Graduate advising plays a vital role in student success, retention, and timely degree completion. Whether you serve as a faculty member, professional staff advisor, or graduate program coordinator, your role includes helping students make informed decisions, navigate academic policies, and progress through their program.
Effective advising supports students in meeting degree requirements and also builds a foundation for mentoring, professional development, and a sense of belonging. This page outlines core practices and campus resources to support your work as a graduate advisor at Boise State.
Guiding Principles for Effective Advising
Strong advising relationships are built on clear communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to student success. Whether you meet with one student or advise many, these principles can help foster trust, promote accountability, and support well-being.
Set Clear Expectations Early
- Discuss roles and responsibilities in the advising relationship
- Clarify communication preferences, availability, and how often you’ll meet
- Share program policies and refer to the Graduate College for additional guidance
- Introduce the distinction between academic advising and mentoring, where applicable
Resource: Graduate Student and Advisor Discussion Checklist
Maintain Regular Communication
- Schedule routine check-ins, even when there are no urgent concerns
- Create a welcoming environment for questions and feedback
- Proactively support students in navigating challenges and decisions
Encourage Goal Setting
- Help students define academic, professional, and personal goals
- Revisit goals periodically, especially at key milestones
- Use tools such as academic plans, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), or annual review templates
Resources: Visit the Mentoring Resources for Faculty page for example tools
Stay Informed About Milestones and Policies
- Become familiar with program and Graduate College requirements
- Use the Academic Advisement Report (AAR) to track student progress
- Help students plan for and meet deadlines in the Academic Calendar
Promote Professional and Personal Growth
- Encourage engagement in research, teaching, service, and career development
- Refer students to mentoring resources and development opportunities
- Support students from diverse backgrounds and experiences with empathy and flexibility
Resource: Share our student-facing Advising and Mentoring Resources with your graduate students to help students reflect on what mentoring is, find potential mentors, and engage meaningfully in mentoring relationships.
Know When to Refer
Connect students with campus services beyond your advising role, including:
- Graduate Student Success Center
- Counseling Services
- Career Services
- Student Financial Services
- Dean of Students
Advising Best Practices by Academic Milestone
When a Student is Admitted and Assigned as Your Advisee
- Reach out with a welcome email
- Schedule an initial advising meeting
- Share the program handbook and a sample course plan
- Review the Graduate Catalog and Academic Advisement Report (AAR) to explain requirements and expectations
- Use the Graduate Student and Advisor Discussion Checklist as a conversation guide
When Registration Opens Each Semester
- Send a curated list of degree-relevant course offerings
- Discuss elective options that align with each student’s goals
- Support cross-department enrollment when students pursue interdisciplinary interests
Resource: Boise State Online Graduate Course Catalog
Annually
- Hold a progress check-in or advising review
- Discuss completed and upcoming milestones
- Review plans for research, creative work, or culminating experiences
- Offer feedback and identify support needs or barriers to progress
Mid-Program Milestone: Application for Admission to Candidacy
- Remind students to submit the Application for Admission to Candidacy (AAC) at the midpoint of their program. Note: A candidacy form is required for each program, including graduate certificates
- Confirm the form reflects completed and planned coursework accurately
- If the student wants to use a newer catalog year, they can indicate this on their candidacy form or request a catalog update in advance by emailing the Graduate College.
- Help students use their Academic Advisement Report (AAR) to review requirements
- Assist with submission of a Request for Adjustment of Academic Requirements if course substitutions have been made
Candidacy and academic adjustment forms are available on the Graduate College Student Forms page. Deadlines for submission of the candidacy form are posted in the Academic Calendar.
In the Semester of Graduation
- Ensure students apply for graduation after their candidacy form is approved
- Confirm they submit separate applications for degrees and certificates, if applicable
- Refer students to official information about the graduation process and reference the Academic Calendar for deadlines.
For Thesis and Dissertation Students
- Review Graduate College deadlines and formatting requirements early
- Maintain regular communication about defense scheduling and submission steps
- Direct students to the Thesis and Dissertation Information available online
- Refer students to the Graduate Student Success Center for formatting and process support: success@boisestate.edu or 208-426-GSSC (4772).