Chief Advising Officer (CAO) Program: Cohort-Based Leadership Certificate for Advising Leaders
This cohort-based certificate program is designed for advising professionals ready to lead at a higher level. Through shared learning, live discussions, and real-world application, you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and strategies to manage teams, influence your institution, and drive student success.
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Self-paced modules focused on leadership, staff, assessment, and influence
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Live cohort discussions for collaboration
and real-world application
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Spread across 4 months to work alongside your busiest times of year
What You’ll Gain from The CAO Cohort Program
Create a clear
advising vision you
can lead
Develop practical strategies to effectively lead your team
Design an advising assessment plan you can implement
Expand your influence across campus and drive impact
Your Learning Journey: 4 Modules Built for Advising Leaders
1
Vision, Systems & Leadership Foundations
(Modules 1)
Define your advising vision, explore systems and culture, and build a leadership plan aligned to student success.
2
Team Leadership & Staff Development
(Modules 2)
Develop strategies to lead, coach, and support advising staff while building a strong, accountable team culture.
3
Assessment, Strategy & Institutional Influence
(Modules 3–4)
Create an advising assessment plan, apply data to improve outcomes, and strengthen your ability to influence across campus.
Program Description:
Chief Advising Officer (CAO) Cohort
Program Description: The Chief Academic Advising Officer (CAO) Program is a cohort-based leadership certificate designed for advising professionals ready to take the next step in leading student success. This program will help you lead teams, improve advising outcomes, and strengthen your impact across your institution.
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Through a structured cohort experience, you will learn alongside peers from other colleges and universities, engaging in discussions, sharing challenges, and refining your approach in real time. Each module is designed to move you from ideas to action. ensuring that what you learn is immediately applied to your work.
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Throughout the program, you will complete a guided leadership workbook that helps you build a clear advising vision, develop team strategies, create an assessment plan, and strengthen your ability to influence institutional decisions. By the end of the cohort, you’ll have a set of practical leadership tools you can use right away.
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Cost: $895 (standard registration until August 28th). $995 (late registration until September 9th). Space is limited.
Cohort Dates: October 2026 – January 2027 (Registration Deadline, Wednesday, September 9th)
Format: 100% online cohort-based program with four self-paced modules and live Zoom sessions following each module. Live discussions will be scheduled based on the cohort's scheduling preferences, which are collected at registration.
Time Commitment: Approximately 4 hours per module, plus live session participation
Prerequisite: None
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​​Length: 25 hours total learning time. ​​Prerequisite: None. Format: 100% online, asynchronous self-paced course with flexible start and completion.​
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Skills You'll Build: You will develop the leadership skills needed to move from supporting students to leading an advising strategy. This includes guiding and developing advising teams, creating a culture of accountability and support, and applying proven approaches to improve student retention and success. Through cohort discussions and applied work, you’ll strengthen your ability to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.
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Who Is This Program For? This program is designed for advising professionals preparing for leadership roles or currently in leadership roles. This includes senior advisors, coordinators, team leads, assistant and associate directors, directors of advising, and others responsible for guiding advising practices or supporting student success initiatives.
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What Is A CAO Cohort Program? The Chief Academic Advising Officer (CAO) Program is a cohort-based leadership development experience focused on advising leadership, student success, and institutional impact. It combines structured learning, peer collaboration, and real-world application to help professionals build the skills and strategies needed to lead advising efforts at a higher level.
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Instructional Materials: All required materials are included and provided within the program. Participants will need a computer or tablet with internet access to complete modules and participate in live Zoom sessions. The program is delivered fully online through a standard web browser, with no additional software or downloads required. All resources, including the guided leadership workbook, are accessible upon enrollment.
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Other Courses: Did you know we have professional development courses for your colleagues in other departments, too? Explore our Student Success Coach Certificate, Career Coaching Certificate, TRIO Success Coaching Certificate, Financial Coaching Certificate, and more.
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Trusted by 200+ Colleges and Universities for Academic Advising Training
Colleges and universities across the United States use this academic advising training course to strengthen advising practices, improve student retention, and support student success. From community colleges to large public and private institutions, academic advisors rely on this online advising certification for practical, evidence-based professional development and training that can be applied immediately in student interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Academic Advising Training and Certification
What is a Chief Academic Advising Officer (CAO) program?
A Chief Academic Advising Officer (CAO) program is an advanced professional development experience designed for academic advising leaders and current and future directors. It focuses on building the leadership, strategy, and institutional influence needed to lead advising units effectively and improve student success outcomes across a college or university. This program goes beyond advising techniques to develop staff management, assessment, cross-campus collaboration, and communication of the value of advising to senior leadership.
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What does the CAO program teach?
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The CAO program teaches how to lead and elevate academic advising at an institutional level. Participants learn how to build a strong advising culture, manage and develop staff, design meaningful assessment plans, and use data and storytelling to communicate impact. The program also focuses on expanding its influence across campus, forming strategic partnerships, and aligning advising work with institutional priorities such as retention, persistence, completion, and enrollment.
Who should enroll in the Chief Academic Advising Officer program?
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This program is designed for advising leaders, directors, assistant/associate directors, and experienced advisors preparing to move into leadership roles or already in leadership roles. It is especially valuable for professionals responsible for, or hope ot be responsible for, supervising staff, improving advising systems, or leading student success initiatives. Many participants are already managing teams or stepping into roles that require influencing beyond their immediate office.
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Is the CAO program self-paced or cohort-based?
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The CAO program is a structured cohort experience that combines flexible self-paced learning with scheduled live, facilitated group discussions. Each module includes approximately four hours of self-paced work, followed by a live Zoom session in which participants collaborate, share ideas, and apply concepts from the last module. This balance provides flexibility while also creating accountability and deeper learning through discussion.
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How long does the CAO program take to complete?
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The program is completed over four modules, with each module including about four hours of self-paced learning and a two-hour live discussion. In total, participants can expect approximately 24 hours of engagement across the full program. The structured schedule helps participants stay on track while allowing time to apply what they are learning in real-world leadership situations. The cohort is typically spread over about four months, allowing time to complete the modules at a comfortable pace while balancing busy days and peak times at work.
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What makes this CAO program different from other leadership programs in higher education?
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This program is specifically focused on academic advising leadership, not general higher education leadership. It is highly practical and designed for immediate application, with participants completing a guided workbook that yields real outputs, such as a vision framework, staff development strategies, and an assessment plan. The cohort model also creates a space to learn directly from peers facing similar challenges across institutions.
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Will I complete real work during the program?
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Yes. A key feature of the CAO program is the interactive workbook that guides you through building practical leadership tools you can use immediately. By the end of the program, you will have developed actionable plans related to advising culture, staff management, assessment, and institutional influence—work you can bring directly to your role and your institution.
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Do I receive a certificate after completing the CAO program?
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Yes. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate that demonstrates advanced training in academic advising leadership. This credential can be shared with supervisors, included on your resume or LinkedIn profile, and used to document professional development.
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How will this program help me grow as a leader in higher education?
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The CAO program helps you move from managing day-to-day operations to leading with strategy and influence. You will learn how to clearly communicate the value of advising, align your work with institutional goals, and build credibility across campus. Participants leave the program with greater confidence in leading teams, making decisions, and driving meaningful change that improves student outcomes.
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Is this program accredited?
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Yes. The program is offered by an International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accredited provider, ensuring it meets high standards for continuing education and professional development in higher education.
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Can individuals and teams enroll in the CAO program?
Both individuals and teams can enroll. Many institutions send advising leaders or emerging leaders through the program as part of their professional development strategy. Group enrollment options are available.
How can I pay for the CAO program?
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We offer flexible payment options for both individuals and institutions, including credit card, ACH/bank transfer, and paper check. Institutions can also request an invoice or submit a purchase order (PO) to align with their internal processes.
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Can my institution pay using a tax-exempt status?
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Yes. If your institution is tax-exempt, you can request a tax-exempt invoice, and we will process your enrollment accordingly.
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Will this program help me advance into a director or leadership role?
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Yes. Many participants take this program to prepare for or transition into leadership roles such as director of advising or student success leader. The program focuses on the exact skills hiring managers look for, including staff supervision, strategic thinking, assessment, and cross-campus collaboration. The certificate and applied work products also strengthen your professional portfolio.
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