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College Student Development Master's Degree
Kansas State University’s College Student Development program is designed to prepare students for work in student affairs units in higher education institutions and to assist students with meeting the professional entry-level requirements in the field.
Students complete 30 hours of core requirements and also select 9 credit hours in one of three specialty options. The advising option is most appropriate for those intending primarily to provide academic advising within a college or university. The administration option is more appropriate for those intending to work in general student affairs positions in higher education or manage student services. The student services in intercollegiate athletics option is appropriate for those who wish to pursue a career working to support the academic success of college student athletes.
See the Cashiers and Student Accounts website for tuition and fee schedules.
Accreditation
The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) has developed functional areas standards for higher education programs. The Master's degree in College Student Development program meets most of the general curriculum policies of the CAS Standards.
Admission Requirements
Admission to graduate study is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the faculty in the graduate program. Applicants seeking admission to this master’s degree program must submit the information noted below. Before starting the online application, gather all information and documents for all of the admission requirements so that they can be uploaded into the application system. All materials must be received before review will begin.
- A completed online Graduate School Application
- Go to the Kansas State University Graduate School home page and click on “Apply Now.” Follow the prompts for completing the application process.
- Application Deadlines:
- U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents – Applications are accepted throughout the year. International Students – The online application, application fee, test scores, transcripts, financial documents, and all required application materials need to be submitted by the following dates:
- January 1 for fall (August) enrollment
- August 1 for spring (January) enrollment
- December 1 for summer (June) enrollment
- Graduate School Application Fee
- Domestic Students – A $65 application fee is required for all domestic students; the application will not be processed without this fee. The fee can be paid by credit card when completing the online application.
- International Students – A $75 application fee is required; the application will not be processed without this fee. The fee can be paid by credit card when completing the online application.
- Official Transcripts
- You must upload into the online application system a scanned copy (PDF preferred) of the official transcript(s) from each college or university where you received your bachelor's degree(s) and completed any post baccalaureate course work or degrees. Transcripts become part of your records at Kansas State University and cannot be returned. Please be aware that printouts from university student portals are not considered a copy of your official transcript. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript for GPA and degree conferral verification from the institution(s) where you received your degree(s) and completed any post-baccalaureate credits. Students whose transcripts are not in English must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority. Failure to list any colleges or universities attended may result in dismissal from the university. For consideration for regular admission, applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in their junior and senior years of the bachelor’s program. Those with GPA’s between 2.65 and 2.99 may be considered for probationary admission if it can be demonstrated that there is potential for success in the graduate program. This potential is demonstrated, in part, on the basis of results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
- Statement of Goals and Professional Experience
- You must upload into the online application system a 1-2 page, double-spaced statement that includes the following information:
- Career and professional goals and aspirations, and how being accepted to the program will benefit the goals and aspirations;
- The reason for interest in seeking the master’s degree in college student development;
- Evidence of motivation, leadership, and strong work ethic; and
- Professional experiences that support application.
- The paper is to be well written and thoughtfully presented. For resources to help with writing the paper, see the Purdue Writing Lab (OWL).
- You must upload into the online application system a 1-2 page, double-spaced statement that includes the following information:
- A Professional Resume or Vita
- You must upload into the online application system a professional resume or vita that includes previous academic degrees, past and present employment, professional activities and roles, and other pertinent information.
- English Language Proficiency
- To demonstrate competence in the English language, an official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System - academic exam (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) must be sent to Kansas State University for all applicants whose primary language is not English. Enter your scores in the online application and upload the report of your scores. Learn more about English proficiency requirements on the K-State Graduate School International Student Admissions web page.
International applicants must meet the same academic standards for admission as those required of domestic students. When applying for admission, international applicants must provide an Affidavit of Financial Support and documentation of English language proficiency. Detailed information about these issues is provided on the K-State Graduate School International Student Admissions web page.
In some cases, a student may wish to take a course(s) prior to being admitted in a degree program. In these cases, a person must be admitted as a non-degree student. No more than nine credit hours earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward an advanced degree. However, successful completion of any hours taken as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission into the program. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial assistance. A faculty advisor is not assigned to non-degree students.
Curriculum
A minimum of 39 graduate credit hours are required in the program. Students complete 30 hours of core requirements and also select one of three specialty options. The advising option is most appropriate for those intending primarily to provide academic advising within a college or university. The administration option is more appropriate for those intending to work in general student affairs positions in higher education or manage student services. The student services in intercollegiate athletics option is appropriate for those who wish to pursue a career working to support the academic success of college student athletes.
Core requirements (30 credit hours)
- EDCEP 812 - History and Philosophy of Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDCEP 816 - Research Methods in Education (3 credits)
- EDCEP 818 - Principles of College Student Personnel Services (3 credits)
- EDCEP 823 - Counseling Theory (3 credits)
- EDCEP 829 - Learning Principles (3 credits)
- EDCEP 838 - Student Development Theory (3 credits)
- EDCEP 858 - Group Processes (3 credits)
- EDCEP 863 - Trends in Career Development (3 credits)
- EDCEP 885 – Practicum in College Student Personnel Work (6 credits required over two semesters)
Options (Select one)
A. Advising option (9 credit hours)
- EDCEP 835 - Foundations of Academic Advising (3 credits)
- EDCEP 836 - Interpersonal Relations for Academic Advising (3 credits)
- EDCEP 851 - Multicultural Aspects of Academic Advising (3 credits)
B. Administration option (9 credit hours)
- EDCEP 821 - Fundamentals of Program Evaluation (3 credits)
- EDCEP 830 - Diversity in Higher Education (3 credits)
- EDCEP 831 - Current Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)
C. Student services in intercollegiate athletics option (9 credit hours)
- EDCEP 854 - College Student Athletes (3 credits)
- EDCEP 864 - Current Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics (3 credits)
- An elective approved by supervisor committee (3 credits)
All students in the College Student Development program also complete a comprehensive exam, covering most of the required coursework, during their last semester in the program.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical, and cultural foundations of higher education, of student characteristics, and of the effects of college on students.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of theories and principles of student development, individual and group interventions, and the organization and administration of student affairs.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of assessment, evaluation, and research.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information pertinent to college student development.
- Students will demonstrate ethical and professional attitudes and behaviors in oral and written academic work and in other forms of communication.