The goal of academic advising is to assist student learning. In a partnership of student and advisor, the student has a primary responsibility for reflecting on and defining as clearly as possible his or her academic interests and aspirations. The advisor has primary responsibility to match those interests and aspirations with the resources of the College of Arts and Sciences and The University of Alabama. By selecting and agreeing on courses that interest and challenge, the student and the advisor create the best possibilities for success.
A student’s academic interest determines his or her academic advisor.
Students who select the College of Arts and Sciences as their academic home can choose specific disciplines as their academic interests, and they will be advised by faculty in those disciplines. Each department has a director of undergraduate advising who, although he or she may not advise all students, is an important resource for students.
Students are also free to delay affiliating with a specific discipline until late in their sophomore years. These students who are undecided about their specific academic interests are advised in the Office of the Dean by a staff of professional advisors who are located in 200 Clark Hall. When these students decide upon a specific major, they will be advised by faculty in their major.
Registration
Advising and registration are closely linked. Students meet with their advisors each semester prior to the registration period. The College asks students to set up advising appointments and to come to those appointments ready to discuss their academic interests.
Upcoming Registration Dates
Locations for Obtaining Registration Materials and Making Advising Appointments
Students and advisors have access to on-line resources to assist in academic planning. These include the University of Alabama catalog, the MyBama student information system, and the Tide Navigator degree auditing program.
UA Catalog, 2004-2006
UA Catalog, 2006-2008
Frequently Asked Questions
Is academic advising important in the College of Arts and Sciences?
Yes. Because of the breadth of opportunity in the College and your ability to make numerous choices about your courses, advising is more important for students in this College than in any other College. Advising enables you to make informed decisions.
When does academic advising happen?
Advising can occur at many different times. For example, faculty have office hours several days each week during which you can talk over what is going on in a class that you are taking and get advice about classes to take in the future. In addition, the advisors in the Arts and Sciences Student Services Center are available Monday through Friday to answer questions and talk about different opportunities. A good time to see your advisor is after the posting of mid-semester grades. Seeing your advisor is absolutely mandatory in October for spring advising and in March for summer and fall advising.
I know what my major will be. Who will advise me for my classes?
Find your advisor’s name, office number, and phone in this Good Start Guide. Plan to see your advisor during October to discuss your spring classes and March for summer and fall classes. Check the College web page and your Bama e-mail for more specific information.
I am thinking about my major, but don’t want to decide right now. What do I do?
You are advised in the College of Arts and Sciences Student Services Center located in 200 Clark Hall. You will have an advisor who will help you until you are ready to select a major. A list of these advisors is included in this guide.
I am interested in going to medical school, another health professions school, or law school. Are special advising opportunities available to me?
Yes. The College provides pre-professional advising through the Arts & Sciences Student Services Center in 200 Clark Hall.
Are there tools that assist me in understanding my progress to degree?
Yes. The catalog is always important because it defines your requirements. A second aid is My Bama through the degree evaluation link.
Where do I start?
Courses that help you complete the General Education Requirements are a good first step. General Education Requirements can be found in the University Catalog.
The goal of academic advising is to assist student learning. In a partnership of student and advisor, the student has a primary responsibility for reflecting on and defining as clearly as possible his or her academic interests and aspirations. The advisor has primary responsibility to match those interests and aspirations with the resources of the College of Arts and Sciences and The University of Alabama. By selecting and agreeing on courses that interest and challenge, the student and the advisor create the best possibilities for success.