Factors Influencing Student Affairs Professionals’ Attainment of Professional Competencies

Limited research exists that examines factors influencing student affairs professionals’ attainment of the professional competencies that are expected of them. The study described in this article analyzed student affairs professionals’ survey responses to determine which demographics, pre-professional experiences, and educational experiences impact their attainment of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) professional competencies. Findings revealed there are disparities between the attainment of professional competencies based on certain factors, especially gender, education level, and type of degree.