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Kansas State University

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Program

What academic programs are available in the Academic Advising area?

Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising
Master of Science degree in Academic Advising

Is there a Ph.D. program in this field?

We don’t offer a Ph.D. program at this time.

How long has the program been in existence?

The Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising started in Fall 2004 and the MS degree was approved in January 2008.

Is this an accredited program?

K-State is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation information for the College of Education can be found online.

If I already hold a master’s degree in education (or related area) do I complete the graduate certificate program or is the Master of Science in Academic Advising a better option?

This would be a personal decision based on your needs. Some institutions vary on requirements when hiring academic advisors.

Would the distance education classes I would take appear differently on a transcript than regular on-campus classes?

Distance classes do not have special distinction on your transcript.

Would I need to complete the graduate certificate in a certain length of time?

If you take one class per term, you can reasonably finish the graduate certificate in about two years. If you take two classes per term, you could finish the coursework in about one year. If you do not take classes in consecutive terms and you do not take classes for two years, you are put on an inactive status and must reapply to the program.

Would I need to complete the master’s degree in a certain length of time?

We would encourage you to finish within a reasonable time frame. If you take one class per term, you can reasonably finish the MS degree in three and a half years. You could take two classes per term and finish the coursework in less than two years. If you do not take classes in consecutive terms and you do not take classes for two years, you are put on an inactive status and must reapply to the program. Credits earned more than six years prior to the semester in which the program of study is approved cannot be accepted.

Where do graduates of this program find employment?

The following link at the NACADA site provides a list of openings by region: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/PositionAnnouncements/index.htm. Students should seek out and visit with offices that hire academic advisors to see what they are looking for when they hire someone to advise students. This varies by college and by region.

About the Application Process

Where do I send application materials?

You would send your application materials to the College of Education Graduate Studies Office, Dona Deam, Bluemont Hall 018, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.

What must be submitted as part of the application process?
  • Transcripts from all other higher education schools attended.
  • Statement of objectives explaining why you are interested in the program and how it fits with your career goals.
  • The Online application. Mail in the confirmation page once you have submitted your online application.
  • $40 must accompany the master’s degree application.
Do I need to submit a GRE score?

If you have completed only a bachelor’s degree and have a cumulative grade point average below a 3.0, you are required to submit current Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores.

What do I need to do if I am currently in the graduate certificate program and want to transfer to the master’s program?

You will need to submit a new application for the Master of Science degree, but you won’t need to submit your transcripts again.

Is there an application fee for either the master’s degree or graduate certificate program?

There is no application fee for the graduate certificate program but there is a $40 application fee for the master’s program. If you decide to apply for the master’s program after you complete the graduate certificate program, you must submit the $40 application fee.

How long would my application process take to complete?

You will receive a letter from Kansas State University approximately eight to ten weeks after all of your application materials are received. Once your application materials are received by the Graduate Studies Office, the department will review all materials and then make a recommendation to the Graduate School. Upon admission, letters are sent from the Graduate School.

Are letters of recommendation required?

Letters of recommendation are not required.

If I received a bachelor’s degree in something other than education, would I need any additional coursework to start the master’s degree in Academic Advising?

A bachelor’s degree in any area is acceptable.

Program Logistics

Can I register for a class at any time during the term or are there opening and closing dates?

There are set opening and closing dates for each term. Enrollment for the spring term begins in October and ends when classes start in January. Enrollment for the summer and fall terms start in March and ends when the classes begin in May, June, or August. Check the K-State Calendar for specific dates.

How many classes should I take each term?

That depends on your personal schedule and ability to handle the class material. You should take one or two classes per term.

How long are the terms for these classes?
  • Fall and spring terms are 15 weeks.
  • Summer classes can be four, eight, or twelve weeks.
Would I need to complete the classes in a certain order?

There is no specific order for the classes. Classes are offered on a rotational basis. You may take the classes in the order that works best for you

Where can I find a schedule of the available classes?

There is a listing of the classes through Fall 2011 (pdf). This is intended to help students plan for both the graduate certificate and the master’s degree.

Do I need to come to campus for orientation or is there an online orientation?

You do not need to come to campus for any face-to-face sessions. There is an online orientation to the Graduate School, and information will be included with your acceptance letter.

Would I have an advisor assigned once I am accepted into the program?

If you are in the master’s degree program, you will have an advisor assigned and be able to contact him/her by e-mail or phone.

Would I be able to complete the master’s and graduate certificate programs entirely online?

You will need a computer that can connect to the Internet with specific browser requirements. The K-State computer readiness test will help you determine if your computer has the optimal configuration for taking online classes.

How would I submit my class assignments?

Assignments are submitted via e-mail or by using K-State Online, an Internet-based learning management system, which transforms the everyday classroom into interactive web sessions for K-State's on-campus and distance education communities.

Can I work on my distance learning classes at any time during the day?

The classes are structured in a manner so you can do the coursework at your own convenience. Communication with others in your class may take place by message boards and e-mail, depending on how your instructor has designed the class. Assignments should be completed by specific dates set by your instructor.

Will the class material be presented in video format or through reading materials?

Classes are made up of readings, videos, discussion boards, or other online learning activities. Classes vary in format.

Will I have any tests throughout the term and would I need to find a proctor for them?

There may be quizzes, tests, or papers. However, you will not be required to have a proctor.

Is obtaining the class materials difficult?

You can use Varney’s Bookstore or other online vendors to obtain textbooks. Some materials may be ordered from NACADA.

How will I know which textbook I need?

Check the course information packet for information on the class you are taking. If that information is not available, check the DCE course search page and search for the appropriate class.

What are the drop/refund dates for the classes?

Each class has different drop/refund dates, so be sure and check the specific class for its drop/refund dates. There is a general drop policy listed on the DCE website.

The Master of Science Degree in Academic Advising requires an electronic portfolio as a capstone activity. Where can I find information for this?

Information on the portfolio requirements is available on the Academic Advising website.

Does the electronic portfolio require a student to physically apply theories in an academic setting, or can they be more theoretical (for example, for a stay-at-home mom)?

See the academic advising website for a pdf file on portfolio requirements. There are several options. Your advisor can consult with you to determine the optimal portfolio option for your situation.

Is there online access available to the K-State Library?

You have online access to K-State University Libraries and all of its resources – journals, interlibrary loan, etc.

Tuition and Financial Aid

What is the cost for this program?

The 2009-2010 school year tuition/fees are $393 per graduate credit hour. Tuition is set by the Kansas Board of Regents each academic year (Fall-Summer). Tuition/fees may change at the beginning of each academic year.

Does the tuition rate change depending on in-state or out-of-state residency?

No, the cost is the same for everyone. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay the continuing education tuition rate.

Do I have to pay for the class when I enroll?

No, you are billed through the K-State Cashier’s office. You will be sent notification through your K-State e-mail account that your E-bill is available for viewing. For more on payment information, see the DCE website on Tuition/Fees. You can also log into iSIS to see your account summary. Step-by-step instructions on how to access your E-bill through iSIS can also be found on the K-State website.

Is financial aid available for this program?

Financial aid is available for the master’s degree but not for the graduate certificate program. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information. Applying for financial assistance almost always begins with completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit a FAFSA, you are applying for federal loans and work-study funding.

Are there any scholarships available for students enrolled in the academic advising program?

There are no scholarships specific to the academic advising program, but you can review the list of general scholarships available through K-State and the Division of Continuing Education.

Other Information

E-mail correspondence from K-State is sent to my K-State e-mail account, and I want the e-mails forwarded to another account. How do I do this?

It is important to check your K-State e-mails for important information. You can sign in to K-State using your eID and password. You can forward your K-State e-mails by following the directions under “E-mail settings.”

I am in the final term of the Academic Advising graduate certificate program. What do I need to do to officially complete the program and receive the certificate?

Contact Cassandra Walker to tell her you are finishing your last class. She will complete the required paperwork for the Graduate School, and a certificate will be processed. Allow six to eight weeks for your certificate to reach you.

Do I need to become a NACADA member?

NACADA is an excellent organization, and we encourage you to join, however it is not required. Visit the NACADA website frequently. This site has a wealth of information for academic advisors.