Your academic advisor can be an invaluable source of information, so plan to meet frequently. Course selection for the upcoming semester, career options, and other educational decisions are matters to discuss as well as any problems that may affect one’s academic performance. Often, students and advisors foster lifelong friendships.

Making the Most of Advising in CAS

As a student at the University of Vermont, you have a high level of freedom to pursue your academic interests and passions. With this freedom comes certain responsibilities. For example, you are responsible for knowing and fulfilling all the requirements for your degree. However, you are not alone in this endeavor; it is your advisor’s role to help you to understand University policies and requirements.

Expectations of Students:

  • Know your assigned primary academic advisor.
  • Remember: You are in charge of your college experience and your academic advisor is here to help you and give you guidance.
  •  Read your UVM email and other important communications from the University and your advisor.
  • Be familiar with catalogue requirements, including academic standards, academic integrity policies, degree requirements, etc.
  • Show up for appointments prepared to engage and with all relevant materials.
  • Prepare for advising appointments by reviewing requirements and running a degree audit.
  • Seek out various campus resources, including (but not limited to) the Tutoring Center, Student Accessibility Services, Center for Health & Wellbeing, etc.
  • Regularly run your degree audit and follow up with any questions or concerns.
  •  Follow up with instructor or advisor when an academic alert is issued.

What you can expect from your advisor:

  • Your advisor will be familiar with degree requirements, academic standards, and be able to review and interpret degree audits.
  • Your advisor will offer advice on course selection.
  • Your advisor will help you plan a path to graduation that takes into consideration factors such as study abroad etc.
  • Your advisor will be familiar with, and refer you to appropriate campus resources.
  • Your advisor will check-in with you at least once per semester.
  • Your advisor will post and maintain office hours throughout the semester, and be willing to schedule other appointments upon request.
  • Your primary advisor will follow up on academic alerts issued to you.

What does my advisor help me with?

Course selection for the upcoming semester, career options, and other educational decisions are matters to discuss with your advisor -- as well as any problems that may affect your academic performance.

Note that your academic advisor has expertise in scholarly issues, especially pertaining to your major. Other support exists in the Student Services office including information on professional advising and support concerning student health, legal matters, writing and learning skills, general career planning, lifestyle/residential issues, academic accommodations and more.

How am I assigned an advisor?

Students are Assigned an Advisor in a Variety of Ways:

First year students are assigned a professional advisor. We have professional advisors who work with students who are in the Humanities, the Natural Sciences & Math, the Fine Arts and the Social Sciences. We also have an advisor who works exclusively with first year students who have not yet chosen a major.
Transfer students will be assigned a faculty member, in their declared field if they have one.

How do I meet with my advisor?

Plan to meet during office hours or call them directly for an appointment. If students cannot reach their advisor for an appointment, leave a message requesting a reply.

Will my advisor make sure I take the right courses to meet requirements?

Faculty advisors are a great resource in all aspects of planning a schedule of courses and ensuring that your course selections meet graduation requirements. However, the student is ultimately responsible for deciding which courses to take and whether they meet degree requirements. Read the requirements carefully! 

How do I find major-specific advising information?

If you've declared a major, your academic department's website will offer basic advising information specific to the department as well as four-year academic road maps. If you cannot find this information, ask the department contacts.

What special things do I need to know as a graduating senior?

Important reminders for senior and prospective graduates:

  • Check your UVM email no less than once a week All reminders for requirements will be sent to your student UVM email address. Read any correspondence from the Dean's Office carefully.
  • Complete the on-line Intent to Graduate Form This form is required in order to graduate and should be completed the semester before you intend to graduate in order to assure that there aren't any last minute issues.
  • Review ALL parts of your Degree Audit. The Degree Audit Report is utilized for certification of degree completion. Your Degree Audit Report should correctly reflect your remaining requirements. If you believe there are errors, e-mail the Dean's Office as soon as possible. Check that your declared major and your minor are accurate. If not, correct it by accessing a change of major form.
  • Review transfer credits, if applicable Make sure all credit taken at institutions other than UVM has transferred in properly. If not, contact Transfer Affairs at (802) 656-0867 or transfer@uvm.edu.
  • Meet with your assigned advisor during your last semesters at UVM to review what requirements you need or discuss any academic issues that may arise.
  • Grade resolutions All Incompletes, Missing Grades, and SP's on your record must be resolved prior to graduation (Check your transcript).
Commencement information for seniors:
  • Only students who have completed all the necessary requirements at the end of the Spring semester are permitted to participate in the ceremony.
  • Run your Degree Audit Report once all of your final semester's grades are processed and if it states "All requirements identified below have been met" then you will be certified for graduation.
  • You must have a cap and gown in order to be in the ceremony. They are available for purchase at the UVM Bookstore.
  • University Honors will not be calculated until all grades for the Spring semester are processed. The medallion may be picked up at 438 College Street during normal work hours before commencement or given at the time of lineup Sunday morning.
  • Information and details about Commencement are available on the Commencement website. This includes information about UVM's ceremony and the College of Arts and Sciences ceremony. Check the site frequently for updates. Changes to locations due to inclement weather are posted starting at 6:00 a.m. on Commencement day.

What are the college degree requirements?

View the requirements >>

What are the transfer student requirements?

View transfer student information >>

 

Students who need assistance and/or haven’t been assigned an advisor should contact the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office at (802) 656-3344.

What will you do and how will you get there?

UVM's Career Center and 4-Year Plan to Career Success has been written about in USA Today and beyond. It's that good. Be in touch with the Career Center early at UVM -- your advisor can tell you more.

Find your advisor

Your current advisor appears on myUVM under the Advising link on "My College/School".

Decide on a major

How do you choose just one?

PDF iconView a sample Degree Audit

A degree audit is an advising tool that helps you track your progress toward completion of your degree program.

PDF iconHOW TO RUN A “WHAT-IF” AND “LOOK AHEAD” DEGREE AUDIT