Most of the following information is extracted from the University of Dayton Guide and Directory of Resources for Undergraduate Academic Advising and represents the philosophy of academic advising of the Department of Psychology.

The University of Dayton understands that effective academic advising is a major factor in student success, and is committed to providing each student with a competent and caring academic advisor. Academic advising addresses not only the information needs of students but also their total development, including career and life planning.

Academic Advisor Responsibilities

The goals of our advising program follow the recommendations of the National Academic Advising Asociation and include the following:

• To provide accurate information about institutional policies, procedures, resources, and programs.

• To make referrals to other University or community support services.

• To assist students in developing an educational plan consistent with their life goals and objectives.

• To assist students in evaluating or re-evaluating their progress toward their goals and educational plans.

• To assist students in considering life goals by relating interests, skills, abilities, and values to careers, the world of work, and the nature and purpose of higher education.

• To assist students in self-understanding and self-acceptance.

• To assist students in developing decision-making skills.

The competent advisor is well-informed about the policies and procedures of the University, the College, and the department. The advisor is available to students, and is approachable. He or she is concerned about the total student in the process of change, intellectually, psychologically, physically, socially, religiously, and ethically, and continually follows the student's experience at the University. Finally, the effective advisor is knowledgeable about appropriate resources that can be helpful to the student with emotional, spiritual, financial, or other problems.

Student Responsibilities

While the advisor has many responsibilities, the student has responsibilities as well. The student must accept final responsibility for the completion of the academic requirements for the degree. Specifically, the responsible student should:

• Set up and maintain a portfolio that contains all documents and records that are related to completion of academic objectives. The student should start the portfolio upon entering the University. The portfolio should contain the following: 1) a link to The University of Dayton Bulletin for the date of the student's entry. The Bulletin lists the program requirements that will be in effect for the student through graduation; 2) a plan for coursework; 3) all documents and correspondence that indicate transfer credits, waivers, or special considerations; 4) grade reports, registration schedules, drop/add slips, etc.; 5) the Advising Reports or Degree Audits picked up from the Department of Psychology (discussed below).

• Pick up Undergraduate Class Schedule from the Registration office in Albert Emanuel, or at Kennedy Union sites,  in a timely manner.

• Schedule advising appointments with the advisor to discuss course selections, academic goals, career objectives and any additional needs or concerns. These meetings should take place not only during registration times but also at any time that the student has questions. For registration, however, make the appointment before your scheduled registration time so that ample consideration can be given to your needs. Do not come to a faculty advisor five minutes before your registration time and ask him/her to just sign your form.

• Keep all scheduled appointments. Be prepared for these meetings by having the above described portfolio available and asking questions about things not understood. For registration meetings, come with a preliminary schedule of courses, including course sections. Check the status of the courses (course availability) on-line. Make sure that prerequisite courses are satisfied before registering for courses. Clarify your understanding of the most recent Advising Report.

• Register for courses as soon as eligible based on the schedule printed in the Undergraduate Class Schedule. 

• Verify eligibility for graduation by filling out the appropriate form on-line early in the first semester (September) of the senior year to ensure that records are accurate and all requirements will be met.

Assigning an Advisor in the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology assigns a faculty advisor to each psychology major and that advisor approaches his or her responsibilities in a manner consistent with the above philosophy. Incoming students are assigned an advisor who typically  meets with the students during the last day of the first-year orientation program. Any student who transfers to psychology from undeclared, or another major, or another university, is assigned an advisor by the Director of Undergraduate Programs. The student can check in the Departmental office to find out who that advisor is. As long as the student remains a psychology major, the same faculty member remains advisor to the student. Under certain circumstances, if a student wishes to change advisors, permission may be granted by the Department Chair and the Director of Undergraduate Programs.

The Advising Report

To assist in the advising process the University employs a computerized Advising Report (Degree Audit). Two copies of this computer printout, one for the student and one for the advisor, are printed several weeks  before registration begins. Students are expected to ask the Department secretary (SJ329) for their copy. (Appropriate identification is required to obtain the report). This Advising Report lists a student's completed courses and grades along with all currently registered courses, as reflected in the Registrar's office. It also indicates the student's current status in fulfilling degree requirements. The faculty advisor and student review the Advising Report, determine what requirements remain, and choose appropriate courses to correspond with the student's academic and career interests. (Examples of Advising Reports for B.A. and B.S. programs are available in the Table of Contents under Advising Information for Students and Faculty.)

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