Academic advising is one of the most important services you will receive at Kent State University.  The relationships you build with your Academic Services advisor and with your faculty advisor are essential in helping you navigate the university's academic system and requirements as well as learn about yourself and your goals as a student.

Office of Advising and Academic Services Advisor Responsibilities

Help students explore possible majors

Help students examine academic goals, values and talents and link to possible majors

Prepare requirement checks

Evaluate transfer credit

Review KAPS reports with students

Interpret college policies and procedures

Provide support services for students on academic probation

Make appropriate referrals for campus resources including tutoring services

Develop class schedules for upcoming semesters

Help students process necessary paperwork

Aid students in applying for graduation

Aid students in understanding the Catalog, the Schedule of Classes Booklet and curriculum requirements

Provide instruction for registration activities

Inform students of semester and yearly deadlines


Faculty Advisor Responsibilities

Help student in planning each semester's schedule

Evaluate transfer credit in the student's major, minor or LER classes required by number

Discuss academic and career goals pertinent to the student's major

Provide information regarding the student's field of study, including career information

Aid in the development of internships

Suggest appropriate substitution or waivers in curriculum when necessary


Student Responsibilities

Prepare appropriately for advising appointments

Read pertinent sections of the Catalog

Process necessary paperwork

Apply for graduation by the deadline

Meet regularly with faculty advisor

Develop appropriate academic goals, including major declaration, semester scheduling, graduation date

Semester scheduling

Apply for controlled classes by the deadline

Understand curriculum requirements and plan accordingly for sequential courses in major and minor

Understand prerequisite requirements and plan accordingly

Monitor the academic calendar and meet all deadlines

Start a file for all paperwork you receive from the university and  save everything that is given to you 

Seek advising when needed and accept responsibility for accomplishing your academic goals


Student Preparations for Advising Appointments

In order to receive the support and guidance you need from an advising appointment, it is extremely important that you prepare in advance.  Some suggestions for the steps you might take in preparation for meeting with an advisor are listed below:

Develop a sense of what you need to accomplish in your advising appointment.  Remember, you can see an advisor more than once each semester, so you don't need to accomplish everything in one meeting.

Develop a list of questions that will help you accomplish your goals for the appointment.

READ.  Before meeting with your advisor, read the section of the Catalog that pertains to your college (CotA), school, and major.  If you have scheduling questions, review the Registrar's web site, including registration deadlines.

If semester scheduling is what you want to accomplish, develop a list of classes you want to take for the next semester incorporating necessary prerequisites.  This may make it necessary to plan more than one semester at a time.

Meet with your advisor early in the semester.  The closer you are to registration or the end of the semester, the harder it is to get an appointment with your advisor. 

Leave time to get on the controlled class sign up lists.  This activity occurs early in the semester and you may need to see an advisor for assistance in course selection.

Keep your appointment.  If you must cancel, do it promptly and courteously.