This article discusses various ways for student affairs professionals, faculty, educators, and policymakers to contribute to the personal, academic, and professional development of international graduate students in the U.S. higher education within their functional areas and their expertise. By highlighting the culturally sensitive support and…

International students in U.S. higher education who pursue work must balance personal and professional pressures while seeking employment. While much attention has been given to their experiences of acculturation, stress, and psychological well being, further work is needed to document their personal growth, navigation of economic pressures, and…

Little scholarship explores the attention to religious, spiritual, and secular identity in the graduate preparation of student affairs professionals. To address this gap, we undertook a phenomenological examination of the experiences of second-year graduate students in four elite master of education programs with respect to these identities. We…

In this longitudinal qualitative study I explored the development of self-authorship among 21 student affairs master's candidates at 2 institutions. The findings suggest that growth, regression, and stasis in newcomers' developmental capacities for self-authorship occurred as they matriculated, and that these developmental trajectories reflected…

Socialization to a profession includes the development of the field's values. Socialization into student affairs often takes place through participation in a master's preparation program. This study addressed socialization to student affairs' values, in particular graduate students' perceptions of essential student affairs values. Through a…

Applying theory to practice in student affairs is dominated by the assumption that formal theory is directly applied to practice. Among the problems with this assumption is that many practitioners believe they must choose between their lived experiences and formal theory, and that graduate students are taught that their experience "does not…

Presents a graduate education model based on important assumptions about plans for society's and students' needs and also principles regarding program goals and development. Describes the model's specific components, i.e., a three-dimensional framework involving self, students, and systems interfacing with three learning levels. (BH)

Identifies the extent to which the "Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale" (SDLRS) is a reliable and valid instrument for use with graduate students (N=356). Argues that the results of the study warrant the integration of such developmental constructs as tolerance, self-concept, creativity, initiative, self-understanding, and…

A comprehensive model for student personnel education is presented. Based on student development principles, the model is a synthesis of elements of learner-centered and competency-based education. The authors present the philosophy behind the model's development, a description of its implementation in a master's degree program, and implications…

An ongoing transition program which responds to the need for continuing support for graduate students and their developmental issues is the focus of this article. Student evaluations of the program revealed that participants found the transition sessions helpful because they instilled a sense of universality and provided a safe forum for open and…

Surveyed master's level students (N=367) to assess knowledge perceptions of human development theory. Results showed the majority of respondents clearly valued human development theory and considered it a necessary qualification for student affairs practice. But over half the students had not studied over half the theories. (JAC)

Conducted national survey of administrators, graduate faculty members, and graduate students (total N=320) to examine names used to describe field: student personnel, student affairs, student services, and student development. Results revealed significant and differential preferences: student development was term preferred overall, with student…

Explores how the understanding of graduate students' special needs and circumstances enhances counseling of this population. Looks at stress factors, educational preparation, delayed gratification, achieving autonomy, intellectual development, and the counseling process. Emphasizes the importance of establishing trust in the therapeutic dialog so…

Considers the various roles that a faculty advisers plays in the three identified stages of a student's graduate education: beginning, middle, and the dissertation stage. Looks at each stage as a process of educational and developmental change. Focuses on faculty sponsorship, peers, financial assistance, intellectual interests, comprehensive…

Argues that multicultural coursework, pedagogy, and support services, which honor diverse needs and voices, can enhance the environment for graduate students of color. Examines problems faced by students of color; ways to bolster recruitment, retention, and support programs; faculty-student interaction; classroom interaction; professional…