Strengthening Academic Advising by Developing a Normative Theory

Abstract

Discussions on academic advising theory have centered on application from many disciplines; however, academic advising is unlike any other field, and therefore, theories from other disci plines do not correspond with all of the unique goals of advising: assisting students in under standing the meaning of higher education, supporting students in their personal growth, and helping them set and achieve educational goals. To continue clarifying the role of advising within higher education, practitioners need to move from analogical theories to normative theories. The diversity and richness of current theories in advising will provide the foundation for developing a normative theory and strength ening the field of advising.

The Professionalization of Academic Advising: A Structured Literature Review

“…Future research should continue to clarify the roles of those working in the field. For instance, research on the essential features of academic advising might lead to a normative theory of advising (Himes, 2014;Lowenstein, 2014). Such a theory could become a framework to guide advising practice and advance the field toward professionalization.…”

What is Academic Advising? An Application of Analytic Induction

“…Advising scholars have called for a description of academic advising as a distinct undertaking (Habley, 2009;Himes, 2014;Kuhn & Padak, 2008;Lowenstein, 2014;Schulenberg & Lindhorst, 2008). For example, Lowenstein (2014) exhorted, ''We want advising to be advising, to have a distinctive purpose of its own.…”

Improving Freshman Retention With Intrusive Advising Interventions

“…According to the literature, academic advising discussions typically occur in an approach considered either developmental, prescriptive, or intrusive 4,8,11 . In developmental advising conversations, the advisor and student discuss the student's goals, challenges, and life advancements 8 .…”

“…In developmental advising conversations, the advisor and student discuss the student's goals, challenges, and life advancements 8 . Students engage with advisors in a process which fosters students' growth and development.…”

“…Students engage with advisors in a process which fosters students' growth and development. In the developmental advising approach, the advisor essentially works to challenge and guide students through the learning process 8 . As such, the advisor is considered to be a teacher regarding university policies, procedures, degree requirements, and engagement opportunities.…”