Frequently Asked Questions
About The Program
About CSAL Students
Admission Into The CSAL Program
CSAL Graduate Assistantships
Completing the CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application
Position Postings
About CSAL Visitation Days
Event Format And Attendance
Preparing to Attend CSAL Visitation Days
CSAL Graduate Assistantship Interviews
Following CSAL Visitation Days
About The Program
Q. Why do students choose to attend GVSU and enroll in the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program?
A. Students choose to attend Grand Valley State University and enroll in the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program for a number of reasons. Some of the noted qualities of the program are its vast curriculum and the opportunity to be treated as professionals while working in a supportive environment. Another attribute is the proximity of the Allendale campus to the City of Grand Rapids, which gives some students the unique experience of being able to work on two campuses. Perhaps the most significant reason is the fact that the program allows students to shape their experiences in a way that will benefit them throughout their professional careers.
Q. What is the difference between the CSAL and the Adult and Higher Education program?
A. The College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program prepares its students on a more theoretical base to enter the Student Affairs job market. Positions include Admissions, Orientation, Housing, Campus Recreation, and similar areas. The Adult and Higher Education program prepares students for working with adult and higher education students and prepares students for more administrative positions in higher education.
Q. What is the cohort model like?
A. Each incoming class of new students comprises a cohort of students to provide a shared learning experience and community. Each cohort completes many of the core classes together. Students choose their own electives to fit what they want out of the program.
Q. How many students are in each cohort?
A. There are approximately 25-30 students in each cohort.
Q. Do I need an assistantship in order to be a member of a cohort?
A. Though it is highly encouraged to have a graduate assistantship while going through the CSAL program, it is not a requirement.
Q. What are the unique components of the CSAL program?
A. The CSAL program has two practicum experiences built into the curriculum, providing ample experiences to apply theory to practice. Additionally, the cohort model creates a dynamic environment in which graduate students have a supportive community to help with their journey through the graduate program.
Q. How long does it take to complete the program?
A. The CSAL program is a two-year, 42 credit hour program with most students taking 6 credits during the summer after their first year. Due to the cohort nature of the program all CSAL students must be full time and begin during the fall semester.
Q. Are classes offered online?
A. The majority of classes are offered in-person. There are few classes that are offered online or in a hybrid format.
Q. Is there an orientation for CSAL students?
A. Yes, all incoming CSAL students are invited and highly encouraged to attend a CSAL specific orientation that is usually held in early August. Both first and second-year students attend orientation.
About CSAL Students
Q. Where do CSAL students come from?
A. Students entering the CSAL program have earned undergraduate degrees from 107 different institutions in 26 states and include students from three other countries.
Q. What majors do most incoming CSAL students have?
A. CSAL students enter the program bringing in a variety of undergraduate majors including business, sociology, art, biology, and a number of others. Having such a diverse range of undergraduate experiences creates a rich classroom dynamic.
Q. Is the program open to international students?
A. Yes, the CSAL program welcomes international students. International students must apply by May 1st for the following academic year.
Q. Are current students right out of their undergraduate experience or do they have prior full-time work experience?
A. Students entering the CSAL program come with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Some come directly out of an undergraduate degree program. Others have been working in higher education or other areas and they realized they lacked the foundational knowledge and the credential of the master’s degree. Some students were actively involved in student affairs as undergraduates and decided early on to make it a career. Others later came to a realization that working with students in colleges and universities can provide a challenging and rewarding career.
Q. What is SAGA?
A. The Student Affairs Graduate Association (SAGA) is an organization for graduate students that are aspiring student affairs professionals. SAGA provides opportunities for both professional and personal development through various opportunities including workshops, speakers, and networking events.
Admission Into The CSAL Program
Q. How do I apply for admission into the CSAL program?
A. Admission into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program is administered by the GVSU College of Education and Community Innovation in conjunction with the Admissions Office. Applicants must first complete the Graduate Program Application, which is located under the “Apply” tab on the GVSU Admissions website (www.gvsu.edu/admissions). Individuals that have not previously applied to Grand Valley are subject to a $30 nonrefundable application fee.
Official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education are required. Transcripts must be sent directly from those institutions to the GVSU Admissions Office. Official transcripts from Grand Valley are not required.
General eligibility requirements for federal aid require a valid Social Security Number. In order to assist financial aid processing, applicants should be sure to complete this field on the application. In addition to the online application, applicants must be sure to upload three letters of recommendation. A printable a recommendation form is located on the Admissions website (https://www.gvsu.edu/admissions/graduate-letters-of-recommendation-42.htm) .
Once admitted into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program, students will be directed to the Graduate School to find additional information about assistantships.
Q. Is there a deadline for applying for admission into the CSAL program?
A. We accept applications on a rollling basis. However, international students must apply by May 1st for the following academic year.
Q. Do I have to pass the GRE in order to be eligible for the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program?
A. No, the GRE is not required for admission into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program unless your cumulative GPA is less than 3.0.
Q. Will I be interviewed when applying for admission to the College of Education and Community Innovation?
A. No, interviews are not required for admission into the College of Education and Community Innovation. However, they are required when applying for graduate assistantships.
Q. When and how will I know that I have been admitted into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program?
A. Admission into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program is administered by the College of Education and Community Innovation in conjunction with the University’s Admissions Office. All required documents must be on file in the Admissions Office before one is considered eligible for admission (see above). Students will receive notice of their admittance into the CSAL program via e-mail and U.S. mail. For specific details surrounding the timeframe for notices, please contact the College of Education ([email protected]).
Graduate Assistantships
Q. What is a graduate assistantship?
A. As stated on the GVSU Graduate School website (www.gvsu.edu/gs), a graduate assistantship is a work opportunity that programs and units at Grand Valley State University offer to graduate students. The benefits of a graduate assistantship include:
- 10- or 20-hour per week work on campus or in the field.
- Opportunities to conduct research, assist with instruction, or provide service to university constituents.
- Tuition assistance in the form of a tuition waiver.
- A bi-weekly stipend over a semester or academic year.
- Paid student parking during the term of their assistantship.
- Experience within their field of study.
- An opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a professional setting.
Note: Grand Valley does not charge a higher tuition rate based on residency. Tuition is based on the program in which you chose to enroll. Visit the financial aid office webpage for tuition and fees.
Q. What is the difference between CSAL graduate assistantships and other graduate assistantships?
A. CSAL graduate assistantships are based on positions that are specifically recruiting students that have been admitted into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program. CSAL graduate assistants and their supervisors agree to perform their duties as outlined in the CSAL Manual. GVSU offers other graduate assistantships that may be open to CSAL students. These positions can be found on the Graduate School website (www.gvsu.edu/gs) and are not a part of CSAL Visitation Days.
Q. Do I have to apply for a graduate assistantship in order to take part in the CSAL program?
A. No, students do not have to apply for CSAL graduate assistantships in order to enroll in the CSAL program. Students may enroll in courses at their own expense or through the use of alternative funding sources.
Q. How do the Graduate Assistants receive their stipends?
A. Graduate assistants are paid via bi-weekly paychecks. For information surrounding pay periods and pay dates, please visit the Student Employment website (www.gvsu.edu/studentjobs).
Q. If I accept a graduate assistantship in housing, am I required to live in campus housing?
A. Yes, graduate assistants that are assigned to Housing and Residence Life are required to live in campus housing.
Q. Is out of state tuition paid for in full?
A. If you have a 10-month CSAL designated contract, then, yes, all 42 credit hours will be paid for whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. If you have a 9-month CSAL designated contract, then all credits will be paid with exception of the 6 credits that are taken during the summer.
Q. I recently received a letter stating that GVSU’s Admissions Office is missing one of my transcripts. The transcript is on its way. May I still apply for a graduate assistantship?
A. No, only students that have successfully been admitted into the College of Education and completed the CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application are allowed to apply for CSAL graduate assistantships and attend CSAL Visitation Days (see below). All required documents must be on file in GVSU’s Admissions Office.
Completing The CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application
Q. How do I access the CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application?
A. Upon admission into the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program the Program Director, Dr. Laila McCloud, ([email protected]) will send a link to each student that has been admitted (without conditions) via e-mail.
Q. Will any other documents need to accompany my CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application?
A. Yes, along with the CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application, each applicant will need to submit: a personal statement that addresses the reasons that they are interested in the student affairs profession and graduate study as well as the skills that they will bring to a graduate assistantship and the CSAL program; a copy of their résumé; and three references. A cover letter is optional.
Q. When completing the CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application, is there a particular way in which I must format my personal statement?
A. No, personal statements are not expected to be submitted in any particular format. However, they must address the reasons you are interested in the student affairs profession and graduate study as well as the skills you will bring to the graduate assistantship and CSAL program.
Q. May I use the same personal statement that I submitted when applying to the College of Education?
A. Yes, you may submit the same personal statement when completing the CSAL Graduate Assistantship Application.
About CSAL Visitation Days
Q. What is CSAL Visitation Days?
A. CSAL Visitation Days is a 2-day event that is held in association with the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program. Each year, candidates for graduate assistantships in the CSAL program are invited to interview view email.
The agenda includes information about both the academic program and graduate assistantships as well as a tour of campus. Time is also provided for candidates to meet with current graduate assistants in order to hear first-hand about their experiences in the program and at Grand Valley. Job interviews for graduate assistantships are scheduled with departments that have openings.
Invitations to attend CSAL Visitation Days will be sent out after the January 30th deadline for CSAL Graduate Assistantship Applications. Please note that space is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Q. When are this year’s CSAL Visitation Days?
A. The 2024 CSAL Visitation Days will be held online via Zoom on February 15 and 16.
Event Format And Attendance
More information about the 2024 CSAL Visitation will be available soon.
Preparing To Attend CSAL Visitation Days
More information about 2024 CSAL Visitation will be available soon.
CSAL Graduate Assistantship Interviews
Q. How many people will sit in on my interview?
A. The number of individuals seated on each interview committee will vary by department. Interview committees typically consist of 2-5 individuals.
Q. How long will my interviews be?
A. Each interview will be slated to last for 20 minutes.
Q. How many additional students may interview for each position?
A. The number of students that interview for each position varies. Applicants will be accepted for each position as long as time allows.
Following CSAL Visitation Days
Q. When and how will I know if I have been offered a CSAL graduate assistantship?
A. Individual offers will begin the week of March 1. The process of finalizing the list of future graduate assistants takes weeks.
Q. Am I allowed to turn an offer for a graduate assistantship down for one that I want more?
A. While a student may turn down a graduate assistantship in hopes of being selected for another, doing so is not recommended as they will forfeit eligibility for that position. The offer will then be extended to another student. There is no guarantee that an offer for another graduate assistantship will be extended.
Q. What if I am not selected for a CSAL graduate assistantship?
A. Not every applicant will be granted a CSAL graduate assistantship upon attending CSAL Visitation Days. Students that interview and are not selected are still eligible to attend Grand Valley and enroll in CSAL courses at their own expense or by use of alternative funding. Students that choose not to enroll in courses are welcome to reapply and attend CSAL Visitation Days in the future. Postings for other graduate assistantships are located on the Graduate School’s website (www.gvsu.edu/gs).