Major Advising

Wilson Hall, Room 102
(540) 568-7350
www.jmu.edu/advising

Policies

• All new first year students are assigned to a first year adviser.
• All other students are assigned to a faculty adviser in their major or to an adviser in Career and Academic Planning if they are undeclared.
• All students must declare their major by the third week of the sophomore year. Students unable to identify their major adviser should contact the Director of Major Advising Programs.

What Faculty Advisers Do

• Help students with their academic planning and decision-making including decisions about recommended courses.
• Explain the curriculum and make sure students understand how decisions affect their progress toward meeting graduation requirements.
• Explain pertinent academic policies.
• Encourage students to make decisions keeping long-term academic and career goals in mind.
• Refer students to other campus resources as needed.
• Sign the graduation application form.
• Serve as contacts for recommendations for study abroad programs, internships, graduate schools, and employment.

What Students Should Do

• Read and understand the catalog; know General Education, degree, major, minor and graduation requirements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with advisers. Students should consult with their advisers throughout their academic career. Share career goals and any special needs with advisers.
• Go to faculty advisers for assistance with academic and career choices and for referral to other campus resources; however, students should understand that the final responsibility for making choices and for the consequences of those choices is theirs alone.
• Know who their adviser is, including the adviser’s office location, office hours, and the manner in which an adviser prefers to be contacted.
• Be well prepared before meeting with an adviser. Students should bring a General Education checklist, a tentative schedule of classes for the next semester, a list of questions about fulfilling graduation requirements, and ideas about career goals.
• Seek academic advice about which courses to take well in advance of their registration appointment. Students should schedule enough time for questions to be considered thoroughly, and make sure they understand the advice being given.
• Understand that advisers have a limited role and responsibility. Students should take the initiative to go to appropriate offices for advising forms and related information.