Frequently Asked Questions

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 Admissions Processes

Preview Weekend and Visiting Penn State

Assistantships and Funding

Classes and Advising

About Program Graduates

The Application and Admissions 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.  For consideration for Fall 2013 please submit your application materials by January 7, 2013.

• 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 Higher Education College Student Affairs track 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.

• 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 cohort varies from 1 or 2. On average, a very small portion of our students are international students. Nonetheless, we generally offer admission to the top 30-40 applicants regardless of their nationality or place of origin.

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

The graduate admissions committee carefully reviews all application materials submitted.  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/ze is committed to the student affairs profession, that the GRE and TOEFL scores are strong, that the student have a strong GPA, that the student presents a specific and focused Statement of Purpose, that the recommendation letters are strong and individual, and that the entire package is complete and comprehensive. The graduate admissions committee considers all aspects of an individual's application and then selects those whom they think are the best potential students for admission.

Based on application materials, candidates must demonstrate that they possess good interpersonal skills, good 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.

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

Exact statistical data on GPA, TOEFL and GREs 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 1000 (total on old GRE exam) though again there is no minimum cutoff. There is a minimum TOEFL score of 213 (computer-based test) that must be satisfied for admission to Penn State.

• 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 student affairs practitioners, 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 master's students.

Perhaps as important, if you graduate from Penn State's College of Education, you will have obtained a Higher Education degree from one of the most prestigious public universities in the nation. As an alumnus, you will become a part of Penn State's alumni network, one of the largest alumni networks in the nation.  Many alumni will go to great lengths to help fellow PSU graduates. Finally, our graduates are successful in both professional work experiences and doctoral programs.  All recent graduates of the CSA track have found employment within six months of graduation.

Preview Weekend and Visiting Penn State:

Each February, our program hosts an Preview Weekend for students admitted for the fall semester. During a two-day visit, accepted students meet with faculty, current graduate students, assistantship providers, internship providers, and other accepted students. Additionally, they are introduced to students' and faculty members' research.

• What can I expect at Preview Weekend?

At Preview Weekend, admitted students meet with faculty and students and may interview with various assistantship providers.  Admitted students will take a campus tour, learn about the curriculum, and explore opportunities available to students in the CSA track.

• How can I arrange to visit Penn State?

Visitors are always welcome; however, you may wish to wait until early February when you hear whether or not you are invited to Preview Weekend.

If you do not wish to wait for Preview weekend to visit, contact Randy Fisher (814-865-3449 or psu-csa@psu.edu), to make arrangements to visit. [Top]

Assistantships and Funding:

• What are the costs for attending your graduate program?

The costs for attending Penn State's CSA program can be found at  http://tuition.psu.edu/.

• How can I lessen my costs for attending graduate school?

Admitted students have the opportunity to be considered for available graduate assistantships and may interview for these positions at Preview Weekend.  Graduate assistantships provide a full tuition waiver, stipend, and discounted health insurance.  In addition, students who are not offered a graduate assistantship may seek funding through other on-campus employment opportunities, and student loans and scholarships.

• 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 admit and invite for Preview Weekend. The resumes and cover letters of admitted students are forwarded to offices with open assistantships.  Those offices select who they would like to interview and hire.  [Top]

Classes and Advising:

• How many students does the Higher Education CSA track enroll annually?

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

• How large are class sizes?

Higher Education classes typically range from ten to twenty-five students.

• How flexible are CSA degree requirements?

Degree requirements are fairly prescribed. However students take at least one elective course outside of the curriculum. 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 of full time study.

• 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 at Penn State for a semester. Your advisor will be able to assist you with decisions on transfer courses.

• How many advisees does each faculty member have?

Typically, each faculty member advises between three and 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 Office of Multicultural Programs is a unit within the Office of the Dean in the College of Education dedicated to the promotion of an inclusive College community that values and celebrates diversity and the acceptance of various identities.  The office advocates, supports and informs students of campus resources and assists in developing connections based on individual needs and interests.  In addition, the Office of Graduate Educational Equity leads the Graduate School’s efforts to foster diversity and to provide a welcoming climate for both prospective and current graduate students of underrepresented groups.

• 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.  [Top]

About Program Graduates:

• What positions do graduates of the CSA track hold?

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