Academic advising is a process that begins when a student enrolls at AUD and continues through graduation. The AAC welcomes university students during AUD operating hours: Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Students should visit an advisor whenever they need assistance with their academic programs at AUD. All undergraduate students (with less than 60 credit hours) must meet with academic advisors prior to the start of each term to learn about university policies and departmental requirements, discuss their individual educational plans and personal goals, and select courses. The AAC assists each student in adopting a program of study and creating an individual program of study document.

Academic advising is an educational partnership; both advisees and their academic advisors collaborate to achieve academic, personal, and professional success. This relationship is one in which both parties have clearly defined responsibilities that extend throughout the educational experience at AUD.

During the course of the advisory session, both advisors and advisees must assume equal responsibility, which includes:

• Evaluating the student’s capabilities to major in the preferred concentration;
• Reviewing AUD’s general and major requirements, pre-requisites and electives for the degree of interest;
• Laying out an objective and realistic study plan to follow throughout the AUD years;
• Selecting and registering for courses that are consistent with educational goals and that will meet degree requirements;
• Addressing the concerns of students with academic difficulties and referring them to the appropriate resources on campus; and
• Discussing graduation and career options.

The Advisor’s responsibilities include:

• Being knowledgeable about general and academic unit educational requirements and policies;
• Maintaining regular communication channels with the academic units by consulting with the academic unit heads on curriculum changes and attending all relevant meetings in the academic units;
• Having a clear and accurate interpretation and communication of the above academic and institutional policies and regulations at AUD;
• Maintaining adequate office hours and being accessible to students in person, via the phone or e-mail;
• Encouraging students to explore and develop their aptitudes and ambitions;
• Collaborating with students to develop realistic and suitable educational plans;
• Assisting students in selecting appropriate courses and other educational activities;
• Maintaining accurate records of students’ progress toward established goals;
• Monitoring students with difficulties and referring them to institutional support services;
• Maintaining confidentiality according to AUD’s established standards;
• Helping students use University resources to maximize their academic and personal potential; and
• Assisting students in developing decision making skills and assuming responsibility for their educational plans and achievements.

In order to ensure the success of the advising experience, students have the responsibility to:

• Actively participate in the advising session and accept responsibility for making final decisions on academic choices;
• Acquaint themselves with the AUD Catalog and Student Handbook;
• Be aware of University policies and procedures and academic and administrative deadlines;
• Understand their academic program’s specific requirements;
• Clearly articulate their personal values, abilities and goals;
• Seek clarification and ask questions of academic advisors and other AUD faculty and staff about issues and concerns;
• Seek academic advice each term;
• Prepare and arrive on time to scheduled appointments;
• Follow through with the advisor’s recommendations; and
• Make use of all resources at AUD, especially when referred by an advisor.

Expected Outcomes of the Academic Advising Experience:

Students will:

• Appreciate the role of the AAC at AUD;
• Develop informed decision making skills concerning academic and career aspirations;
• Know their respective degree requirements;
• Be able to find information about AUD requirements, policies and procedures;
• Know how to use the AUD catalog, advising worksheets, and degree audit reports to identify degree requirements;
• Select courses counting towards the completion of the degree requirements;
• Develop a realistic study plan toward graduation within a timeline consistent with the student’s aptitudes and life circumstances;
• Graduate in a timely manner based on the individual educational plan;
• Make use of referrals to AUD’s appropriate resources whenever needed.

       

Similarly, the advisee should come prepared to the advising session with the following:

• Updated unofficial transcript (to be obtained from the Registrar’s office);
• Desired schedule of courses (to be obtained either online or from the Registrar’s office);
• Appropriate administrative forms (to be obtained from the AAC reception area).

Students receive advising and are registered for their first term at AUD by an Admissions Coordinator.

During subsequent terms (up to the completion of 60 credit hours), undergraduate students receive advising and obtain authorization to register from an Academic Advisor housed in the AUD Academic Advising Center (AAC). A student who has earned greater than 60 credit hours is assigned a faculty member who acts as his/her advisor. With the exception of candidates in Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, and Computer Science, upon completion of 60 credit hours, students no longer need to obtain an Advisor’s signature in order to register. (Engineering, Computer and Information Technology and Computer Science students must obtain a signature from their AAC Advisor throughout their residency at AUD.)

Beyond 60 credit hours, each student is assigned a faculty member who acts as Academic Advisor. Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their Advisor during their time at AUD. Advisors provide them with information and perspective related to academic policy and concerns, specific course-related problems/issues and other academic or professionally related matters.

Nonetheless, students are expected to assume responsibility for program planning and course selection since ultimately the responsibility for fulfilling degree requirements rests squarely with the student. They are required to become intimately familiar with the various program requirements and necessary requisite coursework and sequencing.