Resources for Undergraduates

Are you trying to figure out which graduate preparation programs you should apply to?

ACPA has a comprehensive directory of Graduate Programs Preparing Student Affairs Professionals, developed by the Professional Preparation Commission of the American College Personnel Association.  Make an informed decision about your choice to go to graduate school and find out more information here.

Are you interested in finding a job in the field?

Perhaps you have decided to get your feet wet in the field first before going to graduate school.  Explore the list below of online job listings for positions in student affairs:

·      ACPA Career Central

·      Chronicle of Higher Ed Jobs

·      Higher Ed Jobs

·      LGBT Job Listings

·      The Placement Exchange - NASPA

News, blogs, twitter - O, My!

Blogs and higher education news websites can be a great way to figure out from different perspectives both what's going on and what it's like to work in the field of student affairs.

Are you interested in reading more about student affairs?

Student development research is the foundation the work our profession uses with undergraduate students.  Take a few moments to read what some of the professionals have to say in our field:

  • Beginning Your Journey: A Guide for New Professionals in Student Affairs (2009) Marilyn J. Arney & Lori M. Reesor
  • Job One: Experiences of New Professionals in Student Affairs (2004) Peter Magolda & Jill Carnaghi
  • Where You Work Matters: Student Affairs Administration at Different Types of Institutions (2006) Joan Hirt
  • Forgotten Promise: Race and Gender Wars on a Small College Campus, Gretchen Von Loewe Kreuter
  • Critical Issues for Student Affairs: Challenges And Opportunities (2006) Arthur Sandeen & Margaret Barr
  • The Gatekeepers, Jacques Steinberg
  • Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World (2009) Don Tapscott
  • College of the Overwhelmed: The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What to Do About It, Theresa Foy DiGeronimo
  • Beyond Borders: How International Developments are Changing Student Affairs Practice (1999), Jon C. Dalton
  • Learning Reconsidered 2: A Practical Guide to Implementing a Campus-Wide Focus on the Student Experience, Edited by Richard P. Keeling 

 

Resources for Graduate Students

  • Make new contacts and find mentors. Attend conferences and events like ACPA's Convention Colleagues program, which links experienced professionals with graduate students or new professionals.
  • Share your knowledge by presenting at the annual conference. As a graduate student, you can propose a session, team up with a professional/mentor to present a session, or present a paper at the graduate student poster sessions. Instructions for submitting a proposal can be found at the upcoming conference's site. GSNP selects a number of sessions to sponsor at every conference, so your session might receive our highlighting!
  • Come to the annual conference! GSNP offers a scholarship to help graduate students attend their first national conference.
  • Promote the field to undergraduates. Start a tradition or continue to support Careers in Student Affairs month in October. 

Resources for New Professionals

  • Explore professional development opportunities. Your department or student affairs division may have funds for you to attend local, regional, or national/international conferences.
  • Join a professional association in your discipline.
  • Find a mentor. A mentor is not necessarily the same thing as your supervisor. If you are having difficulty finding one on your own campus, come to Convention Colleagues at ACPA's annual conference and make some contacts with experienced professionals looking to support new professionals.
  • Keep up on the latest research.
  • If you do not already have a graduate degree, you should consider pursuing a graduate degree in the field. ACPA's Professional Preparation Commission maintains a listing of programs that can prepare you for student affairs. Master’s degree programs in the field are called by different names such as Higher Education Administration or (College) Student Personnel Administration. They may come in a variety of forms including M.A., M.S., M.Ed., or MS.Ed. Some emphasize a counseling perspective, while others may focus on administration or student development. The Professional Preparation Commission's page list a number of things to think about when selecting a graduate preparation program.
  • Promote the field to undergraduates. Start a tradition or continue to support Careers in Student Affairs month in October.