Academic Advising

M.A.P. Your Future

(Maryville Advising Program)

Academic advising mission:

Academic Advising at Maryville College is a collaborative process that empowers students to identify and develop their academic and professional goals, make timely progress toward graduation, and maximize their liberal arts education.

Academic advising is a partnership between you, the student, and your academic advisor.  Your advisor is a teacher, supporter, mentor, and resource for you as you navigate academic policies and degree requirements and develop your academic plan Maryville College.  While your advisor will work with you on planning your courses in your degree path, you are ultimately the designer of your academic experience.

Via active participation in the academic advising partnership you will be prepared to do the following:

  • Engage in self-exploration, major exploration, and career exploration by…
    • Assessing and developing an understanding of your strengths, interests, and goals.
    • Engaging in self-reflection related to your personal values, goals, and experiences.
    • Applying your understanding of your strengths, interests, goals, and values when exploring major and career options.
  • Access and utilize online and on-campus resources to…
    • Develop strategies and skills for academic success.
    • Explore the academic and experiential aspects of majors and career trajectories that interest you.
    • Identify and engage in experiential learning opportunities.
    • Identify and integrate co-curricular activities that support your academic and career development.
    • Establish advising/mentorship relationships with staff and faculty and peer relationships/networks with students.
  • Design and execute your academic plan by…
    • Understanding academic policies and procedures regarding academic standing, the academic calendar and deadlines, grades, academic integrity, and student conduct as outlined in the Academic Catalog.
    • Understanding major and minor requirements, course pre-requisites and co-requisites, and course descriptions outlined in the Academic Catalog.
    • Utilizing the Academic Paradigm for your major(s) and modifying the paradigm to fit your placement, course progression, and scheduling needs.
    • Registering for courses in a timely manner and consulting your academic advisor when you have questions or your plans change.

  • Prior to enrolling in courses for the first time at Maryville College, all first-year students and transfer students are required to meet with an academic advisor.
  • Readmitted students are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to reenrolling.
  • An academic advising meeting and advisor approval of the course schedule is required prior to registration each academic year.
  • Advisor approval is required for all course enrollments and schedule changes.

All new students

As a new student you will work with a professional academic advisor to create your academic plan and register for your first academic year of classes.

First-year students

Your advisor is your first-year seminar (FYS) instructor.  Following the Major Declaration Fair in the Spring semester of your first year, your advisor will change.  If you declare a major at the Major Declaration Fair, you will be assigned a major advisor (a member of the faculty in your major division).  If you are still exploring majors at the time of the Major Declaration Fair, you will be assigned a professional academic advisor (a member of the MAP Your Future academic advising office staff) who will work with you on academic planning until you are ready to declare your major.

Transfer students

If you are ready to declare a major when you transfer to Maryville College, you will be assigned a major advisor (a member of the faculty in your major division) at the start of your first semester on campus.  If you are not yet ready to declare a major at the time of your transfer to Maryville College, you will continue to work with a professional academic advisor (a member of the MAP Your Future academic advising office staff).  Once you are ready to declare your major, you will be assigned a major advisor.

Academic advising is a shared responsibility.  You should always do the following:

  • Remain aware of all relevant policies, requirements, and deadlines.
  • Contact your advisor if questions or concerns arise; schedule additional meetings if needed.
  • Take advantage of academic resources and follow through on referrals.  Keep your advisor informed of the outcomes of referrals.
  • Read and respond to email communications in a timely manner.
  • Remember that email is professional correspondence.
  • Take ownership of your undergraduate journey by making informed, intentional choices in your academic plan.

Your academic advisor will do the following:

  • Be accessible and communicative.
  • Discuss and clarify academic policies, procedures, degree requirements, and deadlines.
  • Refer you to campus resources, offices, faculty, and/or staff as needed.
  • Collaborate to identify and access supports, services, and programs that can benefit you.
  • Assist you in consideration of academic and personal needs and responsibilities so you can make informed decisions throughout your undergraduate career.
  • Help you develop realistic goals that align with your interests, strengths, and values, and discuss the relationship between academic preparation and career opportunities.
  • Help you develop your academic plan.
  • Respect your right to privacy of educational records, maintain confidentiality.

In preparation for the academic advising meeting you should do the following:

  • Schedule your advising meeting prior to your registration date.
  • Review your Academic Paradigm and all major, minor, or certificate requirements in the Academic Catalog; review the course timetable in Self-Service.
  • Be prepared to discuss your goals and your academic plan; note any questions or concerns that you need to discuss with your advisor.

During the academic advising meeting you should do the following:

  • Make sure your academic plan is updated and includes appropriate courses for your degree requirements.
  • Make note of all action items and referrals you discuss with your advisor.
  • Ask questions.

After the academic advising meeting you should do the following:

  • Review the academic plan you created with your advisor, add courses to your cart in Self-Service, and submit your cart for advisor approval.
  • Monitor your own academic progress.
  • Complete action items and follow up on all referrals; inform your advisor of the outcome of referrals.

  • I need to plan my classes for next semester?
  • I am exploring majors and want to talk about my options?
  • I want to add a minor to my degree plan?
  • I don’t understand my degree requirements?
  • I am thinking about dropping a class?
  • I have questions about my progress or my GPA?
  • I need academic help and don’t know where to find it?
  • I want to find research or internship opportunities and don’t know where to start?
  • I want to talk about my plans after I graduate?

The answer to all these questions is…your academic advisor!

 

  • I want to change my major?
  • My advisor is not available for a meeting?
  • I am considering transferring?

Contact the MAP Your Future academic advising office:  academicadvising@maryvillecollege.edu.

Staff
Director of Advising
Karmen Stephenson
Director of Advising

Email Advising Office >

Staff
Director of Advising
Karmen Stephenson
Director of Advising

Email Advising Office >

Email Advising Office >

Email Advising Office >