Program Information

The Springfield College graduate preparation program in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education is an established program that provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in graduate study in a friendly small college environment. With fieldwork and internship experiences offered at both large and small local institutions, the program offers a great deal of choice to future professionals based upon their own career needs.   The total number of credits for the M.Ed. or M.S. degree in this program is 42 credit hours.  Course work, fieldwork, and assistantships provide students with a broad background of knowledge and skills in student development and student affairs competencies in preparation for working with diverse college populations at varying types of institutions. Fieldwork is considered to be an essential component of the learning experience.

The Student Affairs Administration program offers a broad curriculum of professional development in preparation for the following positions: orientation coordinators, academic support and advisement professionals, financial aid officers, admissions personnel, career development specialists and counselors, students activities coordinators, student center directors, residence life staff, deans of students and other student affairs positions. The program is designed to meet CAS guidelines for graduate programs and emphasizes counseling, student development and student affairs competencies in its curriculum. Students complete a portfolio and capstone seminar in preparation for thier job search. A strong network of Springfield College alumni/ae provides support to graduates of the program.

Undergraduate Prerequisites: None.

Degree Information

The candidate will be eligible for either a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree or a Master of Science (M.S.) degree depending upon the selection made in consultation with the advisor.

Contact Information

Dr. Patrick Love
Program Coordinator
plove@springfield.edu

I. Core Requirement (3 credits)

• RSCH 610 - Foundations and Methods of Research Credits: 3

II. Departmental Requirements (6 credits)

• CMHC 684 - Counseling Practicum Credits: 3-12
• COUN 622 - Counseling Theories Credits: 3

II. Student Affairs Program Requirements (18-24 credits)

• EDUC 620 - Higher Education Law Credits: 3

• or

• EDUC 655 - Higher Education in America Credits: 3
• PSYC 651 - Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education Credits: 3
• PSYC 655 - Current Issues in Student Personnel Credits: 3
• PSYC 670 - Psychology of the College-Age Adult Credits: 3
• PSYC 686 - Fieldwork/Internship and Seminar Credits: 1-16

• (may be taken for a total of 6 to 12 credits with a minimum of two 3-credit internships)

III. Student Affairs Program Selectives (6-12 credits)

To meet the 42 credit program requirement, students in the M.S. track select two courses (6 credits) from the list below.  Students in the M.Ed. track need to select four courses (12 credits) from the list below.

• EDUC 620 - Higher Education Law Credits: 3
• EDUC 655 - Higher Education in America Credits: 3
• COUN 614 - Counseling Diverse Populations Credits: 3
• COUN 643 - Career Counseling and Development Credits: 3
• PSYC 635 - Psychology in Organizations Credits: 3
• PSYC 638 - Adult Development and Learning Credits: 3
• PSYC 680 - Group Dynamics Credits: 3

M.S. Track - Research requirements (9 credits)

• RSCH 612 - Proposal Design Credits: 2
• RSCH 620 - Educational and Psychological Statistics I Credits: 3
• RSCH 635 - Thesis Credits: 4-12

• (must be taken for 4 credits to meet program requirements)

M.Ed. Track - Research requirements (3 credits)

The M.Ed. track requires successful completion of all graduate work and successful completion of a program-specific comprehensive culminating experience (exam, portfolio, presentation, etc.).

The research requirement under this plan, which is determined by the student’s specific program, consists of a Portfolio and successful completion of PSYC 629: Final Portfolio and Review.

• PSYC 629 - Final Portfolio and Review Credits: 3

Electives (as needed to complete 42 credits)

Selected in consultation with advisor.