College Student Personnel Graduate Program
Cultivating Student Potential
If you're passionate about working in a dynamic environment and helping college students thrive, the CSP program at Western is an ideal stepping stone for a career in student affairs and higher education. A master’s degree is a key credential in this field, and since 1970, more than 1,000 alumni have successfully graduated from our program.
The meaningful experiences students have in college are often shaped by the expertise staff members gain through graduate programs like ours. These professionals learned how to create inclusive environments and apply strategies that support student retention and success.
Graduates of a CSP degree can be found in:
- Higher education institutions, including public and private four-year universities, as well as community colleges. They serve as orientation directors, academic advisors, residence life coordinators, and programming directors.
- Related fields such as curriculum development, community outreach, academic publishing, educational policy analysis, training and development, educational technology, or fundraising and donor relations.
Student affairs professionals play a critical role in promoting student well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and supporting diverse student populations. They make a profound impact on students' personal and academic journeys, empowering them to thrive in both educational and social settings. The CSP program is about more than just a degree. We're a community devoted to the success of our graduate students and the success of the students they support.
Not sure how your major fits with CSP? Check out our Major Matchup Guide to
explore how your undergraduate major can seamlessly transition into our master's degree.
Our program offers two flexible enrollment options: full-time (in-person or online for those with external assistantships) and part-time (online). These pathways are designed to help you become effective, reflective leaders who approach student affairs work with social and ethical responsibility across diverse settings.
In the classroom, you'll work closely with respected faculty—leaders in the field—who will help you apply what you learn through hands-on projects, assistantships, internships, practicums, and other valuable experiences. This theory-to-practice model ensures you’re ready to tackle real challenges in student affairs. You'll design and implement programs that cultivate student potential and foster their success by taking coursework focused on:
- Student development theory
- Group dynamics and leadership development
- Programming and assessment
- Organizational leadership in student affairs and higher education
- Multicultural and intercultural competency
- Skills for advising and helping students
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods
Employment of postsecondary education administrators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 14,500 openings for postsecondary education administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
CSP Graduate Program Coordinator
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Assistant Professor
Dr. Julie Brines
Office: 81A Horrabin Hall
Email:
JA-Brines@wiu.edu
Phone: 309-298-2082
Learn more about Dr. Brines
Have Questions?
- Email csp@wiu.edu
- Set up a meeting with graduate assistants from our CSP Team
- Download our info sheet
ACPA Graduate Preparation Program Member
CSP proudly supports ACPA by offering all students in our program the opportunity to receive a complimentary ACPA membership.
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