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Penn StateAdvising @ PSUYour source for academic advising and academic information at Penn State

    FAQ


This FAQ page provides a list of advising-related questions that are frequently asked by students, faculty, and staff. Answers to these questions have been provided by Penn State academic advisers.


Frequently Asked Questions

For Students
    1. How can I find out who my adviser is?
    2. Can I change advisers?
    3. Can I “double major” at Penn State?
    4. What's a minor?
    5. What happens if I repeat a course?
    6. How can I change campuses?
    7. Should I late drop a course?
    8. What if I want to take summer courses?
    9. How should I handle a problem with an instructor?
    10. What should I take next semester?
    11. When do I register for next semester?
    12. How can I change my major?


Frequently Asked Questions

For Advisers

Brief responses to the following questions have been provided by Penn State's Center for Excellence in Academic Advising.
  1. How do I find out about my advisees?
  2. How do I help an advisee to plan a course of study?
  3. How do I help an advisee to plan for life after undergraduate school?
  4. How do I help an advisee who is in academic difficulty?
  5. What skills do I need to do these things well?
  6. How do I interpret placement actions?
  7. How do I help an advisee petition for exceptions to the rules?
  8. What are the legal ramifications of being an adviser?
  9. What Advanced Placement (AP) credits does Penn State accept?
  10. Where can I learn more about advising and students?
  11. Who can talk to my advisee about other majors, programs, or services?
  12. What financial aid issues should I know about? What referrals should I make?
  13. How do I document my academic advising in my promotion and tenure dossier?
The questions below and other related topics are addressed in the third edition of The Penn State Adviser (2007). Copies are available to Penn State advisers at no charge by contacting the Division of Undergraduate Studies at dus@psu.edu.
  1. What are the characteristics an adviser brings to the advising situation?
  2. Who is the student?
  3. How do I prepare for the advising meeting?
  4. How do I conduct the advising meeting?
  5. How do I advise students about crafting their education?
  6. How do I advise students who are choosing their major?
  7. How do I advise students about planning their course schedules?
  8. How do I discuss careers with students?
  9. How do I help students reflect on their educations?
  10. How do I read a degree audit?
  11. How can I use information technology in academic advising?
  12. How do I refer students to others?
  13. How do I advise students experiencing academic difficulty?
  14. How do I advise students who want to be admitted or re-enrolled?
  15. How do I advise students with disabilities?
  16. What records should I keep about the student and the advising meeting?
  17. When and how can I communicate with others about students?
  18. What is ethical behavior for an academic adviser?



Advising @ PSUAdvising @ PSU—Your source for academic advising and academic information at Penn State
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