Student Development essentially represents the process by which students grow and mature in college. The developmental process is based on developmental theory which suggests that students who experience the rigors of college life for the most part progressively move through social, psychological and cognitive changes or stages. Stage changes are perceived as hierarchal with one building on another.

Students move forward and/or to higher levels based on the degree of challenge or dissonance created in the college environment. If the educational engagement is sufficient students naturally move to the next stage of development. Simplistically this can be seen in the changes in the way one thinks comparing adolescence to adulthood. Ultimately, as the result of exposure to the learning environment, one can ultimately reach self actualization, personal autonomy, affirmation of identity, integrity and principled choices.