Top 10 Student Advisor Certifications

Certifications are important for a student advisor in the job market, as they demonstrate competency and commitment to the profession. Certification shows employers that the student advisor has taken the time to learn the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality advice and guidance to students. Certifications also prove that a student advisor has met certain standards of professionalism, ethical behavior, and knowledge of best practices in the field. This can help set a student advisor apart from other applicants, as employers will be more likely to trust someone with a certification than without one.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for Student Advisors and explains how they can contribute to a student advisor's career, providing insight into the importance of professional development and growth.

What are Student Advisor Certifications?

Student advisor certification is a type of professional qualification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities when it comes to providing guidance and advice to students. This type of certification is designed for those who work in student advising roles, such as college counselors, school advisors, or academic advisors. The certification typically requires the completion of a course or program which is focused on developing the student advisor’s skills and competencies in areas such as communication, counseling, problem-solving and advocacy.

Having a student advisor certification can help individuals stand out in the field of student advising. It demonstrates their commitment to their profession and shows employers that they have the necessary skills and qualifications to provide quality advice and support to students. Additionally, it provides advisors with an opportunity to expand their knowledge base by learning new techniques or strategies that can help them better serve students. Finally, having a student advisor certification may also open up new career opportunities or allow advisors to specialize in certain areas of student advising.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a student advisor certification program, make sure to research the credentials and experience of the instructors. It is important to ensure that the training is provided by experienced professionals who have a deep understanding of student advising.

Related: What does a Student Advisor do?

Top 10 Student Advisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Student Advisors today.

1. Certified Academic Advisor

A Certified Academic Advisor (CAA) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have met the standards of excellence in academic advising. The CAA credential is awarded by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). It is intended to recognize those who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in providing quality academic advising services.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having at least three years of full-time experience as an academic advisor or related role, completing at least 45 hours of NACADA-approved professional development activities, and passing a written exam. The certification process typically takes six months to one year to complete.

The cost of the certification process varies depending on the number of professional development activities completed and whether or not you are a member of NACADA. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500-$1,000 for non-members and $300-$600 for members.

2. Certified Educational Planner

Certified Educational Planner (CEP) is a professional designation conferred by the American Institute for Certified Educational Planners (AICEP). It is an advanced certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in educational planning.

The CEP credential requires applicants to demonstrate their expertise in the areas of college admissions, financial aid, career guidance, and educational planning. To be eligible for the CEP credential, applicants must have:

• A master’s degree or higher in counseling, education or related field;
• At least five years of experience working with students in an educational setting;
• Completed at least 30 hours of continuing education courses related to college admissions, financial aid and career guidance;
• Passed a comprehensive written examination.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete all the requirements for the CEP credential. The cost of obtaining the CEP credential varies depending on the individual's experience and qualifications. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2,000 depending on the number of courses taken and other factors.

3. Certified College Admissions Counselor

Certified College Admissions Counselor (CCAC) is a professional certification offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in college admissions counseling.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having a minimum of two years of full-time college admissions counseling experience and completing at least 30 hours of continuing education courses related to college admissions counseling. Candidates must also pass an exam administered by NACAC.

The process of becoming certified typically takes between six months and one year. Applicants should begin by submitting an application form and fee to NACAC. Once accepted, they will be required to complete the necessary coursework and take the exam. After passing the exam, they will receive their CCAC certification.

The cost of obtaining a CCAC certification varies depending on the type of courses taken and other factors. The total cost can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

4. Certified Financial Aid Advisor

Certified Financial Aid Advisor (CFAA) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of financial aid. The CFAA designation is awarded by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the CFAA designation. To be eligible, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, such as having at least two years of full-time professional experience in student financial aid or related fields. They must also pass an exam administered by NASFAA.

To get the CFAA designation, applicants must first submit an application to NASFAA. Once approved, they will receive instructions on how to register for and take the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certification from NASFAA.

The cost of obtaining the CFAA designation varies depending on factors such as whether you are a member of NASFAA or not. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $200-$500 to obtain the CFAA designation.

5. Certified Career Counselor

Certified Career Counselor (CCC) is a professional credential for those who provide career counseling and coaching services. It is awarded by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), which is an independent, non-profit organization that sets standards for professional counselors.

To become a CCC, applicants must have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and at least three years of experience providing career counseling services. They must also pass the NBCC's National Counselor Examination (NCE). The NCE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost to become a CCC varies depending on the applicant's state of residence, but typically ranges from $200-$400. This includes the application fee, exam fee, and other applicable fees.

6. Certified Student Success Coach

Certified Student Success Coach (CSSC) is a professional certification program that provides coaches with the knowledge and skills to help students succeed in their academic and career goals. The program focuses on developing coaching techniques, strategies, and tools to help students reach their full potential.

The CSSC certification program consists of three courses: Coaching for Student Success, Coaching for Academic Success, and Coaching for Career Success. Each course is designed to provide coaches with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively coach students in their academic and career pursuits. The courses are offered online or in person depending on the provider.

To become a Certified Student Success Coach, individuals must complete all three courses within a one-year period. Upon completion of the three courses, individuals will receive a certificate from the International Association of Professional Coaches (IAPC).

The cost of the Certified Student Success Coach program varies depending on the provider. Generally, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD to complete all three courses.

7. Certified College Preparation Advisor

Certified College Preparation Advisor (CCPA) is a certification program offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). The CCPA certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in providing college admissions counseling and preparation services.

The CCPA program requires applicants to complete a comprehensive online course and pass an exam, which covers topics such as college admissions, financial aid, testing strategies, and more. The course takes approximately 25 hours to complete and the exam is typically taken online.

In order to become certified, applicants must have at least three years of experience in college admissions counseling or related work. They must also have completed at least 12 hours of continuing education credits in college admissions counseling within the past three years.

The cost of the CCPA certification is $250 USD. This fee includes access to the online course and exam, as well as a one-year membership to NACAC.

8. Certified College Admission Consultant

Certified College Admission Consultant (CCAC) is a professional designation awarded by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in college admissions counseling. The CCAC credential is designed to provide assurance that a consultant has the experience and qualifications necessary to provide quality college admissions counseling services.

To become a Certified College Admission Consultant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have at least three years of full-time experience in college admissions counseling or related fields;
• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
• Complete an approved training program;
• Pass a comprehensive examination; and
• Adhere to NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices.

The training program typically takes between six months and one year to complete, depending on the individual's level of commitment. The program consists of online courses, webinars, workshops, and other activities that cover topics such as college admission trends, financial aid strategies, legal issues in college admissions, writing effective letters of recommendation, and more. Upon successful completion of the program, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam administered by NACAC.

The cost to become certified varies depending on the type of training program chosen. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000-$2,500. In addition to this fee, there may also be additional costs associated with taking the certification exam.

9. Certified School Counselor

Certified School Counselor (CSC) is a professional designation that recognizes counselors who have met the highest standards of excellence in their profession. The certification is awarded by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and it is recognized by many states as an indication of advanced expertise and experience in school counseling.

To become certified, counselors must have completed a master’s degree from an accredited college or university program in counseling, pass a comprehensive exam, and demonstrate 3 years of full-time experience as a school counselor. The certification process typically takes about 6 months to complete once all requirements are met.

The cost for the CSC certification varies depending on the state you live in and whether or not you are already licensed as a counselor. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $200 - $400 USD.

10. National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) Certification

The National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) Certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have met the highest standards of knowledge and experience in college admissions counseling. This certification is awarded to those who demonstrate expertise in college admissions counseling, including the ability to provide comprehensive guidance and support to students throughout the college search process.

The NACAC Certification Program requires applicants to complete a series of online courses, in-person workshops, and/or webinars. The program also requires applicants to take an exam that tests their knowledge of college admissions counseling best practices. The exam is offered twice a year at designated test centers around the country.

In order to be eligible for NACAC Certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience as a college admissions counselor or related field, as well as a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must also submit letters of recommendation from two current or former colleagues or supervisors attesting to their qualifications and character.

The cost for the NACAC Certification Program varies depending on the type of program chosen by the applicant. For example, the online courses cost $395 per course; the in-person workshops cost $495 per workshop; and the webinar series costs $595 for all four sessions. In addition, there is a one-time fee of $150 for taking the certification exam.

Once certified, NACAC Certified College Admissions Counselors are required to renew their credentials every three years by completing continuing education activities such as attending conferences or completing additional coursework.

Do You Really Need a Student Advisor Certificate?

The short answer is no. A student advisor certificate is not required in order to become a successful student advisor. However, depending on the type of institution or organization you are working for, having a certificate may be beneficial and could even help you to stand out from other applicants.

A student advisor certificate can demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to effectively advise students. It can provide evidence that you have received specialized training in areas such as educational counseling, academic advising, career counseling, and more. It can also show employers that you have an understanding of best practices when it comes to providing advice and guidance to students.

Having a student advisor certificate also demonstrates your commitment and dedication to helping students reach their goals. It shows that you take your role as a professional seriously and are willing to go above and beyond in order to ensure that students receive the best possible advice and guidance. This is particularly important if you are applying for positions at college or university settings where there is often stiff competition for jobs.

In short, while having a student advisor certificate isn't necessary in order to become a successful student advisor, it can be beneficial depending on the type of institution or organization you are working for. It can demonstrate your commitment to helping students reach their goals and provide evidence that you have received specialized training in areas related to academic advising and educational counseling.

Related: Student Advisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Student Advisor Certifications

Q1. What is a student advisor certification?

A1. A student advisor certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in providing guidance and support to students. The certification typically requires completion of an accredited program, and successful passage of an exam.

Q2. How do I become certified as a student advisor?

A2. To become certified as a student advisor, you must complete an accredited training program and pass an exam. Programs vary by institution and may include courses in counseling, education, or psychology.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a student advisor?

A3. Benefits of becoming certified as a student advisor include increased job opportunities, higher pay, and the ability to provide better services to students in need of guidance and support.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as a student advisor?

A4. The amount of time it takes to get certified varies depending on the institution offering the program, but most programs can be completed in 1-2 years or less with full-time study.

Q5. How much does it cost to get certified as a student advisor?

A5. Costs vary depending on the institution offering the program and any additional materials required for coursework or exams; however, most programs range from $500-$3000 USD for tuition costs alone (not including additional fees).