An Exploration of Graduate Education in Academic Advising: A Case Study Analysis

Abstract

As a field's literature base deepens, an academic discipline can emerge and lead to the development of a profession. For an academic discipline to thrive, new scholars must be trained in its specialized knowledge. Kansas State University was the first institution to offer graduate programs in academic advising. Subsequently, other graduate programs have been developed at various institutions across North America. The purpose of this collective case study is to examine graduate education in academic advising through two separate but related cases: an interview study of NACADA leaders and a content analysis of graduate programs in academic advising. The growth in graduate programs, along with the expanding knowledge base, will strengthen academic advising's potential as a bonified, recognized academic discipline.