College of Education & Human Services

Counseling Programs at WIU

College Student Personnel Program

The field of student affairs comprises of professionals who are dedicated to helping undergraduate & graduate students develop professionally, personally, and academically throughout their time of enrollment at community colleges, two-year institutitions, four-year public universities, trade schools, four-year private colleges, and professional schools. Professionals in this field study theories and practices stemming from counseling, sociology, anthroplogy, and organizational design (and much more) to learn how to create conditions that promote grow and how to address barriers of growth.

A master's degree is the most common credential requirement for a career in student affairs, and over 900 alumni have graduated from our program since 1970 and had fulfilling careers in the field. Our program offers two enrollment options (full-time or part-time) that are designed to help students develop as effective and reflective leaders who approach student affairs work as socially and ethically responsible practitioners in a variety of settings, including residence life, student activities, fraternity/sorority life, admissions and student recruitment, academic advising, orientation, student union management, multicultural student programs, student retention, gender and sexuality programs, career development, study abroad, and experiential education.