Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Academic Advising [Graduate Certificate]


The purpose of the academic advising certificate is to educate and train individuals to improve their academic advising knowledge, skills, and attitudes and potentially increase college student success and graduation.

Using the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) core values and the Council for Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) for academic advising, the EDLD faculty incorporated the major national goals for academic advisors.

Upon completion of this certification program, students will demonstrate competency in the following areas:

  • Promote student growth and development
  • Discuss and clarify educational, career, and personal goals
  • Understand the institutional, general education, and major requirements of an institution
  • Advise on the selection of appropriate course and other educational experiences
  • Understand institutional policies and procedures
  • Evaluate and monitor student academic progress and the impact on achievement of goals
  • Direct students with educational, career, or personal concerns, or skill or learning deficiencies to other resources and programs on a campus
  • Knowledge of and refer to educational, institutional, and community resources and activities (e.g., internship, study abroad, honors, service-learning, research opportunities)
  • Knowledge of relevant data about student needs, preferences, and performance for use in institutional decisions and policy
  • Knowledge of latest technology for delivery of advising information

Program Admission


Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • Request recommendation forms from two professional supervisors and/or supervising professors that address the applicant’s professional work quality. Applicants may request recommendation letters in addition to completing the recommendation form. Applicants are encouraged to ask recommenders to submit a recommendation letter if this could enhance their application materials. Recommendation forms and letters must come directly from your reference.
  • Please submit a resume detailing their professional and educational experiences.
  • Complete a personal statement describing the reasons to pursue a graduate certificate program in academic advising, including career and educational goals. The essay must be a minimum of 250 words and be reviewed as an indicator of writing ability. 

Admission Process

The admission process for the certificate is as follows:

  • Completed applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • The Office of Admissions will receive and gather ALL required documents. Completed applications that contain the required GPAs, confidential appraisal forms, and the résumé will be forwarded to the coordinator of advising for the educational leadership program.
  • The faculty review committee will review completed applications. Applicants who have submitted acceptable GPAs, résumé, recommendations, and personal statements will be admitted, assigned an advisor, and invited for an advising interview. An application may be deemed “questionable” due to a combination of low GPA, fair or poor recommendations, poor writing ability, and/or statements inconsistent with the student’s goals as an administrator. The full faculty will review these “questionable” applications, giving special consideration to the life experiences, verbal skills, writing skills, educational background, and GPAs.
  • Those persons whose applications are accepted will be notified.
  • All decisions by the faculty regarding admissions are final.

Department Information


Leadership & Counseling | Dr. Devika Dibya Choudhuri​, Ph.D., Interim Department Head | 304 Porter, 734.487.0255, dchoudhur@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Please contact the department for advisor information.

Degree Requirements: 15-17 hours


Additional Information


Course Substitutions/Program Changes - The advisor must approve changes in the student’s official program and substitution of courses before registration.

Courses Outside the Program - The Program faculty have prepared a suggested list of courses. Other courses may be used for electives in this area if approved by the student’s advisor.

Internships - Information is available from the director of the intern program or at emich.edu/coe/lc. Internship placements should be arranged at least one semester in advance and approved by the internship director.

For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head.