The purpose of this study was to investigate alternative future developments or events for student affairs programs as perceived by chairpersons of preparation programs for student affairs workers (educators) and to compare these findings with the perceptions of a sample of chief student affairs administrators (practitioners) at selected American colleges and universities. It was designed to reveal specific similarities or differences of opinions between these groups and to estimate the strength of each. The forty-five item, New Directions for Student Affairs Programs, questionnaire was sent to 80 chairpersons of preparation programs for student affairs workers and a random sample of 150 chief student affairs administrators. Each subject was asked to react to each of these items in terms of (a) if and when they felt it would occur (Estimated Period of Occurrence) and (b) if it occurs, the probable impact it will have on higher education (Probable Impact on Higher Education). The overall response rate was 70 per cent (educators, n = 56, and practitioners, n = 105). The responses for both the “Estimated Period of Occurrence” and the “Probable Impact on Higher Education” were factor analyzed. There were eight factors identified with the “Estimated Period of Occurrence." They were: Behaviorism; Demise; Human Development; Towards Academe; Marketing the Profession; Instruction; Professional Assistance; and Reorganization. Seven factors were associated with “Probable Impact on Higher Education.” They were: Student Development; Value to the Institution; Varied Experiences; Extinction; Reorganization; Behavioral Intervention; and Special Services. These factors were used as dependent variables for the hypotheses testing. One-Way Analysis of Variance and Multivariate Analysis of Variance procedures were used to test the differences in the perceptions of the educators and practitioners. The Two-Way Analysis of Variance and Multivariate Analysis of Variance procedures were used to test the differences in the perceptions of the practitioners representing different types (public/private), sizes (0-1, 000, 1, 001- 2,500, 2,501-5,000, 5,001-10,000, 10,001 and above); and type by size. All hypotheses were tested at the .05 level of significance. The data revealed that educators and practitioners differed on their perceptions of the factors related to "Estimated Period of Occurrence.” However, they were in total agreement on the factors related to “Probable Impact on Higher Education.” There was little disagreement between practitioners representing different institutional types, sizes, and types by sizes. Results suggest that there will be little change in the student affairs profession in the predictable future, even though there was considerable agreement on how these changes would affect higher education. The results regarding when these changes would occur were inconsistent with the predictions suggested by the literature. Student affairs practitioners and educators do not appear to be very forward looking in their perceptions of the alternative future developments or events which were presented to them. This finding is supported by the fact that a majority of all respondents selected the response "will not occur in the predictable future" for thirty-five of the forty-five statements listed. Additionally, the population which was surveyed perceived that certain changes in the profession would have a desirable impact on higher education; however, these changes would probably not occur in the predictable future. The lack of possible changes taking place may be attributable to current pressures on higher education. / Ed. D.