennsylvania border, it is not unusual for students to work in college/university settings in northern Pennsylvania.

Post-Graduation

What is the employment outlook for Student Affairs Professionals?

According to the Department of Labor (Occupational Outlook Handbook, April, 2016), “employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations and job prospects will be best for candidates who have experience working in higher education and for those with a master’s degree.” In 2015, the median pay for mid-level postsecondary education administrators was $50,284 per year.

Where do our alumni work?

• President of the University of Maine at Augusta.
• Director, Center for Student Involvement, Alfred University
• Executive Director of Residential Education, Montclair State University
• Vice President for University Relations, American Campus Communities
• Assistant Dean/Director, SUNY Adirondack’s Wilton Center
• Director, Center for Student Involvement, Orange County Community College
• Assistant Director, The Cornell Commitment
• Director of the Career Center, Clarkson University
• Associate Director for Employer Relations, Ursinus College
• Assistant Dean and Director of Residential Services, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Residential Life Manager, Purdue University
• Assistant Dean for Student Development, Le Moyne College
• Vice President for Student Affairs, Hobart & William Smith
• Second year Experience Coordinator at The College at Brockport
• Associate Director, Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Career Center Director, College of Saint Rose

Housing in Alfred

Do graduate students live on or off campus?

Most graduate students choose to live off campus, although some on-campus housing is available.

How do I find available housing in the community?

The program's secretary maintains a list of landlords, potential housing, and other students who may be looking for roommates. Over the summer, this information is sent out to all counseling students. If you have any questions about housing, you may contact her at 607-871-2212.

The College Student Development program incorporates valuable experience into each semester of training, starting with graduate assistantships in a variety of student affairs offices, and of course the practicum and internship experiences.

During the first year, second semester, students will complete 100 total hours in Practicum in College Student Development, in an approved student affairs setting working under the supervision of a student affairs professional (either right here on Alfred’s campus or at neighboring institutions).

During Internship in College Student Development I and Internship in College Student Development II in their final year, students continue to develop conceptual and professional skills related to their practice in an approved student affairs setting while working under the supervision of a student affairs professional. Over the course of a minimum of two internship semesters, students must accumulate at least 500 total hours. Each student is connected to a practicum or internship opportunity that reflects their professional interests and career path.

Applying

To apply, students should select AU Campus MSEd College Student Development as their degree program on the graduate application form.

Students should submit the following to the Graduate Admissions Office:

• the completed application form and fee;
• three letters of recommendation;
• official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework;
• scores from the GRE general test if undergraduate GPA is less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• a brief personal statement of your program interest.

In addition, because of the high level of maturity, sensitivity, independence and flexibility necessary in the program, an on-campus interview is required. You'll be contacted for an interview once all application materials have been received.

Admission to the College Student Development program is limited to 18 students each year. Review of applications will begin on February 1. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Financial Support

There are three types of assistantships that all full-time graduate students may choose to acquire: 1) General graduate assistantships; 2) Enhanced graduate assistantships; 3) Athletic graduate assistantships.

All full-time students entering graduate programs in School Psychology, Counseling, College Student Development and Education are awarded a general graduate assistantship – there is no application for this type of assistantship. The award provides a $3,000 reduction in tuition and requires the student to work 5 hours per week for a professor or university division. Students are responsible to the faculty or staff member to whom they are assigned.

Full-time students may instead choose to apply for an enhanced graduate assistantship through the Division of Student Experience, as a Residence Hall Director, Weekend Supervisor or Assistant Coordinator of Leadership Programming. In exchange for working 20 hours per week, this assistantship covers 50% of tuition costs and provides the graduate student with a stipend of $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the specific assistantship. Some enhanced assistantships provide a furnished on-campus apartment and full meal plan when the University is in session. For more information please contact the directors of Residence Life, Center for Student Involvement and/or the Judson Leadership Center.

Students interested in the part-time program may apply for an athletic graduate assistantship, which fully covers a maximum of 18 credits of tuition per academic year (see the part-time sequence) and provides a stipend in exchange for working 20 hours per week as an assistant coach, athletic trainer, or facilities manager. For more information please contact the Assistant VP for Athletics & Recreation.

Additional financial support may be available through grants and other external sources obtained through the Lea R. Powell Institute for Children and Families. The Financial Aid Office assists graduate students in obtaining additional forms of assistance whenever possible.

Mission Statement

Alfred University’s graduate program in College Student Development prepares individuals for positions within higher education. Students acquire core knowledge and professional competencies that enable them to enter the profession. We (the faculty) strive to create a rigorous scholarly and supportive atmosphere for students to develop intellectually with a deep sense of social consciousness and self-awareness. We value teaching, scholarship, and service, which contribute to the mission of Alfred University.

Program Goals

Alfred’s College Student Development program is committed to the personal and professional development of each student in the context of a sound theoretical background. One-on-one interaction between faculty members and students encourages the personal learning that is vital to the education of student affairs professionals. Students gain a strong knowledge base and develop personal maturity and strong interpersonal and organizational skills. The goals of Alfred University’s College Student Development program grow out of the program’s mission and are:

To prepare graduate students in the acquisition of a comprehensive and scholarly knowledge base relevant to the profession of student affairs and higher education.

• To prepare graduate students in the acquisition of professional knowledge, skills and abilities in the areas of leadership, social justice, and community building.
• To prepare graduate students to become competent, self-aware, and socially conscious in order to work in a variety of student affairs settings serving a diverse population.