Academic advisor
Also known as: post-secondary level student advisor, degree program advisor, higher education advisor, student career guide, academic student advisor, degree program guidance practitioner
About this occupation
Academic advisors assist students, at post-secondary level, in recognising and achieving their educational goals. They advise students on their schedule selection of school programmes, communicate to them degree requirements, and assist them in career planning. Academic advisors also discuss the student's academic performance and its implications and make suggestions for improvement including study advice. They also work closely with other university administrators and professors and ensure they are up to date on university or college regulation, program, or requirement changes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- assessment processes
- counsel students
- listen actively
- provide information on study programmes
- curriculum objectives
- advise on learning methods
- curriculum standards
- monitor educational developments
- counselling methods
- provide information on school services
- give constructive feedback
- education law
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (O*NET 21-1012.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
- Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
- Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
- Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Conventional, Enterprising
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Writing
US median pay: US$64,330 a year (2025), 353,310 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- School Psychologists
- Instructional Coordinators
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
- Health Education Specialists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.