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Theory and Practice of Advising

Advisors use theory every day. Now you can recognize it and use it with intention.

This eTutorial introduces formal and informal advising theories, including instrumental, descriptive, and normative approaches, and guides participants in applying them to real-world advising contexts. Advisors will build confidence using theory as a tool for reflection, decision-making, and professional growth.

Course Specifcs:

  • Duration: 4 weeks
  • Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week
  • Format: Asynchronous, not self-paced; weekly assignments, flexible within each week
  • Additional Materials Required: None, all content is self-contained within the eTutorial
  • Completion: 80% required for microcredential

Pricing:

  • NACADA Members: $350-400
  • Non-Members: $550-600
  • Save $50 with early registration, which closes 10 days before each offering
  • Final registration closes the Friday before the start of each offering

What you'll learn:

  • Understand what theory is and why it is important to the practice of advising
  • Identify instrumental, descriptive, and normative theories, as well as informal theories
  • Practice applying theory to practice
  • Gain tools to continue learning about and applying theory to practice beyond those theories introduced in the course

Who this is for:

  • New to mid-level advising professionals
  • Those interested in engaging in theory-informed advising practice with students

About this eTutorial:

One of the hallmarks of a profession is the creation and use of specialized knowledge to inform practice. As advising professionals, applying theory to practice is an important dimension of our work. But what is theory, and how can it be used in advising? This eTutorial explores both informal and formal theories, including instrumental, descriptive, and normative theories, that have been taken up by advisors in their practice. Participants will explore models for applying theory to practice and try using these skills through assignments. Theory offers perspectives on everything from how advisors should interact with students to what the nature of the advising profession is. By participating in this eTutorial, advisors will gain a toolkit for understanding and using theory that will help them continue to learn and apply theory in their practice, even beyond those theories introduced in the course.

eTutorials are asynchronous, not self-paced. Participants can log in at any time, but the eTutorials have weekly assignment due dates. Participants will need to log in at least weekly to review the eTutorial's content and submit any assignments that are due.

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    Feb 03 - Mar 01

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    Aug 04 - Aug 30

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Earn this Badge


Module One: Introducing Theory to Practice

Topics Covered:

  • Defining Terms
  • Why Theory is Important
  • You Already Use Theory
  • Theory to Practice
  • Questions to Consider When Reading About Theory

Module Assessments:

  • Discussion Board

Module Two: Instrumental Theories

Topics Covered:

  • Instrumental Theories in Advising
  • Learning and Using Instrumental Theory
  • Student Development Theories
  • Theories from the Humanities
  • Critical Theories

Module Assessments:

  • Discussion Board

Module Three: Descriptive Theories

Topics Covered:

  • Learning and Using Descriptive Theories
  • Advising is Advising
  • Analytic Induction
  • Grounded Theory

Module Assessments:

  • Discussion Board

Module Four: Normative Theories

Topics Covered:

  • Learning and Using Normative Theories
  • Developing a Normative Theory
  • NACADA Core Competencies as a Theory?

Module Assessments:

  • Discussion Board
  • Theory to Practice Case Study (Worked on throughout the eTutorial)

Format

Participants will complete in-depth readings, post replies to discussion boards, and complete quizzes and other assignments. Participants can work at their own pace within each week. There will be weekly assignments, but no set time to be online. Participants will have the entire week to complete that week's content, which can be completed in several days or done throughout the week as their schedule allows. By offering this information in an online format, participants are provided a learning opportunity that can be accessed either in their own home or office, and at a time of day that works best for their schedules. Assignments, including discussion posts, quizzes, and readings, will be required each week.

The eTutorial is 4 weeks in length. Participants should expect to spend between 3-5 hours per week completing the reading, posts, and assignments.

This eTutorial is structured to enable participants to develop an international network by interacting with other members of their cohort through discussion boards and open office hours.

Facilitators

Facilitators, who are experts in the topic, will be assigned to assist those taking the eTutorial by posing questions for discussion, sharing successful practices, and answering questions. Facilitators will grade all discussion boards and assignments, providing feedback on work completed.

Completion

Upon successful completion (80% or better within the eTutorial), the participant will receive a NACADA microcredential. This will include a digital badge through the badging platform Credly, which can be utilized in email signatures, LinkedIn, and other applications.

Generative AI Use Policy

1. Generative AI Use Philosophy and Purpose

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and other Large Language Models (LLMs), are becoming common professional resources. This course encourages the responsible and transparent use of these tools to enhance your learning and professional skills, not to replace your original thought and effort. Your submissions must reflect your own understanding, critical thinking, and voice.

2. Permitted Uses (The "Enhancement" Zone)

GAI tools may be used for the following activities, provided their use is disclosed and cited (see Section 4):

  • Brainstorming and Ideation: Generating initial concepts, outlines, or potential avenues for research.
  • Clarity and Editing: Refining sentence structure, checking grammar, verifying tone, or summarizing a draft to assess argument flow.

3. Prohibited Uses (The "Replacement" Zone)

The use of GAI is strictly prohibited for:

  • Original Content Creation: Generating entire sentences, paragraphs, or full assignments, including initial discussion posts or response posts.
  • Draft Submission: Directly submitting a GAI-generated draft as your own work without substantial, original human editing and synthesis.
  • Bypassing Learning: Using GAI to complete assignments intended to assess your individual understanding, or bypassing critical learning processes.

4. Accountability and Disclosure Policy

Full accountability and transparency are mandatory. Participants remain fully responsible for all content in their submissions, including any content produced by GAI tools.

Course Access

You will receive your login information the business days before the start of the eTutorial. FYI, the login credentials are different from your myNACADA login information. If you have any trouble logging in, please email Elisa Shaffer at [email protected].

eTutorials are hosted in NACADA's Canvas LMS at https://nacada.instructure.com/. You will need to utilize the login information provided to you. You do not need to create account - it will be provided for you.

Computer Specifications

Canvas and its hosting infrastructure are designed for maximum compatibility and minimal requirements.

Visit the Instructure Community Page for current browser and computer requirements.

Transfers & Cancellations

We understand that plans can change. To offer you the most flexibility, we encourage you to transfer your registration to a future eTutorial session if you can no longer attend at the scheduled time. Please review the deadlines and fees below.

All requests for transfer or cancellation must be submitted in writing via email to NACADA at [email protected].

Transfer Policy (Recommended Option)

Transferring your registration lets you apply your full fee to a future eTutorial offering, avoiding a cancellation penalty.

Request Date (Central US Time) Transfer Fee Details
4+ Business Days before the eTutorial starts $0.00 USD (FREE) This is the best option! Submit your request early and pay nothing.
Less than 4 Business Days before the start AND up to 4 Business Days after the start $100.00 USD A late processing fee applies.

Note: If you have transferred your registration at least once before, any subsequent transfer request will incur a flat fee of $100.00 USD, regardless of the request date.

Registration Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to transfer your registration and must cancel, the following refund schedule will apply:

Request Date Before the eTutorial Start Cancellation Fee / Refund Reason
More than 4 Weeks (28+ days) Refund of the registration fee, minus $50.00 USD Covers administrative processing costs.
Between 1 and 4 Weeks (7-28 days) Refund of the registration fee, minus 50% Covers administrative and early resource allocation costs.
1 Week or Less (7 days or fewer) No Refund Due to final faculty contracts and technology platform obligations.

Due Dates & Late Submissions

eTutorial Due Dates

  • Initial Discussion Posts - Due Friday at 11:59 PM (CT). 

  • Discussion Board Replies & Assignments - Due Sunday at 11:59 PM (CT). 

Late Submissions Policy

Component

Policy/Guideline

Assignments

Grace Period: Participants may submit assignments up to 7 days late without prior arrangement.

Assignments Penalty

A 10% point deduction will be applied to all late assignments submitted during the 7-day grace period, unless a prior arrangement for an extension was made.

Discussion Posts

Initial Posts/Replies: Discussion posts must be submitted by the Friday due date to receive credit for class interaction/reply points. Late submissions will receive credit only for the participant’s own thoughts/analysis, not for the interaction component.

Cut-Off

No assignments or discussion boards will be accepted more than 7 days past the due date without prior arrangement.
What is an eTutorial?

An eTutorial is 3.5 week learning experience. Generally starting on the first Wednesday of the month and concludes on a Saturday 3.5 weeks later. Participants will have learning opportunities with their peers and experts in the filled. Additionally participants will read and watch curated content on specific topic.

Are eTutorials self-paced?

No, eTutorials are asynchronous, not self-paced. Participants can log in at any time, but the eTutorials have weekly assignment due dates. So, participants will need to log in at least weekly to review the eTutorial's content and submit any assignments that are due.

Do I need to buy a book?

It depends. The following eTutorials require the purchase of a book:

  • Advisor Training and Development: Foundations

  • Advisor Training and Development: Advanced

  • Advising LGBTQ+ Students

All other eTutorials' content are self-contained within the Canvas LMS.

Do I have to login at a specific time?

No. But... the eTutorials do have weekly assignment due dates. So participants will need to login at least weekly in order to review the content of the eTutorial and submit any assignments that are due.

How do I earn a microcredential?

Upon successful completion (80% or better within the eTutorial) of all 3.5 weeks, the participant will receive a NACADA microcredential. This will include a digital badge through the badging platform Credly, which can be utilized in email signatures, LinkedIn, and other applications.

Are there facilitators?

Yes, facilitators will be assigned to each section of an eTutorial. Facilitators are there to assist those taking the eTutorial by posing questions for discussion, sharing successful practices, and answering questions. Facilitators will grade all discussion boards and assignments, providing feedback on work completed.

What is the format of the eTutorials?

Participants will complete in-depth readings, post replies to discussion boards, and complete quizzes and other assignments. Participants can work at their own pace each week. There will be weekly assignments but no set time to be online. Participants will have the entire week to complete that week's content, which could be completed in several days or during the week as their schedule allows. By offering this information online, participants are provided a learning opportunity that can be accessed in their home or office and at a time that works best for their schedules. Assignments, including discussion posts, quizzes, and readings, will be required each week.

eTutorials are 3.5 (3 1/2) weeks in length. Participants should expect to spend between four and eight hours per week completing the reading, posts, and assignments.

This eTutorial is structured to allow the participants to develop an international network through interaction with other cohort members through Zoom-based office hours and discussion boards.

How much time/work is expected each week?

Participants should expect to spend between four-eight hours per week completing the reading/videos, posts, and assignments.

What is the transfer policy?

A transfer of registration fees to a future offering of any eTutorial offering may be made via request in writing and mailed or emailed ([email protected]) to NACADA.

The request must be received three (3) business days (Central US time) prior to the start of the eTutorial offering. There is no charge providing the written request is received three business days in advance:

  • Transfer fee – $0.00 USD*

Requests made after three (3) business days and through four (4) business days into the eTutorial offering will incur the following charge:

  • Transfer fee – $100.00 USD

*If registration fees have been transferred at least once before, any future transfer fee is $100.00 USD, at any date.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation of registration fees for an eTutorial offering can be made via request in writing and mailed or emailed ([email protected]) to NACADA. Cancellations after certain dates will incur charges:

Any date ten (10) business days prior to the start of the eTutorial offering:

  • Refund of the registration fee minus $50.00 USD for administrative fees

Any date between three (3) and ten (10) business days prior to the start of the eTutorial offering:

  • Refund of the registration fee minus 50% for administrative fees

Any date after three (3) business days prior to the start of the eTutorial offering:

  • No Refund, due to faculty and technology obligations
When will I get my login information?

You will receive your login information 1-2 business days prior to the start of the eTutorial. FYI, the login credentials are different than your my.NACADA login information. If you have any trouble logging in, please email Eilsa Shaffer at [email protected].

Where are eTutorials hosted? Where do I login?

eTutorials are hosted in NACADA's Canvas LMS at https://nacada.instructure.com/. You will need to utilize the login information provided to you.

What are the computer specifications that I need to access the eTutorial?

Canvas and its hosting infrastructure are designed for maximum compatibility and minimal requirements.

Visit the Instructure Community Page for current browser and computer requirements.

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