Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains a variety of information for those interested in applying to the College Student Affairs program (CSA) at Penn State. Questions concerning the content should be directed to the program staff assistant at 814-865-3449 or by email at csa-psu@psu.edu.

The Application and Admission Processes:

• Where can I find the application requirements?

You can find the application requirements on our website.

• What is the deadline for application materials to be in the department for review?

For the most current dates and deadlines, check the admission timeline on our web page.

• Which codes should I input on the GRE exam to insure that my scores are sent to the CSA program at Penn State ?

For the GRE exam, the codes are:
Penn State institution code: R2660
College Student Affairs Department/Major code: 3801

• If for whatever reason I am unable to submit my GRE scores to Penn State before the deadline, will the admissions committee accept scores from my SATs, since these tests appear to be similar?

The CSA program at Penn State will not accept the SAT score in substitution for the GRE score.

• Can I apply for spring as well as fall semester?

Application materials are only accepted for fall admission. Students are admitted and move through the program in a cohort. See our web site for additional information and deadlines.

• I am very interested in joining your graduate program and am attaching my resume and information regarding my qualifications. Could you please review these materials and indicate whether I will be admitted into your program?

We are not able to provide you with a pre-evaluation of your admissibility (or your potential chances for securing financial aid), as admissions and assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.

• Would it be possible for you to send a catalog or brochure to me?

The Graduate Degrees Program Bulletin for the University is available online. All information specific to the College Student Affairs program is available on our web page.

• Is there a separate form for the Letters of Recommendation? Is the recommendation on official letterhead OK?

Once you submit your application online, your recommenders will get an email letting them know they are  able to upload the letter of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are required.

• Do I have to send transcripts from every school I have attended?

Two official copies of transcripts from degree-granting institutions are required. For applicants who are admitted to the program, an official transcript showing a conferred bachelor's degree must be submitted upon conferral of that degree.

• What is your recruiting plan? Is it the same every year?

Our approach is to consider all applications that are sent to us.

• How many students apply to the program every year? How many international students will be admitted?

Typically we have about 110 students who apply to our program each year. Of this total approximately 2% are international students. Depending on funding conditions and the number of enrolled students, the number of new international students admitted for any semester varies from 1 or 2. On average, a very small portion of our students are international students. Nonetheless, we generally offer interviews to the top thirty applicants regardless of their nationality or place of origin.

• Which aspect of the application will you pay most attention to?

The graduate admissions committee reviews the applications submitted and decides which applicants meet the basic qualifications for admission.

Through the interview process and based on previous experiences and application materials, candidates must demonstrate that they possess good interpersonal skills, good oral and written communication skills, the ability to handle stresses inherent to student affairs work, self-awareness, and sensitivity to individual difference, diversity, and social justice. To get a further sense of what CSA faculty deem as essential skills and competencies of a successful student affairs professional, please review the Learning Outcomes of this program.

Candidates must demonstrate a basic understanding of the student affairs field obtained through undergraduate student activities, volunteer work, paraprofessional or professional work experience, or informational interviewing. Candidates should have identified areas of interests within the student affairs field and a clear idea of what they hope to gain from graduate study. Professional goals, while understandably tentative, should be appropriate for beginning professionals and congruent with those of the Penn State program.

Each aspect of the application materials is important and we consider all parts equally. Thus, it is important that a student have a very strong academic record, that the student has shown that he/she is committed to the student affairs profession, that the GRE and TOEFL scores are strong, that the student have a reasonably good GPA, that the student presents a strong, specific, and focused Statement of Purpose, that the recommendation letters are strong and individual, and that the entire package is complete, comprehensive, and strong. The graduate admissions committee considers all aspects of an individual's application and then selects those whom they think are the best potential students to admit and to offer assistantships; thus, there is not some magic formula.

• What are the average GPA, TOEFL, and GRE scores of the recruits from previous years?

Exact statistical data on GPA, TOEFL and GREs are not the issue as admission decisions are not based solely on some exact number on the GRE or GPA. There is a minimum TOEFL score of 213 (computer-based test) that must be satisfied for admission to Penn State. GREs and GPAs vary - we generally desire undergraduate GPAs to be above 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and, of course, the higher, the better. GREs are often above 1800 (total on old GRE exam) though again there is no minimum cutoff.

• If I gain admission into the CSA program and choose not to matriculate, can I defer my acceptance because of job or family commitments, etc?

No. Because admission is tied to an assistantship offer, we are not able to guarantee an open position for the next year.

• If I am accepted for admission and choose not to matriculate, will my decision hinder my attempts to reapply to the program at some future time?

No. Application materials are held in the program office for 3 years. We do recommend that you contact the program staff assistant to make sure your file is complete or needs to be updated.

• I am applying to several programs. They all seem strong. What are some reasons to come to PSU rather than to enroll in another program?

There are many reasons, among them:

Our department includes actively publishing scholars who study student affairs through several disciplines as well as administrators. Because our faculty include both full-time academics and full-time administrators, program conversations both deepen and broaden participants' perspectives. Additionally, there is opportunity for students to become well acquainted with both faculty and other students because the program is small, and each faculty member typically advises no more than eight students at any time. This makes it possible for faculty to work closely and intensively with masters students.

Perhaps as important, if you graduate from Penn State 's CSA program, you will have obtained a degree from one of the most prestigious public universities in the nation. As an alum, you will become a part of Penn State 's sizeable alumni base, many of whom will go to great lengths to help fellow PSU alums. These factors may aid in your future career plans.

Interview Days and Visiting Penn State:

Each February, our program hosts an Interview Weekend for students considering admission for the following fall semester. During a two-day question and answer period, visitors meet with faculty, current graduate students, assistantship providers, internship providers, and other interviewing applicants. Additionally, they are introduced to students' and faculties' research. Some current graduate students help out by opening their homes to visitors.

• What can I expect at Interview Days?

At Interview Day, applicants meet with faculty and students and interview with various assistantship providers. The admissions committee reviews the comments from all of these sources and determines which applicants meet the qualifications for admission. The graduate admissions committee will notify assistantship providers of those applicants who meet the qualifications so that assistantship providers may then choose the student(s) to whom they wish to offer such funding. Decisions regarding which of these students receive assistantships rests with the assistantship provider.

• How can I arrange to visit Penn State 's CSA program?

Visitors are always welcome; however, you may wish to wait until you hear back from us as to whether or not you are invited to Interview Days before scheduling a visit.

If you do not wish to wait for Interview Days to visit, contact our Graduate Secretary, Susan Bass (814-865-3449 or psu-csa@psu.edu ), to make arrangements to visit.

Assistantships and Funding:

• What are the costs for attending your graduate program?

The costs for attending Penn State 's CSS program are basically related to tuition costs, which may be found at the following Graduate School web link: http://tuition.psu.edu/.

• How can I obtain a tuition waiver so as to lessen my costs for attending graduate school?

At this point in time the only way to get a tuition waiver is to be a recipient of an assistantship. Thus, you need to apply for and receive an assistantship in order to obtain a tuition waiver. Unfortunately, only a very limited number of the applicants to the program will receive assistantships.

• How are assistantships awarded and what are the qualifications needed to receive an assistantship?

The graduate admissions committee first reviews your application and decides whether you meet the necessary qualifications for admission. Once the committee decides that you meet the qualifications for admission, they then consider applicants to invite for Interview Days. The resumes of qualified applicants are forwarded to offices with open assistantship, and those offices interview applicants, and make recommendations to the CSA admission committee. There are always fewer assistantships available than there are student applications.

• What kind of financial aid opportunities are available?

The only form of financial aid offered through the CSA program is in the form of graduate assistantships. Our students work as graduate assistants in a great variety of settings across campus. Positions provide you with tuition, health insurance, and a stipend in return for 20 hours of work a week. A list of assistantship positions held by current CSA students is available on our web page.

What can I expect if admitted to the CSA program?

• How many students does CSA enroll annually?

Entering classes typically range from eight to twelve students. Generally about thirty students are actively present on campus.

• How large are course classes?

CSA classes typically range from ten to twenty-five students.

• How flexible are CSA degree requirements?

Degree requirements are fairly proscribed. For a detailed program of study, see the curriculum guide.

• What is the time-to-completion for the master's degree?

The requirements for the master's degree can be completed in two years.

• Can I transfer credits that I've taken in other graduate programs?

Yes, however transfer credits are not routinely approved and decisions are made after you have been here for a semester. Your advisor will be able to assist you with decisions on transfer courses.

• Are your course syllabi on your website? Where?

Yes, syllabi for CSA courses are available on our website.

• How many advisees does each faculty member have?

Typically, each faculty member advises four or five master's students.

• How are advisors assigned? Can I switch advisors?

The admissions committee matches newly admitted students with advisors, based on the committee's assessment of student-faculty research interests. Students can switch advisors at any time.

• I am a student of color. Are there any campus or departmental resources that may address my needs and interests?

The Multicultural Resource Center is a campus-wide center that serves as a meeting place and information center for students of color. In addition, there are many organizations on campus created to meet the needs of our diverse population. See also, the web pages for the Black Caucus, the Latino Caucus, the Puerto Rican Student Association (PRSA), the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity, the Office of Multicultural Student Services, and the many diverse religious organizations on campus.

• I am a non-U.S. citizen. Are there any campus or departmental resources that may address my needs and interests?

The Office of International Student Services and the International Programs Lounge serve as a meeting place and information center for international students.

About Program Graduates:

• What positions do CSA degree recipients hold?

A partial list of positions held by CSA graduates is available on our web page.

• What are the benefits of being a graduate of the CSA program at Penn State?

As stated previously, graduates of Penn State 's CSA program have earned a degree from one of the most prestigious public universities in the nation. Penn State alums leave Penn State with strong feelings about the University and for faculty and fellow classmates. As an alum, you become part of Penn State's sizable alumni base, many of whom will go to great lengths to help fellow PSU alums. These factors may aid in your future career plans.