Professional Studies Program

West Chester University

Contact Info
144 Main Hall
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3548
Fax: 610-430-5649
bnorris@wcupa.edu

Academic Advising

INTRODUCTION
RESPONSIBILTIES OF ADVISOR
RESPONSIBILTIES OF ADVISEE
SELF-SCHEDULING
MAJOR ADVISING ISSUES
ADVISING FOR MINORS

INTRODUCTION

Academic Advising is a critical component in the successful completion of any degree program. The Professional Studies - Liberal Studies program of study is as unique and varied as the individual students in the major. As a result, regular consultation with your academic advisor becomes essential.

The academic advisor's role is to make certain that the requirements for the major are clearly explained to the student. However, the academic advisor's role goes beyond this simple function.

Your advisor

  • serves as a sounding board for the student as they prepare and execute their academic plan;
  • serves as a source of information about university academic policies and procedures; and
  • Serves as a resource to discuss and investigate options available to the students after graduation.

As a result of good academic advising and the student's active involvement in the process, the student is empowered to make informed decisions about their program of study and their academic plan. In essence, the student takes ownership of their educational experience. Ultimately, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the degree are met in order to graduate.

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RESPONSIBLITIES OF ADVISOR

  • Assisting the student as they develop their academic program of study by:
  • Exploring with students their individual interests, abilities and goals;
  • Aiding students in the creation of an academic plan;
  • Counseling students in the selection and sequencing of courses that meet the various degree requirements;
  • Identifying university resources that may be of value to the student making appropriate referrals; and
  • Being aware of university academic policies and procedures as they relate to the needs of the student.

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RESPONSIBLITIES OF ADVISEE

  • Meeting with your advisor at appropriate times during the semester;
  • Being aware of important, relevant deadlines and then meet them;
  • Obtaining needed signatures on forms
  • Reviewing university policies and procedures as needed
  • Developing and clarifying the values and goals that impact your academic decisions;
  • Creating an academic plan for your remaining semesters;
  • Understanding the requirements for the major and minors;
  • Understanding the general education requirement;
  • Having knowledge of the undergraduate catalog and the information in the Undergraduate Course Schedule;
  • Examining your academic record for accuracy on a regular basis;
  • Saving all academic advising and course registration related documents;
  • Being aware of prerequisites for the course you plan to take;
  • Providing official transcripts for courses taken at other institutions; and
  • Recognizing the need for student resources and services on campus and use them.

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COURSE REGISTRATION IN MYWCU

  • Logon to your MYWCU account
  • Click on the "Enroll in a Class" link, select the term in which you want to enroll and click on the green button "Continue".
  • Answer the question at the top of the page ..... "If you intend on being full time" (Yes or No)
  • Search for classes by clicking on the green "search" button.
  • Continue to search and select classes to put in your "Tentative Classes"
  • Once you have classes listed in your "Tentative Classes" and you are ready to enroll Click on the green button "Proceed to Step 2 of 3".
  • On the next page Click on the green button "Finish Enrolling".
  • You will see a red "X" or a green "check mark" next to each class.
  • Red "X" means you did not get into the class and a message explains why.
  • Green "check mark" means you are successfully enrolled.

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MAJOR ADVISING ISSUES

Academic advising for the Liberal Studies: Professional Studies student begins at the initial meeting between the student and the Program Director. At that time, the program will be explained and the courses taken by the student will be incorporated into the program advising sheet. There will be a discussion about the need for two academic minors and options for choosing these will be explored. The advisor and student will also discuss the student's short-term and long-term goals. Change of Major and Minor Application forms will be issued at that time.

Students are expected to use the information they receive at this initial meeting to develop an academic plan. The plan should include the minors they wish to pursue, the courses they want to take and a tentative timeline to degree completion.

The student should then plan to meet with their advisor at least once a semester. Ideally, that meeting should take place before the student's enrollment appointment for the upcoming semester. At that meeting, the student's progress toward degree completion is evaluated, the student's academic plan is reviewed and modified as needed and his or her proposed course selection is examined.

Students are encouraged to consult their advisor at any time they have a question or want to address an issue of concern. That consultation may take place via telephone, email or office visit. Please note that email communications should not be considered as confidential. Please exercise appropriate levels of caution. Do not include information such as identifying numbers (social security #, etc.), grades, GPA, etc.

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ADVISING FOR MINORS

Students in the Liberal Studies - Professional Studies major are required to earn two academic minors as part of the degree requirements. Students must submit an application to each minor they wish to pursue. Upon acceptance to the minor, the student is assigned a minor advisor. Often, the department chair will serve in this capacity. It is the student's responsibility to meet with the minor advisors. At that meeting, the requirements to the minor are explained and courses options are listed. The student is responsible for completing all minor requirements. Students who fail to consult their minor advisors are accountable for any mistakes made in pursuing that minor.

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