Evaluating a Graduate Program in Higher Education & Student Affairs

1. Evaluating a Graduate Program in Higher Education & Student Affairs Gwendolyn Archibald Higher Education & Student Affairs The University of Iowa N491 Lindquist Center www.education.uiowa.edu

2. Goals for Today’s Discussion Provide: • an introduction to the nature of graduate preparation for higher education/student affairs work and know how to make decisions about attending graduate school; • information about selecting graduate programs that fit individual needs and professional goals; and • have information about graduate school application processes.

3. Graduate Preparation for Student Affairs Work Provides: • Depth of analysis, critical thinking, reflection and inquiry • Development of a theoretical- and research-based orientation to your work • Becoming a reflective practitioner and learning-oriented professional • Preparation for leadership positions

4. Graduate Preparation for Student Affairs Work • What is graduate school like? • What are curricular expectations? • Are there opportunities to gain experience out of class? • May I go to school part-time? • What should I look for in a graduate program?

5. Sample Curriculum-First Year M.A. • Intro to Student Services • College Students and their Environments • College Student Learning and Cognitive Development • Professional Seminar • Multiculturalism in Higher Education • Helping Skills • Practicum

6. Sample Curriculum-Second Year M.A. • Research, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education • College Student Psychosocial & Identity Development • Elective or Practicum in College Teaching • Professional Seminar • Issues and Policies in Higher Education • Administration in Higher Education & Student Affairs • Elective or Advanced Practicum

7. What should I look for in specific programs? • What are the requirements for the program? • What are the values and beliefs of the program?

8. What should I look for in specific programs? • What backgrounds do the faculty have? Have they worked in the field? • In what professional activities are the faculty involved? • What are the research interests of the faculty?

9. What should I look for in specific programs? • What courses are offered? Who teaches the courses? • What are the faculty’s current roles? Are they working in the field? Are they full-time faculty? • How accessible are faculty to students?

10. What should I look for in specific programs? • How many students are in the program? • Who are the students? Where are they from? What are their backgrounds? • What are the students involved with? Research? Conferences? Volunteer activities? Practica?

11. What should I look for in specific programs? • Where do the students work? • What do they say about the program? • What are graduates of the program doing?

12. Other Issues to Consider • Location/setting of Graduate School • Full-time/part-time composition of students • Size of Graduate School • Financial Assistance • Graduate Assistantships

13. Applying to Graduate School • Check with each program: process and deadlines vary. • Application form(s) • Transcripts: all previous coursework • Writing sample: goal statement or similar activity • GRE scores (not required for all programs) • Letters of reference: speak to your potential for success as a graduate student, a student affairs professional, leadership, research.

14. Applying to Graduate School Key Admissions Criteria: • potential to be a successful graduate student: (academic background (courses, gpa), graduate admissions examination, writing sample, references, interviews) • potential to be a successful student affairs professional: (writing sample, references, interviews: goals, activities and experiences, balance, personal qualities, contributions to the program, ability to benefit from the program)

15. Applying to Graduate School Admissions Decisions: • by the program faculty and/or a college or departmental admissions committee. Set times; rolling admissions • application deliberations: consider the “whole package”; admissions criteria; student-program fit; numbers: based on faculty resources, assistantship opportunities • possible decisions: admit, deny, conditional admission

16. What are we looking for in a graduate student? • Motivation to enter student affairs • Motivation to enter graduate school • What do you need from a graduate program? • What do you expect from a graduate program? • Short term and long term goals?

17. How can you strengthen your application? • Quality of Materials: • [Know the program’s process and follow it.] • Reflective about your experiences • Explaining Potential Problem Areas

18. How can you prepare for graduate school? • Academic experiences • Co-curricular experiences

19. How should I decide where to apply? • Key: Finding the right fit. • What do we mean by fit? • The match between what you are looking for in a program and the nature of the program (what the program has to offer).

20. Other Considerations • How many programs should I apply to? • Allow yourself some choices, but keep it focused. • Have a balance of “Reach/stretch Schools” and “Safety Schools.” • Remember the quality of your applications. • Would you be willing to visit the campus?

21. Other Considerations • What are campus visits? • Two different purposes (before or after applications) • Opportunity to see the campus…immediate reactions? • Opportunity to answer some questions in person. • Opportunity to interview with faculty or others for assistantship positions.

22. What if I don’t get admitted? • Get feedback • Investigate Alternatives • Consider applying again after a year

23. What other questions do you have?

24. THANK YOU! Contact me with any questions: Gwendolyn Archibald gwendolyn-archibald@uiowa.edu