The problem addressed in this study was exploring how the advising experience affects student retention rates in online Master of Business programs. This qualitative narrative inquiry study explored student perceptions through their stories regarding the efficacy and impact of academic advising programming and resources on their academic success in online Master of Business programs. The conceptual framework was influenced by Bandura's theory of self-efficacy and Lev Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, emphasizing how environmental factors influence personal behaviors. Through purposive sampling, six alumni of online Master of Business programs were interviewed using open-ended, semi-structured narrative interviews to gather thick, rich descriptions of the six participants' perspectives through their stories regarding academic advising. Collected data were transcribed, reviewed by the participants, and entered into the NVivo Pro software to conduct further analysis. Braun and Clarke's six steps for reflexive thematic analysis were employed, which supported the identification of codes to form nine themes that aligned with the four research questions developed for this study. The findings suggest that the academic advising relationship is important for academic success and student retention in online programs, and problematic challenges need to be addressed for improvement. Recommendations include stakeholders and policy makers within institutions of higher education prioritizing academic advising and allocating resources toward improving the student/advisor relationship. Training and improved resources for academic advisors can improve student experiences and increase student retention. Future researchers may wish to conduct similar studies with increased population sizes, different programs, and different program levels. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]