海角破解版

Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, & Social Work

College Student Personnel

Join Our Program!

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Applicants are reviewed based on their academic or professional background, connection to student-centered work, and intentionality in pursuing the CSP program and a career in student affairs and higher education. Our review process values authentic reflection, demonstrated interest in the field, and a commitment to growth through experiential learning, collaboration, and meaningful contribution to campus life. Admissions decisions are made through a holistic review of all required materials.听

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The Application Process

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First, submit the School of Graduate Studies Application for Admission.听

You must submit the School of Graduate Studies Application for Admission. As part of this application, you will pay the application fee ($30 for new domestic graduate students and $50 for new international graduate students) and submit your official transcripts. While you may move forward with submitting other required materials before paying the fee, your application will not be reviewed until the fee is paid. Doing so generates a transmittal that informs the department of your academic eligibility. Please be aware that we cannot process your supplemental materials until we receive your transmittal.

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Domestic Graduate Studies Application for Admission

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As part of this application, you must request official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed at any college or university.

Transcripts should be sent directly to:

School of Graduate Studies
Sherman Hall 116
Macomb, IL 61455

If you are an international student, your transcript(s) must be evaluated before your application can be considered for admission. For more information and additional admissions requirements, please visit International Graduate Studies or email International-Ed@wiu.edu.

We cannot review your supplemental materials (below) until Graduate Studies receives your transcripts.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a requirement for admission to this program.

Next, upload your CSP supplemental application materials. 听

You will use the CSP Supplemental Materials Form to upload your documents, including a professional resume, narrative of interest and intent, and letters of recommendation. Applicants to the full-time option must also write a short reflection on transferable skills.

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Detailed instructions and guidelines for each required material can be found in the sections below. You must submit ALL of the following materials unless otherwise noted. The form allows you to save your progress and return later if your materials are not all ready to upload at once.

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Resume

Many applicants have engaged with student affairs professionals and programs without even realizing it. Nearly all out-of-classroom experiences on college campuses are part of student affairs or student services. Throughout your journey, whether through formal roles or informal involvement, you've likely developed valuable, transferable skills that align closely with the field.

Your resume should:

  • Highlight campus involvement, leadership, advising, programming, or related experiences.
  • Be tailored to a position in higher education or student affairs.
  • Be formatted clearly, easy to read, and free of grammar or spelling errors.

Resources Available: Resume advice and a template are provided on this page to help you create a strong and professional document.

Tip: Take extra care to connect your experiences directly to student affairs work in higher education by emphasizing areas such as programming, advising, leadership and other relevant involvement.

Narrative of Interest and Intent

This is your opportunity to share your story. Be honest, reflective, and personal. Think of it less as a checklist of answers and more as a narrative that highlights your journey, your motivation, and your connection to student affairs.

Your narrative should address:

  • Why student-centered work matters to you. What motivated you to support students, and what kind of difference do you hope to make in the field?
  • Your connection to the CSP program at Western. How does this program align with your goals and interests?
  • Your personal and professional growth. How do you hope to develop through your graduate school experience?

Format:

  • 1-2 pages in length
  • Double spaced
  • 12-point Times New Roman font

Tip: Use this statement to connect your past experiences with your future goals, and to show how CSP at 海角破解版 is the right next step for you.

Letters of Recommendation

You must submit two letters of recommendation addressed directly to the College Student Personnel program at 海角破解版.

What This Means

  • Letters must be written specifically for the 海角破解版 CSP program, not reused from another program or submitted as a generic reference.
  • They should be addressed to the CSP program and ideally mention our program by name.
  • Recommenders should speak directly to your potential for success in student affairs and higher education, not just provide general praise.

Who Should Write Your Letters

  • At least one letter must come from a faculty member who can evaluate your academic performance.
  • If securing a faculty recommendation is difficult, you may instead provide a letter from a work supervisor, mentor, or advisor who can speak to your academic abilities.
  • Your second letter should come from someone who can attest to your readiness for graduate school and the field of higher education/student affairs.

You may upload your letters directly in the form, or your recommenders may submit letters on your behalf using the .

Tip: Encourage your recommenders to be specific and personal. The strongest letters highlight concrete examples of your abilities and potential as a graduate student and future student affairs professional.

Transferable Skills Reflection (Full-Time Option Only)

Full-time applicants will be asked to complete the Transferable Skills Reflection directly in the CSP Supplemental Materials form. This is not an uploaded document. You will type your responses into the form itself.

Transferable skills are abilities developed through different experiences that can be applied across many roles and settings. They shape the way you work, lead, learn, and connect with others.

In the form, you will:

    • Choose two transferable skills from the provided table.
    • For each skill, write a short reflection addressing a specific experience where you applied this skill, how this skill connects to your desire to pursue the CSP program, and how the CSP program will help you refine and expand upon this skill.

Examples may come from your academic work, campus involvement or leadership, employment or internships, volunteer service, or personal experiences that shaped your approach to working with others.

Tip: Use this reflection to show both what you've already learned and how the CSP program will help you continue developing these skills.

Graduate Assistantship Information (If Applicable)

As part of the CSP Supplemental Materials Form, you鈥檒l be asked whether you're interested in being connected with potential graduate assistantship sites, and to indicate which functional areas in student affairs interest you most鈥攕uch as residence life, academic advising, orientation, student leadership, and more.

You鈥檒l also be asked to briefly explain why those areas appeal to you. This helps the admissions committee and potential assistantship sites better understand your goals and interests. To learn more about the assistantship process and available opportunities, visit the Graduate Assistantship page.

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What to Expect Next

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Once you have completed and submitted your CSP Supplemental Materials Form, here's what you can expect next:听

  • Application Review: The admissions committee will review your School of Graduate Studies application, transcripts, and supplemental materials together.听
  • Interview Invitation: If your application is selected to move forward, you will receive an invitation to complete a pre-recorded video interview. This is an opportunity to share more about your story, your goals, and your readiness for the field.听
  • Admission Decision: After the interview process is complete, you will receive an official admission decision from both the School of Graduate Studies and the CSP program.听
  • Enrollment Steps: Admitted students will receive detailed instructions on how to enroll, register for courses, and prepare for their arrival on campus.听

Assistantship Opportunities: If you indicated interest in a graduate assistantship, the program will work to connect you with appropriate departments to explore available positions.

As a candidate, it is your responsibility to check on the status of your application to be sure all materials arrive prior to the application deadlines.

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Full-Time Option Application Process Timeline

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Please note that this timeline only applies to the full-time student affairs option.

Dec. 1 - Recommended deadline for international candidates to submit application materials to International Admissions (allowing for processing time to meet the Jan. 5 deadline)

Dec. 15 - Recommended deadline for domestic candidates to submit application materials to Graduate Studies (allowing for processing time to meet the Jan. 15 deadline)

Jan. 15 - Priority deadline for receiving application materials. Applications will still be accepted on a space-available basis after that date.听

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, especially if you are seeking a graduate assistantship. For more details about our admissions and enrollment process as well as how it applies to international students, please review our student affairs track FAQ page.

Have Questions?

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Resume Tips

Tailoring your resume to highlight relevant experiences, skills, and knowledge specific to student affairs is crucial for standing out, especially if you hope to secure a graduate assistantship as the options are limited and the process can be very competitive.

We've created a sample resume template and听 handout to help you.