Admission to the JUMP in Student Affairs

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If you are interested in visiting our program, please email Dr. Aaron W. Hughey and he will be happy to arrange one.

Overview of the Application Process

Review of submitted applications is ongoing. Reviews employ a holistic approach to evaluate each applicant’s potential to be successful as students and, upon graduation, counseling or student affairs professionals. This approach involves the submission of materials that allows department faculty members to develop a more complete picture of applicants in terms of academic aptitude for graduate-level study, respect for cultural differences, and relevance of career goals to their prospective programs of interest. Faculty rate application materials and rank the applications according to these categories. Highly ranked applicants are invited to interview with the program coordinator.

After the completion of the interview, admissions decisions are made based on application evaluation (especially the personal statement) and the interview.

STEP ONE: Complete the Admissions Application Process

Completed applications include a various application materials that must be completed by the application deadlines.

Application portfolios should reflect thought, attention to detail, and appropriate effort. You are applying to a competitive graduate program; it is important that your portfolio represents you in a positive yet realistic manner. Please allow yourself at least a few weeks to complete the entire process.

All of the following materials should be submitted in ONE email to cnsadmissions@wku.edu with the subject heading: JUMP in Student Affairs Application.

Once the entire application has been completed, the Program Coordinator will be notified. Note that letters of recommendation and GRE scores are NOT required. Please only submit the materials below:

1. Official Transcript can be scanned and included in the portfolio or official electronic transcripts can be sent directly to cnsadmissions@wku.edu from the National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, or eScript. 
2. A Statement of Interest of no more than 6 pages in length (including a cover page, and page with references listed) that includes the content noted below. This statement should be in APA format, include correct spelling and grammar, and organized according to the prompts below.
• Present your career objectives and discuss how a degree in student affairs will prepare you to meet these objectives. Provide support for why you believe your interests and traits (i.e., personal dispositions, interpersonal skills and experiences) match this profession. Be specific and provide examples from your life experiences.
• Describe your experiences with and respect for cultural diversity. More specifically, discuss how you have formed and maintained relationships with persons from different backgrounds and cultures from your own (i.e., gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.) in both individual and group contexts. How do you maintain respect for these differences? Use specific examples.
• Briefly discuss how you deal with stressful events. Discuss how you deal with your emotional reactions to events in your life.
• Discuss how you are prepared for graduate coursework.
• Three References (listed on the last page of the statement) who can speak to your academic and/or professional dispositions. Include their full names, job titles, organizations, email addresses, phone numbers, and your relationship to them.

1. Background check for Student Affairs. Please select the Student Affairs Follow the directions within the letter. There is a fee associated with the background check. If you have questions or problems while filling out the information, please contact the Client Services Team at 1-800-938-6090. This service is an outside company.

1. An updated resume

STEP TWO: Selected Applicants Invited to Participate in Interview

Based on the review of the application portfolio, highly ranked applicants will interview with the program coordinator.