Community College Academic Advisor Certification
Practical online training for advising in community colleges, technical colleges, and two-year institutions, focused on student success, retention, and completion, transfer planning, and real-world advising skills specifically for the two-year college setting.
Self-paced, 25-hour online program for busy advisors
Built for community college advisors
Immediate tools you can use in your next meeting
What You’ll Gain from This Community College Advising Certificate
Proven coaching frameworks (GROW, Appreciative Advising, etc.) for real situations
Practical strategies to increase student retention across diverse populations
Confidence using advising tools and theory in everyday practice
Stronger advising conversations that build persistence, motivation, and belonging
Your Learning Journey: 8 Modules Built for Community College Advising
1
Community College Foundations & Student Realities
(Modules 1–2)
Understand the mission, structure, and impact of community colleges, technical colleges, and two-year institutions. Explore the diverse student populations they serve and learn how academic and life barriers shape student success, persistence, and completion.
2
Student Development Theory, Advising Skills & Communication
(Modules 3–5)
Apply advising frameworks and communication strategies designed for community college students. Build skills in active listening, inquiry-based advising, and effective interactions that strengthen relationships and support student success across advising environments.
3
Coaching Completion, Retention & Real-World Application
(Modules 6–8)
Use coaching models and retention strategies to support community college student persistence and belonging. Apply your learning through case studies, career development planning, and practical advising scenarios that strengthen long-term student success.
A Fully Interactive Learning Experience
Short, engaging video lessons & examples
Team discussion guides for group learning
Case studies, challenges, & self-reflections
Access to the
"Ask the Network" community
Downloadable worksheets and advising tools
Live Workbook That's Downloadable Upon Completion
Discussion boards for reflection and idea sharing
Knowledge Check Quizzes
Throughout
Academic Advising Training Course Demo: See What You’ll Learn
Course Description:
Community College Academic Advising Certification Course
Course Description: This community college academic advising training course equips advisors with the knowledge and strategies needed to improve student retention, persistence, and success in community colleges, technical colleges, and two-year institutions. Grounded in proven advising theories and best practices, the course focuses on practical, actionable techniques that can be applied immediately in real advising conversations.
Participants will learn how to build student belonging, identify and address academic and life barriers, and guide community college students, including part-time, non-traditional, and adult learners, toward clear academic, transfer, and career goals. Throughout the course, learners complete an interactive advising workbook designed to turn concepts into real-world strategies they can use right away. Enrollment also includes a free Student Success Worksheet Bundle, providing additional tools to support ongoing advising practice.
Cost: $395 per person. Contact us for group pricing and institutional discounts.
Length: 25 hours total learning time. Prerequisite: None. Format: 100% online, asynchronous self-paced course with flexible start and completion.
Skills You'll Build: In this course, you’ll develop the practical skills needed to succeed as a community college advisor, including active listening and inquiry-based advising that builds trust quickly, goal-setting conversations that move students toward action, and strategies for supporting undecided, adult, online, part-time, and at-risk students. You’ll also learn how to apply retention models, foster a sense of belonging, and guide two-year students through clear academic and transfer pathways that improve long-term success.
Who Is This Course For? This community college academic advisor training course is designed for both new and experienced academic advisors working in community colleges, technical colleges, and two-year institutions. It’s also a strong fit for community college staff focused on improving two-year student retention and completion. Whether you’re just getting started in advising or bringing years of experience, this course provides practical strategies you can apply immediately.
What Is A Community College Academic Advisor Training Certificate? An academic advisor training certificate is a professional development program that equips advisors with the skills, strategies, and frameworks needed to improve community college student retention and completion, strengthen advising conversations across diverse student populations, and support student success and transfer planning.
Instructional Materials: All required materials are included in the course and are available instantly upon enrollment. Participants can access the training using a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection and a standard web browser. No additional software or downloads are required.
Accessibility Features: This course is designed to support a wide range of learners, with built-in accessibility features such as alternative text for images, screen reader compatibility, full keyboard navigation, mobile-responsive design, and high color contrast for readability. The course also includes clear, intuitive navigation to ensure a seamless and user-friendly learning experience for all participants.
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, Director of Advisor Training Cohort, and more.
Testimonials: What Academic Advisors Are Saying
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 The Community College Advising Training and Certification
What is a community college academic advising certificate?
A community college academic advising certificate is a professional development credential that demonstrates training in core advising skills such as student communication, goal setting, retention strategies, and supporting student success. This course provides practical, evidence-based training that academic advisors and student services professionals can apply immediately in their work with students.
What does a community college academic advisor training course teach?
This course teaches the core skills and strategies needed for effective community college advising. You’ll learn how to support diverse student populations, address academic and life barriers unique to two-year students, apply advising and retention theories, and guide students through goal setting, academic planning, and transfer pathways. The course also covers communication skills, coaching models, and techniques to build student belonging and improve retention outcomes for community college students.
How is this course different from the general Academic Advising for Retention and Success course?
Both courses teach core advising skills, including communication, coaching frameworks, and strategies to improve student retention and success. The Community College Academic Advising course is specifically designed for community colleges, technical colleges, and two-year institutions, with a deeper focus on diverse student populations, transfer pathways, and real-world academic and life barriers.
If you work in a community college setting, this course provides more targeted, relevant, and immediately applicable strategies for your students.
Is this community college academic advising course self-paced?
Yes. This is a fully online, self-paced academic advising training course. Participants can start anytime and complete the course on their own schedule, making it ideal for busy academic advisors and teams.
How long does it take to complete the academic advising training?
Most participants complete the course in approximately 20-25 hours total. Because the course is self-paced, you can complete it faster or spread it out, depending on your schedule. This academic advising certificate course combines short video lessons, practical tools, and applied exercises designed for real-world advising scenarios.
Who should take this academic advising professional development course?
This course is designed for community college academic advisors. It is valuable for both new advisors building foundational skills and experienced professionals looking to strengthen their advising approach and improve student outcomes. This course is part of a broader set of professional development programs designed for academic advisors, student success coaches, and higher education professionals.
Do I receive a certificate after completing the community college academic advisor training?
Yes. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate that can be shared with supervisors, included on your resume, or used for professional development documentation. The certificate demonstrates your commitment to improving advising practices and supporting student success.
How can I pay for the course?
We accept a variety of payment options from individuals and institutions, including credit card, ACH/bank transfer, and paper check. Organizations can also request an invoice or purchase order (PO) to support institutional payment processes.
Can I purchase this professional development course as tax-exempt?
Yes. If your community college is tax-exempt, you can request a tax-exempt invoice.
Is this community college academic advising course accredited?
Yes. This course is offered by an International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accredited provider, ensuring it meets recognized standards for continuing education and professional development for higher education employees.
What level of experience is this academic advisor training designed for?
This community college academic advising training course is designed for all experience levels, including new advisors and experienced professionals looking to strengthen their advising skills and improve student outcomes at community colleges, technical colleges, and two-year campuses.
Is this course suitable for individuals or teams?
Both. Individuals can enroll at any time, and institutions can enroll teams of advisors or student services staff. Group pricing and coordinated enrollment options are available for colleges and universities. Many institutions enroll teams across multiple courses to build a shared approach to student success across advising, career services, and student support.
I want to get into community college advising. Will this course help me get a job as an academic advisor?
Yes. Many learners take this course to prepare for academic advising roles in community colleges, technical colleges, and student success programs. It provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills employers look for in new advisors, along with real-world strategies you can apply immediately.
What is community college academic advising?
Community college academic advising is a student support function focused on helping students navigate academic programs, overcome barriers, set goals, and stay on track to complete their degrees or transfer to four-year institutions. It often includes working with diverse, non-traditional, part-time, and first-generation students.