The Reality of The Academic Advisor’s Practice of Counseling Skills With Social Work Students .

The current study aims to determine the reality of academic advisors' practice of Counseling skills with social work students. The sample unit of the study consisted of student in the Department of Social Sciences at the College of Arts and Applied Sciences, Dhofar University, in the Sultanate of Oman, during the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. The study proposed a set of recommendations from the perspective of the group work method in social work to enhance the effectiveness of academic advisors' practice of Counseling skills with social work students. These recommendations include Organizing training workshops for academic advisors to improve their communication, problem-solving, and time management skills, while considering students’ cultures and needs: This approach enhances advisors' skills, enabling them to provide better support for students in social work. Setting fixed times for advising sessions that accommodate students' schedules: This action facilitates students’ attendance and strengthens interaction between advisors and students. Encouraging departments at Dhofar University to collaborate and exchange experiences to improve academic advising: This proposal enables the sharing of best practices, tailored to local students' needs. Organizing workshops to train students on how to benefit from academic advising: This contributes to enhancing students' ability to make decisions and take responsibility. Encouraging academic advisors to use innovative advising methods, such as group or online advising: This approach enhances students' engagement with advising more effectively.