Academics
One-On-One Advising
Students are assigned an academic advisor to assist in developing educational plans, choosing a major, and scheduling courses.
The advisor, assigned by the University Registrar's, is a faculty member in the discipline of the student’s major. Although the University provides assistance in course scheduling through the academic advisor and other staff, it is the student’s responsibility to see that graduation requirements are met.
The primary academic advisor is from the academic division of the student’s first major. Other advisors may also be assigned depending on the student’s academic program. The advisor(s) will assist and advise, but will not make career decisions for the student. An advisor is a disciplinary specialist, not a career counseling specialist.
Academic Advising: A Joint Responsibility
Academic advising is a joint responsibility between student and advisor. Good academic advising always flows in three sequential steps:
1. Life and career planning
2. Selecting courses
3. Scheduling courses
The first requires good thought by the student and extensive discussion with the advisor. As an adult, student should take responsibility to initiate this contact. Selecting courses, determining course load and scheduling courses for each term is easier, if the life and career goals are known.
During the regular academic year, an academic planning and advising period occurs prior to the course scheduling period. The student’s schedule will include general education courses and courses in the major and/or minor.
Student Responsibilities
- Work on life and career goals
- Share interests, values, goals, and plans with advisor
- Read Catalog requirements for:
- General Education core
- Major
- Minor (if applicable)
- Ask the advisor and appropriate University staff questions
- Make appointment with advisor
- Go prepared to the advisor with some preliminary ideas and plans on what courses to schedule
Advisor Responsibilities
- Be available with posted office hours
- Know University course requirements
- General Education core
- Major
- Minor
- Interpret requirements to the advisor
- Share information about the discipline and employment opportunities within that discipline
- Assist the student to make a good decision about academic load considering ability, extracurricular activities and employment
- Assist student to anticipate program completion date
- Double check the student’s plan against published materials
Change in Major
To declare a major or change a major program, the student initiates the change in the University Registrar’s Office in Founders Hall. Students must first connect with a faculty member or administrator in the new major discipline before changing so that full details about the major requirement are understood and accepted. If a decision is made, then the student must complete the online MVNU Declaration of Degree Form to make changes. A change of major may result in a change in the academic advisor.
Change in Advisor
As stated in the previous paragraph, a change of major (or minor) may result in a change of advisor. In other cases, the student must contact the University Registrar’s Office to ask permission for a change of advisor.