Professional Certificate in Student Success
NISS Certificate Program
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 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.
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 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.
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 to combat a common student success issue.
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 with a Cohort
Work closely with a cohort of fellow student-success practitioners. The online learning community gives you access to a gallery to view and leave feedback on others’ submissions. You’ll be encouraged to share ideas and real-world challenges with fellow participants and subject matter experts.
Explore Data-Informed Solutions
Your culminating project showcases everything you’ve learned, producing a portfolio of 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
Mary Katherine Mason