Program: Academic Advising Certificate - South Dakota State University

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Apr 03, 2025

Student studying at a desk.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Katelyn Romsa, Associate Professor
School of Education, 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.

Course Delivery Format

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

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing this certificate will be able to:

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for competent ethical practice.
Demonstrate skills, knowledge, and awareness to counsel within a diverse society.
Describe and explain the process of change as expressed by individual and family counseling theories across the lifespan.
Identify and describe theories and models of career development, counseling, and decision-making.
Demonstrate essential interviewing, counseling, and conceptualizing skills.
Identify and apply approaches used for various types of group work.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of standardized testing and other assessment techniques.
Discern evidence-based counseling practices.

Certificate Requirements

CHRD 691 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3 (3 credits required) (Academic Advising Workshop Series)
CHRD 770 - Student Development: Theory and Practice Credits: 3
CHRD 773 - Current Issues in Academic Advising and Student Affairs Credits: 3
CHRD 785 - Pre-Practicum Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 12

Additional Admission Requirements

TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

Admission is open to graduate students admitted to the Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.Ed.) - Administration of Student Affairs Specialization or Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.S.) - College Counseling Specialization . An application to the graduate certificate program will be needed beyond the default requirements listed by the Graduate School. Admission is also open to those who already hold a master’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. For those candidates, an application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Please refer to the following for additional information:

Graduate School Admission
Distance Education

Additional Information

Students enrolled in SDSU certificate programs are not eligible for federal student financial aid. The non-federal alternative loan programs may be used for students meeting the lender criteria as found at www.sdstate.edu (search alternative loans). For further information, please contact the SDSU financial aid office at 605-688-4695 or finaid@sdstate.edu.

Academic Advising Certificate

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus, CloseRapid CityClose