Texas State University-San Marcos offers a 45 semester hour program in College Student Affairs. The program is located within the Department of Educational Administration and Psychological Services. Students admitted to the program take courses designed to provide an understanding of the foundations and functions of student affairs, as well as classes that focus on areas specific to student affairs such as leadership, legal and governance issues, cultural studies, and program development Students also are engaged in basic counseling and theory classes that have been designed specifically to meet the needs of new professionals in the student affairs field. These classes aid our students in learning how to effectively interact with people and issues that they may encounter in the profession. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to interact with Student Affairs professionals.

 

Students gain first hand experience in student affairs offices by completing two internships within a Student Affairs or Academic Affairs department of their choice at Texas State or nearby colleges and universities. Aided by the opportunity for Graduate Research Assistantships, students gain skills that are necessary and marketable when searching for a job. Students are offered and encouraged to participate in many opportunities for professional development through membership in our Graduate Student Affairs Council.

Fall One

 

     COUN 5390              Higher Education and Student Affairs I

o   The history of student affairs in higher education, the context in which student affairs exists in higher education, the theories used in student affairs work and its philosophical foundations, the mission, goals and programs of selected functions in student affairs, and significant issues related to these functions.

    COUN 7339              Foundations of Higher Education Administration

o   This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of the historical, philosophical, sociological, organizational, and political foundations upon which the field of higher education administration is based.

    COUN 5354              Basic Techniques in Counseling

o   This course is designed to introduce the student to basic counseling skills via role-play and videotape. The course also provides a general model of effective counseling, including basic communication sills and theory techniques.

 Spring One

 

    COUN 7340              College Student Development: Theory and Practice

o   This course seeks to provide in-depth understanding of developmental needs and issues of college and university students, identifies ways to enhance learning by considering developmental and environmental effects, and offers practice in creating learning opportunities that consider developmental needs.

      COUN 5378A            Problems in Counseling

o   Individual problems not related to thesis. Designed to place emphasis on selected areas of study. May be repeated once for additional credit at the discretion of the department chair.

   COUN 5388             Student Affairs Internship I

 Summer

 

     COUN 5391              Research Methods

o   Research, measurement, and design procedures for addressing issues in school psychology, counseling, and education. A research project is required of each student.

 *ELECTIVE ONE

 *ELECTIVE TWO

  Fall Two

 

     COUN 5322              Governance and Legal Issues in Higher Education

o   This course provides for the identification and understanding of the legal issues, which influence institutions of higher education. There is also a focus on how postsecondary institutions are governed by Boards of Regents as well as by both state and federal governments.

   COUN 5388               Student Affairs Internship II

   COUN 5393               The American College Student

o   This course is an in-depth study of the characteristics and needs of American college students and how student subcultures affect the campus environment. There is an analysis of student growth and development issues, student subcultures, and the needs and services required for student success.

 Spring Two

 

     COUN 5323                Program Development and Evaluation

o   This course covers the theoretical bases for assessment techniques, statistics, research design, models for designing, managing and evaluating student affairs programs including information management and computer applications in higher education and method of needs analysis applicable to college student populations.

    COUN 5392                 Higher Education and Student Affairs II

o   This course covers significant issues, functions, and problems that student affairs administrators manage in their work setting which include professionalism and ethical decision-making, the role of professional organizations and associations, management and leadership theories, human resource development, governance and legal issues, finance and budgeting, assessment and evaluation.

      COUN 5378B               Problems in Counseling

o   Individual problems not related to thesis. Designed to place emphasis on selected areas of study. May be repeated once for additional credit at the discretion of the department chair.

 *Electives are selected from a variety of courses in the departments of Educational Administration and Psychological Services, Sociology, Political Science, and Communication Studies.