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Department:
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
FLSA Status:
ExemptWork Modality:
Union:
Job Description:
Summary:
The Academic Counselor provides comprehensive support to graduate students, undergraduate and law students interested in combined programs (including BA/MA, LLM/MPA, and JD/MPA), and PhD students in the School of Public Affairs (SPA). This position offers guidance on degree requirements, course selection, registration, academic issues, coordinates referrals, and collaborates with faculty and campus partners to foster student success. This position monitors academic progress throughout the year, resolves issues identified through degree audits or other academic processes, conducts degree clearance for graduating students, and maintains accurate student records. The Academic Counselor also engages prospective students through recruitment events, represents SPA graduate programs, and provides academic pathway information, while supporting new student orientation by offering initial advising and onboarding assistance. Additional responsibilities may include reviewing graduate applications, attending events in support of students including commencement and providing recommendations to program directors as directed by the Director of Graduate Advising or Sr. Assoc. Dean of Academic Affairs.
Essential Functions:
1.) Academic Advising and Student Support
Works with pre-graduate students applying for BA/MA degrees to include reconciling joint undergraduate and graduate course credits in conjunction with undergraduate advisors, and with doctoral student, to include monitoring, recording, reporting, and assigning in the administration of non-course requirements such as qualifiers, comprehensive exams, dissertation proposals, dissertation revisions, etc.
Advises graduate students about meeting degree requirements; assists students with selection and registration of courses; addresses issues that affect academic performance; makes appropriate referrals to other university student services offices; communicates with faculty regarding students in academic distress or facing other issues; works with other university departments that support a diverse student body. Provides recommendations and solutions to streamline advising processes to improve students’ academic performance and to help increase student success and graduation.
2.) Academic Progress Monitoring and Records Management
Monitors and evaluates PhD student academic progress, including degree audits, milestone tracking, enrollment changes, and graduation clearance. Serves as a primary point of contact for PhD students regarding registration, academic planning, transfer credits, program milestones, and degree requirements. Supports doctoral program directors across PhD programs in Government, Justice Law and Criminology, and Public Administration and Policy. Provides guidance on graduate regulations and assists with petitions, warnings, probations, and dismissals. Administers qualifying and comprehensive exams as needed and supports dissertation approvals, defenses, and doctoral events.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date PhD student records and data related to academic progress, outcomes, and satisfaction. Tracks, analyzes, and reports data for departmental, school, and university reporting and assessment purposes. Processes graduate forms and ensures compliance with university policies and procedures.
3.) Recruitment and Prospective Student Engagement
Meet with prospective graduate students and participate in recruitment and conversion programs held on campus. Represent SPA graduate programs to prospective students and provide guidance on academic pathways.
4.) New Student Orientation and Onboarding
Participate in planning and attend orientation activities for new graduate students. Provide initial advising and programming guidance during onboarding. Attends orientation activities for new students. Supports orientation as well as in-person events, including award ceremonies and graduation celebrations.
5.) Graduate Application Review
Reviews applications for assigned students and provides a recommendation to the program director.
6.) Other Duties as Assigned
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full-time.
35 hours per week.
Hybrid 1 work modality (3 - 4 days per week on campus).
Salary Range:
$58,000.00 - $62,000.00 annually.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree.
2 - 4 years of relevant experience required.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Master's degree with study of academic advising, counseling, student development or other relevant academic educational fields.
3 - 5 years of relevant experience.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills with appreciation for diversity.
Excellent attention to detail with demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask in fast-paced, high pressure environment.
Demonstrated ability to develop productive working relationships with multiple constituencies (students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and others raising questions regarding programs in the department) in a diverse environment.
Demonstrated understanding of a university environment including the organizational, governance, and regulatory structure of major colleges and universities.
Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
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Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.