I am interested in becoming an advisor to students at the college level, do I need a masters degree?

Question

If I do need a Masters degree what type of degree should I pursue? What is the full job of an college advisor? Counselor?

Answer 1

Fully three-quarters of the folks in the advising office at my university hold Masters degrees in Higher Education, in Educational Leadership, or in Educational Administration.

I had the opportunity to ask about this last summer when I worked at summer orientation for first-year students, and I found out that all of these are basically similar programs, but they're called different things at different universities. I also learned that it is very difficult, but not impossible, to get a job in this area at a university without one of these specific degrees.

Academic advisors run first-year orientations, advise students which classes to take for their majors or for pre-med, keep track of the university's requirements for hours or coursework and make sure students qualify for graduation, process transfer credit paperwork, etc.

Why don't you visit your academic advising office and ask an advisor how s/he got the job, and what s/he does on an annual or daily basis? I'm sure they'd be happy to answer your questions!

Answer 2

Yes, the most popular degrees to get would be a masters in higher education admin, counseling or college student affairs/personnel.

If you have questions about schools, etc e-mail me.

Answer 3

Yes, typically you do need a master's degree. I've recently started to consider this field. I am about to graduate college with a psych degree. I am going to do more research into this myself.

Answer 4

An advisor for college? that is great.........I am a college student.

Let me get an advise from you. I am in finals so do you think would be better if I have sex so that way i release all my stress or you think i should concentrate on my studies this week and forget all about the sex.

Now, i am serious. I really need this advise.

Thank you