Jobs at UMass Dartmouth

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Academic Advising Coordinator, Pre-Professional Programs

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT: CAS/STAR Center

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU  CAT: 13      

REPORTS TO: Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

SUPERVISES: May supervise work-study or student workers

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Academic Advising Coordinator, Pre-Professional Programs supports ongoing retention and student success initiatives and activities at the University in order to increase undergraduate student retention and student success.

This position guides UMass Dartmouth students and alumni in the pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher preparation tracks including advising on career goals, assisting with course selections in cooperation with major program faculty advisors, designing and implementing workshops, creating and promoting resources, serving as a liaison to key academic departments and schools, and establishing and cultivating relationships with admissions at professional schools. This position will serve as an experienced advisor with strong communication skills and an ability to guide students as they reflect upon their goals, clarify their interests, and make informed and independent decisions. This will include advising and supporting students in the accelerated JD and MAT programs.

The selected candidate will carry a case load of students with a focus on pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher preparation advising and initiatives in addition to other advisees in supporting the STAR Center and related advising initiatives.

Follows the University’s best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention, and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adheres to system and campus-wide advising standards, policies, procedures and practices at UMass Dartmouth
• Advise students and alumni on all aspects of the pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher prep tracks, including course selection, pre-law,pre-health professional school requirements and admissions, MAT requirements, and gaining relevant and meaningful experiences that best support a student’s interests while strengthening a future professional school application and communicate advising extensively and efficiently with students in person, virtually, and by email.
• Serve as the main point of contact for 3+3 JD advising, BaccMD, and fast track MAT programs.
• Serve as an advisor for pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher preparation clubs and student organizations and residential living-learning communities on campus where appropriate.
• Support students applying to master’s, post-baccalaureate, and related graduate school programs using tools including LSAC, AAMC, and related sites where appropriate.
• Incorporate assessment tools in advising where appropriate to support students in meeting their goals and participate in ongoing assessment and improvement of academic advising.
• Annually update the pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher prep advising guides and related materials.
• Disseminate information via appropriate channels including but not limited to websites, email, print materials, and online learning sites.
• Maintain currency through professional development in pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher prep advising.
• Read and edit personal statements and letters for advisees applying to appropriate graduate programs.
• Coordinate and present workshops pertaining to the pre-law, pre-med, and teacher prep application processes, whether in-person or virtually.
• Work with faculty directors and affiliated departments to plan and hold events promoting pre-professional studies for existing students in those tracks.
• Participate in advising initiatives including the STAR Center.
• Support students in internship searches in collaboration with programs and the Career Center.
• Develop an advising and programming model for pre-law students and alumni in collaboration with the appropriate Dean’s office team liaisons and Provost’s office liaisons.
• Create programming and resources for First-Year Mentors, Resident Advisors, and other groups.
• Build opportunities for faculty/student mentoring and connections and present/facilitate office presentations and workshops, whether in-person or virtually.
• Represent the office in special programs planned by the office and/or in conjunction with other offices including, but not limited to, Orientation, Admissions events, etc.,and with professional schools and associations.
• Assist in collaborative efforts to build community for pre-professional students including academic support, mentoring, and career exploration.
• Complete annual Pre-Professional programs report and assessments.
• Collaborates with other departments in the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs divisions, including, but not limited to, academic programs, Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, and Career Center.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Master's Degree in education, counseling, business, or related areas
• EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated three or more years of experience in academic advising or related activities, preferably at the higher education level.
• OTHER:
  • Knowledge of or willingness to engage in professional development related to pre-professional programs in pre-law, pre-med/health, and teacher preparation.
  • Experience with software including Microsoft, Canvas, Survey Monkey, LSAC, AAMC, and Qualtrics or comparable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience in pre-law, pre-med/health, and/or teacher preparation advising

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to interact in a professional manner with students, alumni, faculty, prospective applicants, families, law school admissions deans, and medical school admissions deans, among others.
• Team player, inclusive, positive outlook.
• Ability to take initiative and collaborate on the creation and update of pre-professional programming.
• Ability to multitask and work independently.
• Strong collaborative and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable with assessment and data collection.
• Must be able to relate well to a diverse student body, understand the needs of students from underrepresented backgrounds, and be committed to advancing diversity in medical education.
• Familiarity with law school, medical school, and teacher education admissions process is helpful.
• Work involves occasional evenings and weekends.
• This position may supervise work-study or student workers
• Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis

SALARY: $70,000-$88,000

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for permanent employment in the United States. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.   

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for early consideration of internal ESU applicants is November 13, 2026.

The review of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.