Academic Advising Certificate
Academic Advising Certificate
The Academic Advising (AADV) graduate certificate is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies required to advance their academic advising practices in manners that best support students. Students in the Academic Advising graduate certificate will create their advising philosophy, develop assessment skills, advance their knowledge on inclusion, access and advocacy, and recognize and apply student development theories.
Why Academic Advising?
With an ever-changing student population, reduced funding, and shifting student needs, not to mention a focus on retention and graduation, academic advising has come to the forefront of many universities. This attention requires academic advisors that are able to articulate the purpose of advising, assess advising programs, and meet the needs of a diverse population of students. AADV provides a means for students to master these skills and more in a manner that supports personal and professional growth.
Who Will Benefit from Completing the Program?
- Current advisors looking to advance their mastery in academic advising.
- New advisors wanting to develop skills necessary to support student success and personal growth in academic advising.
- Prospective advisors interested in learning more about academic advising and its practices.
- Faculty advisors seeking to enhance their advising skills.
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Course Details
To meet the needs of busy students, AADV courses are offered online. The program is 15 hours taught at the 600 (master) level. Students will complete three (3) required courses (total of 9 hours) and two 3-hour electives (total of 6 hours).
REQUIRED/CORE
Required Course Name Credit Hours Offered AADV 600 Academic Advising History and Practices 3 CH Fall & Spring AADV 610 Academic Advising Assessment 3 CH Spring HEA 660 College Student Development 3 CH Spring ELECTIVES
Elective Name Credit Hours Offered AADV 621 Advising Hidden and Targeted Populations 3 CH Even Fall AADV 622 Advising Administration3 CH Odd Fall AADV 630 Special Topics – Seminar in Academic Advising 3 CH Even Spring, All Summers AADV 631 Advising Transfer Students 3 CH Odd Spring If you have additional questions regarding the curriculum, please email Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu.
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Credit Toward Master's Degrees
This graduate certificate may be incorporated into the MS or MA in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS). Learn more about IGS.
AADV is also incorporated into a track for the MS in Higher Education Administration. Learn more about the MS in Higher Education Administration.
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Faculty & Contact
Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu.
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Course Requirements and Schedules
Any graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, or UAB employee with a bachelor’s degree can enroll in this program. There are no prerequisites required.
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Application Checklist
- Admission to the AADV graduate certificate is based on previous academic work and your personal statement. As you prepare to apply for AADV:
- Update your resume and/or CV
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Write a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining your interest in the Academic Advising Graduate Certificate. Discuss how this program will contribute to achieving your professional, academic, and personal goals, and elaborate on your passion for academic advising or related fields in higher education, such as Housing, Student Affairs, or Education Abroad. This personal statement serves as an opportunity for you to express your motivations and aspirations in detail and explain why you want to pursue this certificate.
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Request official copies of your academic transcripts to be sent to UAB graduate admissions (more details in the application).
- Complete the online application
- Pay the application fee
- Admission to the AADV graduate certificate is based on previous academic work and your personal statement. As you prepare to apply for AADV:
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You're Admitted - Next Steps
- New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page.
- Current students: Reach out to your program director to learn more about which classes to take and upcoming orientation.
- Questions: Email heammons@uab.edu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admissions requirements for AADV?
All applicants must:
- Submit an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 2.5 minimum grade point average.
- Submit a personal statement articulating why you seek to complete the AADV graduate certificate relative to your academic, professional, and personal goals.
Can undergraduate students take AADV courses?
Yes, with permission of the program director and your academic advisor.
Can a student take AADV courses if not enrolled in the AADV certificate program?
Yes. You do not need to be admitted to the AADV certificate in order to take an AADV course. Anyone in the following groups may enroll into AADV courses:
- Undergraduate Jr. & Sr.
- Non-degree seeking, Post-Bac
- Graduate Students
- Post-Doctoral Fellows
- UAB employees
- UAB faculty
- Community members
Can UAB employees use the tuition benefit to pay for AADV courses?
Yes. Current UAB employees may use the tuition benefits to take AADV courses. Current UAB employees may take individual classes based on their interest and professional goals, or apply to complete the AADV certificate.
The Office of Postdoctoral Education (OPE) and the Office of Professional Studies and Experiential Learning (OPSEL) facilitate workshops, seminars, writing groups, journal club series, and other offerings to foster academic, professional, leadership, and career development. Participants will be provided with resources and best practices to support:
- Career path identification, job search navigation, including crafting job market materials, and negotiating job offers
- Leadership, mentoring, and networking skill development
- Regular writing group engagement to foster scholarship, persistence towards degree completion, and collegial accountability
Join others in the UAB communities as we learn, share, and support each other to expand abilities and actualize potential. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Do you have an idea for a workshop, seminar, or networking opportunity, share your suggestions here. Do you, or do youknow of a colleague who has expertise that you think could enhance these offerings, please let us know. For more information, please email OPSEL@uab.edu.
Events
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Academic Advising Journal Club
The academic advising journal club provides the opportunity to discuss current topics in academic advising. Each monthly meeting is guided by a scholarly article and facilitated by an academic advising professional. The journal club is open to everyone interested in academic advising.
MARCH 1 | 12:10 to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for the second in a series of discussions on advisor self-care. We will be reading two articles from Thought Catalog that focus on what self-care actually is.
Zoom ID: 838 0424 1887
APRIL 5 | 12:10 to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for the last in a series of discussions on advisor self-care. We will be reading "Emotional labor and professional burnout: Advisory self-care in the age of COVID" from NACADA's Academic Advising Today.
Zoom ID: 827 9998 8382
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CIRTL Local Learning Community
The CIRTL Local Learning Community series is designed to provide opportunities to share updates and results from Teaching as Research projects. Join us for conversations that investigate, report, and celebrate the ways that faculty, instructors, teaching assistants, and other community members apply best practices in teaching and engage in research designed to support student learning and success.
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LEADership Lunch and Learn
The LEADership Lunch and Learn series serves to facilitate conversations related to contemporary topics, concerns, and best practices in leadership development. If you are interested in learning from and contributing to collegial conversations focused on supporting and challenging yourself and others to enhance your leadership knowledge and skills, grab your lunch and join us. Currently all LEADership Lunch and Learn discussions will take place via Zoom only. We hope to return to in-person opportunities soon.
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Research Communication Journal Club
The research communication journal club meets each month to provide opportunities to discuss current topics or trends in research communication. Each session is guided by a scholarly article and is led by a professional in the field of research communication. The research communication journal club is open to everyone who would like to attend.
MARCH 8 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for the second discussion in the Research Communication Journal Club series discussing social media and research dissemination. This week, participants will be reading and discussing "Optimizing the use of twitter for research dissemination: The 'Three Facts and a Story' randomized-controlled trial" from the Journal of Hepatology.
Meeting ID: 837 9642 0600
APRIL 12 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for the third discussion in the Research Communication Journal Club series discussing social media and research dissemination. This week, participants will be reading and discussing "Static vs. dynamic methods of delivery for science communication: A critical analysis of user engagement with science on social media" from PLOS ONE.
Meeting ID: 883 2348 9419
Research Laboratory Management Graduate Certificate
Research Laboratory Management Graduate Certificate
The Research Laboratory Management certificate prepares graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff, who are engaged in science-related research, to effectively lead and manage all aspects of an active scientific laboratory. Managing laboratory needs, such as budgetary and regulatory / safety compliance, is essential for career success in today’s research marketplace.
Why Research Laboratory Management?
Successfully managing a research laboratory requires training in a spectrum of related sub-fields, including but not limited to grant writing, research communication, regulatory compliance, entrepreneurship and personnel management. The graduate certificate in Research Laboratory Management provides learners with the opportunity to master these skills through rigorous, interactive courses led by experienced faculty and instructors.
Why Research Laboratory Management at UAB?
With internationally recognized research-training programs, UAB is one of the premier research universities in the US. Recognizing the need for research laboratory management instruction at UAB, faculty from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the Collat School of Business have joined together with the Graduate School to formulate this graduate certificate. Upon completion of the certificate, you will have earned 15 graduate school credit hours, which may be applied to interdisciplinary degrees in accordance with institutional policies.
Who Will Benefit from Completing the Program?
- Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in improving their research lab management skills for future employment as faculty or research administrators
- Faculty who want to improve their understanding of scientific lab management and research compliance
- Current lab managers and technicians seeking career advancement or transferable skills to enhance employment opportunities
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Course Details
The program is 15 credit hours combined at the 600 (master) and 700 (doctoral) levels. To complete this graduate certificate, students must complete five required courses (9 credit hours total) and select two elective “skill builder” courses (6 credit hours total) to earn the remaining credits.
Required and elective courses are offered in various formats including evening, face-face, as well as online, hybrid or weekend seminar.
Review the table below to see the Research Laboratory Management courses and when they are offered. If you have additional questions regarding the curriculum, please email your questions to sbvarghese@uab.edu.
(total 15 credit hours: 5 required/core + 2 elective)
REQUIRED/CORE
Required Course Name Credit Hours Offered GRD 773 Research Lab Management 3 CH Fall: Hybrid MBA 631 Management and Organization 3 CH See MBA* GRD 706 Grants and Fellowships 1 CH Fall: Weekend Seminar GRD 774 Introduction to Regulatory Compliance 1 CH Spring: Hybrid GRD 775 Research Lab Safety 1 CH Summer: In-person ELECTIVES: CHOOSE 6 CREDIT HOURS IN TOTAL
Elective Name Credit Hours Offered MBA 601 Accounting and Finance 3 CH See MBA* MBA 681 From Idea to IPO 3 CH See MBA* GRD 701 Presentation and Discussion Skills 3 CH Spring, Summer: Online GRD 719 Introduction to Mentoring and Leadership 3 CH Spring: Online GRD 727 Writing and Reviewing Research 3 CH Fall: Online
Spring: Online
Summer: OnlineGRD 745 Communication and Diversity Leadership 3 CH Fall: Online * To look up MBA course schedules and formats, visit UAB's Class Schedule Listing and choose MBA in the Subject dropdown.
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Faculty & Contact
Courses will be administered and taught by faculty in the UAB Collat School of Business MBA Program, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and instructors in the Graduate School’s Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate & Professional Studies; (IGPS).
The partnership of these units provides a unique opportunity to collaborate across campus on an innovative, interdisciplinary certificate program.
Contact Dr. Stefanie Varghese, sbvarghese@uab.edu.
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Course Requirements and Schedules
Any student with Graduate School standing (including non-degree seeking), postdoctoral fellow, or employee is eligible for enrollment. There are no pre-requisites.
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Application Checklist
- To Start an Application:
- New students: please note that admissions to the Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate is based upon previous academic work, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement.
- Application Elements:
- Update your resume and/or CV.
- Write your personal statement to demonstrate how the Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate will support you in reaching your professional, academic, and/or personal goals.
- Identify and ask two people to write supportive letters of recommendation for you. It is a good idea to share your most recent resume or CV as well as your personal statement with them to help the personalize their letter.
- Request official copies of all your academic transcripts to be sent to UAB graduate admissions (more details in the application).
- Complete the online application forms.
- Pay the application fee.
- To Start an Application:
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You're Admitted - Next Steps
- New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page.
- Current students: Reach out to the program director to learn more about which classes to take and upcoming orientation.
- Questions: Email sbvarghese@uab.edu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admissions requirements for the Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate?
- All applicants must submit an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 2.5 minimum grade point average.
- All applicants must submit a personal statement articulating why you seek to complete the Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate relative to your academic, professional, or personal goals.
- Complete and submit the UAB Graduate School Application.
- GRE and MCAT are not required to be admitted.
Can I enroll in Research Laboratory Management courses if I’m not in the program?
Yes. You do not need to be admitted to the Research Laboratory Management certificate in order to take a LEAD course. LEAD courses are great electives for professional and leadership development skills.
- Anyone in the following UAB Student Communities may enroll into the Research Laboratory Management courses:
- Non-degree Seeking, Post-Bac
- Graduate Students
- Post-Doctoral Fellows
- Current UAB Employees, including faculty and staff:
- may use tuition benefits to take individual Research Laboratory Management courses OR
- apply directly to the Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate program.
- Community Members: Birmingham and Beyond
- Any professional outside of UAB who is interested in advancing their skills is welcome to apply to UAB’s Research Laboratory Management graduate certificate. Apply now and begin the process.
CIRTL Practitioner / Scholar Graduate Certificate
CIRTL Practitioner / Scholar Graduate Certificate
UAB offers two CIRTL graduate certificates designed to provide you with opportunities to improve your teaching. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, employees, and community members are welcome to take one or more CIRTL courses. CIRTL@UAB is part of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) Network. Built around the core values of Learning through Diversity, Teaching as Research, and Interdisciplinary Learning Communities, CIRTL is dedicated to preparing the next generation of college faculty. UAB offers two CIRTL certificates:
- CIRTL Practitioner (15 credits) requires courses to help you gain teaching skills to prepare learners to develop, deliver, and assess learning opportunities for diverse populations.
- CIRTL Scholar (21 credits) builds on the Practitioner certificate and guides participants in developing and implementing a Teaching-As-Research (TAR) project to enhance teaching effectiveness. If you choose to complete the CIRTL Scholar certificate, you will also be awarded the CIRTL Practitioner certificate.
Why CIRTL?
CIRTL is a nationally recognized credential for teaching in higher education settings. In addition to gaining skills to prepare you to be effective teachers, earning a CIRTL certificate provides you with a credential that is nationally recognized as a measure of excellence in college teaching. You will also gain experience teaching at a world-class institution.
Who Will Benefit from Completing the Program?
- Current college faculty and instructors who want to enhance their teaching effectiveness.
- Aspiring college faculty and instructors who want to be prepared when they begin their teaching career.
- Future faculty and instructors who want to have “an edge” on other candidates as you apply positions in the next step of your career.
- Anyone interested in gaining transferable skills that will help you teach others by facilitating intentional learning activities.
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Course Details
Still in development.
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Faculty & Contacts
Most courses are taught by instructors within the Office of Professional Studies and Experiential Learning. While faculty in other academic units facilitate some elective courses, the primary instructors for CIRTL are:
- Dr. Stefanie Varghese (sbvarghese@uab.edu)
- Dr. Heather Ammons (heammons@uab.edu)
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Application Checklist
Requirements: Successful applicants will have earned an undergraduate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution with an overall GPA of 3.0. Or they must be currently enrolled UAB graduate students, postdocs, or faculty.
- Postdoctoral Trainees & Postdoctoral Scholars
- Complete the online application
- Contact the Office of Postdoctoral Education to seek Educational Assistance (postdocs@uab.edu)
- Current and New students
- Request official copies of all your academic transcripts to be sent to UAB graduate admissions (more details in the application)
- Complete the online application
- Pay the application fee
- Postdoctoral Trainees & Postdoctoral Scholars
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You're Admitted - Next Steps
- New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page.
- Current students: Review the course requirements, choose your courses, and enroll. If you are not sure which courses to take, reach out to Dr. Stefanie Varghese at sbvarghese@uab.edu.
- Questions: Email OPSEL@uab.edu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of CIRTL training?
- Prepare for faculty teaching responsibilities and increase your marketable skills
- Learn to design engaging, evidence-based learning experience
- Get hands-on classroom teaching experience
- Craft a teaching statement for the job search
- Document evidence of teaching experience
- Learn to conduct classroom- based research to improve teaching and learning
- Balance teaching and research experience for a well-rounded CV
Can I earn a CIRTL certificate fully online? How are the Hybrid and Online tracks different?
Yes, all required courses are delivered in the fully online format. You may choose to complete your certificate by taking only online courses, or by taking some courses in the face-to-face format. If you have questions regarding your personal academic plan for CIRTL, please reach out to Dr. Stefanie Varghese at sbvarghese@uab.edu.
Are there prerequisites? Can I take the courses in any order?
A few courses do have prerequisites and must be taken in that order. The recommended course sequence:
- GRD 705/752 – take one of these first
- GRD 750 CIRTL Seminar on Teaching & Learning
- GRD 751 CIRTL Seminar on Teaching as Research
- GRD 755 CIRTL Practicum (prereq. GRD 705/752 and GRD 750)
- GRD 716 Developing a Teaching Portfolio (prereq. GRD 705/752and 750)
I see that these courses are Pass/No Pass. Will they still count toward my degree?
Yes, when you complete the required courses for the CIRTL certificates, you will earn a credential that will be noted on your official UAB academic transcript.
In most degree programs, CIRTL courses may also count toward the total number of credits required for graduation. CIRTL courses earn you graduate credit; confirm with your Program Director to make sure that your academic degree program has room for you to earn graduate credit in the Pass/NoPass grading format.
What is the difference between CIRTL Practitioner and CIRTL Scholar?
Everyone who earns the CIRTL Practitioner degree is eligible to apply for the CIRTL Scholar certificate. After you complete the Practitioner certificate, apply for the Scholar program and complete six additional hours of CIRTL graduate coursework during which you will design and implement a Teaching As Research project. In short: Practitioner + 6 credit hours of TAR = Scholar.
What is the CIRTL Associate and how can I earn that recognition?
UAB Students, Faculty, Practitioners, and Staff have access to the National Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) Network resources. CIRTL Network resources provide opportunities to learn more about specific teaching topics and learn at your own pace. Join CIRTL National Network at www.cirtl.net.
Because of UAB’s affiliation with the National CIRTL Network, anyone who completes the courses below may be recognized as a CIRTL Associate without earning the complete graduate certificate.
- GRD 705: Teaching at the College Level
- GRD 750: Seminar in Teaching and Learning &
- GRD 716: Developing a Teaching Portfolio
