Advising
Academic advising is an integral part of undergraduate education. The goal of academic advising is to assist students in taking responsibility for developing meaningful educational plans compatible with their career and personal goals. Advising is more than imparting specialized knowledge: it includes helping students formulate important questions about the nature and direction of their education and helping them find answers to those questions.
While advisors confer with students about courses and educational experiences, students themselves are responsible for defining the content of their academic program and making progress toward an academic degree. Advisors will assist students in designing an appropriate course of study that will satisfy requirements for graduation as well as offer information on particular courses and University rules and procedures. All students must verify their class schedule each semester, must see that necessary transactions are completed, and are responsible for all documentation related to schedule changes and other transactions.
Students who have chosen a major should meet regularly with an academic advisor in the appropriate school prior to semester drop deadlines and course registration. All freshmen are required to meet with their advisor in order to register for classes. Students admitted to UT Dallas as freshmen or as sophomores who have not declared a major are advised by the Undergraduate Student Advising Office, an integral part of the Office of Undergraduate Education. Students remain the responsibility of Undergraduate Education until they declare a major, at which time advising will be undertaken by an advisor in the student’s program.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor, especially when they have earned 75 semester credit hours to establish and/or review their degree plan.
How to have a Successful Advising Appointment
One of the many goals of the advisors in the School of Arts and Humanities is to ensure that students have an efficient, effective and meaningful advising appointment. In order for this to occur students should seek advisors assistance by scheduling and keeping appointments, asking questions regarding degree requirements until all concerns are addressed, and knowing University policies and procedures. Because each student's needs are unique and specific, students should be proactive in contacting advisors and should accept final responsibility for their actions and decisions regarding their educational pursuits.
