Student Development Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Student Development Specialist

Best Schools to become a Student Development Specialist in U.S. 2024

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

In-State Tuition:$9,489
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,560
Admission Rate:95%
Graduation Rate:69%
Total Enrollment:19,722

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

In-State Tuition:$42,449
Out-of-State Tuition:$42,449
Admission Rate:70%
Graduation Rate:69%
Total Enrollment:20,917

Angelo State University

San Angelo, TX

In-State Tuition:$4,495
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,287
Admission Rate:79%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:10,599

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR

In-State Tuition:$5,820
Out-of-State Tuition:$11,640
Admission Rate:94%
Graduation Rate:49%
Total Enrollment:9,445

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC

In-State Tuition:$4,242
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,246
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:75%
Total Enrollment:20,436

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

In-State Tuition:$63,468
Out-of-State Tuition:$63,468
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:92%
Total Enrollment:48,945
Student Development Specialist Job Description:
  • Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Student Development Specialist

Job Duties for Student Development Specialists

  • Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.

  • Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.

  • Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

Technologies and Skills Used by Student Development Specialists

Analytical or scientific software

  • ACT WorkKeys
  • Counseling software

Computer based training software

  • Moodle
  • Schoology

Data base user interface and query software

  • Blackboard software
  • Microsoft Access

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Talking to others

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • Looking for ways to help people
  • Understanding people's reactions

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Student Development Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Student Development Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Student Development Specialist