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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

    To meet the needs of busy students, AADV courses are offered online. The program is 15 hours taught at the 600 (master) level. Students will complete four (4) required courses (total of 12 hours) and one 3 hour elective.

    REQUIRED/CORE

    Required Course Name Credit Hours Offered
    AADV 600 Academic Advising History and Practices 3 CH Fall & Spring
    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 621 Advising Hidden and Targeted Populations 3 CH Even Fall
    AADV 622
    Advising Administration
    		 3 CH Odd Fall
    AADV 630 Special Topics – Seminar in Academic Advising 3 CH Even Spring, All Summers
    AADV 631 Advising Transfer Students 3 CH Odd Spring

    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
    • Admission to the AADV graduate certificate is based on previous academic work and your personal statement. As you prepare to apply for AADV:
      • Update your resume and/or CV
      • Write a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining your interest in the Academic Advising Graduate Certificate. Discuss how this program will contribute to achieving your professional, academic, and personal goals, and elaborate on your passion for academic advising or related fields in higher education, such as Housing, Student Affairs, or Education Abroad. This personal statement serves as an opportunity for you to express your motivations and aspirations in detail and explain why you want to pursue this certificate.
      • Request official copies of 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 heammons@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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