M.Ed. Student Affairs
Overview
Please take time to view a video introduction to our Student Affairs program.
The Counselor Education Unit, a CACREP accredited program, has designed its studies in Student Affairs to provide a comprehensive model of leadership in higher education and student development. The blending of theoretical background with practical work experience creates an excellent learning environment. Students also benefit from the close collaboration of the program faculty with the Division of Student Affairs and other administrative staff. Students are afforded opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.
Students are able to concentrate in either Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education or Student Affairs Counseling. Student Affairs Practice is designed for individuals planning a career as a student affairs practitioner; Student Affairs Counseling is designed for individuals planning to pursue licensed professional counseling status. There are many employment opportunities available to graduate students. In addition, there are also opportunities to become members of and participate in professional organizations associated with your intended profession. Partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and other administrative offices on campus present students with options for graduate assistantships and practicum and internship placements.
Two required field experiences, a 100 clock hour practicum and the 600 clock hour internship, allow students to apply theory in a practical, professional atmosphere. These field experiences allow students to tailor the Master of Education program to fit their specific interests, thus enhancing each student's professional development.
The Master of Education in Students Affairs program is included within the Counselor Education program to promote a holistic approach to student services. The Student Affairs program conceptualizes the field of Student Affairs as encompassing the intellectual, emotional, recreational, social, and spiritual facets of student development. The faculty and student affairs staff represent diverse educational backgrounds and experiences essential to an understanding of the nature of higher education as a system and as a field of study.
Admission Requirements
For admission, individuals must have:
A. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
B. Admission to the Clemson Graduate School
C. Approval from the Counselor Education faculty
- To be considered for admission to the Graduate School candidates must submit:
- Online application
($65.00 application fee for US/Permanent Resident Applications; $75.00 application fee for International Applications)
- Degree-seeking candidates must select program code 312 (Student Affairs) on the online application form
- Official transcripts
- Transcripts are required from prior institutions from which a degree was awarded and from which transfer credit is desired (GPR of 3.00 during the last 60 hours)
- Two recommendations
- Recommendation forms may be sent to recommenders electronically from online application or you may download a PDF recommendation form to send to your recommenders to complete and return to the Graduate School
- Personal statement describing your interest in this program and your career plans.
- Competitive GRE scores
- Competitive scores are required for admissions for degree-seeking candidates. Scores are considered holistically with applicant's background and potential success in graduate school
- For more information on registering for the GRE, please visit the GRE website
- Applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit acceptable TOEFL scores
If requested by the program coordinator, an interview may be required prior to an admissions decision.
Regular application deadlines are March 1 and October 1 (part-time students only). Only complete application packets will be considered for admission. Applications will be reviewed only twice a year*.
*Exceptions to deadline dates are made when receiving assistantships after the stated deadlines.
To check on the status of a submitted application, please go to: http://www.grad.clemson.edu/ApplicationCheck.php
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Education degree in Student Affairs prepares students for positions in all areas of student development services in higher education. The program consists of course work related to student development theory, counseling, and programming for student services. Full-time students can complete the required course work in two years. Students select either a student affairs practice in higher education or student affairs counseling emphasis. Please download and read the Student Handbook and the Field Experience Manual.
Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education (48 semester hours)
I. Area of Specialization (36 hours)
ED C 803 Student Development Services in Higher Education
ED C 804 Theories of Student Development in Higher Education
ED C 806 Student Affairs Issues
ED C 809 Higher Education Administration
ED C 810 Theories & Techniques of Counseling
ED C 811 Multicultural Counseling
ED C 812 Career Counseling
ED C 814 Development of Counseling Skills
ED C 815 Group Counseling
ED C 819 The American College Student
ED L 765 Research & Assessment in Higher
ED L 855 Applied Research & Evaluation in Higher Education
II. Field Experiences (9 hours)
ED C 834 Student Affairs Practicum (prerequisite 803 or 804 and permission of instructor)
ED C 844 Student Affairs Internship (prerequisite 834 and permission of instructor)
III. Elective (3 hours)
Your elective should be based on your career objectives and discussed with your advisor. The faculty advisor must approve your elective. Electives may have an administrative or counseling emphasis.
Student Affairs Counseling (48 semester hours)
I. Area of Specialization (36 hours)
ED F 701 Human Growth and Development
ED C 803 Student Development Services in Higher Education
ED C 804 Theories of Student Development in Higher Education
ED C 805 Community Counseling
ED L 855 Applied Research & Evaluation in Higher Education
ED C 810 Theories & Techniques of Counseling
ED C 811 Multicultural Counseling
ED C 812 Career Counseling
ED C 813 Appraisal
ED C 813L Appraisal Lab
ED C 814 Development of Counseling Skills
ED C 815 Group Counseling
ED C 819 American College Student
II. Field Experiences (9 hours)
ED C 834 Student Affairs Practicum (prerequisites 803 or 804 and permission of instructor)
ED C 844 Student Affairs Internship (prerequisite 834 and permission of instructor
III. Elective (3 hours)
Your elective should be based on your career objectives and discussed with your advisor. The faculty advisor must approve your elective. Electives may have an administrative or counseling emphasis. To be eligible for South Carolina licensure, you also need to take EDC 818 Psychopathology for Counselors and EDC 821 Psychodiagnostics for Counselors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Testing Requirements:
Passing the departmental comprehensive examination process, including a written exam, is a requirement for the degree. Upon completion of 33 hours and advisor's permission, students are eligible to take the comprehensive examination. For those in Student Affairs Counseling, in addition to the required departmental written comprehensive exam, the student must take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam to prepare for the National Certification Exam (NCE) or take the NCE. Each student is allowed to take the written comprehensive exam twice. Failure on two examinations results in dismissal from the program.
Student Organizations:
Student Personnel Association (SPA)
Chi Sigma Alpha - Beta Chapter
Assessment:
The Counselor Education (EDC) program is committed to continuous program improvement. As such the department engages in numerous assessment activities and implements a comprehensive evaluation plan. This plan involves collecting program feedback from a variety of constituent groups, i.e. students, program graduates, site supervisors, employers, advisory board members, and other partners. The feedback gathered from these assessment tools is used to implement program changes, modifications, and updates.
As part of the comprehensive assessment plan, the following groups are surveyed to provide program feedback:
- Exit Surveys-are collected each semester from graduating students. The spring 2006 and Fall 2005 exit survey results for EDC Community Counseling, EDC School Counseling, and EDC Student Affairs are available
- Alumni Surveys-are collected from program graduates one and three year after graduation. The 2004 alumni survey and 2005 alumni survey results are available;
- Site Supervisor/Employer Surveys-are collected annually. The 2005 site/employer survey results are posted.
Prospective students are encouraged to read these survey results.
Hard copies of these surveys are also available the Counselor Education office, Tillman 330.
Contact Information
Pam Havice, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Student Affairs Program
Tillman 307
(864) 656-5121
