POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Academic Advisor - College of Education
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1158
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Co-Director, Professional Education Services - Advisement
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Dean, College of Education
GENERAL FUNCTION
The primary duty of the Academic Advisor - College of Education is to assist College of Education students in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals and to assist students in progressing towards degree completion. The Academic Advisor - College of Education provides information about teacher certification requirements for the state of Missouri to teach education undergraduate majors, postbaccalaureate students, and Master of Arts in teaching students. The Academic Advisor – College of Education supports student success and retention by maintaining necessary records and files to monitor the academic progress of students, assisting in the development of retention and engagement activities for students, and referring students to University resources that provide assistance to students having difficulty. The Academic Advisor – College of Education visits with prospective high school students, prospective transfer students, and those students interested in changing to a College of Education major. The Academic Advisor – College of Education participates in the planning, preparation, and representation of the College at undergraduate and graduate recruitment events. Advisors in twelve month positions assist with the Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) program.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: At least one year of experience in higher education or in K – 12 employment, preferably in academic advising or a related area in which a knowledge of academic programs was gained is required. Experience in academic advising is preferred.
Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular the ability to work with the public in person and by telephone, are required. Strong verbal and written communication skills, problem-solving skills, and organizational skills are required. Computer literacy is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Knowledge of higher education policies and procedures, its requirements and regulations is preferred.
Other: The scope of the position requires occasional weekend and evening work particularly during scheduled advisement/registration periods. The position may require travel, including overnight travel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides an essential student service of academic advisement to undergraduate and/or postbaccalaureate College of Education (COE) students by being knowledgeable of academic policies and procedures unique to the education and child development programs of Missouri State University; assisting students in the development of academic schedules appropriate for their stated educational goals (including undergraduate and teacher certification); assisting all education students seeking information on education and child and family development programs; and assisting and directing students to resources within the University that provide other assistance as appropriate.
2. Ensures that undergraduate and/or postbaccalaureate students seeking teacher certification meet the requirements in the proper sequence by monitoring the academic progress of advisees to determine their eligibility for student teaching and certification including the achievement of required grade point averages and the results of required MEGA assessments, communicating with advisees about academic or program deficiencies which may cause certification to be denied, and providing viable suggestions for correcting deficiencies.
3. Facilitates the academic progress of students toward completion of a degree by evaluating audits that compare the degree requirements with the student’s academic records, advising them of their projected graduation date, and advising students regarding curriculum deficiencies in terms of course completion and grade requirements.
4. Encourages student success and retention by maintaining necessary records and files to monitor the academic progress of students, assisting in the development of retention and engagement activities for students, and referring students to University resources that provide assistance to students having difficulty.
5. Provides program information on Education Abroad opportunities, the Internship Academy, Accelerated Master's options, and graduate degrees to all current and future COE students.
6. Reviews academic audits to confirm completion of degree requirements before placement of supervised teaching.
7. Collaborates with the Co-Director, Professional Education Services - Advisement each semester to review the upcoming semester schedules, course sequencing, program changes, etc. to assure dissemination of current and consistent information to education majors.
8. Conducts a fair and efficient transfer advising experience to all prospective COE students by disseminating current transfer guide information, developing program planning guides and academic schedules, and assuring that transfer courses are correctly evaluated during the transfer process.
9. Works with advisors and personnel at the MSU Outreach campuses, including West Plains, Neosho, Cassville, Nevada, Lebanon, and Camdenton, which offer the MSU elementary education degree and child and family development degree.
10. Represents the College of Education and participates in the planning of all recruitment events and opportunities including occasional travel to state-wide events and transfer recruitment opportunities including, but not limited to speaking to OTC classes, attending MSU admission office transfer initiatives, Showcase, Majors Fair, Admitted Student Day, etc.
11. Meets with prospective high school and transfer students and their parents in scheduled group sessions or individually throughout the year.
12. Assists in the maintenance of advisement office web pages and social media, develops transfer student web pages, and assists with reports used in the monitoring process.
13. Assists with the Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration (SOAR) program as appropriate.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Co-Director, Professional Education Services - Advisement.
13. Contributes to the overall success of the Education Advisement Center by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Academic Advisor - College of Education is supervised by the Co-Director, Professional Education Services - Advisement and generally exercises no supervision of others.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED APRIL 2019
