This course has been developed by NACADA’s NCAA Advisory Board and members of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) as a professional development resource for current and aspiring academic advisors, athletic academic support professionals, and campus administrators (both inside and outside of athletics) who would like to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the student-athlete population, student-athlete academic support, eligibility certification, and the college athletic landscape.
Weekly course and discussion topics include athletic culture in higher education; student-athlete identity and intersections; the history, role, and academic eligibility rules of NCAA Divisions I, II, & III; current challenges facing the student-athlete population; and transitioning out of sport.
Course Format This course contains eight weekly modules that will be asynchronous in format and allow participants to work at their own pace within each module. The option of a weekly live Zoom discussion on each module’s topic and/or participation in a discussion board will be offered. The class content will move forward each week allowing a participant the entire week to work through the week's content. Participants can complete the content all in one day or do a little each day as their schedule allows. By offering this information in an online format, participants are provided a learning opportunity that can be accessed either in their own home or office, and at a time of day that works best for their schedules. Assignments, readings, and engagement with other participants (either via Zoom or discussion board) will be required each week to develop content knowledge and a network with other participants and facilitators. Assignments and readings will be required each week.
Course Facilitators Facilitators will assist participants by posing topics for discussion, sharing successful practices, and answering questions. Facilitators are experienced practitioners in the field of student-athlete advisement and college athletics. In addition to acting as a resource for participants, facilitators will also grade weekly assignments and monitor participation in discussions.
Course Assessment Each module will include an assessment component including questions covering material and participation in topical discussions. Weekly discussions will have the option of traditional discussion board posts or participation in the week's live dicussion meeting via zoom. Four (4) assignments are required of participants and are every two weeks in the course. Completion of Course Upon successful completion of all eight modules, the participant will receive a certificate. Successful completion is defined as earning a 70% or better in the course.