Master of Arts in Student Affairs Counseling
Program Director: Dr. Patrick McElwaine
Field Education Director: Michelle Brandt, MSW, LSW
Professor: Dr. Freda Ginsberg, MBA
Professor of Practice: Dr. Julia Davis, NCC
Associate Professor of Practice: Dr. Michelle Santiago
Instructor: Wednesdae Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC, NCC, CLAT
The Master of Arts in Student Affairs Counseling (MASAC) program in the School of Behavioral and Community Health is a state-of-the-art 36-credit hour training program offered in a blended curriculum utilizing online and hybrid formats taught by seasoned clinicians and administrators who are experts in their fields. Graduates of the program will be trained to demonstrate their commitment to evidence-based practice, life-long learning, and counseling and administrative practice grounded in social justice. Graduates of the program will be prepared for their careers serving students and other stakeholders at community colleges, four-year colleges, non-profit organizations, and large research institutions.
Course Requirements
The program sequence listed below is for students who choose to pursue their degree full-time and begin classes in the fall.
Fall One:
- MSAC 510 Professional Orientation & Ethics: Student Affairs Counseling
- MSAC 530 Human & Student Development Theory: A Lifespan Approach
- MCC 500 Helping Relationships
- MCC 560 Social and Cultural Foundations
Spring One:
- MSAC 555 Leadership & Administration in Higher Education
- MSAC 536 Program Assessment and Evaluation
- MCC 570 Group Theory and Practice
- MCC 520 Career & Lifestyle Counseling
Summer One:
- MCC 580 Research Design & Methodology
- MSAC 585 Internship I
Fall Two:
- Elective (any graduate level 3-credit course with advisor approval)
- MSAC 586 Internship II
Student Affairs Administration Certificate (SAAC)
This 12-credit certificate program is for professionals with a Master’s degree or above who wish to add a foundation of Student Affairs and higher education administration to their credentials. This certificate introduces students to the field of Student Affairs, Student Development Theory, leadership and administration, and program design and evaluation.
Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSAC 510 | Professional Orientation & Ethics: Student Affairs Counseling | 3 |
| MSAC 530 | Human & Student Development Theory: A Lifespan Approach | 3 |
| MSAC 536 | Program Development, Assessment & Evaluation | 3 |
| MSAC 555 | Leadership & Administration in Higher Education | 3 |
Courses in Student Affairs Counseling
MSAC 510 Professional Orientation & Ethics: Student Affairs Counseling
This course will introduce students to the field of Student Affairs Counseling and the student service areas and types of institutions included in the field. Students will learn the history, philosophy, and ethics of Student Affairs counseling practice.
MSAC 530 Human & Student Development Theory: A Lifespan Approach
This course will cover college students’ attitudes, characteristics, developmental processes, needs, and issues affecting development and functioning throughout the lifespan. Students will learn the importance of environmental considerations and impact, as well as models for successful learning environments.
MSAC 555 Leadership & Administration in Higher Education
This course introduces students to the models of leadership and management in student affairs and in higher education settings. Students are provided and overview of business practices in higher education settings including crisis management, budgeting, and policy creation.
MSAC 536 Program Development, Assessment & Evaluation
This course introduces students to the concepts and practices of needs assessment, program development, and program assessment and evaluation in higher education. Students will explore models of assessment design, data collection and analysis, and the relationship between program evaluation and data-informed decision making.
MSAC 585/586 Internship I & II
This weekly clinical supervision course (Internship I or II) serves as the first and second of two courses in the clinical field experience sequence in the Student Affairs Counseling program. Students are expected to complete 300 hours of field experience in an approved institution in both Internship I and II, totaling 600 hours. Each Internship requires a minimum of 120-direct client/student contact service hours as well as indirect service hours. Each week students will participate in 3 hours of weekly instruction and group supervision with faculty and fellow Internship students, as well as a minimum of 1-hour weekly on-site-supervision. Students will present cases, site updates, and ethical dilemmas to enhance self-awareness and clinical skills. The Internship Instructor and Site Supervisor will oversee students’ performance to determine student’s satisfactory completion of the Internship experience.