Introduction to Integrated Advancement is a new online course for professionals new to educational advancement. The short course is free to CASE members and is applicable to all those working in the advancement core disciplines of advancement/development services, alumni relations, fundraising, and communications and marketing. The course explores the key components of those disciplines and how and why they work together at educational institutions.

The course is specifically designed for “early career” professionals (a designation within CASE’s Career Journey Framework) and is the first in a planned series of more extensive courses that will take a deeper dive into each of the core disciplines within advancement.

“Think of this course as a gateway to our global advancement profession, and your new CASE colleagues as your worldwide network,” says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham, in the course introduction. “As your professional association, CASE will be your constant companion on your professional journey providing you the standards, principles of practice, context, understanding, and connections to do your work better and to truly champion your institution.”

According to the competencies outlined for Introduction to Integrated Advancement, those who take the course will be able to:

• Differentiate between the core disciplines that make up educational advancement
• Identify the core competencies advancement professionals must develop
• Define the principles, ethics and job responsibilities that encompass each discipline
• Review the key resources that support advancement professionals in their career journey

“We developed the course with member feedback in mind,” says Kristi Grim, CASE’s Director of Online Education. “We heard the need for a primer on educational advancement that could be used as part of an onboarding process. The course is perfect for those at the start of the career journey, and it can also be a great resource for advancement teams that are seeking to more effectively integrate roles across disciplines.”