The College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) master's degree program provides students with the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable them to perform the roles of administrator, advisor, and programmer in student affairs and higher education administration. After completing the program, a master's graduate will have acquired the skills, knowledge, values, and commitment necessary to succeed at entry- to mid-level student affairs positions in public and private colleges and universities.
Students in the program reflect the increasing diversity of today's college campuses with respect to race, ethnicity, orientation, gender, and age. The CSPA program includes students who are recent graduates, career enhancers, and persons seeking a career change. Full-time enrollment is preferred and recommended, yet the program is flexible enough for those students who wish to attend part-time.
Our CSPA alumni work in student affairs programs across the State of Illinois and around the country. Positions are held in residential life programs, student activities, admissions, academic advising, judicial affairs, orientation, volunteer services, business offices, multicultural programs, Greek life, research and recruiting.
Candidates should possess undergraduate leadership experiences in both curricular and co-curricular activities and organizations, if coming from a traditional undergraduate background. If the candidate is a nontraditional student working full-time, the person is expected to have experience in a community college, college, or university office that works with students.
Learn more about graduate school at Illinois State University.
A master's degree graduate with the CSPA degree will have the knowledge and skills necessary to:
Admissions to the CSPA program is limited to full-time admission for the Fall semester. Class size is limited to 25 students per year. Learn about the application process.
Financial assistance is available through scholarships, graduate assistantships, and tuition waivers.
The Dr. Neal R. Gamsky Endowed Assistantship in College Student Personnel Administration recognizes a promising, high-potential, first-year student enrolled in the CSPA master's degree program, and to encourage involvement in student affairs broadly through a generalist graduate assistantship position.
Learn about all financial aid opportunities.
Students may elect a 36-hour option completing a thesis or comprehensive exams or a 42-hour option. Courses are offered nights and weekends to accommodate schedules of full-time educational professionals. Some online options exist for selected courses.
Find when the following courses will be offered and their syllabi:
Graduate Catalog
Download the Graduate Catalog (pdf) to learn more about program requirements, course descriptions, and prerequisites.
To successfully complete Educational Administration and Foundations courses, students in all programs are expected to have frequent and convenient access to a computer and Internet resources. Illinois State University students can take advantage of special hardware and software pricing as well as installation support at ISU TechZone. Review the computer and technology requirements for EAF students.
For more information about the CSPA program, please contact the program advisor for an appointment:
Marcia Escott Hickrod
340B DeGarmo Hall
(309) 438-7951
The CSPA program faculty have demonstrated success in teaching, scholarship, and service in the field and prepare students for careers in students affairs and academic services. There are several other faculty in EAF who are involved in the program in teaching, scholarship, or professional services roles as well as professionals having adjunct, part-time relationships.
