Center for Academic Advising and Disability Resources

What is Academic Advisement?

An academic advisor is assigned to every student based on his or her major. Students who have not declared a major (undeclared) are assigned an advisor who will help them develop an academic plan. Students are responsible for making and keeping appointments with their advisors. Ideally, students should seek to meet with their advisors during non-peak (non-registration) times in order to have a more personalized and thoughtful discussion.

The advisors' basic responsibilities include helping students set academic goals, understand degree requirements, select courses, and determine career expectations.

Advisors may also assist students in the following areas (from NACADA Standards and Guidelines)

• development of suitable educational plans;
• clarification of career and life goals;
• selection of appropriate courses and other educational experiences;
• interpretation of institutional requirements;
• enhancement of student awareness about educational resources available (e.g., internships, study abroad, honors, and learning assistance programs);
• evaluation of student progress toward established goals;
• development of decision making skills
• reinforcement of student self direction
• referral to and use of institutional and community support services; and
• collection and distribution of data regarding student needs, preferences, and performance for use in making institutional decisions and policy.

Students who have questions or need help with academic advising, including requests to change their major or their advisor, should go to the Center for Academic and Career Advising, Old Main 134.

Essentials of Effective Advising - This link goes to the George Mason University Advisor Handbook

How to Ensure a Successful Academic Advisement Session

NACADA Advising as Teaching (Webinar)