Your Academic Advisor and You
Catherine Preston, MA
Academic Advising
Many situations arise during your academic experience in which informed academic and career
advice is helpful. The objective of the advising system at the University of South Alabama is to
help you at each stage of your undergraduate experience, define the choices you must make, and
provide you with any guidance necessary. Even if you are still exploring what major and ultimately
what career you wish to pursue, your academic advisor will be a valuable resource to you on your
path to graduation.
What Is Academic Advising?
Academic advising is the process where you obtain the critical information you need to make
thoughtful decisions about your college career, such as deciding upon your major or solving any
roadblocks you may encounter.
Your academic advisor in Academic Advising & Transfer Services understands that your first year
is a very exciting time and one of great change. As a result, your advisor will work hard to help
ensure this year is as memorable as possible and assist you in your overall success at South.
As an invested part of your overall undergraduate experience at USA, you should look to your
advisor for help in understanding the policies, procedures, major options, and program
requirements for your chosen area of study. Your advisor can also help you understand the
relationship between your chosen major and your career goals. Additionally, your academic
advisor can help you clearly define your educational objectives and develop a plan to help you
reach your goals in the most logical way. You will want to actively participate in this relationship,
so be sure to ask your advisor questions about your education and how you can enhance your
undergraduate experience.
What Is the Benefit of Meeting with an Academic Advisor?
Your advisor is there to help you set educational, career, and life goals and create the best course
of action for achieving your goals. Your academic advisor can also help you save both time and
money by working with you to create a plan for completing your degree in a timely manner.
Meta-Moment 01
Use the Meta-Moment space in Canvas to respond to the following question:
Most new students meet with their advisor the first time during summer before
starting classes. At that meeting, you talk about your fall schedule and start
degree planning.
Now that you have been in classes for four or more weeks, what questions do
you have for your academic advisor about fall classes and your major?
What else would you like to learn in your advising appointment this fall?
Building relationships on campus is vitally important in college because it opens many different
opportunities for you as a college student and eventually as a college graduate. Your advisor can
also help get you connected to additional staff on campus, as well as faculty in your major field.
Further, advisors are often aware of internships, jobs, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities
that can help you make connections in your field and benefit you in the future.
What Is Your Role in Academic Advising?
To ensure you make the most of your advising appointment, you will want to be sure you are
prepared for your appointment. You should schedule and attend your advising appointment prior
to your registration eligibility date. Be sure to take an active role in your advising session by
being prepared to discuss your academic and career goals and educational plans. You should also
think about questions and/or materials for discussion, and ask questions if you do not understand
an issue or have a specific concern. Be sure, too, to follow through on referrals and inform your
advisor of the outcome of those referrals.
Additionally, you should understand the degree requirements of the colleges and majors you are
considering. You should understand scholarship and financial aid requirements if you are receiving
them. For instance, most scholarships require you to complete 30 hours each academic year (1416 hours each term). You should monitor your own progress using Degree Works, and seek advice
from your advisor, so you stay on track towards a four-year graduation. Once you are in your
advising appointment, ask questions for clarification and check your understanding of the
processes and policies for your major.
Further, you should be aware of drop/add deadlines and additional university policies by reading
the undergraduate bulletin. The undergraduate bulletin is the official university publication that
contains policy and procedural information for the university, including degree program
requirements and course descriptions. Reading the bulletin will help you understand the
university’s academic policies. If there is something in the bulletin you do not understand, be sure
to ask your advisor for clarification.
In addition, all university deadlines are posted in the Academic Calendar. You will find your
registration dates here, so you will want to plan your academic advising meetings well in advance.
Remember, during registration periods, academic advisors are very busy with student
appointments, so make your advising appointment early in the semester, and be sure to make an
appointment with your advisor as many times as you need!
Above all, remember that you, and not your advisor, are ultimately responsible for all aspects of
your education while at South Alabama, from course selection to meeting graduation requirements.
Your academic advisor and others are there to help you, but it is up to you to take charge of your
future success!
Choosing a Major
If you do not know what college or major to choose, you are not alone. A significant number of
first-year students are exploratory, and many students who have declared a major will change their
major several times before they make a final decision. Being undecided places you in the position
to explore, investigate, and expand your general knowledge of all the opportunities available at
USA as you plan for your future. This is a terrific time for you to brainstorm and dream of all the
possibilities available to you. Use this time, also, to discover who you are and what you want to
be and do once you graduate.
Whatever you do, do not be discouraged. You are at the beginning of an adventure, and you need
to proceed with an open and investigative attitude using as many resources as possible to help you
reach an informed decision on a major. Career Services and Academic Advising & Transfer
Services are both excellent places to start your search.
Career Services offers many resources that can assist you as you explore all of the possibilities
available at South. Be sure to utilize all aspects of Career Services (390 Alumni Drive, Meisler
Hall 2100) from taking interest inventories; speaking with a career counselor; learning about
internship or part-time job postings; taking part in résumé-building exercises and workshops; and
exploring the numerous online resources. Specifically, take the FOCUS 2 assessment
(http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/careerservices/focus2.html), which is a career and
educational planning tool that looks at your personality, interests, values, and skills to help match
you to a possible career and educational path. If you have a career in mind that matches what you
want in life, you and your advisor can then work together to determine your academic path. Keep
in mind that careers often develop in unusual ways that cannot be predicted by a major, and a
certain major does not by any means guarantee a job. You may want to visit the “Helpful Resources
to
Research
Careers
and
Majors”
section
(http://www.southalabama.edu/departments/careerservices/careerplanning.html#explorecareersa
ndmajors) on the Career Service’s website for additional information on majors and careers.
Your advisor will also encourage you to use the university’s General Education requirements to
enroll in courses that interest you. Quite often, while taking courses to satisfy these requirements,
you will discover areas that interest you and potential majors to research. You will also be making
progress in your undergraduate degree even though you have not officially declared a major.
Meta-Majors
Meta-majors, sometimes referred to as career clusters, organize individual majors under a larger
academic umbrella. These programs can provide you with a clear pathway to graduation and help
you make connections between your studies and different career tracks. Please review the meta
major website to learn more about the South's different career clusters.
Finally, student clubs and organizations offer great opportunities to learn about majors and careers.
Think about joining a student organization that holds special meaning to you and will help you
demonstrate and/or acquire skills, and challenge yourself to take on a leadership role in that
organization. In addition, talking with faculty members who have worked, or work, in career fields
of interest is another important way to gather information about majors.
Do whatever it takes to be a successful student! An exploratory student needs to keep doors open.
There is a wealth of information available at USA to help you while you are exploring major and
career options, but you must actively seek it.
Meta-Moment 02
Use the Meta-Moment space in Canvas to respond to the following question:
Think about your classes so far this semester.
What are your favorite classes?
Which classes are required for or will count towards your major?
Is there overlap in your favorite classes and those that count towards your
major, or are they separate?
What do you think about your answer to the last question?
Advising Terminology
Your academic advisor may use some terminology you may not be familiar with. Below you will
find a list of terms and definitions that can help you understand terms discussed during your
academic advising appointment.
Academic Probation: Students with a cumulative grade-point average below 2.0 are placed on
academic probation. You are required to meet with an academic advisor if you are placed on
academic probation.
Academic Suspension/Academic Dismissal: When placed on academic suspension, a student is
not allowed to enroll in courses for one regular semester. This occurs if the student’s GPA falls
below a certain minimum GPA as shown in the table below. Academic dismissal occurs when a
student has been suspended and reinstated but then fails to raise his or her GPA to the required
level. In this case, a student cannot enroll at USA for one full calendar year.
Audit: A course for which you pay tuition and fees but do not receive credit.
Bulletin: The official university publication that contains policy and procedural information for
the university, including degree program requirements and course descriptions.
Credit hours: Every class is worth a value called a credit hour, which generally equals the amount
of time you spend in class per week during the semester. Every degree program requires you to
take a certain number of credit hours in order to earn a degree.
Degree plan or curriculum: A list of exact courses, subject areas, and credit hours needed to obtain
a specific degree.
Degree Works: A curriculum mapping system available in PAWS that will allow you to see what
courses are remaining for your chosen major and allow you to “degree shop” if you wish to change
majors.
Drop/Add: This term refers to adjusting your schedule by dropping and/or adding courses. The
drop/add period is limited and is indicated on the academic calendar.
15 to Finish: To ensure an on-time graduation, be sure to complete at least fifteen credits each term
or thirty credits each academic year. You can include summers.
Financial aid: Money is available to eligible students in the form of grants, loans, scholarships,
and work-study funding. The money comes through federal and state government or private
donations.
Full-time students: A student who is taking at least 12 credit hours in a semester. We recommend
you register for 14-16 hours each semester.
Grade point average (GPA): The average of the student’s grades for all classes taken at the
University of South Alabama.
Official transcript: A sealed, printed record of every course a student has taken at the University
of South Alabama along with the grades earned. Official transcripts may be obtained from the
Registrar.
PAWS: An online interface that houses student records and allows for course registration.
Part-time student: A student who is enrolled in less than twelve hours per semester.
Prerequisites: Preliminary skills, knowledge or courses required before enrollment in a particular
course.
Required grade point average: The established standards designating appropriate academic
progress. To stay in good academic standing, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 2.0
or greater on coursework earned at the University of South Alabama.
Canvas: The learning management system you will use for online courses or courses with a web
component.
Semester: An academic term.
Transfer credit: Credit hours taken at an institution other than the University of South Alabama
that are applied toward a degree at USA.
Unofficial transcript: A record of every course a student has taken at the University of South
Alabama including the grades earned. Unofficial transcripts can be found in the PAWS system.
Rebecca’s Experience
When I was told I had to take an FYE as a new freshman at South, I felt like the course was
something I did not need. Well, I was wrong. This class has taught me invaluable information
about myself through assessments and required papers. For example, the FOCUS 2 was a really
great way for me to get more information about my chosen field. I also learned what my
personality type is and how that may or may not affect my career choices. My advisor
specifically helped me decide my major. She showed me the career options, the required courses
for several majors, and assured me medical school admission committees welcome applicants
from all majors.
I learned better ways to learn course material. My first exams in two classes were a 76 and 78.
The second test scores after learning and implementing my new study habits were a 94 and 96.
Leaps and bounds of improvement between the two. Now that I am finishing my FYE, I
understand why ALL freshmen need to take this class.
In addition to this course, I think there are a few things that could help you. Know your schedule
before you pick your parking section and start classes to avoid being late and having a parking
spot nowhere near your classes. The Center for Academic Excellence essentially saved my life.
If you think you have a great paper, still let them proofread it. The revisions you make can
change your score by an entire letter grade through their recommendations. They have 30-minute
appointments all day to choose from online, which is convenient for between classes, and it is
free. If you EVER need to email your professor, ask your FYE instructor the proper way first; if
not, your professor may not even reply to a “rude” email.
Lastly, get to know your teachers. Your teacher is more likely to let you make up assignments,
alert you to extra credit opportunities, or round up an 89.5% to an A instead of a B when they
know you care about your academic success. I’m grateful that USA’s faculty members care
about their students’ success enough to offer and require this course to be taken. Through
educating students about themselves, students can understand more about what they want and
what they will need to succeed. Overall, the information given to us changed my first semester at
South when I applied it. I hope you all view this course as well as campus resources as
opportunities to help you reach your academic goals, because that is exactly what they are.
The Rest of Your Life Is a Long Time: Career Considerations Guided by Amanda Gibson,
Academic/Career Planning Instructor and Advisor
You just met Rebecca. Her career goal is being a pediatrician, and she will pursue medical
school after she graduates from South. Although Rebecca has chosen biology as her major, did
you know that you do not have to major in science to be an attractive candidate for admission to
medical school? Medical schools accept students with all kinds of baccalaureate degrees, even
English! Acceptance requires a certain grade point average and making sure you have taken the
required prerequisites, which include two semesters of:
• General Chemistry with Lab
• General Biology with Lab
• Mathematics (Calculus is recommended)
• Organic Chemistry with Lab
• General Physics with Lab
• Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Humanities
• English Composition or Literature
• Individual schools may have additional requirements
As you can see, you can take these general education prerequisites and earn an undergraduate
degree in psychology, if you choose, and still pursue a career as a medical doctor. There are
many paths to all kinds of careers—we just want to help you find the right one for you.
When you look at your schedule, you may wonder why you need to take history, literature, social
or behavior science, natural science, psychology, and/or fine arts courses. These are called
general education requirements. These courses are the “backbone” of your education. When you
graduate from USA and apply to your first job, that employer will know that you know at least a
little about a lot of different fields. Our goal is to not only train you in a specific field, but to also
make sure you gain a well-rounded education. So, your first two years here will be spent taking
courses in many different fields, and the last two years will be spent concentrating on the
coursework for your major.
As a FYE instructor and an academic advisor on campus, I find myself asking this question of
students over and over: “What about this major appeals to you?” Sometimes I am met with a
laundry list of well-thought-out reasons, other times, a blank look. Both of these are the “right”
answer. It’s okay to be unsure about your path. There are over fifty majors at this university, and
each of these majors could lead to a dozen or more different careers. Sometimes, students are so
fixated on a particular career that they don’t consider how well the major coordinates with their
skills and abilities. I was one such student.
I began my freshman year certain that I was going to double-major in athletic training and
psychology to become a sports psychologist. I wanted to work with professional athletes who
experienced performance issues related to anxiety or other factors. I excelled in my exercise
science classes and my hours in the training room, but chemistry proved to be an obstacle not
easily overcome. I studied for hours and still ended up squeaking by with a C–. My subsequent
nutrition course resulted in an even lower grade. I was floundering; and yet, I thought I had it all
figured out.
I ended up asking myself some tough questions. It was difficult, as the daughter of a pathologist
and a microbiologist, to admit that maybe I hadn’t inherited my parents’ aptitude for science.
Perhaps, had I studied every waking minute, I could have continued in my major and passed my
higher-level science courses; however, I knew I had other aptitudes to explore. I had always been
an avid reader. English was by far my favorite subject in school, and writing was a task I enjoyed
rather than avoided. After a short stint in psychology, I changed my major to English and never
looked back. My GPA soared; I even had several 4.0 semesters once I progressed into my major
coursework.
FYE courses are designed to help students explore their options. Some students come to USA
knowing what they want to major in; still others come to school with only a vague idea of what
their major entails. Our job is to help students figure out their path, and maybe a few “parallel
paths” if one isn’t the right fit. In short, don’t feel as if you need to have everything figured out.
After all, that’s why we’re here.
I bet if you counted the times you’ve been asked, “What do you want to do with your life?”
you’d be sitting on a pile of cash. For some reason, this seems to be the natural phrasing of this
career-related question. The interesting thing is, according to a recent Forbes article
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2012/08/14/job-hopping-is-the-new-normal-formillennials-three-ways-to-prevent-a-human-resource-nightmare), a millennial (that’s you!) will
change his or her job at least seven times throughout his or her working life. I urge you to stop
thinking in these finite terms. Majoring in a field that you can excel in and holds your interest is
the focus. Your career is a dynamic, ever-evolving part of your life, and as freshmen, it is never
too early to start planning.
Where to Start?
If you were like me as a child, you had career aspirations as young as five. I was convinced I was
going to be a dentist. I even got a part-time job in high school with my own dentist. I started out
in reception and ended up gaining enough experience and trust to be able to assist procedures.
There is absolutely no substitute for experience when it comes to deciding if a career is right for
you. If you weren’t lucky enough to be able to shadow a mentor in your chosen field in high
school, there is no time like the present. Ask family and friends if they know an engineer, or a
nurse, or an athletic trainer (or whatever occupation that catches your interest). We have
opportunities on this campus that offer direct experience; it’s up to you to seek them.
Remember, choosing your major is an ongoing conversation with yourself. It may take you a
year of your general education requirements to figure it out—and that’s okay. It is a journey, and
you may come across some roadblocks or obstacles along the way. Although it may seem like
your peers are set in their decisions, only a small minority of students arrive at South knowing
their major.
Exploratory Students
One of the key benefits of taking a couple of years of general education requirements is that you
get a taste of many different academic disciplines. For an exploratory student, (one who is
discovering majors instead of settled on one), general education courses can open one’s mind to
a field that one had never previously considered. If you truly are unsure of your path, stay
exploratory until you’ve had enough experience in the college classroom to know where you
might want to be. As long as you’re taking the correct prerequisites (higher-level sciences and
math for the pre-health and natural science majors), there is absolutely no harm in avoiding
major declaration until you’ve earned at least 30 credit hours. All students need English
composition courses, fine arts, behavior or social sciences, literature and/or history, etc. It’s
better to make an informed decision after a period of exploration than a quick decision that might
take years to realize isn’t for you.
When You Need to Change Your Major
As an academic advisor and a career planning instructor, throughout the year, I have hundreds of
conversations with students about their majors. Unfortunately, many students cling to a chosen
major because of obligation, family expectations (“but everyone in my family is a nurse!”) or
their own resistance to change. Part of our goals is to remove the stigma of changing your major
and encourage you to select a major in which you will excel. Changing your major does not
mean you’ve made a “mistake.” It means you’ve taken the first step towards a new path, one that
probably fits better with your values, abilities, skills, and goals. It should be met with excitement,
not anxiety. Often, my students thank me later for helping them examine their major selection
with a critical eye.
Meta-Moment 03
Use the Meta-Moment space in Canvas to respond to the following question:
Think about Amanda’s experience as a college freshman. She lived with two
science-type parents and planned on being a sports psychologist. Then, she
stumbled in some early classes.
How do you think Amanda felt when she thought about telling her parents
about the change?
If you were Amanda’s friend, what would you have said if she talked to you
about her concerns regarding career and major?
For the Transfer Student
If you’re a transfer student, you know how difficult it can be to assess transfer credits and academic
progress. During your first semester, familiarize yourself with the campus and some of the
resources available for student success. You’ll notice that there’s a difference in curriculum and
instruction here at South, and that’s normal. Getting used to your new environment can be difficult,
and that’s where Student Academic Success can help in making your transfer experience easier
and manageable. If you have any questions about how to access things on campus, visit Student
Academic Success. Remember, the more you reach out for help, the easier it will be to adjust.
Welcome to South Alabama!
Counseling and Testing
If you need to talk to someone besides your academic advisor, counseling and testing services are
made available for students who may need assistance throughout the semester. Counseling services
are available for students who need personal support. You’ll find that adjusting to college life and
having expectations from your family may impact how you’re learning or progressing within your
academic program. It is important that you utilize these services early to avoid your academics
being affected by such circumstances. Our counseling department is committed to serving students
and will assess your needs during your initial visit. It is important to follow up with their office
accordingly.
Student Disability Services are reserved for students with an identified learning disability. If you
sense that you’re having difficulty in the classroom and need accommodations, please let your
academic advisor know as soon as possible. If you have a preexisting condition or think you may
be experiencing challenges, reach out to Student Disability Services or your academic advisor.
Transient Credit
Thinking about going home this summer and want to take a class at a college near home? You’ll
need to get transient credit approval prior to taking courses at another institution. If you are a transfer
student, you may have reached the maximum number of credits allowed to transfer into your program.
Again, visiting with your academic advisor early in the spring semester about your intent is
important. Transient approval is ultimately up to the dean within your college; however, it is
important you talk with your advisor first about what courses you’ll be taking off campus. Your
advisor and academic dean will all need to sign this before the coursework can be approved. This
will take time, so plan ahead!
What is a Minor?
A minor field of study helps you specialize in an additional area. It might be used as a strategy to
market yourself in the job market. For example, you might choose a minor so you can take classes
that help you develop a second line of skills. Finding an appropriate minor should be driven by
your career objectives or area of interest. You may find that completing a minor is fairly easy and
requires few courses outside of the course requirements in your major. Think about this:
engineering students can easily minor in math because of the required math courses found in their
major. By adding several additional courses, they can graduate with an engineering degree with a
minor in mathematics. In other cases, you may need 18 to 24 additional hours, and this can vary
depending on your major. For example, an engineering student who wants to work for a global
company might minor in foreign language or anthropology. Sometimes, your academic advisor
will suggest you also see an advisor in your minor area.
Congratulations!
You are well equipped for your educational journey at South Alabama. Remember, your academic
advisor will help keep you on track as you progress towards degree completion, so the closer you
work with your advisor, the more likely you are to be successful.
It is our hope that at the conclusion of your four years, you will appreciate the importance of
academic planning, that you will understand the importance of enhancing your degree with cocurricular/extracurricular and inter/intra-cultural experiences, that you will know your
responsibilities as an educated citizen of South, and that you will value the educational process
and learning across the life span.
Best of luck on this exciting journey!
Important Contacts
Counseling and Testing Center
(251) 460-7051
Student Academic Success
(251) 460-7103
Academic Advising & Transfer Services
(251) 341-4017
The Writing Center
(251) 460-6480
The Math Lab
(251) 460-6264
Dean of Students
(251) 460-6172
Residence Hall
(251) 341-4663
Dining Services
(251) 460-6296
Student Health Services
(251) 460-7151
VA Educational Assistance
(251) 460-6230
Housing
(251) 341-4663
Financial Aid
(251) 460-6231
Registrar
(251) 460-6251
Bookstore
(251) 460-7012
Minority Student Services
(251) 460-6895
Student Disability Services
(251) 460-7212
Whistleblower Hotline
(251) 460-6393
Campus Police
(251) 460-6312
Advising Contacts
Academic Advising & Transfer Services
(251) 341-4017
College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center
(251) 460-7233
Computer Information Systems
(251) 460-6779
Education
(251) 380-2103
Nursing
(251) 445-9416
Engineering
(251) 460-6140
Business
(251) 460-7167
Allied Health
(251) 445-9260
Pre-Health Professions
(251) 445-9280
Pre-Law
(251) 460-7161
Interdisciplinary Degree
(251) 380-2889
Athletic Academic Services
(251) 460-6072
Honors Program
(251) 460-7145