Gwendolyn ArchibaldHigher Education & Student Affairs

The University of IowaN491 Lindquist Center

www.education.uiowa.edu

EVALUATING A GRADUATE PROGRAM IN

HIGHER EDUCATION & STUDENT AFFAIRS

GOALS FOR TODAY’S DISCUSSIONProvide:

o an introduction to the nature of graduate preparation for higher education/student affairs work and know how to make decisions about attending graduate school;

o information about selecting graduate programs that fit individual needs and professional goals; and

o have information about graduate school application processes.

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

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?

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

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

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN SPECIFIC PROGRAMS?• What are the requirements for the program?

• What are the values and beliefs of the program?

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?

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?

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?

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?

OTHER ISSUES TO CONSIDER

• Location/setting of Graduate School

• Full-time/part-time composition of students

• Size of Graduate School

• Financial Assistance

• Graduate Assistantships

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.

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)

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

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?

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

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL?

• Academic experiences

• Co-curricular experiences

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).

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?

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.

WHAT IF I DON’T GET ADMITTED?

• Get feedback• Investigate Alternatives • Consider applying again after a year

WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

THANK YOU!

Contact me with any questions:

Gwendolyn Archibald

gwendolyn-archibald@uiowa.edu