Curriculum and Requirements

Standards and Guidelines
The curriculum in the Ohio University College Student Personnel program has been developed to meet the standards and guidelines of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. The standards for Master's Level Student Affairs Administration preparation programs have been used to guide a curriculum which also incorporates elements unique to the Ohio University CSP program.

Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the Master's Degree Program in College Student Personnel is made up of both required and elective components. The required portion of the curriculum comprises 61 of the required 72 quarter hours. The remaining 11 hours are electives, determined by the individual student in conjunction with his or her faculty advisor. Other opportunities for individual student choices exist within the curriculum so that the program of study can be customized to meet a particular student's needs and interests.

Many of the core courses are similar to those found in student affairs preparation programs across the country. Distinctive elements of our CSP program include the opportunity to have three unique practicum experiences in addition to the graduate associateship and "specialized courses in College Student Affairs" (or 544/743 courses). These two hour courses allow students to explore various areas of interest, and build skills and expertise in areas such as:

student leadership issues
budgeting
residential campus issues
first-year experience
assessment
academic issues
wellness issues
supervision
two year college student services
computers and new technology

The university will be transitioning to semesters beginning fall 2012. All students beginning the program in 2011 must use the Transition Plan in place of the Program of Studies for quarters. Students beginning fall 2012 will use the Program of Studies for semesters to plan their program. Please meet with your advisor regarding transition planning.

Division of Student Affairs
The Ohio University College Student Personnel Program has a strong, collaborative relationship with the Division of Student Affairs. CSP students are involved throughout the division as graduate associates, interns, and practicum students, serving on divisional committees and participating in professional development programs. Professionals from the division participate in the professional development and educational preparation of CSP Master's Degree students through their roles as supervisors and mentors. In addition, many student affairs administrators serve as adjunct faculty in the academic program through two-hour 544 courses (specialized courses in College Student Affairs).

Student affairs administrators are also frequently asked to share their expertise as guest speakers in CSP core courses. Ohio University is fortunate to have a strong and well respected Division of Student Affairs whose professionals are committed to partnership in the development of future Student Affairs professionals.

Curriculum Requirements
Enriching the student experience is the theme of our Master's Degree Program in College Student Personnel. The program offers knowledge and skills that help our graduates enrich student learning.

The program prepares promising entry level professionals for direct service positions in various higher education settings by helping current professionals attain the necessary skills to assume leadership positions. Most of our students attend full-time, gaining professional experience through graduate associateships. Full-time students with associateships usually take two years to complete the program.

Program Philosophy and Objectives
For over 40 years, our Master's Degree students have embraced the mission of learning how to enrich the student experience. The program offers knowledge and skills in a distinctive community setting, a learning-living laboratory for studying and enhancing the undergraduate experience.
The core values that guide the mission are:

"Community" as a mutually empowering learning environment
"Diversity" as more than the tolerance of difference but a commitment to equity, justice, and affirmation
"Individuality" as an expression of personal human growth and dignity
"Holism" as the synergy that must take place between the ideas and activities, the heads and hearts of our learners
"Service" as an unwavering devotion to the development of human potential
"Learning" as the primary reason for the existence of institutions of higher education

The program attempts to fulfill its mission by:

Providing a core of theory, skills, values, and attitudes to help our graduates enrich the student experience
Developing understandings about higher education, student affairs functions, college student development, and educational research
Assisting students in developing their professional competencies through field experiences that are sequenced appropriately with theory-oriented courses

Master's of Education Degree, College Student Personnel Program
A. College Requirements (8 hrs)		Cr. Hrs
EDRE 501 Introduction to Research Methods		4
EDHE 691 Seminar in Education (4) or EDHE 695 Thesis		(2-10)
B. Student Personnel Requirements (32 hrs)		4
EDCP 520 Introduction to College Student Affairs		4
EDCP 521 College Student Development		4
EDCP 522 Campus Student Environments		4
EDCP 523 Multicultural Student Development		4
EDCP 603 Practicum		4,4,4
EDCP 620 Administration and Organization of Student Affairs		4
C. Higher Education Requirements (8 hrs)
EDHE 588 Introduction to Higher Education		4
Select one of the following:
EDHE 687 History and Philosophy of Higher Education		4
EDHE 688 Contemporary Higher Education		4
EDHE 689 Legal Issues in Higher Education		5
EDHE 690 Diversity in Higher Education		4
EDHE 778 Assessment in Higher Education		4
EDHE 779 Finance & Budgeting in Higher Education		4
EDHE 785 Organization and Governance		4
D. Counselor Education Requirement (5 hrs)
EDCE 555 Counseling Theory and Techniques		5
E. Management (4 hours)
EDHE 786 Management in Higher Education		4
F. Specialized Courses in College Student Affairs (4 hrs).
Select two of the following:
EDCP 544A Student Leadership Issues	(O-W)**	2
EDCP 544B Budgeting	(O-S)	2
EDCP 544C Residential Campus Issues	(E-W)	2
EDCP 544D Legal and Ethical Issues	(O-F)	2
EDCP 544E Assessment	(O-S)	2
EDCP 544F Student Learning Imperatives	(E-S)	2
EDCP 544G Multicultural Student Services	(O-W)	2