topic paper

The components of your paper should include a brief introduction with appropriate definitions (written in narrative terms, not bullets) so that the reader can quickly comprehend the topic. The body of your paper should encompass the major issues impacting student affairs, in particular, and higher education, in general, as related to your topic. Be sure to include both positive and negative aspects/opinions. Finally, provide a summative conclusion wherein you express your thoughts as a current/future professional member of higher education. (As you are writing this paper, please keep in mind that in your future career, you may be called upon to respond to this very issue!) It is also appropriate to end your conclusion with ideas for future research by posing questions yet to be answered.

Your paper should be 5-8 pages (not including the title page or references page), 12 point font, 1 – inch margins. You must have a minimum of 6 sources, excluding the Student Services text. APA, 6th edition formatting should be followed to include an appropriate title page with running head and header with pagination, appropriate use of headings and subheadings within body of paper, and appropriate reference page. Refer to your APA manual as I will be a stickler about this aspect of your paper! Also, please make sure that your paper is grammatically correct and that overall readability is appropriate to graduate-level writing.

REMEMBER… This is to be a piece of scholarly writing reflective of a master’s level student.

Other internet resources for current issues, initiatives, and research in student affairs higher education:

www.chronicle.com – The Chronicle of Higher Education (must have a subscription to search, unless you access the cite from a UWA library database)

www.studentaffairs.com – Student Affairs Compass

www.acenet.edu – American Council on Education

www.aacu.org – Association of American Colleges and Universities

www.aau.edu – Association of American Universities

www.aaup.org – American Association of University Professors

www.aacc.nche.edu – American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

www.insidehighered.com – Inside Higher Ed

www.ihep.org – Institute for Higher Education Policy

www.aascu.org – American Association of State Colleges and Universities