CSP FAQ

1. Graduate Admissions Application – apply online at http://www.gradapply.bgsu.edu
2. An official or copy of unofficial transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate work taken at any college or university (Note: application files are not complete without all transcripts.)
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Results - Applicants with an undergrad GPA of at least 3.0 on a U.S. 4.0 scale, or its equivalent from international institutions, are not required to submit GRE scores. Applicants with an undergrad GPA of less than 3.0 on a U.S. 4.0 scale, must submit GRE scores. Testing requirements waived for master’s degree and graduate certificate programs and domestic application fees waived through Fall 2021! 
4. Current résumé that details your experience, including undergraduate student involvement (typically 2 pages)
5. Career Statement (3 pages double spaced; include your name on this document) that address the following points:
   (a) What are your career goals pertaining to student affairs?
   (b) What qualities, characteristics, and skills do you possess that make you a strong candidate for the higher education and student affairs program and profession?
   (c) Describe one issue or challenge facing higher education and student affairs that you hope to address as a professional.
6. Three reference letters and CSP reference forms

1. We ensure full consideration to those who have a complete application on file by December 1, 2019. Others are considered on a space-available basis.
2. Applications are then reviewed by the admissions committee. The committee selects about 50 applicants to invite to one of two rounds of Interview Days (I-Days).
3. Selected students are invited to one of two rounds of I-Days [Round 1: January 31- February 2 and Round 2: February 21-February 23]. During I-Days, candidates learn about the CSP Program and interact with program faculty, current students, internship supervisors, and other candidates. Internship interviews are prescheduled for the second day with some follow-up meetings or site visits on the last day.
4. By early March, candidates submit their internship preferences and internship supervisors submit their candidate preferences.
5. The department Chair and Assistant to the Chair match candidates and internships based on these preferences.
6. Internship offers are made beginning in early March. Candidates will receive only one internship offer from CSP.
7. An approved internship or job in higher education/student affairs is required of all CSP students.
    

Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a U.S. 4.0 scale, or its equivalent from international institutions, are not required to submit GRE scores. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 on a U.S. 4.0 scale, or its equivalent from international institutions, must submit GRE scores. There is not a minimum required score, nor an average that we post of those students who are accepted or enroll in the CSP program.  We do a holistic review of candidates’ files considering their academic background and performance, background experience, career statement, and letters of reference. 

Graduate interns receive a stipend for the academic year. Stipends at BGSU are $11,000. Residence life positions begin in July and have an $12,250 stipend plus an apartment, meal plan, and a tuition scholarship covering 42/42 credits required for the degree. Stipends at our partnership institutions range from $8,750 to $18,970.  (These are 2018-2019 rates; rates for 2019-2020 will be announced when they are approved.)

Graduate interns also receive a tuition scholarship. Typically, the scholarship covers 30 of the 42 required credits although offers may vary.  Additional scholarships are available.  Students typically cover one class fall and spring for two years (12 credits).  The non-resident fee (out-of-state tuition) is included for the covered credits in the first year only.   Eligible students may apply for recognition as an Ohio resident from BGSU after one year.  Using the graduate fee calculator can help you estimate costs. 

BGSU's CSP program offers a wide range of internship opportunities for our graduate students.  Approximately 3/4 of any CSP cohort will have their internships at BGSU and about 1/4 of the cohort will have their internships off campus at one of our partnership institutions.

Interns are placed in a variety of functional areas.  Click here to see list of current CSP student placements. Not all internships are available in a given year. 

Students who work for the Office of Residence Life at BGSU as graduate hall directors or graduate leadership coordinators are required to live in campus residence.  Meal plans are also provided.  

Interns at BGSU often live close to campus, some in one-bedrooms apartment within walking distance of campus (the typical cost is approximately $500 per month), some in shared apartments within walking and driving distance (the typical cost is approximately $375 per month). Other students may live in the surrounding towns and communities in apartments or houses. 

Per our agreement with the Council of Graduate Schools, students have until April 15 to accept an internship offer.  Offers made after that date will have a negotiated deadline for acceptance. 

In addition to the tuition scholarships and stipends that BGSU CSP students receive, there are additional scholarships available throughout students’ time in the CSP program.  Some scholarships are awarded at the time of the internship offer (e.g., Dr. Carolyn Palmer Diversity Enhancement, Dr. Carney Strange, BGSU-NUFP).  Other awards and scholarships are available to students who are currently enrolled in the CSP program to assist them with funding for their second year.  Additionally, students in the CSP program receive professional development funds during their time in the program to off-set the cost of attending conferences and other professional development opportunities.