All advisors, new and experienced, are encouraged to pursue the WSU-developed Level 1 and Level 2 Advisor Certification. Level 1 is designed as an onboarding curriculum for new advisors. This may include those brand-new to the field of academic advising and the university, those with experience in advising and brand new to WSU, or current academic advisors who would like a reference point for advising concepts. The curriculum is flexible and can be planned to meet a trainee's needs.  

ATA Level 2 Certification is intended for advisors who have served in an advising role at WSU for a minimum of one year and have already completed Level 1 Certification. While Level 1 provides an introduction to the advising profession and advising at Wayne State, Level 2 seeks to guide advisors into a leadership role both on campus and in the wider professional advising community. 

Level 1

New Advisors

• Advisors brand new to the university and/or brand new to the field of academic advising
• Onboarding start date provided by supervisor

Level 1 WSU Advisor Certification will require the completion of:

1. Modules 1-10, usually within the first two-weeks of hire
2. Academic Advising Case Study (completed after Module 10)
3. Module 11, 3 months after hire date
4. Modules 12-14, 6 months after hire date
5. Modules 15, 9 months after hire date

Experienced advisors

• Advisors who have been in their position for a year or longer
• The ATA will continue to honor Level 1 certification for those WSU advisors who earned it in the past

Level 1 WSU Advisor Certification will require the completion of:

1. Modules 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 within a month 
2. Academic Advising Case Study (completed after Module 10)
3. Modules 12-15 within 6 months of completing the case study assignment

No formal maintenance of Level 1 is required for any advisor. 

Recognition

New advisors who complete modules 1-15 within the timeline of one year will be awarded Level 1 certification. Advisors will receive a certificate and recognition letter from the ATA, copied to their supervisor, and formal acknowledgement at the annual ATA Recognition and Award program held each December.

Level 2

Beginning Fall 24, Level 2 Certification will include the submission a Personal Philosophy of Advising (PPA) and the completion of a multi-level DEI training. The instructions and materials for both requirements are built into the Level 2 Certification module housed within the Advisor Training Academy Canvas site. Level 1 adviosrs interested in earning this certification can begin the work on their own or reach out to Kate Bernas (ab9599) for guidance.

Renewal

Those earning the revised Level 2 certification can renew their certification through professional development and training.  

1. Training requirements include attending at least four ATA/WSU advisor training events per year (Summit, webinar, training, etc.). Level 2 Advisors are strongly encouraged to attend at least one DEI-focused training per year. 
2. Professional development expectations include participating in one of the following during a 3 year period: 

• Presenting at a professional conference or workshop (ex: WSU Advising Summit, WSU Advising Circle, NACADA, MIACADA, etc.) 

• Publishing in a professional or academic publication (journal, newsletter, WSU publication, professional blog). 

• Serving in an elected role on a University committee (i.e. ASPDC, AAC, etc.) or a professional organization board (i.e. MIACADA, ACPA, etc.) or serving on a conference planning committee. (Please note that school/college or department committees alone do not meet this requirement.) 

All Level 2 advisors can submit their renewal activities using the Level 2 renewal form. L2 advisors can submit as often as needed with reminders annually. Reach out to Kate Bernas, ab9599, for the renewal form link.

Recognition

Upon completion of Level 2, advisors will receive a certificate and recognition letter from the ATA, copied to their supervisor, and formal recognition at the annual ATA Recognition and Awards program each December. Advisors who earn Level 2 will also be awarded a $250 stipend towards an advising related conference of professional development opportunity.