Academic Advising

Each college, school, and department has faculty and/or professional advisors who will listen to students and provide appropriate information about academic options, degree programs, and University resources. Academic advisors are interested in student learning and development and will help create educational plans consistent with academic, career, and personal goals. Advisors will also assist students with the preparation of an appropriate schedule each semester. However, advising is a collaborative process. It is the student’s responsibility to be prepared for advising appointments and to know and follow current procedures at the department, school, college, and university levels.

For Best Results, Prepare for Advising Appointments

While course registration is important, it is just one piece of academic advising. In order to have the most meaningful and productive conversation not only about course registration, but also the many opportunities available to enhance an Ohio University degree, students should do the following:

• Refresh the DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) report in My OHIO Student Center by clicking on the Advising Center link in the right-hand column under Student Services Links.  Read through the DARS report, and work to understand what courses are needed to complete the degree and what requirements have been met. For more information about how to read a DARS, click here. Be prepared to view the DARS report on a laptop or take at least one copy of a refreshed DARS report to advising appointments.
• Read about majors in the catalog to understand the requirements for the intended degree.
• Examine Course Offerings for the upcoming semester to be aware of available courses.
• Write a list of questions to ask the advisor. Ask things like:

1. When do you think I will graduate at this pace?
2. What campus resources are available to help me reach my academic potential?
3. What things should I be doing outside of class to contribute to my career success?

Questions like these will help expand the advising conversation to include both short- and long-term academic, career, and personal goals.

How Often Should I Meet with My Academic Advisor?

Students should meet with their advisor at least once per term. Although meeting with an advisor before registration each semester is important, this is not the only time meetings are recommended. Advisors can help students gather information about the field(s) they are considering and can direct students to helpful university resources. Students struggling with coursework or who are considering changing their schedule, should contact their academic advisor.

How Do I Find My Academic Advisor?

Advisor name and contact information is available in My OHIO Student Center. Advisors will be listed in the column on the right side of the screen. Questions about academic advising or how to contact an academic advisor should be directed to the advising coordinator for the program (listed below), or the college or regional campus student services offices.

How to Find Advising if You Change Your Major

Students considering changing their major should take several steps:

• Use the “What-if” DARS feature in My OHIO Student Center to see how completed course work will apply to the majors under consideration, and what requirements remain.
• Read about other majors in the catalog. Students who feel sure about the major they want to pursue should make an appointment with an advisor in the new major by contacting the advising coordinator listed below.
• Students who are uncertain about the major they want to pursue should make an appointment with an advisor in the Allen Student Advising Center.

Advising Holds

An advising hold will be placed on student records each semester to prevent registration for the next semester until the student has met with their academic advisor. The advising hold is released by the assigned academic advisors after students meet with them. Students with more than one major will have an advisor and an advising hold for each major. It is NOT recommended that a student ask to have this hold lifted without meeting with their advisor because doing so means the student is registering without the guidance of a professional who will ensure that the student is making progress toward their degree goals. While some advisors do not require a meeting to remove a hold, it is in your best interest to request one!

Advising from Unofficial Sources: Consider but do not Follow!

There are many people on and off campus who believe they understand the Ohio University curriculum and how to read a DARS. Students should not rely solely on advice from peer mentors, siblings, parents, and friends. Unless someone can view a student’s record in the Faculty and Advising Center, view a DARS report to track progress, and leave a note to document the conversation, they are not an official advisor. Opinions from others are welcome, but please only follow advice from official advisors. Failing to consult with an official advisor could result in incorrect course selection, missing requirements, and/or delayed graduation.

Advisee Expectations

• Meet with the academic advisor at least once each semester.
• Make appointments for advising via phone, email, or office hour sign-up sheets during mutually agreed-upon advising times.
• Keep appointments promptly.
• If unable to make a scheduled appointment, notify the advisor in advance.
• Discuss academic and career-related needs and seek additional help from appropriate sources as suggested by the advisor.
• Be prepared for the advising appointment by bringing appropriate materials and written questions; review the DARS report, check catalog degree requirements, consult course offerings, utilize the Schedule Planner to prepare tentative schedules.
• Seek assistance in decision making rather than expect the academic advisor to make decisions.
• Follow through with appropriate action after each advising session and consult with the academic advisor if critical decisions cannot be accomplished.
• Evaluate advising sessions and give formal and informal feedback to the academic advisor.
• Seek reassignment to another advisor if necessary.
• Be aware of departmental major, college, and universitywide general education requirements.
• Understand how to read and use a DARS report.

What if I Want to Change My Academic Advisor?

Students who are frustrated with the advising they receive, or who are having difficulty making contact with their advisor, should seek assistance in this order:

• The Advising Coordinator for your major (see list below)
• The College or Regional Campus Student Services Office
• The Allen Student Advising Center, Alden Library 230, 740.566.8888

Students should work to understand and collaborate with their academic advisor and work with the resources above when they struggle to have a helpful working relationship. However, it is important to note that students may request a new advisor from their department office, should they feel a change in advisor assignments is needed.

OHIO Advising Coordinators by College and Major

Other Helpful Advising Resources