Addressing helping competencies in student affairs: Analysis of Helping skills course syllabi

Helping skills are increasingly viewed as essential competencies for student affairs practitioners. The purpose of this study was to examine the helping competencies covered in student affairs professional preparation programs. The authors examined 16 syllabi of helping-skills courses in student affairs programs and compared this analysis to previous research on the needs of student affairs practitioners. Some important training areas were universally covered, while others were underrepresented. Implications for training and future research are discussed.