A new study program for University of Melbourne staff offered by the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, Foundations of Student Advising is a one-semester (11 week) unit to be offered in Semester 1, 2013. The unit will be offered as a stand-alone unit, although it is envisaged that it will be recognized for advanced standing in the Graduate Certificate in University Management from 2014.

The Foundations of Student Advising provides professional development for University staff within a sound academic environment. Participants benefit from a wide range of resources as well as the perspectives of guest lecturers. The unit provides a critical overview of theories and methods of advising, and will examine and analyse the role of student advising in supporting student engagement, retention and success.

Foundations of Student Advising explores student advising in national and international contexts, while asking how Melbourne can identify, adapt and implement practices suited to our unique environment in order to meet the University’s objectives for the quality of the student experience. The unit is relevant to the work of both academic and professional staff in student-facing roles, examining the range of roles staff play in building institutional and student capacity.

Approaches to teaching and learning in the unit support teamwork and group learning as well as self-directed learning. The unit allows participants to benefit from the experiences of their peers. Assessment tasks are designed to be relevant to participants’ particular University work environments, and will involve the creation of a portfolio that will be useful to career advancement.

Foundations of Student Advising is available to University of Melbourne staff only. Course fees are set at the Community Access Program rate of $1,992 (assessed) or $1,200 (non-assessed). It is expected that in most cases participants’ work units will cover their course costs (although negotiating such agreement will be the responsibility of participants and their managers).

The unit involves regular, weekly classes of two hours over 11 weeks held on the Parkville campus. The timetable is designed to be integrated with the work commitments of staff holding full-time positions.

An overview of the course structure is provided below (this is indicative only and may be subject to change).

Course schedule

All classes Thursdays 4:15 – 6:15.
Note: No classes in the first week of semester. Week 11 is in SWOT Vac to account for ANZAC day.

WEEK	DATE	TOPIC
1	March 14th	Progressing student advising: The present context @Melbourne
2 & 3	21st & 28th	The international context: Theories, methodologies and models
Easter Non Teaching Period & UA (previously AVCC) Common Week
4	April 11th	Class presentations: Academic advising in the context of participants’ work areas
5	18th	Specialisations within academic advising: An overview
ANZAC day – Thursday April 25th
6	May 2nd	Focus on specialisation, 1: First year and transition
7	9th	Focus on specialisation, 2: Careers
8	16th	Focus on specialisation, 3: International students
9	23rd	Focus on specialisation, 4: Graduate & pre-professional advising
10	30th	Q&A panel with guests
11	June 6th	Discussion and reflection

 

Eligibility

To be eligible to take part in Foundations Of Student Advising, it is desirable for applicants to have:

• Completed a bachelors degree (in any discipline);
• At least two years work experience in a university or other post-secondary education institution or equivalent;
• Current employment at the University of Melbourne (full-time or part-time); and
• The support of the participant's work unit supervisor (for participation).

Application

Applications for the 2013 intake close 1 February 2013.

Applications should be made using the application form and must be accompanied by the specified supporting documentation.

For further queries about the unit or the application process, contact the coordinator:
Dr Emmaline Bexley, bexleye@unimelb.edu.au (03) 8344 8436

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