Academic Advising Certificate

Program Coordinator/Contact

Katelyn Romsa, Assistant Professor
Department of Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 318, Box 507
605-688-6831

Program Information

The graduate certificate in Academic Advising will provide students a grounding in the foundational elements and essential competencies needed for effective advising practice. Academic advising is a practice-based profession intended to aid students in achieving educational, career, and personal goals through the use of the full range of institutional and community resources. The curriculum is aligned with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Pillars of Academic Advising, which are guiding principles affirming the role of advising in higher education that anticipate the needs of 21st century students, academic advisors, and institutions. Topics will include student development theory, multicultural issues, career development, interpersonal relations for advising, and current issues of academic advising. The Academic Advising certificate will prepare individuals for a career in higher education such as:

• Academic advising
• Student success coaching
• Student affairs
• Career counseling
• Academic and career planning

The certificate is intended for students entering the field and for those experienced in the field. The program includes components to assist students in connecting with existing advising networks and professional organizations to support their practice and link them to new and emerging practices that may benefit their work. The Academic Advising certificate will be offered as a stand-alone credential for those who already hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or may be offered in combination with the Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.Ed.) - Administration of Student Affairs Specialization  or Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.S.) - College Counseling Specialization . The specializations are offered at the Brookings main campus and at Black Hills State University - Rapid City.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing this certificate will be able to:

• Demonstrate case conceptualization skills for context for the delivery of academic advising. Students will understand the history, role, and values of academic advising; theory relevant to academic advising; academic advising approaches, strategies, and expected outcomes; and how equitable and inclusive environments are created and maintained. Students will also be able to articulate a personal philosophy of academic advising.
• Apply a holistic, systems, legal, and evidence-based approach to advising. Students will learn institution specific history, mission, values, and culture; curriculum, degree programs, academic requirements and options; institution specific policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; legal guidelines of advising practice including privacy regulations and confidentiality; characteristics, needs, and experiences of major and emerging student populations; campus and community resources that support student success; information technology applicable to relevant advising roles; and engaging in on-going assessment and development of the advising practice.
• Demonstrate essential interviewing and counseling skills for academic advising. This includes creating rapport and building academic advising relationships; communicating in an inclusive and respectful manner; planning and conducting successful advising interactions; promoting student understanding of the logic and purpose of the curriculum; and facilitating problem solving, decision-making, meaning-making, planning, and goal setting.
• Collaborate within the higher education community to develop academic advising initiatives that promote the academic, social, and career success of individuals in higher education settings. This includes partnering with academic advisors and advising networks during professional development opportunities to learn new and emerging practices.

Course Delivery Format

Instruction occurs through didactic (classroom) and clinical experience. Most classes are enhanced with internet supplement.