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Advising is a process that includes collection of information, interpretation of data, and dissemination of facts regarding educational programs, courses of instruction, resources, policies, procedures, and career options. Together, the adviser and the student can discuss educational goals and map out an academic program that will achieve the students long-range goals.
The University takes academic advising seriously and accordingly has developed an official University policy.
To progress satisfactorily through a degree program, each student must have available ample and accurate academic advisement, tailored to individual educational needs. The Florida State University is committed to a strong program of effective academic advising for all of its students. The Florida State University understands academic advisement to be a function considerably broader than assistance with course scheduling. Academic advising is a process which helps students interpret the values and benefits of higher education, assists students in their choice of educational and career objectives commensurate with interests and abilities, and examines the consequences of possible short- and long-range goals.
The faculty and staff of the University affirm their responsibility to make available to every student information about academic policies and requirements, timely notification of changes either in the Universitys policies and curricula or in the students academic standing, assistance in evaluating course options and in planning successful completion of educational goals, guidance in developing decision-making skills, and referral to the various academic and student support services on campus available to help the student make the most of educational opportunities. Further, the faculty and staff affirm their responsibility to inform students clearly about their own responsibilities in the advising process.
The Florida State University expects students to assume an ever-increasing responsibility for their own academic progress as they move through the University. To accomplish this goal, each student will:
The Office of Undergraduate Studies assigns all entering freshmen and lower-division transfer students to an adviser, with the exception of those accepted into the School of Music, the Department of Dance (School of Visual Arts and Dance), and the School of Theatres bachelor of fine arts (BFA) program. In these programs, advisers are assigned by the dean of these respective schools. Typically, students are assigned to either full-time professional or faculty advisors. Advisers of freshmen and sophomores assist students with understanding liberal studies requirements and other University policies and procedures. (See the Undergraduate Degree Requirements section of this General Bulletin for a discussion of the Liberal Studies Program and other degree requirements.) It is becoming more common for academic majors to require that specific courses be taken as part of the Liberal Studies program. An adviser from the academic major is the best person with whom to discuss these prerequisites for further work in a particular major.
Upon entering a major, usually around the junior year, the focus of advising shifts from liberal studies to major and college requirements. In most cases, this means that the student is assigned to an adviser who will assist the student with all requirements for the chosen academic major.
The first academic advising experience for all students occurs either during early orientation or during the orientation period at the start of each semester. Due to time constraints, this session usually consists of brief general information and course selection. Students are strongly urged to contact their advisers early in their first semester for a more individualized advising appointment.
Advisers are initially assigned based on information provided the University during the admission process. The Office of Undergraduate Studies reviews information on intended major and career goals for lower-division students and assigns an adviser from that information. Incoming students may also declare an intended major or change previously provided information concerning their major during orientation check-in. Upper-division students are assigned advisers through the deans office of their college or school.
The academic advising relationship should be a comfortable and personal one between the student and the adviser. Sometimes, due to personality conflicts or shifting academic interests, this relationship does not develop. Students in this situation may request reassignment to a different adviser through their deans office.
Students are encouraged to declare an intended major and request an adviser in that academic discipline. The declared major is extremely important because it may allow a student access to particular prerequisite courses for that major; having the wrong major code may keep a student from registering for required courses.
Lower division students are allowed to change their major at any time during the semester by going to the Office of Undergraduate Studies. Upper division students contact their academic deans office.
The Florida State University allows students to be undecided majors until seventy-five (75) semester hours have been attempted. Most of these students will receive specialized advising from the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center, designed not only to help students fulfill their liberal studies requirements, but also to settle upon an appropriate major. Undecided students should also contact The Career Center early in their academic program. Those students who have an interest in areas similar to one another (e.g., chemistry and biology) or in those areas that are limited access should declare their interest to ensure proper advisement.
The Undergraduate Academic Advising Center (UAAC) advises most undecided freshmen and sophomores. Undecided students are advised to take appropriate liberal studies courses to keep their options open. UAAC works closely with the Career Center to provide a unified academic and career approach for the undecided student.
UAAC supports the academic departments through adviser training, publications, workshops, and assistance in setting up peer advising programs. UAAC also maintains and provides SASS reports, a computerized advising tool. For a description of the Career Center and its services, refer to the Student Services section of this General Bulletin.
Each academic unit has designated someone to serve as the advising coordinator for that particular area. All freshmen and sophomores are required to see their academic adviser prior to registration each semester. Some major departments prevent students from registering at all if they have not seen their respective advisers. The advising coordinator may be contacted by calling either the deans office for the college or school or the academic department of the intended major. The Office of Undergraduate Studies maintains a list of academic advisers for lower division students.
Prelaw students may major in many different fields and will have an adviser assigned to them based on their undergraduate academic area. Students planning to enter law school after earning a bachelors degree should join the prelaw society, Phi Alpha Delta, where they will receive special information and services focusing on prelaw issues. Students may come to the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center to obtain a list of advisers who specialize in working with prelaw students.
Pre-health profession students will also be found in different academic fields. All students planning to enroll in a professional school of medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or other health-related areas should contact the Pre-Health Professions adviser in the Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) office, 104 School of Nursing.
Students participating in certain programs within the University may receive specialized academic advising. These programs and services include the Summer Enrichment Program and Intercollegiate Athletics. Also, the Multicultural Student Support Center offers the Horizons Unlimited program and student support services. Most of the students in these programs will be assigned a faculty adviser from their major by the time they reach junior standing. In some cases, students will be required to see two advisers, one from their program and one from their academic major. All students admitted to the University under alternative admissions standards receive special advising, either through the program that sponsored their admission or through the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center.
The Academic Support Program for student-athletes assists student-athletes with the transition into college and provides continued support in all phases of academic and professional development culminating with graduation, job placement, or graduate school. Program staff provide academic counseling, study skills development, and additional academic assistance through tutorial programs.
Before classes begin, students meet with their academic counselor to discuss potential academic majors and select classes. An extensive career exploration program is initiated in the Fall semester and continues until the student-athlete selects an appropriate career path and academic major.
The Academic Support Program is comprised of 80-90 tutors seniors or graduate students with outstanding academic records who provide a proactive and individualized approach. This supplements the sound educational practices (class attendance, note taking, reviewing and preparing properly for quizzes and exams, actively participating in class discussions, and staying current with all assigned readings) that are imperative for academic success.A6100 University Center, 644-9201.
The Minority Academic Programs Office is designed to enhance the recruitment and retention of minority students. Freshmen are provided with social activities and other opportunities to alleviate some of the problems inherent in the first year at a large university. Academic support is provided through academic advising tutorials, smaller classes, and learning skills workshops.
The University Experience Program is available for minority high school students who would like to visit the campus for a week during the summer. Smaller groups of high school students are invited to visit the campus so that they may experience college life.
High school seniors who plan to enroll at The Florida State University should inquire about the Summer Enrichment Program. The program works as a high school-to-college bridge for minority and/or economically disadvantaged students, providing students with an intensive academic and social orientation to the University during the summer session. Students continue at the University during the fall semester and are assured continuing academic support. A high school counselors recommendation for the Summer Enrichment Program and assessment of the students abilities should accompany the admission application.
The center consists of three programs:
Horizons Unlimited, a state-funded program, serves students of all races who come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Through the program, students can be admitted to The Florida State University under broadened admissions criteria. Program staff provide these students with special orientation experiences, exclusive full-credit course sections in some liberal studies areas, tutoring, peer group counseling, and academic advisement.
The Student Support Services Program, a federally funded program, provides tutorial support and instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Program staff help students acquire good study skills and provide personal counseling and academic and career advisement. Program participants are encouraged to participate in community cultural and educational events. To qualify students must 1) be United States citizens, naturalized citizens, or permanent residents of the United States; 2) be accepted or enrolled at The Florida State University; and 3) come from low-income families or families in which they are the first-generation college students, i.e., neither parent having completed a baccalaureate degree. Students with physical disabilities are also eligible.
The Multicultural Student Support Center staff also administer the Upward Bound Program, a federally funded precollegiate program that serves minority and other students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Staff members help students develop academic skills and encourage them to complete high school and to continue their formal education at the college or university level.
The Reading/Writing Center provides individualized instruction in reading, writing, and study skills. The center offers ENC 1905-01, required for freshmen who score 420-470 on the verbal section of the SAT or 1618 on the Enhanced ACT. It also offers directed individual study in reading and writing to undergraduate and graduate students at all levels. Students sign up for one to three (13) elective credits (ENC 1905-02) and undertake a course of study designed to meet their specific needs. Students may also receive short-term tutorial instruction on a no-credit, walk-in basis. Help in preparing for the Florida CLAST, GRE, and LSAT is also available.
The Mathematics Help Center offers tutorial assistance for mathematics courses MAT 1024, 1033; MAC 1105, 1113, 1140, 2233, 2311; MGF 1106, 1107; and limited help in MAD 2104 and MAC 2312 and 2313. The center offers a practice Florida CLAST several times each semester. Center hours are announced each semester by course instructors. The hours are also posted at the help center at 110 Milton Carothers Hall and at 208 Love Building.
The Academic Support/Acceptance Program (ASAP), located at A3500 University Center, provides an intensive one-semester counseling/advising program for third-year students who are having unusual difficulty in selecting or gaining admission into upper-division majors. Most ASAP students participate in a special section of SDS 3340r Introduction to Career Development, though other options are available. ASAP has been funded through a special grant for enhancing undergraduate education to address the special needs of these students. The contact person for this program is Linda Mahler, (850) 644-0387.
The Curricular-Career Information Services (CCIS) is a multimedia, self-service career resource with books, pamphlets, videotapes, slides, filmstrips, computers, and career advisers to help students choose a major and a career. Special equipment and materials are available for students with disabilities. Here students find answers to questions about occupations, job outlook, vocational schools, graduate programs, job-hunting techniques, and many other career-related topics. CCIS holds frequent workshops and clinics.
AMS 1363 offers an introduction to the academic opportunities provided by a research university. Faculty research, scholarship and creative activities are emphasized in the context of the teaching, research and service missions of the University.
The First-Year Experience (AMS 3364 The Liberal Arts Tradition) is a two-credit-hour course offered only to first-time-in-college students. It is designed to help new students make a successful transition into University life by supporting the development of academic skills and positive lifestyle choices. Faculty and administrators teach the course in small, seminar-style classes of approximately twenty students, and each group has access to a trained peer leader. Students may contact the Orientation Center at 644-2785 to learn more about the First-Year Experience.
The Center for Intensive English Studies, part of the Center for Professional Development and Public Service, provides intensive instruction in the English language to non-English speakers. Its primary target audience is international scholars who are preparing to pursue degree work in American colleges and universities. The center also provides English-as-a-second-language services for the spouses of regular students at The Florida State University, as well as for some already admitted international students who are experiencing difficulty in mastering the English language. Enrollment is full-time [twenty- three (23) hours weekly].
The Center for Retention and Academic Support provides special assistance for students in academic difficulty or who are unable to decide on a major. The center also provides assistance for students having difficulty preparing for the Florida CLAST. The office of Dr. Patricia Stith, the University Director of Retention Studies, and Dr. Linda Mahler, Director of Academic Support/Acceptance Program, is located at: A3500 University Center.
The state of Florida has implemented a computerized advising system to help both the student and the adviser monitor academic progress. At The Florida State University, students will be provided copies of their report prior to registration each semester. The SASS report outlines requirements the student has already met and those the student has yet to complete. Reports typically will be available through the academic adviser, although some departments have alternative methods for distributing reports to their majors. Individual requests for SASS reports may be made at the Undergraduate Academic Advising Center, A3200 University Center.
The Office of Undergraduate Studies provides information and services on all academic matters, including exemptions with credit, information on liberal studies courses, academic standing, dismissal, readmission, remediation, correspondence study, enrollment in courses at other colleges and universities, and major changes for most freshman and sophomore students.
In addition to serving as the academic deans office for most freshmen and sophomores, the Office of Undergraduate Studies performs three important academic functions:
The Florida State University grants an AA certificate to qualified students who request one. The Office of Undergraduate Studies determines the eligibility of students for the certificate. See the Undergraduate Degree Requirements section of this General Bulletin for more information.
The cooperative enrollment program between The Florida State University and area high schools is administered by the Office of Undergraduate Studies. See the Office of the University Registrar section of this General Bulletin for descriptions of these cooperative programs.
Transfer from undergraduate studies to a majors advisement program in any college or school of the University is accomplished between the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the appropriate baccalaureate dean after the student 1) has declared a choice; 2) has been certified as eligible for transfer; and 3) has been accepted by the appropriate baccalaureate dean. Acceptance into a major advisement program does not constitute admission to the upper division of the University.
Students will be considered eligible to transfer from the advisement program of the Office of Undergraduate Studies after satisfying the following requirements:
A student who has attempted seventy-five (75) or more semester hours without fulfilling all of the above-listed requirements will not be allowed to register. Such students should consult the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the dean of the college or school in which the degree is to be sought before making final decisions on how to meet these requirements.