Advisement Center
Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1047 (570) 320-5228 or (800) 367-9222 · Fax: 570.327.4769
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the function of my faculty adviser?
- How are advisers assigned? Am I able to change advisers?
- What if I don’t like/take recommendations of my adviser?
- When must I consult with my adviser?
- When should I consult with my adviser?
- What academic policies are the most important to understand?
- Where can I get information on academic policies?
- Why must I meet with my adviser for scheduling?
- When and where do I schedule for next semester?
- Should I miss class if my day/time to enter my schedule happens when I am in class?
Q: What is the function of my faculty adviser?
A:
- To ensure the completion of courses required for the major
- To review and approve all schedule-related business
- To answer questions about the major
- To review academic progress and offer suggestions for improving performance and/or enhancing the academic experience
- To clarify academic policies
Q: How are advisers assigned? Am I able to change advisers?
A:
- The School office assigns an adviser to every new student.
- Students may request a different adviser through the School office. If the preferred faculty member is able to accept another advisee, a change can be made.
- When students transfer into a different major, the adviser will change also.
Q: What if I don’t like/take recommendations of my adviser?
A:
- The student is ultimately responsible for all academic choices and decisions; therefore, ignoring an adviser’s recommendation is a choice.
- It’s a safe assumption that the adviser is more knowledgeable than the student about the major and academic policies; therefore, ignoring recommendations might create problems in meeting graduation requirements.
Q: When must I consult with my adviser?
A:
- Any schedule shift: dropping or adding a course
- When changing the major
- When withdrawing from the College
- When drafting the next semester’s schedule
Q: When should I consult with my adviser?
A:
- If uncertain about the choice of major
- If uncertain about readiness for a certain course
- If confused by academic policy
- If experiencing problems with coursework
Q: What academic policies are the most important to understand?
A:
- Number of times a course may be repeated
- Refund policy
- Developmental course completion
- Completing the major after withdrawing from the College
- Transferring credits from another college
- Which courses satisfy general elective requirements
Q: Where can I get information on academic policies?
A:
- College Catalog, either the printed or the on-line version
- Your adviser
- Your School office
Q: Why must I meet with my adviser for scheduling?
A:
- Some courses are Fall or Spring only offerings; miss a required course, and you may extend your program.
- Many courses carry prerequisites and/or corequisites; your adviser can alert you to the appropriate course.
- Many students in associate degrees intend to transfer into baccalaureate programs; the adviser can steer you to courses that will work for both credentials.
Q: When and where do I schedule for next semester?
A:
- View course offerings through the Student Information System (SIS) to review available courses and draft the schedule you think will work for you.
- Make an appointment to meet with your adviser* prior to scheduling. You will work with your scheduling profile to identify courses and sections and share your “rough draft”.
- Your scheduling time and date* is noted on your scheduling profile. You may not schedule classes before that date and time.
- Schedule online through the SIS or go to the Advisement Center or Registrar’s Office for assistance.
* See the Registrar's Office website for advising and scheduling time frames.