Academic Program Coordinator

Lamwork; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamwork is looking for an Academic Program Coordinator in the United States. This role involves managing course schedules, student records through information systems, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

The ideal candidate will have skills in academic records management, attention to detail, and strong communication abilities. This position is crucial for supporting students and ensuring the smooth operation of academic programs.

Qualifications

• Proven skills in managing student records and degree-plan compliance.
• Experience advising students on registration procedures and academic policies.
• Ability to prepare accreditation documentation and compliance reports.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate course schedules and enrollment data.
• Manage student records ensuring accuracy against registrar standards.
• Advise students on academic policies and degree requirements.
• Oversee graduate milestone coordination with faculty advisors.
• Prepare accreditation documentation through data gathering.

Skills

Student Information Systems (PeopleSoft, UDSIS)

Graduate Application Platforms (SLATE)

FERPA Compliance Documentation

Spreadsheet and Database Reporting (Excel, Access)

Academic Records Management

Attention to Detail

Organization

Communication

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

ACADEMIC PROGRAM COORDINATOR CAREER GUIDE

Academic Program Coordinator skills, program coordination, and student records management. Explore the job requirements, career path, and average salary.

An Academic Program Coordinator keeps one or more college or university programs running by translating institutional policy into day-to-day student-level action - from enrollment and course scheduling to record compliance and degree‑progress monitoring. On any given day, this person fields student registration questions, prepares data for an accreditation review, resolves a course conflict with the registrar, and updates a graduation‑requirements database, all within a single department or college office.

2. Academic Program Coordinator Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate course schedules, classroom requests, and enrollment data to keep undergraduate and graduate programs on track for timely degree completion.
• Manage student records and degree‑plan compliance in student information systems, ensuring accuracy against registrar standards and FERPA requirements.
• Advise students individually and in groups on registration procedures, academic policies, and degree requirements to support informed decision‑making.
• Oversee graduate milestone coordination – including qualifying exams, dissertation proposals, and defenses – in close collaboration with faculty advisors.
• Prepare accreditation documentation and compliance reports by gathering program data and maintaining operational records for external review cycles.

3. Academic Program Coordinator Required Skills

• Hard Skills: Student Information Systems (PeopleSoft, UDSIS), Graduate Application Platforms (SLATE), FERPA Compliance Documentation, Spreadsheet and Database Reporting (Excel, Access), Academic Records Management
• Soft Skills: Attention to Detail, Organization, Communication, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Engagement

4. Academic Program Coordinator Career Path

Typical Career Progression for an Academic Program Coordinator:

• Program Assistant / Administrative Coordinator
• Academic Program Coordinator
• Senior Academic Program Coordinator
• Academic Affairs Manager / Director of Student Services

Most professionals reach the senior coordinator level within five to eight years of entering the field, depending on the complexity of the programs they support. Advancement is most strongly driven by demonstrated mastery of student information systems, breadth of experience across both undergraduate and graduate program operations, and a track record of successful accreditation cycles.

5. Academic Program Coordinator Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – Validates project planning skills relevant to program cycle management
• FERPA Compliance Training (institutional or AACRAO‑affiliated) – Demonstrates required working knowledge of student privacy regulations
• NACADA Academic Advising Certificate – Strengthens advising competency recognized by higher education employers

6. Academic Program Coordinator Salary in the United States

The average Academic Program Coordinator salary in the United States is $56,766 per year, based on the most recent data from Glassdoor.

Pay for Academic Program Coordinators varies most significantly by institution type and size, with research universities and academic medical centers typically offering higher compensation than community colleges, as well as by the scope of programs managed (graduate‑only versus combined undergraduate and graduate portfolios) and years of direct experience in higher education administrative roles.

7. Academic Program Coordinator Resume Tips

• Quantify your impact by including concrete metrics on your resume: number of student records maintained, percentage reduction in scheduling conflicts, or enrollment figures supported during peak registration periods.
• Highlight your proficiency with specific platforms by naming the student information systems and graduate application tools you have used, such as PeopleSoft, UDSIS, SLATE, or Banner, rather than listing generic "database experience."
• Showcase direct experience with compliance‑sensitive functions – FERPA‑covered records management, accreditation reporting, or degree‑audit administration – since these responsibilities carry particular weight in higher education hiring decisions.

8. Academic Program Coordinator Cover Letter Tips

• Open with a direct connection between your most relevant administrative achievement and the program operations challenges the role is designed to solve – leading with a concrete outcome, such as improved record accuracy or a successful accreditation cycle, is far more compelling than a generic statement of interest.
• Connect your coordination skills to institutional outcomes by explaining how your work with student records, course scheduling, or compliance reporting translated into measurable results for the programs and students you supported, rather than simply listing responsibilities.
• Mirror the exact terminology from the job posting – terms such as FERPA compliance, degree‑audit administration, student information systems, and accreditation reporting – so your letter passes ATS keyword screening and signals familiarity with higher education administrative language from the first read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Academic Program Coordinators occupy a stable and in‑demand niche in higher education administration. The broader postsecondary education administrators field is projected to grow 2 percent through 2034, with approximately 15,100 openings expected annually, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The role also builds transferable institutional knowledge that creates real pathways toward higher‑level affairs and enrollment management positions.