Free Resources for Student Affairs Faculty

In a 2016 CAS market research study, 36 percent of respondents indicated that their first exposure to CAS occurred during graduate school. That statistic speaks volumes about the critical role faculty play in shaping how new professionals understand and engage with professional standards.
​
To support faculty in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) programs, CAS offers a collection of resources designed to make teaching with standards approachable, relevant, and impactful.

Start Here: CAS Overview
If you’re introducing CAS to graduate students or new professionals, we recommend beginning with the following foundational resources:

• CAS General Standards
• CAS Mission, Vision, and Purpose
• CAS Member Associations
• List of CAS Functional Area Standards
• The Basics of CAS
• CAS Faculty Resource Packet
• Tips for Using CAS in HESA Programs

These resources provide historical and functional context for CAS and help students understand how standards shape student affairs practice.

Explore: Program Review and Self-Assessment
Many faculty integrate the CAS Self-Assessment Guide (SAG) into coursework as a way to teach students about program evaluation, assessment practices, and continuous improvement.
Resources include:

• CAS Self-Assessment Guide (SAG)
• Introduction to the Self-Study Process
• Examples of Program Review in Practice

Using the SAG in the classroom allows students to simulate real-world assessment work and prepares them to apply these tools in professional settings.

Focus on Outcomes: Learning and Development
Each CAS Standard includes a requirement that programs define and assess learning and development outcomes. Faculty can use CAS outcome frameworks to enhance instruction on student development theory, assessment, and practice.
Helpful links:

• CAS Outcome Domains and Dimensions
• How to Write Learning Outcome Statements
• Applying Domains and Dimensions in Student Affairs
• Intro to Learning Outcomes Assessment

These materials support assignments, course modules, and hands-on learning that deepen students’ understanding of student learning in higher education.

Stories and Testimonials
​Interested in how your colleagues are using CAS in the classroom?

• Dr. Brian Bourke shared his approach in the Summer 2017 edition of Research and Practice in Assessment (RPA Journal), highlighting how CAS can be used to teach assessment in meaningful and applicable ways.

Have a story of your own? We would love to hear it. Share your experience by emailing [email protected].

CAS is proud to support the educators who introduce future practitioners to professional standards. Your work helps ensure a strong foundation for student affairs professionals entering the field. We invite you to explore these tools and continue integrating CAS into your graduate curriculum.