The college student personnel program is a two-year, practitioner-oriented master’s degree designed to prepare student affairs administrators for the administrative needs of colleges and universities. Philosophically based in college and university administration and resting on standards articulated by the Council for Advancement of Standards for Student Services/Student Development programs, the program prepares individuals for a wide and growing variety of student and university service positions in post-secondary institutions including admissions, orientation, financial aid, academic advising, housing, athletics, disability services, career development, student activities and leadership development, institutional research and assessment, advancement and alumni relations, sorority/fraternity life, and international education.

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Options Available

Project

Thesis

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Prospective students must submit
  • Online admission application must also be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions
  • College Student Personnel Program Application form online
  • 3 rating/reference forms
• Students are admitted each spring for matriculation in the fall.
  • All materials must be submitted by December 1 to Graduate Admissions
  • Admission materials must be submitted to the departmental office (program coordinator) by December 1

Credit Hours Required

• 36 graduate credit hours (Project/portfolio) or 45 graduate credit hours (Thesis)

Required Courses

• Required Courses (33 credit hours)
  • HEAM 543  
  • HEAM 570  
  • HEAM 572  
  • HEAM 520  
  • HEAM 521  
  • HEAM 518  
  • ELPS 595  
  • HEAM 517  
  • HEAM 542  
  • ELPS 595  Issues in Student Affairs
  • HEAM 658  
• Practicum Experience
  • HEAM 599  (3 credit hours)

Thesis Option

• Meet the above 36 credit hours of required courses
• Complete a qualitative or quantitative statistics course (3 credit hours) chosen in consultation with the major advisor
• Complete ELPS 500  (6 credit hours)

Non-Course Requirements

• Students are required to complete a portfolio as a culminating activity. See Department Website for more information about the practicum and portfolio.
• The completion of a thesis is optional.