Fueled by our legacy of activism and interdisciplinarity, CSSA cultivates transformative educational practices and professional leadership for better, more equitable futures.
Program Requirements
Successful completion of the CSSA program requires earning a minimum of 54 credits, the majority of which are in the major field of study or CSSA. Students work with their faculty advisor and committee to set their program of study or courses to complete their degree and reach the 54 credits threshold. The full list of CSSA courses can be found in the Academic Catalog .
As part of the graduate experience, students will also complete and successfully defend a capstone project/portfolio (for EdM degree) or thesis (for MS degree). Students will enroll in courses to prepare them for their capstone or thesis. These course credits count toward the degree.
Additionally, students will be encouraged to complete the following program experiences in ways that enhance their current or future career interests:
- Design an area of specialization or enroll in a minor area of study.
- Participate in 1 – 2 internships (for course credit) for 9 total credits counted toward their degree
The area of specialization is designed by the student with the support of their faculty committee. Sample area of specialization include:
- Sports, athletes, and education
- Academic advising
- Student success
Minors and their associated requirements are sponsored by the host department. See the full list of minors.
Full information about our program requirements, including an overview of the capstone and thesis can be found in the academic catalog.
Core Curriculum Content
Our core curriculum is rooted in innovative approaches to student development, student success, student leadership, and community engagement. And CSSA’s academic and cocurricular programming provides students with the knowledge, skills and awareness to integrate and apply social justice practices in varied student affairs settings. Our program fosters discourse, critical thinking and collegiality, enhanced by expert faculty mentoring, expansive opportunities for valuable work-based experiences and leadership development to ensure every student gains relevant exposure to the complexities of a large, public research university.
Specifically, our program is strengthened by:
- professional development opportunities, locally, regionally and nationally
- practical learning experience through internships, partnership and projects
- networking opportunities at the institutional and national level
- flexible degree offerings and delivery modes
- our commitment to upholding rigorous national standards and principles, including those set by CAS, NASPA and ACPA
Course Sequencing Cadence
Outside a few exceptions, explained below, our courses are typically offered every two years. We alternate hosting our courses across the Corvallis and Ecampus program to accommodate students who may take a reduced load and/or need additional time to complete their degree. For instance, CSSA 551 may be offered in Fall 2025 in Corvallis, Fall 2026 in Ecampus, then return to Corvallis in Fall 2027.
Exceptions:
- We offer our internship credits (CSSA 510) and capstone credits (CSSA 514, non-thesis or CSSA 503 for thesis students) every term on both campuses.
- Additionally, we periodically pilot new courses and offer electives that supplement our core curriculum. Students will be notified well in advance when these courses are added and will be encouraged to take them if the content aligns with their program of study.
Master of Education (Ed.M.)
This first degree option, the Master of Education (Ed.M.), is earned through successful completion of all required program coursework and successful completion and defense of a capstone. The capstone can either be a sustained project or a cumulative and comprehensive portfolio. The capstone—portfolio or project route--requires substantial engagement academic research and theories. The capstones are distributed to and evaluated in writing by a committee just prior to the last term of coursework. A public, formal committee meeting with oral presentation and defense serves as the second method of evaluation.
Master of Science (M.S.)
The second degree option, the Master of Science (M.S.), is earned through the successful completion of all required program coursework and successful completion and defense of a thesis. The master’s thesis represents focused and original research systematically designed, conducted, and shared by the student. “Original research” includes scholarly inquiry within a new area, a new topic within that area, use of a new approach or method for studying the area or topic, or an updated or more recent investigation of the area or topic. The thesis is distributed to and evaluated in writing by a committee just prior to the last term of coursework. A public, formal committee meeting with oral presentation and defense serves as the second method of evaluation.