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Academic Advising in Higher Education Graduate Certificate

Do you want to help college students get — and stay — on a path to their academic and career goals? Play a vital role in their success when you learn from the University of Central Missouri how to become an academic advisor. As an academic advisor in higher education, you’ll impact the entire student journey — from recruitment to retention to completion. 

Enjoy UCM’s program flexibility as you study to become an academic advisor

At UCM, we offer an Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate for a quick — and flexible — path to your goals.

You can balance work and other demands and earn your Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate on your timeline, whether in two semesters or several.

You’ll complete courses entirely online — from your home or other location — and at your pace. This includes an elective that will allow you to explore a specialty area — diversity, career counseling or finance, as examples. Pave your way to an academic advising career with the help of UCM faculty who will tailor your education to your needs and goals.

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Contact

Dr. Michelle Conrad
Associate Professor
Lovinger 4200B
Warrensburg, MO
Tel: 660-543-4332
mconrad@ucmo.edu

College of Education

Department of Career and Technical Education


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Earn the certificate on your timeline

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Online program with flexible options

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Satisfy an interest with an elective

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Tailor the curriculum to your goals

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Get hands-on, real-world experience

What you will study

Gain a strong foundation for academic advising in higher education at the University of Central Missouri. You’ll learn the essential components of your work in providing guidance and support that not only retains students but also helps them be successful throughout their academic careers.

Coursework for your Academic Advising in Higher Education certificate

Through core coursework, you’ll understand the different theories related to college student development, as well as how to create inclusive campus environments everyone can thrive in. 

You’ll also choose an elective to expand your knowledge in a specialty area — to satisfy an interest or to fulfill credit hours for your Career and Technology Education master’s degree. With five graduate certificates specific to higher education, UCM makes it possible to earn multiple credentials in a relatively short amount of time. Our Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate pairs especially well with the College Teaching graduate certificate and the Diversity Issues in Higher Education graduate certificate.

UCM’s Career and Technical Education faculty will work with you to plan the right curriculum for your academic and career goals.

 

Unique learning opportunities in academic advising

At the University of Central Missouri, you’ll be prepared to enter the field with extensive hands-on experience. For your Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate, take advantage of these opportunities to put theory to practice:

  • Applied learning: In your coursework, you’ll develop plans and practices you can take to your existing higher education job or your future academic advising role.
  • Internships: Are you currently working in a registrar’s office, for example, but wish to become an academic advisor? If so, an internship can provide the real-world experience you need to enhance your resume and make the transition. Use your elective course to complete an internship and gain confidence in your ability to do the job.

Network with colleagues in higher education

Though you’ll take all courses online for your Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate, you can still enjoy opportunities to make professional connections face-to-face. Consider joining a professional association alongside other UCM students, such as the Missouri Academic Advising Association (MACADA) or the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA).

 

What can you do with a certificate in Academic Advising in Higher Education from UCM?

Upon completion of UCM’s Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate, you’ll be prepared to assume a career as an academic advisor in a college, university or trade or vocational school. You may also choose to continue your graduate education and complete UCM’s Career and Technology Education master’s degree or the Professional Leadership Education Specialist degree for Adult, Career and Technical Education.

How to navigate your path to become an academic advisor

UCM's Career and Technical Education faculty will be with you every step of the way to help plan the academic path that best leads to achieving your career goals. As you consider your options for a career in higher education, use the interactive tool below to explore the possibilities in academic advising.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Academic Advising in Higher Education graduate certificate

The University of Central Missouri wants you to succeed not only in your higher education but also in your higher education career. We offer some of the nation’s most affordable tuition rates and have been recognized by LendEDU as a top-ranked university for low student debt. To ensure your access to education, we also offer means to degree-seeking students to finance your education, ranging from loans to employment opportunities.

Are scholarships available to me?

When completing your graduate certificate alongside a master’s degree, you may qualify for program-specific scholarships. Use the UCM Scholarship Finder to search for opportunities.

 

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Take your degree further.

Take your education and your work in post-secondary education to the next level when you complete a master’s degree from UCM:

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Make yourself more marketable.

Explore other UCM graduate certificates within our Career and Technical Education department to meet goals for your career in higher education:

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Explore programs related to academic advising.

Help college students thrive in their studies. These UCM graduate certificates will help you boost your teaching or advising skills: 

Admission requirements

Admission to Graduate Studies

To submit your application, go to our online application form. You must pay a $30 non-refundable application fee and arrange for official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended to be sent to UCM Graduate Studies. You may also print a hard copy of the Graduate Application and mail it to:

UCM Graduate Studies
P.O. Box 800
Ward Edwards 1800
Warrensburg, MO 64093

Requirements for admission to graduate study include:

  1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (2.70 GPA is required)
  2. Application on file prior to registration
  3. Official transcripts of previous college work

After admission to the Graduate School, your application is then forwarded to the CSPA program. Additional documents required by the program include:

  1. Two current letters of recommendation
  2. Current resume
  3. Autobiographical statement of purpose in pursuing graduate work

These items must be sent electronically to mconrad@ucmo.edu.

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