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Plan of Study

Student Personnel in Higher Education Curriculum

The plan of study requires a minimum of 48 semester hours and is developed with the major advisor. These plans of study are intended to meet the personal and professional goals of the students and culminate in either a Masters of Science or a Masters of Education degree. A program of study leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study is also available to students who have completed a master's degree in an appropriate field. The C.A.S. requires a minimum of 32 semester hours beyond the master's degree.

Student Personnel Administration Core Courses

PSYC570: Psychology of the College Age Adult 3 S.H.
Encompassing ages 17-25, this course deals with psychological and social development in this critical period. Principal dimensions and conditions influencing development are examined. Relevant research findings are related to the student's current circumstances and stage of development.

PSYC651: Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education 3 S.H.
An introduction to various forms of organization and functions in student personnel work in higher education. Student development theory will be analyzed and its utilization will be examined in a variety of settings; including admissions, counseling, financial aid, residence life, and career development.

PSYC686: Supervised Fieldwork/Internship & Seminar in Student Personnel 1-16 S.H.
Supervised field experience is considered to be an integral part of preparation for professional activity. The specific nature of the fieldwork / internship experience varies with the major and goals of the student and approved by the respective graduate program director. Students receive regular supervision from competent professionals in the field and attend a weekly fieldwork / internship seminar with the director of the student's major. Each semester hour of credit is based upon 50 clock hours of fieldwork / internship plus a weekly 2 hour seminar. Students in the Student Personnel Program are required to complete a minimum of 2 different 3-credit fieldwork experiences.

PSYC655: Current Issues in Student Personnel 3 S.H.
This course provides an in-depth study of current trends, issues, and problems facing the student personnel field today. Students will explore demographic, social, financial, ethical, legal, and professional issues through research, readings in current periodicals, class presentations, and discussion.

EDUC655: Higher Education in America 3 S.H.
This course provides an examination of the landmark historical events in the development of higher education in America and the implications thereof. Some description of circumstances in differing types of institutions is developed. Some limited treatment of legal, financial, and social complexities which have evolved in recent years is given.

OR

EDUC620: Higher Education Law 3 S.H.
This course is an exploration of the legal issues that affect the administration of postsecondary institutions. The major focus is on issues pertaining to the various constituents (students, faculty, administrators) of colleges and universities. Legal cases are analyzed from the perspective of law education, and public policy. While the course is open to any graduate student, it is designed primarily for those who will be faculty or administrators in higher education

Selective Courses For Student Personnel Administration Majors

All Student Personnel Administration majors should select a minimum of 9 semester hours from the following courses:

EDUC655: Higher Education in America (If not taken for meeting SPA Core Course requirement) See course description above.

EDUC620: Higher Education Law 3 S.H. (If not taken for meeting SPA Core Course requirement) See course description above.

PSYC614: Counseling Diverse Populations 3 S.H.
This course provides a conceptual framework with which to view the complex interplay of values, expectations, and social and political forces in the counselor-client relationship. Also examined is the practice of cross-cultural counseling in mental health agencies, schools, and institutions. Guidelines and detailed methods for counseling specific groups of people (including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Gays and Lesbians) are covered.

PSYC638: Adult Development and Learning 3 S.H.
This course introduces students to current information related to adult development and learning. Life stage, life phase, and life event theories are examined as well as research concerning learning during the adult years. Implications for teaching, counseling, and serving adult students are discussed. a special emphasis is placed on adult transitions and the change process.

PSYC680: Group Dynamics 3 S.H.
Examinations of and experience in basic group processes. Emphasis on implementing the democratic problem solving philosophy in groups. Awareness of self and others at increasingly open and honest levels of communication is encouraged without the intensity of encounter approaches.

PSYC643: Career Development and Counseling 3 S.H.
This course provides a framework for career development interventions across a variety of professional settings. Theory and research perspectives related to career development over the life span are offered as a basis for individual and group work in career planning, guidance, and employment counseling. Current issues such as college counseling, employment trends, assessment, multiculturalism, and the uses of technology in career advisement are addressed.

PSYC635: Psychology in Organizations 3 S.H.
This class aims to help students understand nature and problems of personnel administration and to evaluate ways in which psychological theory and techniques may be applied the improvement of human relations. Major topics include motivation, attitudes, and morale; psychological and other devices for selection, placement , and development of personnel; analysis of jobs and job performance; communication, training and supervision; employee services and programs

Psychology Department Core Courses

PSYC622: Principles of Counseling 3 S.H.
This course provides graduate students with opportunities to learn and acquire basic counseling skills that can be used in a variety of settings. Participants survey major approaches to counseling in order to further their knowledge of human behavior and the change process. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the dynamics underlying various therapeutic techniques and fostering the ability to establish a strong working alliance.

PSYC685: Counseling Practicum 3 S.H.
Opportunity for skill-building experience in the application of counseling methods in a closely supervised laboratory situation. Each student is seen individually and in group seminar on a weekly basis for discussion and videotape evaluation of counseling interviews.

All College Core Requirements

RSCH610: Foundation and Methods of Research 3 S.H.
(Core course required of all Masters students) Emphasizes the search for truth and the ways in which such search is conducted. Includes the identification and delineation of research problems, survey of related literature, and detailed examination of different methods. Attention is given to the presentation of research results in acceptable form.

Forms

• Portfolio Card Template.doc
• Plan of Study.pdf
• SPA Portfolio Guide.pdf