ACADEMIC ADVISING INSTRUCTIONS/SUGGESTIONS
Academic advising is an educational process that facilitates students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education. It fosters intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning. (NACADA)
What to bring:
Your DegreeWorks login and password
Your catalog
Your business cards
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Starting the Advising session:
Introduce yourself (build rapport)
Inquire about student’s current courses (i.e., how is s/he doing?)
If student is unsure how s/he is performing, encourage her/him to speak with her/his professor(s)
Ask about CEP 121 (pre-internship) and CEP 201 (internship)
Remind student s/he is required to complete CEP 121 before signing up for her/his internship (they cannot be taken in same semester, so planning is needed!)
If student will be completing the degree in the semester for which you are advising (including Session Session II), offer congratulations and alert her/him to register for Intent to Graduate (Sims code 6999).
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Reviewing the student’s DegreeWorks audit:
Confirm student’s major is accurate and current (important!!!).
Ask student if s/he knows what courses to take following term
If yes, review these courses and confirm that they are appropriate for student’s major
Review pre- & co-requisite requirements for recommended courses to assure proper sequence
If no, recommend appropriate courses for student’s major
If student thinks s/he may be failing a course, recommend that s/he repeat it immediately in Session II (this helps student maintain financial aid eligibility and good academic standing)
Ask the student if he s/he intends to register for Session II of current semester, or if s/he is already registered for Session II, does s/he intend to make any adjustments to their Session II schedule (also, note that two courses, not to exceed 9 eq. cr) is the maximum for Session II).
If the student insists on taking a course outside of his/her major, make sure to tell them they must visit Financial Aid Office to ensure full payment AND record that the student is taking this course in the Planner on DegreeWorks!
Record all recommended courses in DegreeWorks “Planner” and/or on Registration Form (keep your copy and give one copy to the student)
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Wrapping Up
Remind student to note her/his registration appointment date and to register on that day or soon after
Remind student that failure to pay her/his bill by deadline will result in Bursar cancellation of courses
Encourage student to visit you in office, if appropriate, if s/he has further questions or concerns
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How to access DegreeWorks:
Go to LaGuardia’s website:www.laguardia.edu or www.lagcc.cuny.edu
Click on “I am faculty or staff”
Click on “DegreeWorks” under “Programs and Services” or “Quick Links”
Login using administrative ID and Password
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How to review a student’s degree audit:
Enter student’s SSN number to view her/his audit
Click “Audit,” then click “View Audit”
Confirm student’s name, major, and academic standing
Distinguish courses in progress from credits completed to date (~ vs. check mark)
Review remaining course requirements
Recommend appropriate courses for following term
Record recommended courses in DegreeWorks “Planner”
If student is expecting to graduate following term, recommend s/he register for “Intent to Graduate” (SIMS code 6999)
Note student’s Registration Appointment Date and encourage student to register on that day
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Key DegreeWorks Functions and Features:
The “Audit” function compares student’s completed coursework alongside her/his major requirements
The “What If” function allows student to process speculative degree audits to assess how many courses/credits would be applied to new major
If student intends to change major:
Click on “What If” button
Select degree from drop-down menu
Select/confirm appropriate catalog year
Select new major from “Pick a Major” menu
Click “Process Audit”
The “Planner” function allows advisor(s) to note recommended courses for future semesters
Title academic advisement plan in “Description” field, e.g. “Spring 2009 Advisement Plan”
Select respective semester from drop-down menu and check the checkbox (on left side)
Type in specific courses (like an online registration form), e.g. “ENG 101” or “MAT 115” (you must leave the space between letters and numbers)
Save “Plan”
Enter any notes in the “Notes” field (on right side)
The “Transcript” function allows access to an unofficial student transcript
Each course code has a hyperlink that will link to online course description and note pre/co-requisites