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Academic Advising: The Advising Process

A Partnership Between Student and Advisor

Student's Responsibilities

Form academic, career, and personal goals.
Develop plans to reach goals.
Learn degree requirements.
Schedule and keep appointments with advisor.
Be prepared for advising sessions; bring degree forms and/or transcripts. Prepare a list of questions. Read catalog and schedule of courses in advance.
Explore ways to enhance your education.
Consider and follow up on advice you are given.
Seek help at first sign of problems; don't expect problems to be resolved without action.

Advisor's Responsibilities

Help student set and clarify goals.
Review plans to reach goals and consider alternatives if goals are unrealistic.
Help student learn rules and regulations necessary for graduation.
Be available for appointments on a regular and predictable basis.
Explain curricular options, answer registration questions and teach student how to choose and schedule classes.
Identify resources and opportunities. Make referrals as appropriate.
Give the best possible advice to help the student recognize personal abilities and interest to realize full potential.
Help explore problems, seek solutions and make appropriate referrals.

Academic Advising: Advisor Contact Info

Undergraduate Advising Offices

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources	882-8301
Arts and Sciences	884-9700
Business	882-7073
Education	882-5659
Engineering	882-4375
Health Professions	882-8011
Honors College	882-3893
Human Environmental Sciences	882-6424
Journalism	882-1045
Natural Resources	882-7045
Nursing	882-0277
Social Work	884-8795

Other Important Numbers

Academic Retention Services (MAP)	882-9208
Career Center	882-6801
Counseling Services	882-6601
Disability Services	882-4696
General Education Program	882-6805
International Center (Study Abroad)	882-6007
Learning Center	882-2493
MSA (Missouri Students Association)	882-3780
Total Person Program (Athletic Department)	884-0319
Registration	882-7881

Academic Advising: Checklist for a Successful Registration

To help ensure that your first advising experience goes smoothly, we encourage you to follow the steps listed below:

Be sure to bring the letter that came with your New Student Registration and Orientation (NSRO)/Transfer Student Registration and Orientation (TSRO) Booklet. It contains your Student ID and Single Sign On (SSO ID; also known as myZou username or PawPrint). You will need to know the password to your SSO ID. You may need this information when you register for classes.
If you have them, please bring copies of transcripts/grade reports of any college-level work completed and copies of AP or IB scores. If you do not have copies of this information, please bring a list of any course work for which you may have already earned college credit.
On the first day of Summer Welcome, make sure you attend the Divisional Orientation for the academic division in which you will be enrolling. At Divisional, you will receive important information about degree requirements and the following day’s advising session.
Use the University Catalog and Schedule of Courses, along with any handbooks, checklists, or other information you have received from your academic division to develop a list of possible courses you would like to take in the fall. You will receive the Catalog and Schedule of Courses when you check-in at Summer Welcome.
Jot down any questions you may have.
At the advising session, you will meet with an advisor to discuss your academic goals, course selections, and your questions.
After you meet with an advisor at Summer Welcome, you can complete your schedule by registering for classes using myZou.

Academic Advising: Types of Advisors

Peer Advisor

An undergraduate student who can answer routine procedural questions, including those about myZou, read degree audits, and assist students with course scheduling. A Peer Advisor is responsible for procedural information and appropriate referrals.

Professional Academic Advisor

An individual who assists students with academic planning, degree requirements, and setting educational and career goals and provide information on rules and regulations, graduation requirements, transfer issues, study abroad and co-curricular opportunities, class scheduling and life after graduation. An academic advisor directly advises students but also has other responsibilities such as updating student records, recruitment, program coordination, advising student groups, preparation of printed material, participation on campus/departmental committees, and teaching.

Faculty Advisor

An individual who assists students with academic planning, meeting degree requirements, and setting educational and career goals; gives specific advice for majors, preparing them for advanced study and careers; provides information about co-curricular opportunities and individual academic/research work. A faculty advisor's primary responsibilities are teaching, research and service to the institution and the academic discipline. Therefore, plan ahead when seeking the assistance of a faculty advisor: be prepared with questions and be aware of office hours.