Master of Arts in College Student Development

Helping college students reach their potential takes more than administrative training — it takes developmental insight and leadership. That’s why St. Edward’s created the MA in College Student Development program.

Many of the complex issues that face today’s traditional-aged college students are associated with their accumulating not only a knowledge base, but with their developing intellectually, socially, and emotionally.  Similarly, adult students, who are fast becoming the majority student population in this country, in addition to concern for their academic growth, have their own and varied personal and career needs that they are living through and that may impact their educations.  New student development professionals are entering a field for which professional training and education are required.  It’s a growing field. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs in post-secondary college administration will increase 25% by 2012 — so you can be in demand doing what you love.

St. Edward's University’s Master of Arts in College Student Development provides the knowledge and skills that will allow such professionals to enter and advance their careers.  It does this by requiring the development of counseling and conflict resolution skills, by providing knowledge of and insight into the roles and purposes of college development services, by offering instruction in administration and leadership, legal and ethical issues, organizational behavior, and mentoring, and by providing for practical applications of college student development skills through practicum, internship, and research experiences. It is a 36 credit hour program that can be completed in two years.

This program is designed for those who will assume a variety of roles, including career counselors, residence life directors, orientation supervisors, admissions and financial aid officers, student life personnel or any other student development position.  In addition, because of the broad base of courses required in the program, graduates will be prepared to move from one student services area to another, as their careers develop