Majors/Advisors

Who is my advisor?

Incoming freshmen and transfers are assigned faculty advisors from within the intended major department. Undeclared majors are assigned to an advisor from the Academic Advisement Center or a volunteer faculty member. After declaring a major, students are assigned advisors within their major department. If you don't know who your assigned advisor is, look on "My Profile" on NazNet or contact the Academic Advisement Center to find out.

How can I change or declare a major?

Students who are changing or declaring a major must see the department chairperson for acceptance into the major and assignment of a departmental advisor. A Declaration or Change of Major/Minor/Specialization/Teacher Certification form needs to be completed and returned to the Academic Advisement Center.

What is advising?

Academic Advisement is a collaborative educational process. It is the reflective process of planning a student’s education, keeping in mind the college’s academic policies and degree requirements as well as the student’s choice of major, academic abilities, special interests, co-curricular activities, and professional and life goals. Academic advisement encourages students to become self reliant and make appropriate decisions that maximize their educational experience.

What can I expect of my advisor?

Following are the roles & responsibilities of your advisor:

Get to know advisees; contact new advisees early in the semester
Post and keep office hours and inform advisees of the best way to be contacted
Know and understand core, academic program and professional requirements, as well as college policies and procedures; help advisees to understand all of these elements
Assist advisees in reflecting upon their interests and abilities and clarifying educational, professional and life goals through active listening
Monitor advisees’ academic progress and assist them in planning their programs to achieve their academic, professional and life goals
Inform advisees of appropriate campus resources, support services and educational opportunities
Encourage advisees to meet with the advisor before problems arise
Learn advising procedures, tools and technology by reviewing advising materials and/or attending advisor training opportunities
Maintain advisement file
Support advisees’ applications for educational opportunities when appropriate
Sign college forms as necessary

What is my role in the advising process?

Following are students' roles and responsibilities in the advising process:

Know and complete the requirements for your degree program and the college core
Understand and follow academic policies and procedures as published in the undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook
Get to know your advisor. Schedule regular appointments with your advisor as needed; you are required to meet with your advisor at least once each semester to plan your academic program and select courses
Plan ahead and bring questions and relevant materials with you; be prepared for appointments with your advisor
Prepare a tentative course schedule prior to meeting with your advisor for course selection appointments
Know how to utilize current technology to access academic information such as NazNet and the on-line catalog
Be familiar with campus services and resources and use them as needed, especially if recommended by your advisor
Reflect upon your interests, abilities and educational, professional and life goals and discuss with your advisor
Monitor your academic progress
Contact your advisor if you have academic concerns or difficulties
Retain important documentation related to your academics
Check your Nazareth e-mail and voicemail (if applicable) regularly