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Academic Advising Certificate

The Academic Advising (AADV) graduate certificate is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies required to advance their academic advising practices in manners that best support students. Students in the Academic Advising graduate certificate will create their advising philosophy, develop assessment skills, advance their knowledge on inclusion, access and advocacy, and recognize and apply student development theories.

Why Academic Advising?

With an ever-changing student population, reduced funding, and shifting student needs, not to mention a focus on retention and graduation, academic advising has come to the forefront of many universities. This attention requires academic advisors that are able to articulate the purpose of advising, assess advising programs, and meet the needs of a diverse population of students. AADV provides a means for students to master these skills and more in a manner that supports personal and professional growth.

Who Will Benefit from Completing the Program?

  • Current advisors looking to advance their mastery in academic advising.
  • New advisors wanting to develop skills necessary to support student success and personal growth in academic advising.
  • Prospective advisors interested in learning more about academic advising and its practices.
  • Faculty advisors seeking to enhance their advising skills.
 

  • Course Details

    AADV courses are designed to meet the needs of busy students. Courses are offered in a variety of formats including face-to-face, online, and weekend seminars. The program is 15 hours taught at the 600 (master) level. Students will complete four (4) required courses (total of 12 hours) and 3 hours of electives.

    REQUIRED/CORE

    Required Course Name Credit Hours Offered
    AADV 600 Academic Advising History and Practices 3 CH Fall
    AADV 610 Academic Advising Assessment 3 CH Spring
    AADV 620 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy for Advisors 3 CH Fall
    HEA 660 College Student Development 3 CH Spring

    ELECTIVES

    Elective Name Credit Hours Offered
    AADV 630 Special Topics – Seminar in Academic Advising 1-2 CH Fall, Spring, and/or Summer
    AADV 640 Special Topics – Workshop in Academic Advising 1-2 CH Fall, Spring, and/or Summer

    If you have additional questions regarding the curriculum, please email Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu.

  • Credit Toward Master's Degrees

    This graduate certificate may be incorporated into the MS or MA in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS). Learn more about IGS.

    AADV is also incorporated into a track for the MS in Higher Education Administration. Learn more about the MS in Higher Education Administration.

  • Faculty & Contact

    Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu.

  • Course Requirements and Schedules

    Any graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, or UAB employee with a bachelor’s degree can enroll in this program. There are no prerequisites required.

  • Application Checklist
    • New students
      Please note that admissions to the AADV graduate certificate is based upon previous academic work and your personal statement. As you prepare to apply to AADV:
      • Update your resume and/or CV
      • Write your personal statement to demonstrate how AADV will support you in reaching your professional, academic, and/or personal goals.
      • Request official copies of all your academic transcripts to be sent to UAB graduate admissions (more details in the application)
      • Complete the online application
      • Pay the application fee
  • You're Admitted - Next Steps
    • New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page.
    • Current students: Reach out to your program director to learn more about which classes to take and upcoming orientation.
    • Questions: Email OPSEL@uab.edu.
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the admissions requirements for AADV?

    All applicants must:

    1. Submit an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 2.5 minimum grade point average.
    2. Submit a personal statement articulating why you seek to complete the AADV graduate certificate relative to your academic, professional, and personal goals.

    Can undergraduate students take AADV courses?

    Yes, with permission of the program director and your academic advisor.

    Can a student take AADV courses if not enrolled in the AADV certificate program?

    Yes. You do not need to be admitted to the AADV certificate in order to take an AADV course. Anyone in the following groups may enroll into AADV courses:

    • Undergraduate Jr. & Sr.
    • Non-degree seeking, Post-Bac
    • Graduate Students
    • Post-Doctoral Fellows
    • UAB employees
    • UAB faculty
    • Community members

    Can UAB employees use the tuition benefit to pay for AADV courses?

    Yes. Current UAB employees may use the tuition benefits to take AADV courses. Current UAB employees may take individual classes based on their interest and professional goals, or apply to complete the AADV certificate.

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