Dear Prospective Student:

Thank you for your interest in the College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) graduate program at James Madison University. Our Higher Education and Student Affairs program is anchored in the Department of Graduate Psychology (located within the College of Health and Behavioral Studies) and leads to a Master's of Education in Counselor Education. CSPA graduates consistently remark how vital the core counseling classes are to their success as higher education professionals.

Our experiential focus is noteworthy with all full-time students holding a graduate assistantship throughout the two academic years of the program. The majority of assistantships are in the Division of Student Affairs with opportunities also in other divisions. Serving as a professional enhances skill development through work with student affairs colleagues. Students deepen their learning through the completion of two unique 150 hour practicums in a variety of university offices at JMU, surrounding colleges, and/or at universities across the country.

The JMU CSPA program annually enrolls about 12 students per cohort with a program size of approximately 25 students. The intimate nature of the program allows students to work directly with professionals in the Division of Student Affairs. Many of the courses are taught by Scholar-Practitioners—professionals in Student Affairs. Each student is also assigned an advisor who is a member of the CSPA Advisory Committee. The academic program consists of 36 hours taken in two years.

The priority application deadline is January 15, 2025. All application forms and supporting materials are due at this time. After Jan. 15th we will continue to review applications and admit students on a space-available basis. The final application deadline is May 15th.

Following the initial review of all written application materials, the program committee will interview selected applicants. If invited, this interview is a required part of the application process and will include interviews with potential Graduate Assistantship positions. In preparation for the interview, you will be asked for your preference of assistantship sites based on those available for the coming academic year.

2025 interview dates are February 7 (on-campus), February 10 (remote), February 14 (on-campus). Additional interview dates will be scheduled, if needed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (540) 568-3433 or at grandese@jmu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes, 

Dr. Steve Grande
Director, CSPA Program