Advising

On-Campus Programs

The Office of Academic Advisement is available for students desiring assistance in selecting a major or minor. Students undecided about a major or minor can receive help in selecting courses and exploring multiple programs of study.

All new students are assigned a faculty advisor when they begin their academic coursework. Each faculty advisor assists students in setting goals, making knowledgeable career decisions, selecting a class schedule and interpreting academic policy. The Coordinator of Academic Advising also advises students, particularly those who are undecided or between majors.

Each student is advised according to university, division and department requirements. The student's academic achievements and professional interests are also considered. The ultimate responsibility for complying with university regulations and for meeting degree requirements rests with the student.

Advising Resources

Schedules

The schedule of courses for Spring 2010, winter intersession and summer 2010 are now available on OwlNet.

Catalogs

Academic Catalogs

Students are under the catalog of the academic year during which they declared or most recently changed or added a major.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I change to a different advisor?

When a student registers for classes at William Woods they are also assigned to an academic advisor. This advisor assignment is generally based on the student's intended major.

Not all students are advised by faculty members in their intended major. Some majors have more intended students than faculty members can effectively advise such as Equestrian Studies majors. In these cases, faculty from other areas are trained to advise students in the larger majors.

If a student decides after a semester or two that they are going to change their major to a very different major, they should also request a change of advisor. Changing majors does not automatically mean your advisor will also be changed as changes of major are processed in the Registrar's office and changes of advisor are processed in the Academic Advising office.

Occasionally a student and an advisor are simply not a good fit. If this is the case a student may also request a change of advisor.

If a student has a faculty member in mind that they would like to have as their new advisor, the student should follow these steps.

  • Come to the Academic Advising Coordinator's office, Academic Building, room 109
  • Pick up a Advisor Change Request form from the folder on the door
  • Obtain the signature of you proposed new advisor
  • Return the form ...please slide it under the door if no one is in the office...to the Academic Advising Coordinator.
  • If your proposed new advisor has not met his/her maximum number of advisees your advisor in OwlNet will be changed. If your proposed advisor has no room for new advisees, you will be emailed at you William Woods account about other possible advisors.

If a student does not have a new advisor in mind, they may simply email a request to change advisors to Bonnie.Carr@WilliamWoods.edu and include the following:

  • Your (full) name and student ID number
  • Your current major and if applicable your new major
  • The reason you are requesting the change (this is kept confidential)

When can I change advisors? Students may request a change of advisor at any time EXCEPT the week prior to advising Academic Calendar until the last day of advising for each semester. During that time no changes of advisor will be processed.

Do I have to see an advisor to register for classes?

You must meet with your advisor during the one-week advising period prior to online registration. A hold will be placed on your records until a registration form signed by your advisor is turned into the Registrar's Office. At that point the hold will be lifted and you can register online during your registration period.

Do all majors require a minor?

If you are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, you are required to complete a minor. However, if you are pursuing a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, you do not need to complete a minor.

If I stop attending a class will I automatically be dropped?

No, you will still be enrolled in a class unless you officially withdraw from it. If you simply stop attending class or fail to process the withdrawal paperwork, you will receive a letter grade in the course in accordance with the grading policy.

How do I drop a class?

Add-drop forms are available in the Registrar's Office. They must be filled out completely. It is not necessary that they be signed by your advisor. However, it is recommended that you consult with your advisor before you drop a course as it may affect your academic, residential, and financial aid status. Please see the academic calendar for the exact deadline each semester.

How do I make sure that summer courses taken at a university back home will transfer back to WWU?

If you are planning on taking courses elsewhere during the summer, you will need to fill out a Summer Course Approval from the Registrar's Office. This in the only way you can be sure that courses from other institutions will transfer to WWU.

Please direct any questions regarding academic advising to:

Bonnie Carr

Coordinator of Academic Advising

Academic Building, Room 109

573.592.1135

Bonnie.Carr@WilliamWoods.edu

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