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NKU Advising Philosophy

Academic advising at Northern Kentucky University is an integral part of the learning process. As such, academic advising is a collective effort that encourages students to develop clear educational plans and choose realistic life/career goals. In order to assist students in realizing their full potential at the university, faculty and staff advisors at NKU embrace the following beliefs about academic advising:

• Students are often unaware of the demands and expectations of the university and therefore need to learn the culture of higher education. Academic advising plays a key role in their understanding of the collegiate environment.
• Academic advising is not an isolated event, but an ongoing communication between the student and adviser in which mutual trust and respect must be established.
• Academic advisors recognize and accept that all students are unique and enter the learning process at varying points, learn at different rates and through a variety of methods.
• At the heart of all academic advising is the development of an educational plan that will enhance each student's intellectual and personal growth, including selection of classes to satisfy degree requirements in an efficient and effective manner. While advisors help students define their educational goals, the primary responsibility for decision-making rests with the student.

Primary Goals and Objectives of Academic Advising
A primary goal of academic advising is to help students define and develop educational and career goals that are consistent with their personal values, interests and talents. During this process, it is desirable that students will develop a rapport with their advisors that will enhance their academic performance.

It is expected that students will become familiar with and utilize university resources that support their educational development and that they will develop an understanding of university policies, procedures and requirements.

The desired outcome of academic advising is that students learn to make informed and increasingly independent decisions about their educational plans and other academic issues. Accordingly, as students become more knowledgeable about curriculum, policies, and procedures, they may be less reliant on advisors for such information, but will continue to consult advisors or designated faculty concerning university requirements, graduate school admission, or career opportunities.

Students' Responsibilities in the Advising Process

• Give careful thought to your academic and career goals and openly share this information with your advisor.
• Take responsibility for your learning by reviewing the university catalog, the schedule of classes, your major/degree requirements and by becoming fully aware of academic/university policies, procedures and requirements.
• To insure quality time, make an official advising appointment according to your advisor's scheduled office hours well in advance of your designated registration time. If you are unable to keep a scheduled advising appointment, remember to notify your advisor in advance.
• Prepare a list of questions before meeting with your advisor and have a tentative written list of classes for which you would like to register.
• Ask questions! If you are unclear about a policy or procedure, get clarification from your advisor.
• Know the academic calendar and be aware of important deadlines.
• Know your academic requirements and keep track of courses completed by using major, minor, area of concentration, general education checklists or by reviewing a copy of your degree audit.
• Contact your advisor at times other than the official advising/registration periods, if needed. It is important to inform your advisor about any academic or personal problems as soon as they arise because your advisor can refer you to any needed university resources.
• Bear in mind that adding or dropping classes without consulting your advisor may result in failure to satisfy degree requirements and may also delay graduation.
• Make an advising file and retain in it copies of all your university documents so if questions arise you have appropriate documentation.
• Accept responsibility for your education by making your own decisions. Advisors will provide you with advice and options, but you must choose. Your goal is to assume primary responsibility for educational planning, course scheduling and the successful completion of all graduation requirements.

Advisors' Responsibilities in the Advising Process

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in students' success by helping them develop realistic educational goals.
• Be accessible and responsive to students' needs.
• Review and update each student's academic record prior to or during the advising appointment.
• Be knowledgeable about university policies/procedures and all academic requirements related to General Education, the major, minors/areas of concentration, articulation agreements in selected programs, registration procedures, and all general graduation requirements for each advisee.
• Know the academic calendar and be fully aware of important deadlines.
• Know how to access key student information on the Student Information System, especially the On-Course degree audit system.
• Assist students in academic planning by explaining information about the major, General Education, minor/area of concentration or other degree requirements. Advisors also should make students aware of prerequisites, course sequencing and general information about course content and appropriate course load.
• As the advising relationship develops, assist students in developing decision-making skills and encourage them to take responsibility for their decisions.
• Learn about university resources/support services available to students and make appropriate referrals when needed.
• Encourage student participation in student organizations at the academic program, department and university-wide levels.
• Be available to provide career advice concerning internships and cooperative work experiences and to recommend practitioners or faculty colleagues who can give students additional information about their field of interest.
• Participate in university-sponsored professional development sessions for advisers as needed to stay current with policies, procedures, and requirements.