Southern Arkansas University

Masters in College Counseling and Student Affairs
at Southern Arkansas University
A SAU M.Ed. is among the most affordable in the nation.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees Per Year

 

In-State

Out-of-State

SAU

$6,894

$9,810

Arkansas

$7,702*

$13,663*

Texas

$7,502*

$16,686*

Louisiana

$9,748*

$19,310*

*Tuition and fees are calculated as an average of public four-year universities’ published tuition and fees. Source: Department of Education

Our programs are routinely recognized as the best value programs nationally. SAU offers out-of-state tuition waivers to students from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas who chose to live in university housing or reside in a bordering Texas county or Louisiana parish.

About College Counseling and Student Affairs

Master of Education in College Counseling and Student Affairs

Research (3 credit hours)
COUN 6083 Research and Program Evaluation
Core Courses (27 credit hours)
COUN 6403 Introduction to the Counseling Profession
COUN 6413 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling
COUN 6423 Counseling Theories
COUN 6433 Basic Counseling Skills
COUN 6443 Group Counseling
COUN 6453 Human Development for Helping Professionals
COUN 6463 Career Counseling: Theory and Practice
COUN 6473 Counseling in a Diverse Society
COUN 6483 Assessment Procedures for Counselors
College Counseling and Student Affairs
(12 credit hours)
COUN 6843 Introduction to Student Affairs in Higher Education
COUN 6853 Student Affairs Theory and Practice
COUN 6873 Organization and Administration of Student Affairs Services
COUN 6943 Counseling in Higher Education
Field Experience (9 credit hours)
COUN 6493 Practicum in Counseling
COUN 6883 Internship I in College Counseling & Student Affairs
COUN 6893 Internship II in College Counseling & Student Affairs

 

College Counseling and Student Affairs Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in College Counseling and Student Affairs adds coursework aligned with CACREP standards to those with a Clinical and Mental Health Counseling program that desire to add College Counseling and Student Affairs

Required Coursework (12 hours)

  • COUN 6843 Introduction to Student Affairs in Higher Education
  • COUN 6853 Student Affairs Theory and Practice
  • COUN 6873 Organization and Administration of Student Affairs Services
  • COUN 6943 Counseling in Higher Education

 

Counseling and Development (COUN)

COUN 6083. Research and Program Evaluation. A course that covers importance of research, critique of research, EBT practices, needs assessment, outcomes measures, evaluation, research methods (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods), research design, program evaluation, analysis and use of data, and ethical and cultural relevant strategies of research and program evaluation for counseling and counseling programs. Fall, Spring, Summer.

COUN 6403. Introduction to the Counseling Profession. An introductory course about principles and practices of counseling. Fall, Spring, Summer.

COUN 6413. Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling. A survey of contemporary ethical, legal and professional issues inherent to the counseling profession. Fall, Spring semesters.

COUN 6423. Counseling Theories. A study of the theory and practice of counseling from various theoretical perspectives. Fall, Spring semesters.

COUN 6433. Basic Counseling Skills. This is an introductory course to counseling skills. The course will teach students how to structure a counseling session and provide them with practical skills to use within the session. Fall, Spring semesters

COUN 6443. Group Counseling.  Prerequisites: COUN 6403, 6413, and 6433. A study of group counseling dynamics such as cohesiveness, group pressures and standards, structural properties of groups and the relation of leadership to group performance. Fall, Spring semesters.

COUN 6453. Human Development for Helping Professionals. An overview of major theories and the most current research on human growth and development with application to personal careers and educational development of students, including exceptional, disadvantaged and minority groups. Fall, Spring semesters.

COUN 6463. Career Counseling: Theory and Practice. Prerequisites: COUN 6403, 6413, 6423 and 6433.  A study of the establishment and delivery of guidance information systems, both in schools and clinics. Career counseling theories, models and tools will be studied. Spring, Summer.

COUN 6473. Counseling in a Diverse Society. An examination of the social and psychological elements of human behavior with attention to application in diverse cultural settings such as schools, colleges and universities, and community agencies.  Participants will be led on a journey of self-exploration that will ultimately lead to a better understanding of themselves and how they relate in cross-cultural situations. Fall, Summer.

COUN 6483. Assessment Procedures for Counselors. Prerequisites: COUN 6403, and 6413.  An evaluation of standardized tests as they may be used in individual appraisal. Summer.

COUN 6493. Practicum in Counseling. Prerequisites: COUN 6403, 6413, 6423, 6433, 6443, 6463, and 6503. This is an applied course consisting of supervised placement within approved field sites in agencies, schools, or colleges/universities. Both site and university supervision is provided throughout the course experience. One hundred (100) hours, including 40 hours in direct service of supervised experience is required in this course, and practicum must meet all accreditation guidelines. Video and/or audio will be used extensively to critique counseling skills and techniques. Fall, Spring, Summer.

COUN 6843. Introduction to Student Affairs in Higher Education.  This course is designed to introduce students to the field of student affairs within institutions of higher education. Using a multidisciplinary approach, students will examine the historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, legal, and cultural foundations of student affairs work. Summer.

COUN 6853. Student Affairs Theory and Practice.  Prerequisite: COUN 6843. This is a course in college student development theory.  Students are provided with a foundation for understanding student development theory and the application of the theory to the practice of student affairs in higher education. Fall semester.

COUN 6873.  Organization and Administration of Student Affairs Services.  This course examines the organization and administration of student services in institutions of higher education. Administrative environment of student services, organizational and management issues of student services, essential skills and competencies for student services managers, commitment to professional education, and future challenges are addressed. A study of organizing and administering student development services for postsecondary institutions. Spring semester.

COUN 6883.  Internship I in College Counseling and Student Affairs. Prerequisites: COUN 6403, COUN 6413, COUN 6423, COUN 6433, COUN 6443, COUN 6453, COUN 6463, COUN 6473, COUN 6493. COUN 6843, and COUN 6853. This is an applied course consisting of supervised field placement within college or university setting. Both site and university supervision is provided throughout the course experience. Three hundred (300) hours of supervised experience is required in this course and internships must meet all accreditation guidelines. Video and audio will be used extensively to critique skill and technique. Fall, Spring, Summer.

COUN 6893.  Internship II in College Counseling and Student Affairs. Prerequisites: COUN 6403, COUN 6413, COUN 6423, COUN 6433, COUN 6443, COUN 6453, COUN 6463, COUN 6473, COUN 6483, COUN 6493, COUN 6583, COUN 6853, and COUN 6883. This is the second semester of an applied course consisting of supervised field placement within college or university setting. Both site and university supervision is provided throughout the course experience. Three hundred (300) hours of supervised experience is required in this course, and internships must meet all accreditation guidelines. Video and audio will be used extensively to critique counseling skills and techniques. Fall, Spring, Summer.

COUN 6943. Counseling in Higher Education. Prerequisites: COUN 6843, 6853. A course focused on the application of counseling knowledge and skills for the counselor and/or student affairs professional with the populations unique to American Higher Education. Included are developmental approaches, guidance programming, individual and group counseling application, substance abuse, suicide, mental health issues, and professional roles. Fall Semester.

Department:

Counseling and Professional Studies / College of Education

Hours Required: 51
Categories: Certificate / Endorsement, Graduate
Completion Time: 3 years *
Delivery:Online

* Based on 2 classes per semester including summer

The purpose of the M.Ed. in College Counseling and Student Affairs is to prepare individuals for professional counseling and administrative positions in student services departments at a college or university. Potential places of employment for graduates of this program include; residence life and student housing, admissions and student orientation, financial aid, college unions, student activities, recreational sports, individual and group advising, career services, general student services, and other student and academic support programs. The curricular focus emphasizes student development theory and practice, the development of leadership management and organizational development skills, and practical aspects of practice (practicum and internship).

Applicants to the M.Ed. in College Counseling and Student Affairs are required to submit a letter of application prior to admission to the program.

Learning Goals

  1. Our graduates can communicate effectively.
  2. Our graduates are prepared to be personally and socially responsible citizens.
  3. Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
  4. Our graduates can use technology effectively in their fields.
  5. Our graduates have content knowledge in their chosen fields and the necessary skills to be successful.

Program Contact


What our students say

About SAU

Southern Arkansas University offers personalized tour visits, faculty and staff who care about student success, and a caring campus community. SAU also offers traditional and unique academic degree programs that are ranked nationally for quality and affordability.

Nestled in a quiet and beautiful part of south Arkansas, SAU is a great place to call home and to study a broad range of academic programs, including some unique offerings to the state and region. Along with boasting a complete college experience on campus, the University is a short drive from outdoor activities and is central to many regional hubs, such as Texarkana, Shreveport, Little Rock, etc.

Established in 1909, SAU has built on its dedication to student achievement and continues to grow, both on campus and online, with more than 80 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.

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100 E. University, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753-5000 Telephone: (870) 235-4000
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