College Student Development & Counseling (CAGS)

The certificate is for those who already hold a master's degree in higher education administration or other areas but want to gain an advanced knowledge in college student development and higher education administration. The program is individually tailored to the candidate’s specific curriculum needs from the courses offered as part of the M.S. degree. The program focuses on counseling, college student development, the history and philosophy of the student affairs profession, and the organization and administration of the field. The program has a long history of providing its students with practical experience in which they put the theories and skills that they learn in the classroom directly to use. With more than 120 colleges and universities within a 60-mile radius of Boston, we offer many opportunities for students to practice in various collegiate settings. These practicum experiences prepare students to work in entry-level and mid-level management in the field. Typical careers for which students are prepared for include:

• Academic advising
• Student activities
• Orientation
• Career counseling
• Judicial affairs
• Service learning
• Cooperative education
• Residential life

At the culmination of two years within the program, students are required to submit a portfolio that demonstrates their understanding of professional competencies through learning, practice, and reflection. The portfolio is intended to become a tool for candidates to use with potential employers. Students are asked to create two versions: print and online. The portfolio will be separated into different sections that will demonstrate the student’s level of mastery for each professional competency as it relates to the individual’s knowledge base and practice.

More Details

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in College Student Development and Counseling at Northeastern University aims to create mindful, action-oriented leaders in the fields of higher education and student affairs.

• Application
• Application fee
• Resumé
• Personal statement of goals and expectations
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0
• GRE or MAT, TOEFL or IELTS
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal interview with faculty
• Personal meeting with current students
• Masters degree

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

• Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

• 1.Create your application

  Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.

• 2.Submit all required materials

  Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

• 3.Check your application status

  Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.