About Student Affairs
If you think you would like working in a college environment, and if you have a strong desire to help college students grow and develop, then the field of student affairs and higher education may be perfect for you. Eastern Michigan's graduate program, along with a comprehensive and individualized graduate assistantship program offered through the Division of Student Affairs or the Division of Enrollment Services, provides you with the solid academic foundation and outstanding hands-on experience needed for this exciting profession. Student may also enroll in the program on a part-time basis.
The Program at Eastern Michigan University is practitioner-based, with an emphasis on professional development and on working directly with student affairs professionals on campus. Graduates of Eastern Michigan University are well-prepared for a variety of careers in higher education, as well as for doctoral studies in areas such as Higher Education Administration, Counselor Education, and Counseling Psychology. The Department of Leadership and Counseling is part of EMU's renowned College of Education, whose reputation for excellence in producing the largest number of educators in the nation is unmatched.
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Graduate Programs in the Dept. of Leadership & Counseling
There are two master’s degree programs offered through the Department of Leadership, each designed to provide the student with a comprehensive preparation program while allowing the student to specialize in a unique area of interest.
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Faculty
Our College of Education faculty are fully engaged in teaching, research and student service activities. They are published scholars and practitioners from higher education settings. Small class sizes and attention to both didactic instruction and experiential learning provide graduate students with rich learning opportunities. Courses are available face-to-face, online and in hybrid formats.
The graduate program is further enhanced by strong support from the Divisions of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services. Graduate students may be able to fund their education through full-time graduate assistantships available in almost every divisional area on campus.
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Graduate Assistantship Opportunities
There are a number of graduate assistantships offered throughout Eastern Michigan University.
Eastern Michigan University graduate assistant financial package consists of 18 tuition free credit hours per year plus a graduate assistantship stipend. The stipend amount averages about $6,800 - $7,700. The total financial package includes paid tuition, registration, general funds, parking permit, priority registration, and library privileges.
Some assistantships provide housing and dining services support. Additionally, several departments provide supplemental travel expenses to professional conferences.
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Tentative Timeline for Graduate Assistantship
Student Affairs Interview Days
- January-March
- Complete a graduate school application package for the masters program and be admitted to a program. Contact Dr. Elizabeth Broughton for more specific information
- March
- Graduate Assistant Late Afternoon Gathering
- Graduate admissions interviews in the Department of Leadership and Counseling for admission to the college student affairs program and interviews for graduate assistantships
Interviews for Graduate Assistantships
- April-May
- Graduate assistantship applicants will be notified about decisions regarding assistantships. Assistantships are provided only after acceptance into a program of study
- May
- Candidates must confirm the offer of employment
If you are interested in our programs, we offer a specific formal visiting day for prospective graduate students in order to meet students, faculty and student affairs professionals. The purpose of the visiting day is to acquaint you with the campus, the graduate program, and graduate assistantships available to students.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Dr. Elizabeth Broughton, Professor
elizabeth.broughto@emich.edu
734.487.7120, x2682
Dr. Jaclynn Tracy, Department Head & Professor
jackie.tracy@emich.edu
734.487.0255
Campus Departments that Offer Assistantships:
Off-Campus Assistantships
Numerous scholarships and other types of financial aid are available to all graduate students through EMU's Graduate School. Eastern Michigan University graduates are eligible to apply for the Barton Scholarship through the graduate school. In addition, a number of graduate assistantships/scholarships/fellowships are available for minority and nontraditional students in underrepresented disciplines though EMU’s graduate school.
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Housing for Graduate Students
Eastern Michigan offers a number of housing opportunities for graduate students, including on-and off-campus apartments and single room residence halls. There are numerous apartments/houses available for rent in the surrounding community. For more information call:
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Student Organizations
When time permits, graduate students are encouraged to participate in graduate student organizations. A graduate student may want to participate in the Graduate Student Senate. Another program within a Stude Affairs graduate assistantship is:
B.E.S.T. Program (Basic Employment Skills Training)
Graduate students are exposed to numerous challenges throughout the program. Therefore, the Division of Student Affairs provides a professional program to assist in the personal and professional development of graduate studies. The B.E.S.T. program (http://www.emich.edu/studentaffairs/vp/bestprogram.php) addresses employment skills that may not necessarily be covered through the academic program or graduate assistantship.
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Professional Development Opportunities
Graduate students are provided with many professional development opportunities. The Graduate School provides limited travel funds for conference presentations, research funds, and other supportive activities. The Department of Leadership and Counseling and the Divisions of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services encourage and often provide funds to graduate students for participation in professional organizations.
The program encourages graduate students to attend and present at the annual MMOGSISP conference designed specifically for graduate students in college student affairs programs throughout the Midwest. EMU plays an active role in the conference each year and hosted it in 1994. (Professional Student Affairs Conferences)
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Professional Participation
Our students actively participate in professional activities and have been recognized for their professional achievements while still in their graduate programs. Our students have made presentations at the Michigan College Personnel Association (MCPA), the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA), and EMU Graduate Student Research Fair. Students have also been published in the Michigan College Personnel Association Journal.
Every year a number of our students participate in case study competitions at two major conferences: held by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the Michigan College Personnel Association (MCPA). One of our graduate students was recognized for the "Overall Best" case study at the 2000 National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) conference:
2000-2001
- One of our graduate students, Abbey Parsons, was awarded the EMU Gold Medallion for Graduate Students, an honor given to one graduate student each year by the Division of Student Affairs.
- Another recent graduate from our program was awarded the 2000-01 NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region V New Professional Award
2002-2003
- Students competed in MCPA's and NODA's Case Study competitions. A team received first place at MCPA and second place at NODA
2005-2006
- Students competed in the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Case Study championship at this year’s annual convention. One of our students, Kristen Arnold, won 1st place in the competition. Many other graduate students from the program presented at both national and regional conferences such as ACPA, MCPA, and the COE Graduate Research Fair
2006-2007
- Graduate students from the program presented at various different national and regional conferences for such organizations as MIACADA, ACUI, NACA, and EMU’s own Graduate Research Fair
- One of our graduate students, Sara Carter, won the EMU Gold Medallion for Graduate Students, given by the Division of Student Affairs
Recent graduates have reported on a positive and supportive learning environment with the faculty and the program of study. Several graduates remarked upon the "professional experience" gained through their academic experience and their assistantship. In fact, one former student remarked that "my grad experience with the academic program, the assistantship and other campus-wide opportunities have placed me ahead of my other colleagues"
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About Eastern Michigan University
- EMU is Comprised of Five Colleges and Offers Nearly 200 Programs of Study
- EMU is One of the Nation's 50 Largest Universities
- EMU Prides Itself on Having a Diverse Population of roughly 23,000 Students Representing more than 40 States and 100+ Countries
- EMU has been Recognized by U.S. News and World Report for its Commitment to Diversity
- EMU's Hometown of Ypsilanti is Located in the Heart of Southeastern Michigan
- EMU's Campus is Easily Accessible by Numerous Forms of Transportation
- Ypsilanti's Historic Depot Town is only 45 Minutes from Major Cities such as Detroit, Windsor (Canada) and Toledo (Ohio) and 10 Minutes from Ann Arbor, a Vibrant, Culturally-Rich City that Provides a Strong Network of Opportunity
- One can Find Numerous Concerts, Plays, Lectures, Art Fairs, Sporting Events, Cafes, and Bookstores in the Area
- EMU's Bruce T. Halle Library Provides a Unique Blend of Traditional Library Access and New Information Technologies
- EMU's State-of-the-Art Library Includes more than 1,500 Network Connections and 218,000 sf. of Space Designed to Accommodate a Wide Variety of Resources and Activities
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Additional Information
For more information on the graduate program in student affairs practice, contact the Department of Leadership and Counseling at 734-487-0255. All graduate materials and specific department information can be gathered at the following Web sites:
If you are interested in our programs of study, we offer a specific formal visiting day for prospective graduate students in order to meet students, faculty and student affairs professionals. The purpose of the visiting day is to acquaint you with the campus, the graduate program, and graduate assistantships available to students.
For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Elizabeth Broughton, Professor
John W. Porter Bldg., Ste. 304
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
elizabeth.broughto@emich.edu
734.487.7120 ex.2682
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Last Updated on October 15, 2007
