Advising System
Academic advisers are a bridge between students, faculty and the entire campus community. During advising sessions, a developmental approach is used to assist students with academic questions and the decision-making process. Faculty and staff advisers:
- Assist students in choosing majors and planning their academic programs.
- Inform students about the general education requirements of the College and relate them to their major requirements.
- Advise students on class selection and registration.
- Offer advice on educational and career goal setting.
- Assist students in locating support services on campus.
- Perform degree audits and graduation status checks.
- Connect students with faculty on campus.
- Review academic policies and procedures with students.
- Help students with other related issues and problems of an academic nature.
Academic advising responsibilities are distributed among faculty advisers and professional advisers in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office in the following manner:
- Undergraduate and graduate faculty advisers in each department or program
advise students who have declared majors
- In their major field of study.
- In general degree requirements.
- In graduate study requirements.
- Professional and graduate-student advisers in the Arts and Sciences Advising Office
- Advise bachelor of liberal arts students, including students in the Program for Adult College Education (PACE).
- Advise students who have not yet declared a major or are on probation.
- Help all undergraduates with special requests and problems.
- Evaluate transfer courses.
- Conduct degree audits prior to graduation on all bachelor's degree-seeking students.
While academic advising is not required for all students, it is recommended that students seek academic advising each semester to avoid problems later. Certain undergraduate majors do require academic advising each semester. Students required to secure an adviser's approval and release before enrolling include:
- All freshmen.
- General studies and undeclared students.
- Probationary students.
- Students requesting overloads or credit/no credit option.
- Undergraduate majors in art, chemistry, physics and theater.
- Graduate majors in chemistry, English, geosciences, sociology, and theatre.
When the next semester's course schedule is published on the UMKC Web site, students should contact their academic adviser. Students who promptly seek academic advising have a better chance of securing their first choice of courses and times. While the Arts and Sciences Advising Office sees students strictly on a walk-in basis, most faculty advisers require an appointment.
Additional Resources
Freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to enroll in Arts & Sciences 100. This course focuses on providing students with information and skills that will help them choose a major and develop numerous strategies for academic success.
The Career Services Center provides workshops for students at all levels on decision making and career connections with liberal arts majors. Student paraprofessionals offer opportunities for individual counseling as well as group
sessions concerning choosing majors, finding internships and employment.
