M.S. in Counselor Education
Specialization in Student Development in Higher Education
Our Mission
The mission of the Department of Counselor Education and Family Therapy at Central Connecticut State University is to develop self-aware professionals and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to empower diverse individuals, families, and communities to achieve their well-being, relationship, education, and career goals.
Our Values
We are committed to developing engaged, mindful learners who promote emotional growth and social and emotional competence over their lifespan, as well as professionals who value social justice, respect human dignity, and have open and flexible attitudes and skillsets.
Program Philosophy
With learning at the heart of our professional work environment, our fundamental responsibility is to empower students to attain the highest standards of academic achievement, public service and personal development. We value quality, intellectual integrity, openness to dialogue, participation by all members of the community in governance, and respect for the dignity, rights and aspirations of each member of the community. Our counseling and student development orientation includes an integration of a mindfulness-informed theoretical orientation within the Counseling coursework. Preparing students for enlightened and productive participation in a global society is our obligation. The mission of the master’s degree program in student development flows from this philosophical perspective. Graduates are prepared to function effectively as student development educators in rapidly changing institutions of higher education. Students are trained to understand and to meet the developmental needs of college students taking into account worldviews and expectations which are influenced by age, faith or religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status and other life-shaping perspectives.
Overall Objectives for All Counselor Education Programs
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate core knowledge appropriate to the counseling profession (1.b., 5.n., 8.a.)
- Demonstrate leadership skills (6.b.)
- Demonstrate advocacy skills (1.e)
- Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills of counseling techniques and interventions (4.b., 5.g., 7.e., 7.i.)
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills to address client trauma (1.l., 2.h.) {for the SDHE program students will develop appropriate referral skills}
- Demonstrate application of knowledge of current ethical and legal codes (3.i.)
- Demonstrate a commitment to developing one’s cultural competence (2.d., 5.f.)
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with other professionals
- Demonstrate dispositions appropriate to the profession
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills
Program Objectives for Student Development in Higher Education
Students will be able to:
11. Demonstrate knowledge of theory, practice, and ethical standards relative to the practice of student development in higher education.
12. Demonstrate appropriate counseling, advising, and group facilitation techniques for use with students, staff, and faculty in higher education.
13. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with colleagues throughout their institutions for purposed of creating and assessing learning experiences for students.
14. Identify a wide range of world views based on culture of life experiences, including their own, and use this understanding to communicate effectively across cultural and personal differences.
15. Demonstrate knowledge of federal and state laws pertinent to roles and functions of student affairs and to the responsible management of colleges and universities.
Enrollment and Graduation Rates 2017 - 2021
Fall 2017 | Fall 2018 | Fall 2019 | Fall 2020 | Fall 2021 | |
Full-Time Student | 11 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Part-Time Student | 56 | 50 | 41 | 39 | 35 |
Total | 67 | 57 | 48 | 46 | 39 |
Spring 2017 | Spring 2018 | Spring 2019 | Spring 2020 | Spring 2021 | |
Full-Time | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
Part-Time | 54 | 54 | 45 | 42 | 35 |
Total | 64 | 63 | 53 | 50 | 44 |
Graduates | 24 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 20 |
Time Required to Complete the Master’s Degree
Required Graduate Credit Hours:
- 42 (thesis project optional)
Full-Time Student:
- Two (2) years usually without having to take Summer or Winter session classes.
Part-Time Student:
- Maximum of six (6) years; it is possible to complete in two (2) years which includes taking classes, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring each year.
Program Statistics / Performance Data /Employment Prospects
Employment Settings for Graduates:
- Employment opportunities exist in numerous settings on college campuses. These may include but are not limited to Residence Life, Student Activities, Student Union, Career Services, Academic Support, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, TRIO programs, Greek Life, etc.
Graduate Tuition & Affiliated Fees
Please refer to the information provided by CCSU’s Bursar’s Office, which is available on the following webpage:
Many of the students in the SDHE program interview and obtain Graduate Internship or Graduate Assistantship positions at CCSU and with our partnering colleges (i.e. Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Saint Joseph, etc.)
Graduate Admission and Application Information
Please refer to the information provided by CCSU’s School of Graduate Studies, which is available on the following webpage:
https://www.ccsu.edu/grad/admission/
*NOTE: Because admission to the Master of Science in Counselor Education with Specialization in Student Development in Higher Education is a highly competitive process, meeting the minimum graduate and program specific application criteria and requirements does not guarantee automatic acceptance into the program.
Dr. Jelane A. Kennedy
Program Coordinator
Professor
(860) 832-2119
jakennedy@ccsu.edu
Student Handbook 2022-2024
Student Handbook 2021-2023
Informational Brochure
Graduate Internship - Student Activities/Union Operations
Graduate Assistantships and Internships
Forms
SDHE-1 Application for Practicum CNSL 503
SDHE-2 Practicum Agreement CNSL 503
SDHE-4 Practicum Student Evaluation of Site CNSL 503
SDHE-5 Application for Academic Internship CNSL 592
SDHE-6 Academic Internship Agreement CSNL 592
SDHE-7 Internship Student Site Evaluation CNSL 592
SDHE-8 Learning Goals For Practicum Internship
SDHE-9 Monthly Hour Log CNSL 503 & 592
SDHE-10 Internship and Practicum Sites
SDHE-11 Letter to Practicum Supervisor
SDHE-12 Letter to Academic Internship Supervisor