Program Mission: The Master of Science (MS) in College Student Affairs at Eastern Illinois University pursues the highest standards of scholarly excellence as evidenced through sustained achievement of criteria developed and adopted by the Graduate School. The program utilizes a cohort model with a low faculty-to-student ratio. The department offers an M.S. in College Student Affairs (CSA) with an online option in Higher Education and Community College (HECC).  The programs incorporate the standards developed by the American College Student Affairs (ACPA) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) as its benchmark for assessment. The purpose of our training, which includes supervised practical experience in a variety of settings, is to equip students to become qualified, ethical and culturally competent leaders in Higher Education.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  In addition, students must:

• Complete and submit the departmental admission application in MyEIU; The online departmental application will require you to provide email addresses for two recommendations from individuals familiar with the your academic or work performance;
• The application will also require an upload of a letter of intent focusing on your interest in the department and program, and a resume.
• Attend a CSA Days, Departmental or Housing Sponsored Admission event.
• Obtain a graduate assistantship appointment.*
• Additionally, the successful applicant must demonstrate strong study skills, experience working with groups, evidence of leadership abilities, and commitment and desire to have a career as a College Student Affairs professional.
• Submit two departmental recommendation forms from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic or work performance; 
• Attend a pre-admission (CSA Days) or Housing Sponsored Admission event.
• Obtain a graduate assistantship appointment.*
• Additionally, the successful applicant must demonstrate strong study skills, experience working with groups, evidence of leadership abilities, and commitment and desire to have a career as a College Student Affairs professional.

*All students admitted to the CSA degree program are required to have either a graduate assistantship or submit evidence of fulltime employment in an institution of higher education or loosely related educational organization.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Program Course Restriction: Courses 5540 and above are open only to students who have been admitted to the Department of Counseling and Student Development or who have permission of the Department Chair.