What is academic advising?
Academic advising is a collaborative and holistic process designed to facilitate students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and to foster students’ intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning.
Successful academic advising is a shared responsibility between an advisor and a student. It requires active participation from both parties. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to make decisions about their life goals by creating a plan to reach those goals. The advisor serves as a facilitator of communication and a coordinator of learning experiences through course and career planning and academic progress reviews.
Academic advisors are committed to provided students with high-quality assistance in order to support them in the development and pursuit of academic objectives consistent with their life goals and available opportunities at UCA’s campus.
How can academic advisors help?
Academic advising is available to all students at UCA. Our goal is to assist students in a variety of ways. Advisors can explain the academic requirements for university programs; discuss and explain the requirements of the programs offered; interpret academic policies and procedures; develop program plans; discuss various program options; help students improve their study skills; and refer students to appropriate departments and campus resources as necessary.
Students are required to meet with their assigned academic advisor at least once each semester to ensure they remain on track.
Schedule an advising appointment here.
What are the expectations of academic advisors?
- Create an environment in which students feel safe exploring their goals and ideas
- Help students explore areas of study that correspond to their professional goals and map an appropriate path
- Listen to students’ questions and concerns and refer them appropriately for any help he or she is not equipped to provide (counseling, medical concerns, etc.)
- Provide accurate and up-to-date information
- Teach students how to use online advising resources, including the tools necessary for registration
- Communicate with students regularly via their UCA-issued email account
- Equip students to feel confident in making their own academic decisions by arming them with knowledge
- Respect students’ right to privacy regarding both academic and personal matters
What are the expectations of students?
- Explore majors and careers, taking into account their interests, abilities, and values
- Prepare in advance for advising appointments, coming up with a list of any pertinent questions, classes of interest, academic goals, etc.
- Read and understand the policies detailed in the Student Handbook
- Utilize campus resources as needed
- Use online advising resources to map out their academic path, track their goals, and plan each semester
- Be familiar with the Academic Calendar, and be aware of upcoming add/drop deadlines
- Check their UCA-issued email regularly to ensure they receive up-to-date information in a timely fashion
- Accept personal responsibility for their own decisions and actions
- Be aware of the rights provided to them under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Who is my assigned academic advisor?
Advisors are assigned to students based upon their student classification and their declared major. For most programs of study, students with less than 60 hours completed are advised by our team of professional advisors. Students with more than 60 hours completed are generally assigned to a faculty advisor within their major department.
Students may find their assigned academic advisor by logging into their MyUCA account and then selecting Self-Service > Student > Student Records > View Student Information.
Click here for a video tutorial of how to find your assigned academic advisor.
