Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences


Master's Program Learner Outcomes (Student Affairs Emphasis)

These outcomes apply to both the M.S. and M.Ed. programs in Higher Education - Student Affairs specialization.
Students will BE:
Experienced practitioners and educational leaders. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Assistantship experiences for in-depth development of professional skills, knowledge, and application.
  • Practicum experiences (at least one) to supply breadth of experiences and exposure to other administrative areas.
  • HEGSO, GSS, or other leadership experiences.
  • Feedback from assistantship and practicum supervisors (e.g., practicum contract).
Knowledgeable student affairs scholars. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Coursework focusing on current and future trends in the profession and professional development opportunities.
  • Writing in professional journals and newsletters.
  • Presentations at professional conferences.
(See below for knowledge domains.)
Reflective and critical thinkers. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Assignments that emphasize development and expression of considered judgments, such as debates, dialogs, and challenge papers.
  • Assignments that emphasize critique and evaluation of material over summary and memorization.
  • Self-reflective assignments, such as reflection papers, assessment of type, discussion of different work styles.
Individuals who are sensitive and aware of themselves and others. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Class environments in which full ranges of viewpoints are welcomed and questions are encouraged.
  • Course assignments or projects in which students are exposed to various perspectives and experiences.
  • Modeling of interpersonal and intrapersonal sensitivity and respect, to include addressing instances of intolerance or insensitivity.
Students will BE ABLE TO:
Apply theory to practice. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Learning strategies such as case studies, in-basket experiences, and application discussions.
  • Assignments requiring students to relating conceptual topics to students' current and prior experiences.
  • Practicum, capstone, and topical seminars to link experiences with academics.
Demonstrate effective oral communication. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Assignments that involve formal oral presentation of ideas and material, small group discussions and task assignments, and unrehearsed oral expressions.
  • Conference attendance and presentations - alone or in conjunction with peers, faculty members, or supervisors.
Effectively communicate in writing. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Writing assignments that include scholarly writing as well as professional writing (memos, etc.).
  • Assistantship and practicum site writing tasks with supervisor feedback.
Create, design, and implement programs and interventions. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • Self-directed, relatively unstructured learning assignments such as theory-to-practice projects, reports on campus visits, and pilot research or assessment projects.
  • Project-oriented, bounded tasks undertaken for practicum experiences.
Students will KNOW:
Following the standards and guidelines established by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), students will demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
Foundations of higher education and student affairs. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • 504 (Higher Ed in the US)
  • 574 (Student Affairs Practice).
Student development theory. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • 576 (Student Development I).
  • 676 (Student Development II).
Student characteristics and effects of college on students. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • 577 (Campus Environments and Cultures)
  • 578 (Students in Am Hg Ed)
Individual and group interventions. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • 579 (Couns and Group Dynamics)
  • 561 (Sup Field Exp Seminar)
Organization and administration of student affairs. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • 574 (Stud Affairs Prac)
  • 575 (Org and Admin)
  • 561 (Sup Field Exp Seminar)
Assessment, evaluation, and research. Opportunities to foster this outcome and assess progress include:
  • 550 (Ed Research Intro).
  • 597 (Program Eval & Assessment).

 

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