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NISS Certificate Program

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 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 design a solution with a clear data framework to track results. By the end of the program, you’ll have an implementation plan to address a common student success issue.

Enrolling for Fall 2026

Program Structure

This fully online program is comprised of 3 practitioner-oriented modules.

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 You will look at several proven solutions, weigh their pros and cons, and decide which ones best fit your organization’s needs. Then you’ll take one solution and adjust it to a made-up scenario, making sure it still works even with new limitations. By the end, you’ll have a strong, evidence-based solution that could be expanded or put into practice more broadly.

3

Developing an Implementation Plan

Module Three In the final module, you will design an implementation plan and learn how to present your findings to leadership and stakeholders. You’ll sharpen this plan and reflect on what you have learned from exploring evidence-based solutions for a common student-success issue.

NISS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Designed for busy professionals seeking practical, evidence-based strategies to improve student success.

FORMAT

Participate in live Zoom sessions with NISS experts and experienced coaches.

TIME

Approximately two hours each week on a schedule that fits your workload.

COST

$5,000 per participant, including coaching and collaborative learning.

PROJECT

Create an implementation plan addressing a real student success challenge.

LEADING EXPERTS

Learn from nationally recognized practitioners at Georgia State University.

FEEDBACK

Receive personalized coaching to strengthen your strategy and implementation plan.

Your Learning Journey

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

Mary Katherine Mason

Program Facilitator for the Certificate program