The department of Educational Counseling and Psychology offers a master's degree (MEd in Counseling and Personnel Services) with a concentration in College Student Personnel. This program is designed to prepare prospective professionals for positions in student affairs administration in institutions of higher education.

Theory and practice are critically important components of our programs, all of which share a common focus: preparation of professionals knowledgeable about adult student development and administration in college student personnel settings.

Students are required to pursue a logical sequence of study that permits a well-balanced preparation in theory, research, and field experiences in student affairs practice, including knowledge of current roles and functions of college student personnel professionals as well as a historical perspective of the field's development.

The program emphasizes preparation of prospective student service professionals who are proficient in assessing and promoting growth and development of college students in postsecondary settings.

See also, Educational & Counseling Psychology (ECPY) Master's Degrees.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must submit an online application for admission to the University of Louisville Graduate School.

The minimum requirement for admission is the baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants are required to submit all official transcripts as verification of coursework and degree(s).

Each applicant is required to submit at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic and/or professional capabilities and potential. Please download the Graduate School's recommendation form [PDF].

Each applicant is required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). To be considered for unconditional admission, students are required to have a minimum combined score of 800.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States are exempt from this requirement.

For unconditional admission, students are required to have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average, or 2.75 grade point average for the senior college years.

Prospective students must submit a professional goal statement [PDF] appropriate to their stated area of concentration for admission to the degree program.

In addition to these requirements, admission to the degree program may require completion of prerequisite undergraduate courses specific to each area of concentration.

Faculty may require interviews in addition to written credentials as part of the admission process.

For more information, please contact csp @ louisville.edu.

Application Deadlines

Spring Term Admission: October 1
Fall and Summer Term Admission: March 1
Note: If spaces are available in the program after the March 1 deadline, fall applications will be considered until June 15. Please check with the department prior to applying.

College Student Personnel Faculty Areas of Interest

Full-time Faculty

Michael J. Cuyjet, Ed.D., Northern Illinois University
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator
cuyjet@louisville.edu
Interests: college student personnel administration, college environmental satisfaction, cultural diversity, leadership development, student development

Amy S. Hirschy, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Assistant Professor
amy.hirschy@louisville.edu
Interests: college persistence, organization and administration in higher education, sociological issues in the classroom

Bridgette O. Pregliasco, Ed.D., University of Louisville
Assistant Professor and Acting Chair, ELFH Department
bridgette.pregliasco@louisville.edu
Interests: student affairs/academic affairs collaboration, student affairs administration, assessment, professional ethics

Linda T. Shapiro, Ed.D., University of Louisville
Assistant Professor and Acting Chair, ECPY Department
linda.shapiro@louisville.edu
Interests: career development for women, career change, gender differences in the workplace, counseling theories and techniques, group counseling, college student personnel

Adjunct Faculty

Thomas R. Jackson, Ph.D., University of LaVerne (CA)
Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Louisville
Interests: organizational development and structures

Fred W. Rhodes, Ed.D., Mississippi State University
Vice President for Student Affairs, Bellarmine University
frhodes@bellarmine.edu
Interests: student personnel administration, student leadership, legal issues in student affairs, staff development and planning

Gale S. Rhodes, Ed.D., University of Louisville
Assistant University Provost, University of Louisville
Gale.rhodes@louisville.edu
Interests: women's issues and work, diversity, teaching and learning, retention

Opportunities for Graduates

This program is designed to prepare prospective professionals for positions in student affairs administration in institutions of higher education.

Graduates have found employment in administrative positions in various student affairs areas including: vice presidents for student life and deans of students; directors of residence halls, residence hall complexes, and college/university unions; coordinators of student activities, orientation, leadership development, judicial affairs, and Greek Life; counselors in the areas of admissions, financial aid and career services; and advising positions with international students, students with disabilities, academic services for athletes. Some students have also obtained faculty positions.

Accreditations

The College Student Personnel program is designed to meet the 2006 standards and guidelines established for Masters Level Student Affairs Administration Preparation Programs by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). No accreditation standards are required for this program.