1. How long does the application process take?
Applications must be received by no later than January 15. Applicants interested in applying after the deadline should contact the program before submitting any materials. It is our hope to communicate final program admissions decisions in March of each year and then to assist with assistantship placement in the following months. Please note that admission to the CSSA program precedes the assistantship placement process.
Some applicants may get offers from other programs but prefer to attend OSU. If you want to know the status of your application at any time, please call us so you can make the most informed decision.
2. How firm is the GPA admissions requirement?
A combined GPA of 3.00 on the last 90 quarter credit hours (60 semester) credit hours of graded undergraduate work on the first baccalaureate degree plus all work completed thereafter is a firm requirement of the University. On occasion this requirement will be waived by the University's Graduate Admission's Committee if the CSSA department appeals the requirement on behalf of an applicant. Appeals are infrequent and rarely made for individuals who have a GPA lower than 2.80.
3. Is the GRE or any other admissions tests required for admission?
No, standardized tests are not required for admissions.
4. What is the previous work requirement for admission?
One year of full-time work experience in student/academic affairs or related field is considered a preferred requirement for admission to the CSSA program. This experience can be in any area or field, though settings more closely related to education tend to strengthen the application. Applicants who do not have one year of previous full-time work experience, but who have extensive experience that is considered comparable to one year full-time experience in student/academic affairs or related field (eg paraprofessional work) may be considered as satisfying this requirement
No, the CSSA program is based on a sequential cohort model. Students enter together each fall and progress through the two-year course requirements.
6. Can I transfer other course work into the CSSA program?
Graduate level courses taken at other universities with grades of B (3.00 or above) may be transferred. No more than 15 credits may be transferred, with a maximum number of 9 credits going toward the CSSA major. Final decisions must have Departmental approval and comply with University guidelines and are arrived at in consultation with the student's major advisor.
7. What type of advising is available in the program?
In conjunction with student and faculty interests and availability, each CSSA student is matched with an advisor to help with program, University, and Graduate School policies as well as general transition issues. This individual is known as a major professor and is a CSSA faculty member and part of the faculty advising team. The CSSA major professor is also responsible for chairing the student's portfolio or thesis portfolio work including advising the portfolio development, guiding the student in the choice of a committee, and assisting in preparing the student for a final committee review meeting.
8. What are electives are offered in the CSSA program?
Electives are courses at the graduate (500- 600) level may be taken in addition to the CSSA core courses and are included in the 39 credits required for the program. Usually, at least one or two CSSA electives are offered each term. Major professors are required to approve elective courses offered outside the CSSA program.
9. What is the difference between a minor and an area of specialization?
Students have the option to complete a minor or an area of specialization.
The minor option requires that a student have a minimum of 15 credits of study in a minor area such as Counseling, Communications, or Business Administration. Any of the other major areas of graduate study offered by OSU can also be taken as a minor as long as there is a clear connection between the CSSA program and the minor subject area. Students may elect to create an integrated/interdisciplinary minor by combining related topics in different fields (e.g., Ethnic Studies, Women’s Studies, Sociology, or Anthropology). In conjunction with selecting a minor area of study, a minor professor within this subject area must be contacted. The minor advisor approves course work and serves on the capstone portfolio or thesis-portfolio committee. Students may start taking minor classes at any time. Many students decide on their minor subject area during fall and winter terms of their first year and take their first class(es) in winter or spring term. [new paragraph] The area of specialization option is comprised of twelve credits, three of which are required to be a practicum. The area of specialization is meant to be an area of emphasis (functional area, topical area, etc.) selected by the student to enhance the learning experience and meet program competencies. The area of specialization does not require a formal Graduate School declaration, does not require a professor of record, and will not appear on official transcripts.
Internships are meant to provide students with an in-depth look at a specific student affairs/academic affairs office or department. Special projects may be associated with the internship, but students' main objective is to address program competencies and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organization, its leadership, mission, and function within the larger university setting.
All CSSA students are required to complete 9 credits of internship or 270 hours of work total during their programs (1 credit=30 hours of work). Students may vary the credits of internship experiences given their interest and the work available and required at the internship site with the following stipulations: (1) students must participant in a minimum of two internship experiences during the program, and (2) no internship may be less than 2 academic credits.
A graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) is a professional position funded by a department or office at the University. Assistantships generally provide the student with a monthly stipend and a tuition waiver. While assistantships are not a requirement for being admitted to the CSSA program, we will work with students after being admitted to the program to help find appropriate experiences. Please note that students admitted to the program are not guaranteed an assistantship, but it is our goal to help with placing as many students as possible.
Assistantship duties vary by office or department. The number of hours a student works also varies and is dependent on funding. There are different salary ratings for assistantships that correspond with the number of hours worked. A .49 FTE (half time equivalency) position is 20-22 hours per week; .30 FTE is 12-15 hours; and a .20 FTE is roughly 8 hours per week. These hours are to include scheduled office hours (including meetings) and night and weekend commitments as determined by the assistantship supervisor. Hourly work expectations for Hall Directors and Cooperative House graduate assistants vary because of the live-in nature of the position.
To obtain an assistantship, complete and submit the assistantship portion of the application. These materials will be shared with individual departments who anticipate openings. Interviews for assistantships vary, but are always conducted by personnel in the individual department. Offers for assistantships will be made only after a student has been admitted to the CSSA program. An assistantship interview day will be scheduled in conjunction with the Campus Days interview weekend.
This first degree option, the Master of Education (Ed.M.), is earned through successful completion of all required program coursework and successful completion and defense of a capstone portfolio. The capstone portfolio is a cumulative, comprehensive, and reflective form of student assessment. Completing a portfolio requires that the student address each program competency in a comprehensive, meaningful, and creative way. The portfolio “product” can be shared in any number of formats, including, but not limited to: writings, pictures, audio or video clips, and electronic media (websites, CDs, PowerPoint documents, etc.). No specific format is required or preferred. Students are asked to utilize the format that is most compatible and appropriate given their strengths and learning. Students are strongly encouraged to develop and assemble numerous and diverse artifacts in meeting the competencies on an ongoing basis. Final portfolios are distributed to and evaluated in writing by a committee just prior to the last term of coursework. A public, formal committee meeting with oral presentation and defense serves as the second method of evaluation.
The second degree option, the Master of Science (M.S.), is earned through successful completion of all required program coursework and successful completion and defense of thesis. In addition to required coursework and the thesis, students pursuing the M.S. degree must also demonstrate adequate evidence of competence and learning in each of the nine CSSA competency areas. Demonstration of this evidence may take the form of an extended/detailed competency plan with select work samples or other methods approved by the major professor. This demonstration need not be a portfolio, but it should still show adequate evidence of competency mastery. Thesis research should be significantly reflected in the demonstration.
13. How many credit hours do I need to graduate?
The CSSA program is designed to be a two-year program, requiring 54 credits to graduate. However, twelve credit hours (full-time enrollment) per term are required to maintain an assistantship, generally totaling 72 credit hours over six quarters.
14. What are the job prospects for graduates in this field?
Job prospects for our graduates in the field of student affairs are promising. Each year our graduates are competitive in seeking positions regionally and nationally. Graduates accept positions on all student/academic affairs administrative areas and at all levels, depending on their previous work experience and expertise. Additionally, a number of CSSA graduates go on to positions beyond higher education, finding a better fit in the worlds of K-12, non-profit, business and industry, and government.
15. How do I contact the CSSA program?
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions regarding the program, are interested in coordinating a visitation date, or have concerns regarding your application for admission. Phone and email contact information are listed below and on every page of this website.
