The full Advisor Training Curriculum is meant to be experienced as an onboarding program for new advisors. New advisors include those who are brand new to the field of academic advising, familiar with academic advising because of employment at another school, or WSU employees who have worked elsewhere at the university. The onboarding curriculum is also available to experienced advisors. To earn level 1 ATA certification, all 15 modules should be completed within a year of an advisor's start date.  

Advisor Onboarding Curriculum (Level 1 Certificaiton)

The advisor onboarding program is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of academic advising at WSU. Drawing from principles in the Cognitive Load Theory of learning, new advisors will have the opportunity to learn and practice relevant content, following an individualized schedule. Content is stored in modules in a Canvas course which includes reflection and quiz assessments. After each module [link to modules page], new advisors will meet with an ATA trainer to clarify material, fill in gaps of understanding, and discuss practical application. Advisors new to the profession will also be given the opportunity to shadow seasoned advisors within their unit or elsewhere. Shadowing offers new advisors the chance to build confidence and apply competencies learned in training.  

Each module seeks to support one or more of NACADA's Core Competencies as outlined in their framework for effective academic advising practice. The curriculum includes the following: 

Learning outcomes:

• Describe Wayne State University in terms of its mission, history, student body, and physical space
• Describe the role academic advising plays in the WSU community
• Identify, describe, and apply the NACADA competencies to WSU-related concepts
• Articulate the flow of 'the appointment' including associated pre- and post-tasks
• Demonstrate advising tasks in STARS related to student information, conducting searches, and scheduling appointments
• Identify degree offerings and the components of an undergraduate degree
• Explain the benefits of general education
• Identify and describe WSU specific policies as they relate to the process of registration
• Demonstrate the understanding of privacy laws related to advising
• Explain how course placement is determined
• Recall facts about probation
• Calculate grade point averages
• Prepare a 'sales pitch' for prospective transfer students
• Identify reasons for referring students to support services and the offices that offer those services
• Identify and describe areas of supplemental advising
• Assemble a 'pitch' you might give at a recruitment tabling event to 'sell' WSU to a prospective student
• Describe areas of support available through the Student Service Center
• Explain SAP and what an advisor's role may be in helping a student navigate SAP