About Academic Advisors


What do Academic Advisors Do?

Academic advisors are a student’s principle point of contact for academic issues that impact educational progress. They are familiar with the both the College and your program, and can either answer your questions themselves or direct you to one of many campus resources. An Academic Advisor can assist a student with course planning, registration, and academic counseling. An Academic Advisor is also able to direct a student to college resources such as the Learning Centers or Career Services.

Your Academic Advisor is a dedicated staff member who is interested in your academic development. Please consider your Academic Advisor a resource available to you at the College.

Your Academic Advisor can help you by providing:

  • Academic planning and course selection for current and upcoming semesters
  • Advice and planning during times of academic difficulty
  • Referrals to college or community resources

Your Academic Advisor will:

  • Be knowledgeable about programs and graduation requirements, policies, and procedures.
  • Encourage and guide students to develop and pursue their goals.
  • Refer students to appropriate campus resources.
  • Be accessible via phone, email, and by appointment and will respond to students in a timely way.
  • Follow through on actions promised to students.

Reasons for Seeing your Academic Advisor

Visit your Academic Advisor when you:

  • Have questions about majors or certificate programs.
  • Want to plan a schedule for the next semester or create an academic plan for your major.
  • Have questions about the registration process.
  • Have questions about anything on campus from “How to drop or add classes” to “Where can I get career information?”
  • Are having academic difficulties.
  • Need help locating someone to talk to about community resources.

For general questions, email your Academic Advisor from your Owens student email address. Always be clear in what you are asking and include your Owens College ID (OCID) in your correspondence.

For specific academic advising questions and course registration, it is best to schedule an appointment in September to discuss the Spring Term, and in February to discuss the Summer and Fall Terms. Understand that September and February can be busy times for Academic Advisors; you should make an appointment at least 2 weeks in advance. If you have to reschedule, please call and cancel your first appointment at least 24 hours in advance.

Make an appointment with your academic advisor at any point during the semester if you are experiencing academic trouble. Remember, academic planning is not their only function! Advisors are also helpful for all types of academic advice, especially if you are experiencing difficulty in the classroom.

Preparing for an Academic Advising Appointment

Students who prepare for their advising meetings will find their meetings to be more informative and efficient.

To Prepare

  • Make your academic advising appointments early. Academic Advisors’ schedules fill up quickly, especially during peak registration times.
  • Expect advisors to give you referrals. Advisors are your link to resources across campus designed to facilitate your success.
  • Feel free to discuss academic issues with your advisor. It is easier for advisors to help if they have a full understanding of what your concerns are.
  • Take a look at the College Catalog. Pay special attention to requirements for majors you’re thinking about pursuing.
  • Complete a degree evaluation on Ozone.
  • Review the Academic Advising Syllabus including expectations and ensure that all appropriate checklist items are completed.
  • Bring a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss and any documents you and your advisor have previously worked from.

Creating an Academic Plan

  • Run a Degree Works Degree Evaluation via Ozone on the Academic Info tab to see the classes you have not yet completed for your major.
  • Located your program of study in the Owens catalog.  Be sure to choose the catalog year from the drop down menu that represents when you began your current program (for selective admissions majors, this would be the first semester of clinical coursework).
  • Compare your degree evaluation with your program of study.
  • Identify the classes you would like to take for the next two semesters**.  Then look up each of these courses on the class schedule to determine their pre and co-requisites by searching each course and then clicking on “course info.”  Also note the semester in which each course is offered.  **In some cases, students will need to complete an academic plan through to completion of a degree or certificate.
  • Determine which courses you are eligible to take based on the pre and co-requisites.
  • Print the Academic Planning Worksheet form. Note on the Academic Planning Worksheet the courses you want to take in the next two upcoming semesters**.  Remember that full time is at least 12 credit hours.
  • Call the Student Service Center at (567) 661-2387 to make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to review your plan.
  • Once registration begins, register for classes via Ozone early to ensure the best selection of courses.

If you are planning to transfer, visit www.transferology.com for course equivalencies and also contact a representative from the institution to which you plan to transfer.  Some area universities have transfer representatives who hold office hours on the Owens’ campuses.  Please contact the Advising Office to schedule an appointment with one of the transfer representatives.

**In some cases, students will need to complete an academic plan through to completion of a degree or certificate.

The Advising Session

  • Check the College Catalog and Schedule of Classes.
  • Please ask questions.
  • Be honest and realistic as you discuss your concerns and questions.
  • Share your goals and educational priorities.
  • Follow up on previous recommendations in a timely manner.
  • Be open-minded. Consider the possible alternatives offered to you by your advisor.
  • Helpful suggestions from friends do not replace qualified assistance from an advisor.

Student’s Responsibilities

  • A Photo-ID is required to check-in for your appointment.
  • Be prepared for advising sessions by bringing appropriate documents (notes from previous meetings, test scores, transcripts, etc.), making a list of questions and concerns, and planning a tentative class schedule.
  • Take responsibility for learning and complying with college requirements, policies and procedures.
  • Honestly communicate your unique interests, values, abilities and circumstances with your Advisor.
  • Take responsibility for achieving your success and accept the consequences of your academic and personal choices.
  • Regularly review your academic progress and maintain your own advising file. Bring your file to each advising session and keep all documents until you graduate.
  • Meet with your Academic Advisor regularly, and whenever you have a question or concern.