Identifying and Referring Troubled Students: A Primer for Academic Advisors

Abstract

Although few academic advisors have had extensive training in counseling, we can nonetheless function as an early warning system to mobilize institutional resources on behalf of troubled students. For many advisors, knowing when a referral is appropriate, knowing what protocols to follow, and knowing whom to refer students to can present a daunting array of obstacles. The authors provide a systematic, commonsense overview of basic information for advisors to use in approaching these matters.