UNESCO descriptions of academic advising (education counseling)*

Purpose/functions

1. To assist students in developing educational plans that are consistent with their life goals.

2. To provide students with accurate information about academic progression and degree requirements.

3. To assist students in understanding academic policies and procedures.

4. To help students access campus resources that will enhance their ability to be academically successful.

5. To assist students in overcoming educational and personal problems.

6. To identify systemic and personal conditions that may impede student academic achievement and developing appropriate interventions.

7. To review and use available data about students academic and educational needs, performance, aspirations and problems.

8. To increase student retention by providing a personal contact that students often need and request, thereby connecting them to the institution.

Typical activities:

1. Assisting students with decision-making and career direction.

2. Helping students understand and comply with institutional requirements.

3. Providing clear and accurate information regarding institutional policies, procedures and programmes.

4. Assisting students in the selection of courses and other educational experiences (e.g. internships, study abroad).

5. Referring students to appropriate resources, on and off campus.

6. Evaluating student progress towards established goals.

7. Collecting and distributing data regarding student needs, preferences and performance for use in refining or revising institutional/agency decisions, policies and procedures.

8. Interpreting various interest/ability inventories that provide students with information related to their career choices.

9. Utilizing a variety of supplemental systems such as online computer programmes to deliver advising information.

*Excerpted from: The roll of student affairs and services in higher education: A practical manual for developing, implementing and assessing student affairs programmes and services.   United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).   Paris, 2002, pp 25-26.  

This booklet is the Follow-up to the World Conference on Higher Education held in Paris , 5-9 October 1998).   For further information, please contact: Division of Higher Education, UNESCO, 7, Place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France or www.unesco.org/education/wche .