EDUC 662 Student Development Theory and Practice

This course provides an overview of theory and current research related to student development. Students will gain an understanding of how theory informs best practices in the student affairs profession.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of various theories on the growth and development of students in the post-secondary environment and how those theories relate to the student affairs profession. This course will prepare future student affairs professionals to work with college students at all stages of their development.


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After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to two other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 200 words. Each thread must be supported by at least two scholarly citations and each reply must be supported by at least one citation in APA format.  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Based on the assigned articles, the candidate will demonstrate their knowledge of student development theory and its application to the student affairs profession. Each article review must include a summary of the article and critique of the article in current APA format and contain 400-500 words total. The title page and reference page are not included in the word count. (CLO: B, C, D, E)

The candidate will interview two individuals (a current professional in student development and a current or recently graduated college student) to evaluate the application of student development theory.  Each interview summary and application will have a 400–500-word limit and must be in current APA formatting.  The title page and references page are not included in the word limit. (CLO: B, C, D, E, F) 

The candidate will create a 5-10 slide PowerPoint as if he/she was offering a professional development training for other student affairs staff.  The PowerPoint will focus on explaining a relevant theory of student development and how it can be utilized on a college campus.  The PowerPoint must be in current APA format and include references to the textbook, Bible, and three additional peer-reviewed sources published within the last five years. The title slide and references slide do not count toward the slide limit. (CLO: B, C, D, E, F)

The candidate will write a 8-10 page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on a student development theory covered in the course. The paper must include at least six references in addition to the course textbook and the Bible. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 60-minute time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, E)


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