Doctoral FAQ’s

Should I consider visiting UGA before applying for admittance?

Although it is not necessary for applicants for the College Student Affairs Administration program to come to campus for a visit in advance of the designated interview day, the department will make appointments for prospective doctoral applicants.

If you would be interested in scheduling a UGA Campus Tour, please go to http://visit.uga.edu/index.php/plan/tours/. Please be aware that the tours are for incoming students, and are not specific to graduate students.

If you are a prospective doctoral student, and you would like to meet with a faculty member or sit in on a class, please contact Dr. Richard Mullendore, Program Coordinator. He can be reached via e-mail at richardm@uga.edu or by calling (706)542-6478. Please be in contact with Dr. Mullendore at least 2 weeks in advance of your visit!

How much emphasis is placed on the GRE in the application process?

Every aspect of a candidate’s application is considered during the application and interview processes. With that said, the program will look for applicants who have a competitive GRE score.

Speaking of the application and interview processes, what is the timeframe for applications and interviews?

As noted in the Application Deadlines, applications for the Ph.D. program in Athens are due the first Friday in January. Applicants that are chosen for an interview will be notified toward the end of January. On-campus interviews will be scheduled for a Friday in February.

Additional information about graduate admissions can be found at the Graduate Admissions FAQ Page at http://www.coe.uga.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/, at the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services Admissions page at http://www.coe.uga.edu/chds/students/graduate-students/graduate-admissions/ or at the College Student Affairs Ph.D. Admissions page at http://www.coe.uga.edu/chds/academic-programs/counseling-and-student-personnel-services/college-student-affairs-administration/ph-d/admissions/.

How do I find information about transportation at UGA?

There are several buses available to students on campus, and an Athens Transit bus that will take students into Athens and beyond. Please visit the UGA Campus Transit webpage at http://www.transit.uga.edu/# for more information. Students with a valid University ID ride for free.

If you have a vehicle you would like to use on campus, please refer to the Parking Services website at http://www.parking.uga.edu/ to register for a parking permit. You will be contacted by Parking Services if admitted to the program. You will be asked to choose several parking lots or decks that you would like to park in. Once the parking registration closes you will be notified via UGA e-mail which parking deck or lot you have been assigned to. Please refer to a parking map for this information. Additional campus maps can be found at http://www.camplan.uga.edu/maps.html.

Am I required to have a meal plan while attending UGA?

No, students at UGA are not required to have meal plans, although there are many food service options available on campus to students.  By going to the UGA Food Service webpage at http://foodservice.uga.edu/ you can find meal plan information and fees, as well as information about on-campus food service locations, and menus.

If you would rather not purchase a meal plan, you can use many types of payment at the locations around campus, as well as Bulldog Bucks.  Bulldog Bucks are accepted at several on and off campus dining locations as well as the UGA Bookstore and can also be used for laundry and printing services. For more information about Bulldog Bucks please visit their website at http://bulldogbucks.uga.edu/index.php.

I would like to learn more about the local area. Where can I start?

Check out www.visitathensga.com for information about events in the local area. Make sure that you request a FREE Visitor’s Guide while you’re there! The University of Georgia Libraries has also compiled information ranging from employment, education and human services to art, animals and restaurants. To check out this site go to http://www.libs.uga.edu/athens/. The Athens Welcome Center can be found at http://www.athenswelcomecenter.com/. Finally, the Athens Chamber of Commerce website may also be helpful to you. It can be located at http://athenschamber.net/.

The Flagpole Magazine is a local arts and entertainment magazine that lists local events. It comes out every Wednesday and includes upcoming events in the local area. The magazines can be found around campus and Athens for free. They can also be found online at http://flagpole.com/.

UGA is located in Athens-Clarke County. Other counties that neighbor Athens-Clarke County include Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe.

Where could I begin to look for housing if I want to attend UGA?

UGA offers family and graduate housing to its students. Information about on-campus housing can be found by going to http://housing.uga.edu/family-graduate. You can find information about different apartment styles and their prices on their website. Please keep in mind that on-campus housing does not allow pets.

If you are interested in living off campus, there are several apartment complexes close to campus and throughout the Athens area. You may wish to check out the Apartment Finder magazine or their webpage at http://www.apartmentfinder.com/.

If you are interested in purchasing a home, you should contact a realtor in the area. UGA is located in Athens-Clarke County. Other counties that neighbor Athens-Clarke County include Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe.

It might be helpful to you to contact current graduate students in the program to inquire about the apartments or areas where they live to determine if it would be a good fit for you and your needs as well.

Where are the College Student Affairs Administration doctoral (CSAA-D) classes held?

The department’s classes are held in Aderhold Hall. The faculty offices are also located in Aderhold Hall.

Occasionally, students are asked to meet for class at the Gwinnett campus. The Gwinnett Campus is located at 2530 Sever Road in Lawrenceville, GA. The Gwinnett campus is approximately 45 miles from UGA’s Athens location.

How does the CSAA program create such a community atmosphere?

There are several ways that the program encourages collegiality among the faculty and staff. Every fall the incoming cohort and all current doctoral students and the faculty get together for an overnight retreat at a location off campus. This provides an excellent opportunity for the full time students to meet and interact with one another, and for the students and faculty to get to know each other.

In addition, incoming students are assigned a Powerful Partner, a second year doctoral student that the incoming student can look to for information, advice and consultation. There are also many opportunities for group work in class and study sessions outside of class.

In the 8990 course, Doctoral Seminar, the students and faculty meet weekly to discuss their research. This is an opportunity to hear what other people are working on and to provide support and challenge to one another.

The program also prides itself on celebrating individual student and faculty milestones, such as successfully defending a dissertation, defending the publishable paper, having workshops accepted at a conference, etc.

There is also a holiday party every year so that students and faculty can get to know one another outside of the academic realm.

All of these things, and more, create and foster relationships that are caring and supportive in order to create a community atmosphere versus a competitive one.