Values, Philosophy, and History

Values, Philosophy, and History - Professional Competency

January 1, 2015

Involves knowledge, skills, and dispositions that connect the history, philosophy, and values of the student affairs profession to one’s current professional practice. The VPH competency area embodies the foundations of the profession from which current and future research, scholarship, and practice will change and grow. The commitment to demonstrating this competency area ensures that our present and future practices are informed by an understanding of the profession’s history, philosophy, and values.

Professional Development

Progression from foundational to advanced level proficiency for this competency area largely involves movement from basic understanding of VPH to a more critical understanding of VPH as applied in practice and then to the use and critical application of VPH in practice.

In July 2015, the NASPA Board of Directors approved Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators. The set of professional competency areas is intended to define the broad professional knowledge, skills, and in some cases, the attitudes expected of student affairs professionals regardless of their area of specialization or positional role within the field.