Student development theories provide frameworks that give educators different ways to look at and understand college students’ growth and development. These theories fall into one of five different areas:

Psychosocial. Psychosocial theories focus on student self-reflection and considers how students’ views of their identities develop when they go through conflicts and difficulties. Higher education administrators may use psychosocial theories when helping students to resolve conflicts with one another or when framing discussions about race, gender, and sexual orientation with students.
Cognitive-structural. Cognitive-structural theories explore how students interpret and bring meaning to their experiences. They can help higher education administrators to create learning experiences that challenge student beliefs and encourage students to reflect and reconsider their views.
Person-environment. Person-environment theories consider how the college environment impacts a student’s growth and behavior. Higher education professionals use them to plan activities and programs that foster a sense of community among students and to help students transition to college life academically and socially.
Humanistic existential. Humanistic existential theories explore the relationships students have with others and society, focusing on the conditions needed for growth. Higher education administrators use these theories to counsel and advise students, as well as design programs that promote healthy living.
Student developmental process models. Student developmental process models provide an order of steps or decisions that should be taken to complete a task. Student development process models outline steps to help guide the use of the theories that support student development.