Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, & Social Work
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CSP: Where Theory Meets Practice
If you're passionate about working in a dynamic environment and helping college students thrive, the CSP program at Western is an ideal stepping stone for a career in student affairs and higher education. In the CSP program, learning doesn鈥檛 stop in the classroom; it comes alive in real campus experiences. Theory to practice means taking the big ideas you study鈥攍ike leadership models, crisis management strategies, and student development theories鈥攁nd putting them to work every day in student affairs and higher education.
You won鈥檛 just memorize frameworks; you鈥檒l use them to design programs, support students鈥� growth, navigate campus challenges, and help your institution thrive. For example, developmental theory can guide how you create programs that meet students where they are, while organizational and leadership theories give you tools to manage change, lead teams, and respond to campus crises with confidence.
Our focus on bridging theory with practice ensures you graduate ready to tackle complex issues, create meaningful student experiences, and make a real impact. In the CSP program, theory is never just an idea鈥攊t鈥檚 a tool you鈥檒l use to shape your career. The meaningful experiences undergraduate students have in college are shaped by the expertise you gain through CSP.听
Where to Find Our Students
Graduates of a CSP degree can be found in:
- Higher education institutions, including public and private four-year universities, as well as community colleges. They serve as orientation directors, academic advisors, residence life coordinators, and programming directors.
- Related fields such as curriculum development, community outreach, academic publishing, educational policy analysis, training and development, educational technology, or fundraising and donor relations.
Student affairs professionals play a critical role in promoting student well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and supporting diverse student populations. They make a profound impact on students' personal and academic journeys, empowering them to thrive in both educational and social settings. The CSP program is devoted to the success of our graduate students and the success of the students they support.
CSP: A Community of Super People
At 海角破解版, CSP isn't just a degree; it's a community. Our students balance graduate school, experiential opportunities, and leadership development with resilience, creativity, and purpose. They lift each other up, form lasting friendships, and inspire one another to grow. That's why we proudly call ourselves a Community of Super People. (And if you haven't noticed yet, we 鈾� finding creative, fun ways to represent the CSP acronym.)
Enrollment Options
Our program offers two enrollment options: full-time (student affairs option) and part-time (higher education leadership option). Many full-time students hold graduate assistantships on campus and take courses in person, while part-time students are often those who want to advance or start their careers in higher education and take courses via live stream, making this flexible learning option an ideal format for those outside the area. No matter the path, our program prepares students to become effective, reflective leaders with a student-centered approach to higher education across a variety of settings.
Not sure how your undergraduate major connects to CSP? Our Major Matchup Guide shows how the skills and experiences you've gained can build a strong foundation for a career in student affairs. The work you've done in your undergrad major matters and our master's degree builds on it to prepare you for leadership in higher education.
Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. 鈥�
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from the College Student Personnel program at 海角破解版 will be able to:
- Analyze current challenges and trends in higher education and apply thoughtful, student-centered approaches to address them.
- Explain how the histories, values, and philosophies of higher education influence institutional priorities, policies, and campus culture.
- Practice inclusive leadership that supports a sense of belonging for all campus members, while being mindful of how power, privilege, and identity shape individual and group experiences.
- Investigate and evaluate how colleges are structured and managed, including policies, staffing, and day-to-day operations, to better serve students and support the institutional mission.
- Utilize research and assessment tools to guide decisions, improve programs, and enhance student learning and development.
- Apply student development and learning theories to support the growth, relationships, and critical thinking of student populations throughout their college journey.
CSP Graduate Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor
Dr. Julie Brines
Office: 81A Horrabin Hall
Email:
JA-Brines@wiu.edu
Phone: 309-298-2082
Learn more about Dr. Brines
Have Questions?
- Email csp@wiu.edu
- Set up with graduate assistants from our CSP Team
- Download our info sheet
A master's degree is a key credential in this field, and since 1970, more than 1,000 alumni have successfully graduated from our program.
ACPA Graduate Preparation Program Member
CSP proudly supports ACPA by offering all students in our program the opportunity to receive a complimentary ACPA membership.
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