Candidates are evaluated for admission on academic ability and achievements, student affairs knowledge and experience, and personal attributes necessary to successfully complete the program and thrive in the field of student affairs. Various factors play into the admission decision, such as a professional resume, personal goals statement, academic transcript, letters of recommendation, the Graduate Studies application, and a personal interview.

Questions regarding the application process or the receipt of application materials should be directed to CSP@wiu.edu or the program coordinator at (309) 298-2082.

Please review the following steps for specific application instructions. You must submit all of the following materials.

• Application for admission with the School of Graduate Studies
• Graduate Assistantship application form (not required for part-time track)
• Personal Goals Statement: In 500-700 words, please address the following prompt - When choosing a graduate program, you are choosing an intellectual and professional community where you believe you can learn and develop. How do you see the College Student Personnel program at WIU contributing to your professional goals of working in student affairs or higher education?
• Three Letters of Recommendation: These recommendations should be from individuals who can address your skills, potential for success in the field of student affairs, maturity, and level of responsibility. At least one reference should be from a faculty member familiar with your academic ability. (If you are completing the form through Graduate Studies, your recommenders will receive an email with further instructions.)
• Resume: Please make sure to update the document by including your most recent positions and achievements.
• Official transcript(s): You must request an official transcript(s) of all previous undergraduate or graduate coursework completed at any college or university. Send them to School of Graduate Studies, Sherman Hall 116, Macomb, IL 61455. Email Grad-Office@wiu.edu for details.

If you are unable to submit your personal goals statement, resume, and letters of recommendation at the time of your application submission (preferred method), you may alternatively submit these documents directly to the CSP program at csp@wiu.edu

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a requirement for admission to the program.

As a candidate, it is your responsibility to check on the status of your application to be sure all materials arrive prior to the application deadline.

Application Process Timeline

Dec. 1 - Recommended deadline for international candidates to submit application materials to International Admissions (allowing for processing time to meet the Jan. 5 deadline)

Dec. 15 - Recommended deadline for domestic candidates to submit application materials to Graduate Studies (allowing for processing time to meet the Jan. 15 deadline)

Jan. 15 - Priority deadline for receiving application materials. Applications will still be accepted on a space-available basis after that date. 

Once your application is received:

1.  Invitations to participate in the interview process will be extended to select candidates
2. Academic and assistantship interviews and peer meetings will take place

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to be able to interview with your preferred assistantship site.

The cohort model is a central component of the CSP experience. Your cohort of approximately 12-18 peers will engage with you in class discussions, study with you at local coffee shops, attend campus events that you plan, and support you to graduation and beyond! Our students come from a variety of backgrounds bringing diverse mindsets and professional experiences. Cohort members come to Western from all over the United States and the world. Here at Western, you will be surrounded by new ideas and perspectives.

One of my favorite things about this program is to see the growth within the cohort and how much we have come together and how much we've grown together. I love that we challenge each other every day, I love that we ask questions and we come up with new ways of how to better support our students. –

 Jacob Livingston, Class of 2020

Graduate assistantship and practicum experiences align with the theory-to-practice value philosophy of the CSP program. The opportunity to hold an assistantship and participate in a semester-long practicum enables you to fully engage in the learning process. You will apply theories and concepts gained in the classroom to real-life student affairs work on a daily basis. You gain professional skills, concepts, and knowledge to become outstanding student affairs practitioners who facilitate the learning and development of students.

Program Outcomes

Students who graduate from the College Student Personnel program at Western Illinois University will be able to:

• Describe the concepts and principles of student development and learning theories that advance intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive complexity;
• Articulate histories, values, and philosophies of higher education;
• Identify approaches to address contemporary issues facing higher education;
• Define and assess organizational and human resources including, but not limited to: policies, practices, procedures, and structures;
• Gather, apply, and deploy methods of research and assessment to improve, shape, and benefit student learning and higher education; and
• Demonstrate leadership (as a role and process) to create learning environments (virtual or in-person) that support the inclusion of all students and members of campus communities while attending to issues of privilege, power, and oppression.

Course Rotation

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Degree Requirements  |  Course Descriptions  |  Graduate Catalog - College Student Personnel

 

WIU offers graduate assistantship opportunities in over 10 offices on campus. If you a full-time graduate assistant, you work 20 hours per week and receive a monthly stipend and waiver of tuition. The current graduate assistant stipend amount as of July 2024 is $1,224 per month or $9,792 per academic year (pre-tax). Graduate assistantships in University Housing and Dining Services additionally offer room and board benefits. Read more about Graduate Assistantships.

CSP also has several alumni-funded scholarships for our students. Learn more about them at the alumni section of our website.

You can find additional information about funding sources at the Graduate Studies website.