How long in advance can cookie dough be made?

depends upon the cookie dough. Some can be made way ahead and frozen for weeks or even months. But I haven't run across a cookie whose dough can't be made at least a couple of days in advance and refrigerated.

David Leite's famed chocolate chip cookie recipe published in the New York Times calls for letting the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least a day and up to 72 hours (3 days).

Freeze the dough for up to a month. In fridge for 2 days

This recent Kitchen Confidence article may be helpful:
http://www.food52.com/blog/5145_holiday_cookie_strategies