Professional Certificate in Student Success
NISS Certificate Program
The next course starts January 12th
Be a Change Maker in Student Success!
A 12-Week Online Program Empowering Higher Education Professionals to Diagnose Student Success Challenges and Design Evidence-Based Solutions
The NISS Professional Certificate in Student Success is a 12-week, teams-based program that guides you from diagnosing student success challenges to designing actionable, data-informed solutions. Using curated sample datasets, you’ll learn to diagnose barriers, explore evidence-based practices, and create a small-scale pilot with a clear data framework to track results. By the end of the program, you’ll have a ready-to-adapt plan to drive measurable improvements in student success at your own institution.
Program Structure
1
Diagnosing Student Success Challenges
Module One You’ll start by looking at real student data to turn general observations into a clear problem you can test and solve. You’ll learn how to figure out what’s actually getting in students’ way not just what it looks like on the surface so you can identify true root causes. By grounding your work in evidence, you’ll build a solid foundation for choosing effective solutions and practice applying these skills to real-world situations.
2
Designing an Evidence-Based Solution
Module Two
3
Developing an Implementation Plan
Module Three
Program Essentials
FORMAT
Fully online, featuring live Zoom sessions with NISS subject matter experts and coaches.
TIME
Roughly 2 hours a week, on a schedule that works for you.
COST
$5,000 per person
PROJECT
A portfolio of evidence-based strategies adaptable to your institution’s unique context.
LEADING EXPERTS
Firsthand insights from some of the leading practitioners in the field, drawing from work done at Georgia State.
FEEDBACK
Expert feedback to refine your approach and build confidence in applying strategies.
Your Learning Journey
Work with Real-World Data
Each module starts with a three-part video series connecting theory to practice. You’ll explore the principles behind student success, see them in action through demonstrations, and then apply your learning in hands-on exercises using real datasets to uncover insights and develop evidence-based solutions relevant to your educational context.
Learn Through Collaboration
Work closely with your team throughout the course. Your dedicated team space serves as the hub for discussion, brainstorming, and joint problem-solving. Together, you’ll tackle assignments, share insights, and apply concepts to real-world challenges, learning from each other’s perspectives while developing practical, evidence-based solutions.
Capstone Insights Portfolio
Your culminating project showcases everything you’ve learned, producing a portfolio analyses, strategies, and plans that can be adapted to your institution’s unique context. Beyond the program, it serves as a practical blueprint for data-informed, evidence-based student success initiatives, demonstrating your ability to translate evidence into actionable, real-world solutions.
Step Inside the NISS Certificate Experience
Take a quick tour of the platform and learning experience
Program Authors & Facilitators
Angela M. Christie, PhD
Senior Director for Educational
Programs and Learning Platforms, and Faculty Director, QEP: College to Career
Ben Brandon
Senior Director for Research and Analytics
Julie Fowkes
Associate Director for Educational Programs and NISS Certificate Program Lead
Mary Katherine Mason