Junior Year Advising
If students use the sophomore year to develop a proposed course of study and declare a major, the junior year is generally a time for students to integrate themselves into their new intellectual home.They their knowledge of the subject, learn its research methodologies, and fulfill major requirements even as they continue to complete their remaining general education requirements for graduation.
Advising within the major is structured differently in various departments and programs, but generally involves the assignment of a faculty member to serve as the student’s departmental advisor for the remainder of the undergraduate career. Ideally, the advisor/advisee relationship within a department or program of study will evolve over time into a close working relationship or mentorship, though this may more naturally develop through course work and collaboration with another member of the faculty.
The advisor’s formal responsibilities will generally include monitoring the advisee’s academic progress in the major, issuing the PIN at registration time, and may involve assisting the Director of Undergraduate Studies in verifying completion of the requirements of the major at graduation time. While departmental advisors monitor students’ progress within the major, students’ academic deans serve as a resource with respect to fulfillment of general education and other graduation requirements.
Students often enrich their academic experience through study abroad, involvement in mentored research, and internship and service learning experience. Students’ advisors, deans, and other faculty mentors can assist students with such complements to their studies.
For more information about Upper Class Advising:
