Running Head: Program Comparison
A Program Comparison of Ninety-two Masters Degree Programs in Student Affairs Preparatory Education
David Shaw
University of Mississippi
Abstract
This paper will examine Higher/Ed Student Personnel programs throughout the United States. All the programs examined will be using the 2001 edition of The Book of Professional Standards for Higher Education, as printed by The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). The programs will be compared to our current program at the University of Mississippi in the areas of admissions, program requirements, and courses.
Introduction
The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) has been a leading pioneer and force in the development and push for standards in the educational arena in programs of student affairs, student personnel, and student development for 23 years, since 1979. The Book of Professional Standards in Higher Education and its accompaniment Self Assessment Guides are considered the bible or "Blue Book", as it is commonly referred to, for student affairs programs to strive to attain.
The CAS standards, however, are not strict curriculum nor admission guidelines. It is more a guideline for acceptable philosophy and ethics of programs of preparation in the areas outlined above. Thus even programs that have been deemed to fulfilling the CAS standards differ. They differ in admissions, approach, and focus of learning in the area of higher education.
In this examination and comparison the programs will be looked at individually and compared to our program here at the University of Mississippi. The programs will be compared in the areas of length of time the program has been offered, size of program, admission standards, course curriculum, total credit requirements and student to faculty ratio.
Each of the programs throughout the United States will be examined using information obtained from the American College Personnel Association's Directory of Graduate Programs (Coomes, Talbot, 2002) and grouped accordingly then these groups will be compared to the program at the University of Mississippi. The Directory of Graduate Programs is a comprehensive listing of the ninety-two graduate programs that meet the CAS Standards throughout the United States
Program Ages
From a historical standpoint we know that the concern for student affairs and programs in education there of, sprouted from the move away from the doctrine of in loco parentis and the move toward a more service related university setting. The death of the doctrine began in the 1950's. Then due to the student activism and protests against unfair treatment the doctrine of in loco parentis was put in the grave. (Nuss, 1999)
Thus as the doctrine was laid to rest and the new focus of colleges and universities switched from control to services the rise of educational programs in the field began. Although there were early leaders in starting student affairs programs, University of Toledo has been reported to have had in place a program in 1913, Syracuse in 1933, and Springfield College, Western Michigan, Ohio State, Pennsylvania State and Michigan state all started programs in the late 1940's, the average age of inception of masters degree programs in the area of student affairs is 1971.
Since the 1960's the area of student affairs has grown and grown. Thirty of the ninety-two programs were started in the 1960's, compared to ten programs prior to 1960. Another twenty-three programs were added in the 1970's, twelve in the 1980's and thirteen in the 1990's. Programs continue to grow today as two more programs, one at Arkansas State University and one at the University of St. Thomas, were added to the list this school year, (2001/2002). All in all as of the year 2002 there are currently ninety-two masters degree programs in the arena of student affairs.
Chart 1
Degree Programs In Student Affairs
Program Inception Dates
(Source: American College Personnel Association, 2002)
School
Program Date
University of Toledo
1913
Syracuse University
1933
Springfield College
1947
Western Michigan University
1947
Ohio State University
1948
The Pennsylvania State University
1948
Michigan State University
1949
Purdue University
1952
Southern Illinois University
1957
University of Maryland, College Park
1958
Indiana University
1960
Ohio University
1960
Kent State University
1961
University of Arkansas
1961
Miami University
1962
University of South Carolina
1962
Boston College
1963
Ball State
1964
Kansas State University
1964
Iowa State University
1965
Northeastern University
1965
Shippensburg University
1965
University of Iowa
1965
University of Nebraska, Omaha
1965
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
1965
Indiana State University
1966
Oregon State University
1966
University of Delaware
1966
University of Denver
1966
Central Missouri State University
1967
Colorado State University
1967
Eastern Illinois University
1967
University of Georgia
1967
Arizona State
1968
Minnesota State University, Mankato
1968
University of Rhode Island
1968
University of Southern Mississippi
1968
Western Washington University
1968
Idaho State University
1969
Loyola University Chicago
1969
Western Illinois University
1969
Eastern Michigan University
1970
Emporia State University
1970
University of North Texas
1970
University of Northern Iowa
1970
University of Vermont
1970
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
1970
Western Kentucky University
1970
Bowling Green State University
1971
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
1971
Northwestern State University
1971
Clemson University
1972
Mississippi State University
1972
University of Southern California
1972
Azusa Pacific
1973
Long Island University/ C.W. Post Campus
1975
Texas A & M University
1975
University of Florida
1975
University of Memphis
1975
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
1975
Slippery Rock University
1976
Suffolk University
1976
University of Arizona
1977
University of Louisville
1978
University of Nevada, Reno
1978
George Washington University
1980
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
1980
Old Dominion University
1980
Northern Arizona University
1982
Radford University
1982
Baylor University
1984
Wright State University
1984
James Madison University
1985
University of Missouri, Columbia
1985
South Dakota State University
1987
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
1987
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
1988
University of Kansas
1989
California State University, Long Beach
1990
Illinois State University
1992
Kutztown University
1993
Texas Tech University
1993
Seattle University
1994
Southwest Texas State University
1994
Canisius College
1996
Grand Valley State University
1996
University of Miami
1998
Arkansas State
2001
University of St. Thomas
2001
Claremont College
Unreported
University of Mississippi
Unreported
Appalachian State University
Unreported
Average Inception Date
1971
Admission Standards
Admission standards throughout the United States compare very well to each other. The majority uses the mark of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work for admission. However, the average minimum GPA acceptable for admission their programs is 2.87.
Most colleges and universities use a sliding scale just as the University of Mississippi does. Fourteen percent of the programs use a sliding scale minimum GPA and thus admissions are based on a combination of GRE test scores and undergraduate GPA. These programs are reported below as not applicable but, other than the magic 3.0 number, they are a large percentage of the programs.
Chart 2
Admissions Standards For Masters Degree Programs
In Student Affairs
(American College Personnel Association, 2002)
School
Minimum GPA For Admission
Arkansas State
2.50
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
2.50
Northwestern State University
2.50
Suffolk University
2.50
University of Delaware
2.50
University of Nebraska, Omaha
2.50
Western Illinois University
2.50
Baylor University
2.70
Radford University
2.70
Southern Illinois University
2.70
Springfield College
2.70
University of Arkansas
2.70
University of Toledo
2.70
Wright State University
2.70
Ball State
2.75
Central Missouri State University
2.75
Eastern Illinois University
2.75
Kent State University
2.75
Mississippi State University
2.75
Old Dominion University
2.75
Shippensburg University
2.75
Slippery Rock University
2.75
South Dakota State University
2.75
The Pennsylvania State University
2.75
University of Denver
2.75
University of Georgia
2.75
University of Louisville
2.75
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
2.75
University of St. Thomas
2.75
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2.75
California State University, Long Beach
2.80
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
2.80
University of North Texas
2.80
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
2.85
Appalachian State University
3.00
Arizona State
3.00
Azusa Pacific
3.00
Bowling Green State University
3.00
Clemson University
3.00
Colorado State University
3.00
Emporia State University
3.00
Grand Valley State University
3.00
Idaho State University
3.00
Illinois State University
3.00
Indiana State University
3.00
Indiana University
3.00
Kansas State University
3.00
Kutztown University
3.00
Long Island University/ C.W. Post Campus
3.00
Loyola University Chicago
3.00
Miami University
3.00
Michigan State University
3.00
Minnesota State University, Mankato
3.00
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
3.00
Northeastern University
3.00
Ohio State University
3.00
Oregon State University
3.00
Purdue University
3.00
Seattle University
3.00
Southwest Texas State University
3.00
Syracuse University
3.00
Texas Tech University
3.00
University of Arizona
3.00
University of Florida
3.00
University of Iowa
3.00
University of Kansas
3.00
University of Maryland, College Park
3.00
University of Memphis
3.00
University of Miami
3.00
University of Missouri, Columbia
3.00
University of Nevada, Reno
3.00
University of Northern Iowa
3.00
University of Rhode Island
3.00
University of Southern California
3.00
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
3.00
Western Michigan University
3.00
Western Washington University
3.00
Ohio University
3.30
University of Mississippi
N/A
Boston College
N/A
Canisius College
N/A
Claremont College
N/A
Eastern Michigan University
N/A
George Washington University
N/A
James Madison University
N/A
Northern Arizona University
N/A
Texas A & M University
N/A
University of South Carolina
N/A
University of Southern Mississippi
N/A
University of Vermont
N/A
Western Kentucky University
N/A
Iowa State University
Upper Half of Graduating Class
Average
2.87
Program Size
Program size varies widely from program to program. No positive correlation exists with any of the standards used in this research project. Nor can any correlation be made to geographic area in regards to population. The programs with the top 4 programs in regards to enrollments are Iowa State with 79 enrolled, University of South Carolina and Azusa Pacific each with 73, and Bowling Green with 70 enrolled. On the low end as few as zero enrolled and many as twenty schools with twenty of fewer enrolled.
Chart 3
Enrollment Statistics In Masters Degree Programs
In Student Affairs
(American College Personnel Association, 2002)
Comparatively the University of Mississippi fits right in line with the majority. However, with there is a great disparity between the highest and lowest reported enrollment. Ole Miss is below the national average of 42 with 30 enrolled students reported. Considering the facts that the program is in a growth mode, this should not be considered too bad. As it is well within the upper echelon of the fifty-two percent majority shown above.
Chart 4
Enrollment Figures Masters Degree Programs
In Student Affairs
(National Collegiate Personnel Association, 2002)
School
Enrollment
University of St. Thomas
0
Idaho State University
4
University of Missouri, Columbia
4
Purdue University
6
Claremont College
8
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
10
Southwest Texas State University
10
University of Southern Mississippi
10
Baylor University
11
Kutztown University
12
Western Washington University
12
Arkansas State
14
George Washington University
14
Long Island University/ C.W. Post Campus
15
South Dakota State University
15
University of Nevada, Reno
15
Indiana State University
17
Northern Arizona University
17
Slippery Rock University
17
Emporia State University
19
Central Missouri State University
20
Northeastern University
20
Ohio University
20
Texas Tech University
20
University of Delaware
20
University of Memphis
20
University of North Texas
20
Ball State
21
University of Arizona
21
University of Louisville
21
Southern Illinois University
22
University of Toledo
22
Springfield College
23
University of Denver
23
Mississippi State University
24
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
25
Kansas State University
25
University of Nebraska, Omaha
25
University of Florida
26
University of Iowa
26
University of Kansas
26
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
27
Eastern Illinois University
28
James Madison University
28
Minnesota State University, Mankato
28
Old Dominion University
28
The Pennsylvania State University
28
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
28
Canisius College
29
Texas A & M University
29
University of Mississippi
30
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
30
Wright State University
30
Appalachian State University
31
University of Arkansas
31
University of Georgia
31
University of Maryland, College Park
31
University of Vermont
31
Suffolk University
32
Syracuse University
32
Western Michigan University
32
Oregon State University
33
University of Southern California
33
Radford University
34
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
34
Grand Valley State University
35
University of Northern Iowa
35
Boston College
36
Seattle University
37
Miami University
39
University of Rhode Island
40
Colorado State University
41
Eastern Michigan University
42
Western Illinois University
43
Shippensburg University
44
Loyola University Chicago
46
Illinois State University
47
Clemson University
50
Western Kentucky University
50
Kent State University
51
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
58
California State University, Long Beach
60
Northwestern State University
60
Ohio State University
60
Michigan State University
63
Arizona State
65
Indiana University
66
Bowling Green State University
70
Azusa Pacific
73
University of South Carolina
73
Iowa State University
79
University of Miami
N/A
Average
42
Curriculum
The CAS standards, once again, do not dictate curriculum. As such, programs each are different. Although, there distinct concentrations in the curriculums. Those that follow a predominantly counseling tract, those that follow a mostly higher education tract and those programs that follow a tract that is a mixture of both higher education and counseling.
There is absolutely no doubt that the skill of counseling students is very important for those striving to be student affairs administrators. For some, of course, that deal with issues and problems of students, sometimes on a daily basis, it is even more important. However, the degree to which a program focuses on counseling is largely up to the individual program.
Some programs choose to rely strongly on the counseling focus. Those programs such as Purdue University and University of Las Vegas, Reno even require that their candidates go through a pre-practicum and practicum experience in counseling or actual counseling course work. These programs still have their degree of required higher education and/or higher education administration courses.
Other programs have a strong focus mostly in higher education. Still most if not all of these programs still require one or more courses in student counseling their focus. These programs, as I have classified them, are more than two-thirds strictly higher education courses.
Then there are the programs that choose to mix up higher education with counseling. The amount of which the candidates from these programs are exposed to the counseling field vary from program to program. Some require a certain number of counseling credits through their curriculum requirements. These programs have counseling courses tailored to the higher education area. I.E. College Student Counseling courses. Still others use electives, which contain a healthy dose of counseling to expose their candidates to counseling. Those with mixed curriculum, as I have classified them, still maintain a strong focus in the higher education area but either through required courses or through elective courses in the counseling area mix a strong taste of counseling in to their programs. Such, as I have classified it, is the University of Mississippi Program. The University of Mississippi Masters Program has a very strong core set of courses yet through the elective area of the program requirement, still there are quite a few counseling electives that the candidate takes. However, in the program at the University of Mississippi, as in other programs it is not necessarily a fact that there is a counseling undertone but through the way that courses are offered. To complete the program in consecutive semesters the candidate will most definitely be exposed to the counseling arena. Thus the program has a mixed emphasis.
Finally, two of the masters programs give the candidate a choice. The candidate may follow one of two pathways. One pathway leans toward the counseling side and the other more toward the higher education area of learning. In this way the candidate picks his road. He or she picks the area of student affairs that they would more like to specialize in. I found this definitely an interesting approach. Instead of using electives, like the mixed curriculums above, those programs with "tracts" as they call them allow the student, although the required courses are much more regimented than with the elective type method, to specialize in a specific area. The candidate simply picks to go the counseling tract or the higher education tract. Same core courses are definitely required but the student determines where they go from the core.
Chart 5
Curriculum Focuses In Masters Degree Programs
In Student Affairs
(American College Personnel Association, 2002)
In comparing the University of Mississippi's curriculum with that of the rest of the 94 other programs. It is very similar. It is surprising just how close the course names compare and are easily transferred from program to program. The University of Mississippi requires many of the same courses as programs across the nation. There are a couple of programs offered and/or required by other programs. The first, which I understand will be offered starting this summer, is a History of Higher Education Course. By requiring a History of Higher Education class or offering it as an elective, students can compare and contrast current trends in higher education with those of the past. They can learn from the mistakes and expound on the good things as they pursue their future in Student Affairs.
The second course offering that a many of the courses offer or require is a basic course in administration in the higher education setting. The final course that I wish to touch base on and a course required by almost half of the programs are a Capstone Seminar and project. This seminar challenges students to synthesize and integrate their student personnel/student affairs education and experience. It is a program that ties it all together for the student. Although we do have a portfolio requirement, which seems to be very similar to a portion of the requirements for this seminar, we really have no course that ties it all together before heading out in to the world of student affairs. Perhaps suitable in our program would be a Capstone Seminar tied in with the portfolio and defense requirement.
Finally, it seems that many programs offer research programs strictly for the higher education are of focus. Although, the University of Mississippi does have a research class requirement that research class is in the area of educational research and counseling research. It does not focus on, and in my experience, the instructors have a hard time under standing, the higher education area of research, and assessments.
Chart 6
Curriculum Focuses Masters Degree Programs
In Student Affairs
(National College Personnel Association, 2002)
School
Curriculum Focus
California State University, Long Beach
Counseling
Eastern Michigan University
Counseling
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Counseling
Emporia State University
Counseling
Idaho State University
Counseling
Northeastern University
Counseling
Northern Arizona University
Counseling
Northwestern State University
Counseling
Purdue University
Counseling
Shippensburg University
Counseling
Slippery Rock University
Counseling
South Dakota State University
Counseling
Southwest Texas State University
Counseling
University of Delaware
Counseling
University of Maryland, College Park
Counseling
University of Memphis
Counseling
University of Nebraska, Omaha
Counseling
University of Nevada, Reno
Counseling
Appalachian State University
Higher Education
Arizona State
Higher Education
Azusa Pacific
Higher Education
Ball State
Higher Education
Boston College
Higher Education
Bowling Green State University
Higher Education
Claremont College
Higher Education
Colorado State University
Higher Education
George Washington University
Higher Education
Grand Valley State University
Higher Education
Illinois State University
Higher Education
Indiana State University
Higher Education
Indiana University
Higher Education
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Higher Education
Iowa State University
Higher Education
Kent State University
Higher Education
Kutztown University
Higher Education
Loyola University Chicago
Higher Education
Miami University
Higher Education
Michigan State University
Higher Education
Ohio State University
Higher Education
Ohio University
Higher Education
Old Dominion University
Higher Education
Seattle University
Higher Education
Southern Illinois University
Higher Education
Suffolk University
Higher Education
Syracuse University
Higher Education
Texas A & M University
Higher Education
Texas Tech University
Higher Education
University of Arizona
Higher Education
University of Arkansas
Higher Education
University of Florida
Higher Education
University of Kansas
Higher Education
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Higher Education
University of Miami
Higher Education
University of Northern Iowa
Higher Education
University of Rhode Island
Higher Education
University of South Carolina
Higher Education
University of Southern California
Higher Education
University of Southern Mississippi
Higher Education
University of St. Thomas
Higher Education
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Higher Education
University of Toledo
Higher Education
University of Vermont
Higher Education
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Higher Education
Western Illinois University
Higher Education
Western Washington University
Higher Education
Wright State University
Higher Education
Arkansas State
Higher Education or Counseling
Clemson University
Higher Education or Counseling
Kansas State University
Higher Education or Counseling
The Pennsylvania State University
Higher Education or Counseling
Baylor University
Mixed
Canisius College
Mixed
Central Missouri State University
Mixed
Eastern Illinois University
Mixed
James Madison University
Mixed
Long Island University/ C.W. Post Campus
Mixed
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mixed
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Mixed
Mississippi State University
Mixed
Oregon State University
Mixed
Radford University
Mixed
Springfield College
Mixed
University of Denver
Mixed
University of Georgia
Mixed
University of Iowa
Mixed
University of Louisville
Mixed
University of Mississippi
Mixed
University of Missouri, Columbia
Mixed
University of North Texas
Mixed
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Mixed
Western Kentucky University
Mixed
Western Michigan University
Mixed
Curriculum Credit Requirements
Just as curriculum varies so does the length of each of the programs and the total credits needed for graduation from a program. Once again, CAS does not mandate this. However, the total credit requirements do not vary near as much as curriculum.
At the high end is a requirement of 60 hours and the low end 40 hours. As one might think there would be there is no correlation between the curriculum requirements and the total number of hours. Neither is there a correlation between total hours required and size of program as one might also think.
The average total number of required hours is 42. With 36 hours required for completion of the program, The University of Mississippi is just below the national average.
Almost one-third of the nations ninety-two programs, or thirty, require 48 hours. Sixteen programs, or seventeen percent point five, the next largest percentage group all require thirty-six hours. The University of Mississippi fits in this group.
Chart 8
Total Credit Hours Required
(American College Personnel Association)
One should be careful in looking at the chart above and notice the actual charted numbers. The second largest, behind the forty-eight hours required is actually a span of 11 hours required. Therefore The University of Mississippi still fits in the second largest group requiring 36 credit hours.
Chart 9
Total Credit Hours Required
(American College Personnel Association)
School
Total Credits Required
University of Denver
24
Seattle University
26
Oregon State University
27
Ball State
30
Boston College
30
Claremont College
30
Ohio State University
30
University of Arizona
32
Arizona State
33
University of Arkansas
33
University of Miami
33
University of Southern Mississippi
33
Canisius College
36
George Washington University
36
James Madison University
36
Loyola University Chicago
36
Ohio University
36
Old Dominion University
36
South Dakota State University
36
Suffolk University
36
Syracuse University
36
University of Kansas
36
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
36
University of Mississippi
36
University of North Texas
36
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
36
University of Toledo
36
Wright State University
36
University of St. Thomas
38
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
38
Azusa Pacific
39
Central Missouri State University
39
Eastern Michigan University
39
Illinois State University
39
Iowa State University
39
Kansas State University
39
Indiana University
40
Michigan State University
40
University of Maryland, College Park
40
University of Vermont
40
University of Southern California
41
Grand Valley State University
42
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
42
Kutztown University
42
Slippery Rock University
42
University of Rhode Island
42
University of South Carolina
42
University of Northern Iowa
44
Bowling Green State University
45
Colorado State University
45
Kent State University
45
Southwest Texas State University
46
Appalachian State University
48
Arkansas State
48
Baylor University
48
California State University, Long Beach
48
Clemson University
48
Eastern Illinois University
48
Emporia State University
48
Idaho State University
48
Indiana State University
48
Long Island University/ C.W. Post Campus
48
Miami University
48
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
48
Mississippi State University
48
Northeastern University
48
Northern Arizona University
48
Northwestern State University
48
Radford University
48
Shippensburg University
48
Southern Illinois University
48
Springfield College
48
Texas A & M University
48
Texas Tech University
48
University of Delaware
48
University of Florida
48
University of Georgia
48
University of Iowa
48
University of Louisville
48
University of Memphis
48
University of Missouri, Columbia
48
University of Nebraska, Omaha
48
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
48
Western Illinois University
48
Western Kentucky University
48
Western Michigan University
48
Western Washington University
49
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
50
Minnesota State University, Mankato
50
Purdue University
60
The Pennsylvania State University
60
University of Nevada, Reno
60
Average
42
Full-Time Faculty to Student Ratio
Faculty to student ratio is important in any program. It is even more important in a graduate program. The University compares very poorly to other programs in the United States in this area. With two one-hundred percent faculty member to seventy-two listed enrollees in both the doctoral and masters degree programs, or a one to thirty-six ration, faculty to students. Although, Mississippi is not the lowest in rank on the basis of faculty to student ration it is in the lower rankings bases on ratio.
The national average is one full time, or one hundred percent dedicated faculty member for every 23.5 students. Only 7.5 Percent of the reporting schools ranked below The University of Mississippi and 81.3 percent ranked above the University of Mississippi in this category. Included in those ranking above was rival Mississippi State.
Chart 9
Program Rankings Based On Ratio Of
Full Time Dedicated Faculty To Student
(American College Personnel Association, 2002)
However, this did not take in to account the programs that did not respond section. Nor did it take in to account the eight programs that do not have a full time staff member dedicated to their program, as it would have skewed the average. If the 8 schools do not have a dedicated one hundred percent faculty member, the University of Mississippi would still remain in the bottom quarter but that would make eighteen percent below the University of Mississippi.
Chart 10
Ratio Of Students Per One Hundred Percent
Dedicated Faculty Members
(American College Personnel Association, 2002)
School
Students Per One Hundred Percent Faculty Member
Arkansas State
Not Reported
Claremont College
Not Reported
Ohio State University
Not Reported
Purdue University
Not Reported
University of Delaware
Not Reported
University of Georgia
Not Reported
University of Miami
Not Reported
University of Nevada, Reno
Not Reported
University of St. Thomas
Not Reported
University of Toledo
Not Reported
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Not Reported
Boston College
N/A
George Washington University
N/A
University of Denver
N/A
University of Nebraska, Omaha
N/A
University of Rhode Island
N/A
University of Southern Mississippi
N/A
Wright State University
N/A
Texas Tech University
88
Kent State University
85
California State University, Long Beach
60
Loyola University Chicago
53.5
Ohio University
45
Shippensburg University
44
Eastern Michigan University
42
Colorado State University
41
Seattle University
37
Azusa Pacific
37
University of Louisville
36
University of Mississippi
36
Grand Valley State University
35
Oregon State University
33
Suffolk University
32
Syracuse University
30.5
Canisius College
29
University of Kansas
28.5
Minnesota State University, Mankato
28
Old Dominion University
28
Central Missouri State University
27
Iowa State University
26
Texas A & M University
26
University of Vermont
25.5
Western Kentucky University
25
Arizona State
25
Illinois State University
24
Springfield College
24
University of Northern Iowa
24
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
23.5
University of Arkansas
23
Indiana University
22.5
Baylor University
22
Western Illinois University
21.5
Ball State
21
University of Arizona
20.5
Northeastern University
20
Northwestern State University
20
University of Maryland, College Park
20
University of North Texas
20
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
20
University of South Carolina
19.5
Eastern Illinois University
19
Michigan State University
18
Mississippi State University
17.5
Indiana State University
17
Kansas State University
17
Northern Arizona University
17
Radford University
17
Slippery Rock University
17
The Pennsylvania State University
17
Bowling Green State University
16
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
15
Long Island University/ C.W. Post Campus
15
South Dakota State University
15
Western Michigan University
14.5
Miami University
13
University of Florida
13
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
12.5
Kutztown University
12
Western Washington University
12
Southern Illinois University
11
University of Iowa
10.5
Clemson University
10
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
10
University of Memphis
10
University of Southern California
10
Appalachian State University
10
Emporia State University
9.5
James Madison University
7
Idaho State University
4
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
3
University of Missouri, Columbia
1.5
Southwest Texas State University
1
Average
23.5
Conclusion
In conclusion, The University of Mississippi Masters Program in Higher Education/Student Personnel compares very well with other programs across the country in most of the areas to which they were compared. Although a little low in the ratio of faculty to students, it fits well with the status quo of the 93 CAS programs listed by the American College Personnel Association.
However, does the University of Mississippi want to be average? Do they want to follow the status quo? That is largely up to the administration of the department, of the University and is due to budget constraints. To reach for the top, I feel, as the program is currently working toward, the program must grow itself. It must actively seek students to come to the University of Mississippi to be in the program. As it grows more and more focus will come to it and thereby more finances can be allotted to it. Thus the course offerings will increase and the faculty to student ration will decrease as more instructors are brought in to the program simply because it can afford to do so.
Bibliography
Coomes, M.D., Talbot, D.M. (2002), Directory of Graduate Programs. [ONLINE], http://www.acpa.nche.edu/c12/Directory.htm. American College Personnel Association.
Nuss,E.M. (1996) The Development of Student Affairs. In S.R. Komives, D.B. Woodard and Associates. Student Services: A Handbook for the Profession. (3rd Ed.) San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Inc.
From the 2013 version of the site. Details, prices and links may be out of date, so check them against your own campus policies.