Master Advisor Certification

Seminar Requirement:

Attendance at the Master Advisor Seminar (usually offered over Fall break) will satisfy this requirement.

3 Master Advisor Events:

Workshops, luncheons, professional development sessions, attending conferences, and/or advising-related activities that relate to the needs of your particular academic program or advising office count as Master Advisor events. Master Advisor Events should be completed prior to April 1st.

Personal Advising Reflection

This is due after the other requirements are completed, and should be a reflection of how your view of advising has changed or updated after completion of Master Advisor related events at NKU.

Master Advisors are encouraged to recertify every 3 years. In order to recertify, advisors must complete the following requirements:

• Complete six (6) Master Advisor Events (2 or more per year) within 3 years of the last certification.
• After completing the requirements, recertifying Master Advisors should send a request for renewal of certification and updated advising reflection to the Master Advisor Committee via the Norse Advising office. 

Advisors must submit an application to the Master Advisor Committee in order to be considered for Senior Master Advisor status. Applications and all required documents must be submitted by April 1.

• The application for Senior Master Advisor status must be filled out by the advisor who is requesting Senior Master Advisor status.
• The application must include one letter of reference from an NKU employee (preferably the applicant’s supervisor) supporting the applying advisor receiving Senior Master Advisor status.
• The application must include a copy of the applicant’s written personal advising philosophy.
• The Master Advisor Committee will review applications and will select individuals to move forward in the Senior Master Advisor certification process.

Applicants will be notified whether or not their application for Senior Master Advisor status has been accepted before the Outstanding Advisor Awards Breakfast in late April/early May.

NOTE: Acceptance of the application does not make one a Senior Master Advisor.

Completion of the following items within 12 months of submitting the Senior Master Advisor application makes one a certified Senior Master Advisor:

Senior Master Advisor candidates will be assigned a mentee (a newly-certified Master Advisor OR a newly-hired advisor) who is from a different academic department than their own. The Senior Master Advisor Candidate will mentor the advisor over the course of the 12 months following acceptance of the application.

Please note the mentoring requirements which are detailed below:

• Senior Master Advisor candidates must attend at least two (2) Master Advisor activities (workshops, luncheons, conferences, or professional development training) during the 12 months following acceptance of their application.
• Senior Master Advisor candidates must be actively involved in the advising community. This includes but is not limited to attending Advising Council meetings and attending Master Advisor events.
• Senior Master Advisor candidates will be responsible for facilitating a workshop, professional development seminar, or advisor training session.
  • The Master Advisor workshops and training sessions are opportunities for faculty and staff advisors to come and ask questions or discuss advising-related topics with advisors from across the university.
  • Senior Master Advisor Candidates should be prepared to facilitate discussions at these events and must attend at least four (4) of these events during the 12 months following acceptance of their application.

In order to remain a Senior Master Advisor, individuals must complete the requirements for Master Advisor recertification AND at least three (3) of the following requirements every three (3) years:

• Serve as a mentor to new advisors or advisors seeking certification or recertification
• Be actively involved in the Advising Council
• Facilitate workshops or advisor training sessions with Master Advisor candidates
• Represent advising on a University committee(s)
• Present or serve as an advising representative of NKU on a national, regional, or state committee (ex. NACADA, KACADA, or a discipline specific professional organization)
• Publish an advising-related article in a professional journal/publication

Individuals who are considering this status can submit a portfolio to the Master Advisor Committee, or may be selected as an honorary Advisor of Distinction.

It is reserved for advisors who are active university citizens and who have significantly impacted academic advising. Senior Master Advisors who have met the requirements below are eligible for this status.

Advisors must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for the Advisor of Distinction status:

• Successfully complete a minimum of two cycles of mentoring as a Senior Master Advisor (minimum 4 years total as a Senior Master Advisor)
• Demonstrate leadership at Northern Kentucky University
• Demonstrate an impact on advising practices at Northern Kentucky University

Advisors of Distinction will retain their status while they remain in an advising-related role at NKU. No recertification is necessary. These individuals may elect to serve as a mentor to new Master Advisors from year to year; however, they will not be required to do so.