Arkansas State University
College Student Personnel Services Program
P.O. Box 1560
State University, AR 72467-1560
Phone (870) 972-3064
Fax (870) 972-3962
http://www2.astate.edu/a/education/psychologycounseling/our-programs/masters-degrees.dot


Nola Christenberry, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Phone (870) 972-3962
Email nchriste@astate.edu


Program Description
The Master of Science degree program with a major in College Student Personnel Services prepares entry level professionals for student affairs practice in higher education. The program is offered by the Department of Psychology and Counseling in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Special Education. Students can choose either the Professional Practice track or the College Counseling track. The Professional Practice track prepares students to work in counseling centers. The program is a 48-hour course of study designed to meet the training standards established by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP). In addition, the program is consistent with the curriculum guidelines of the American College Personnel Association Graduates of the College Counseling track are eligible to seek licensure as professional counselors in Arkansas.


Admission Requirement
To be considered for admission to the M.S. degree program in College Student Personnel Services, applicants must hold an earned bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, present evidence of personal qualities consistent with those required for effective practice in student affairs, and present evidence of the academic abilities needed to complete graduate level work successfully. The indicated grade point averages and standardized test scores reflect minimum criteria for consideration of an applicant. Because a variety of factors are considered in admitting students, simply meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

The appraisal/recommendation forms and the written statement of the applicant will provide the primary information used by admissions committee members in forming their judgments of the applicant's personal qualifications. All applicants admitted to the program are required to meet the same high standard in regard to these qualities. The burden of providing affirmative evidence of these qualities rests with the applicant.

Previous academic work and GRE scores will provide the primary information used by admissions committee members in forming their judgment of an applicant's academic ability. Other indicators, such as the quality of the written statement provided by the applicant, may also be used. Based upon past academic performance and GRE scores, applicants who are admitted can be admitted on either an unconditional or a conditional basis.

Unconditional Admission Status
Applicants who are admitted will be placed in the unconditional admission status if they meet one of the following:
        a. A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (or 3.00 on the last 60 hours), and a
            cumulative score of at least 850 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE, or
        b. A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (or 3.25 on the last 60 hours), and a
            cumulative score of at least 800 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE, or
        c. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on at least 12 hours of previous graduate work with no
            more than one course grade of "C" and no course grade below a "C".

Conditional Admission Status
Applicants who are admitted will be placed in the conditional admission status if they meet one of the following:
        a. A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (or 2.75 on the last 60 hours), and a
            cumulative score of at least 790 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE, or
        b. A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate
            work, or
        c. A minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on at least 6 hours of previous graduate work
            with no more than one grade of "C" or below, or
        d. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.70, continuous employment (full or
            part-time) for at least the previous 12 months in a students affairs position at a regionally accredited             institution of higher education, and submission of a letter from the Chief Student Affairs Officer of the
            employing institution attesting that the applicant has shown considerable promise for college student
            personnel work.

gradsch@astate.edu