Most classes are small with a great deal of attention given to the student's intellectual, ethical, and professional development as well as the ability of the student to express ideas in a professional manner. Following a solid foundation in counseling, critical issues of the student personnel profession are part of the advanced courses. Students will be exposed to diverse theoretical approaches that will enhance their ability to be effective professionals in diverse college and university settings. Extensive practicum and field placement settings are required. Excellent assistantships are available for full-time students.
Most students complete the program in two academic years and one summer session.
In accordance with the mission of Shippensburg University and the Department of Counseling, the Student Personnel Track provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective and ethical professionals in a helping relationship. Specifically, the program provides students with the knowledge and the opportunity for practical application of that knowledge in at least two student personnel functional areas. This knowledge includes the history of student personnel work within higher education and its founding philosophical principals, current philosophical statements, theories of student development and developmental environments, current descriptions of student populations, and current trends in student personnel and higher education. Besides the balance of course work in counseling and student personnel work, this program emphasizes the application of classroom work through three required internship experiences.