University of Cincinnati Master Advisor FAQ
For more information contact ned.donnelly@uc.edu
October, 2008
What is it?
Master Advisor is becoming a recognized credential nationally although it varies by
individual institution.
What's the purpose?
Academic advising does not yet have a state or national license or certification process.
The MA Serves a similar purpose, but is institution-specific.
Who is sponsoring it?
Ned Donnelly from the UC office of the registrar is coordinating it. The panel of
advisors are UC administrators and faculty volunteers.
Why is UC doing this?
This is part of the purpose of the advising resource center which was created as a way to
provide central resources for advisors and program development.
Is there a cost?
There is no cost to participants.
Who's involved?
The coordinator (Ned), a panel of 4 administrators and faculty, and participants. A
culminating ceremony attended by invited colleagues and UC leaders is held in the spring
quarter.
What's the time commitment?
The most intense part of the program takes place in the initial three academic quarters of
the first year when the goal setting, workshops, and portfolio activity takes place. There
is an expectation that self-paced professional development continue thereafter.
What do I have to do?
Areas of focus will include:
1. Goal Area 1: Technology, data collection, analysis, budget, or policy
development.
2. Goal Area 2: Advising program development, mission statement, group advising,
or new staff mentoring
3. Goal Area 3: Advisor effectiveness, legal issues, multicultural populations, or
assessment
4. Goal Area 4: History of advising , theory, philosophy, or advising ethics
5. Goal Area 5: Research, journal article, professional association contribution, or
leadership
For more information see the program syllabus.
What's the payoff for me?
MA gives you the structure and support from peers and mentors to accomplish your own
professional development goals. You can leverage these goals for career advancement
here at UC and beyond.
How do I maintain the MA credential at UC?
The state of Ohio requires 36 contact hours per year so that’s the standard we’ll use. A
contact hour is defined as an hour of formal or information professional development
activity. Contact hours can come in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEU),
quarter hours, semester hours, workshops or individual work. 1 CEU=10 contact hours, 1
semester hour=30 hours, 1 quarter hour=20 hours.