An academic advisement handbook for the College of Mount Saint Vincent

The purpose of this study was to produce an academic advisement handbook for the College of Mount Saint Vincent. This handbook includes three sections: (1) Academic Advisement Manual; (2) Academic Programs; and (3) Developmental Theories.;The following process was employed. First, literature on academic advisement was reviewed. Secondly, in an effort not to duplicate material, an inventory was made of all printed material on campus that was related to academic advisement. Next, formal and informal discussions were held with relevant college clientele in order to determine handbook input.;First and foremost, this study sums up the literature on academic advisement, human developmental theories, faculty handbook production, administrative support for academic advisement systems and the standards for good advisement programs.;Although research shows there is no single or preferred approach to academic advisement, it also appears to place great emphasis on the integration of human developmental theories into academic advisement systems. Consequently, a major part of this study discusses the need to combine informational advisement with the developmental theories of Arthur Chickering and William Perry. These two theorists were chosen because they best addressed the students' intellectual and psychosocial development.;Because a handbook is only one tool in the complete academic advisement system, this study also included research on academic advisement training programs. Although the research indicates minimal information on such programs, recommendations for an in-service training program at the College of Mount Saint Vincent have been included. Some significant considerations for such a program included costs, faculty willingness, administrative support and general institutional climate.