Academic advisors are required to complete specific training courses that equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their roles effectively and ethically. This page includes mandatory trainings such as FERPA, Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM), and MSU Foundations. It also features optional campus-wide training opportunities, including Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion, teaching and learning resources, and guidance on supporting students’ basic and essential needs. Use the links below to explore both required and recommended trainings.
Mandatory Trainings
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA is a federal law that protects students’ rights to access, amend, and control the disclosure of their education records. To complete this required training, click on the button below.
Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Training (RVSM)
All faculty and staff are required to complete training on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) within 30 days of hire. This training includes important information on MSU policies, including protocols for mandatory reporting.
MSU Foundations
MSU Foundations: Our Spartan Community (formerly DEI Foundations) is a university-wide online educational learning experience created for new students, faculty, and staff. To foster a sense of belonging, the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion developed this fully customized, MSU-specific e-learning opportunity in collaboration with many campus units and experts
Optional/Highly Recommended Training
Teaching Resources
The Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI) offers comprehensive teaching resources across all MSU schools, colleges, and departments. If needing assistance with creating course content, getting started as an instructor, or making enhancements to an existing course, CTLI offers a wealth of information and support.
Active Violence Incidents (AVI) Awareness Training
An AVI is an ongoing assault with a weapon causing death or serious injury of multiple victims in a populated area. Awareness training is recommended for all students, faculty, and staff.
Basic/Essential Needs Educator Training
The Basic/Essential Needs Educator Training was created to provide educators with practical skills and insights to effectively guide students to various campus resources that support a range of basic and essential needs.
Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion
Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion is the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center’s core curriculum. This program is designed to encourage the growth and development of ally skills and practices over time by providing a greater variety of educational programs and workshops at varying levels and on specific topics and identities.