Academic Advising

Academic Advising AT Georgia College

The Academic Advising Center (AAC) provides academic advising for all undergraduate Georgia College & State University students, from the first year through graduation. At GCSU, students are required to meet with an academic advisor each semester to review academic progress and to plan for upcoming terms.

The AAC utilizes the NACADA pillars for Academic Advising to guide our work with students. Advising curriculum includes, but is not limited to, an introduction to the institution including resources, policies, and procedures, review of the curricular and co-curricular options available, selection of academic majors and courses, and development of goals (NACADA, 2006). 

The professional staff members of the AAC also teach first-year seminars for incoming students. In cases where first-year seminars are taught by academic faculty, academic advisors partner with the instructor to provide essential transition and success information for new students. The AAC is also responsible for POUNCE and INTRO, the early registration programs for all incoming students (first-years and transfers).

Citation: NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. (2006). NACADA concept of academic advising. Retrieved from https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Pillars/Concept.aspx

Academic Advising Services

Appointments can be scheduled online using the "Schedule an Academic Advising Appointment" link in UNIFY or using the Bookings Link. Please email advising@gcsu.edu for assistance with appointment scheduling. 

The Academic Advising Center is located on the 2^nd Floor of Lanier Hall. 

Meeting with your Advisor 

Appointments can be scheduled online using the "Schedule an Academic Advising Appointment" link in UNIFY. Complete the Pre-Registration Advising Worksheet to prepare for pre-registration appointments. 

Email your advisor if you have specific problems or questions. You can expect a response to emails and phone calls within two business days. 

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact your advisor with any questions related to your academic progress.  

Advising Mission Statement

Advising sessions are required for incoming first-year students and new transfer students. In addition, academic advisors and students shall meet to review the student's degree progress by the completion of 30, 60, and 90 earned credit hours.

Advising at Georgia College is a shared responsibility between students and the advisors. Through a network of resources and support, students communicate with advisors to obtain information and guidance aimed at the student's successful completion of degree requirements and preparation for post baccalaureate opportunities. An inherent goal of the advising process is for students to gain self understanding that will inform their decisions regarding academic, career and life goals.

Learning Outcomes and Goals

As a result of the academic advising experience at Georgia College, students should:

• Demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the liberal arts mission and academic expectations of the university and the majors in the four colleges, and involvement opportunities on campus provided through exposure to relevant material, people and experiences.
• Evaluate the importance and benefits of engagement (study abroad, undergraduate research, internships, co-curricular activities, GIVE Center, diversity initiatives) with student organizations, faculty, staff and other students (housing, peer mentors, supplemental instructors).
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of academic planning skills such as PAWS, DegreeWorks, Appointment Plus, Bobcats e-mail and other tools designed to self-register, generate degree audits, create four-year plans, locate university policies and procedures, interpret academic requirements, and manage academic progress.
• Use career exploration to examine career opportunities within an academic major or field of study that have been identified using self-awareness, personal characteristics, skills, academic interests, aspirations, values, and goals; and to develop a four-year plan to complete career readiness milestones by the time of graduation.
• Integrate and apply effective academic success strategies for self-improvement and academic achievement by using learning support resources (Learning Center, Writing Center, Counseling Services, Career Center, Disability Services, Financial Aid, Library Information Technology Center, etc.).

Policy Requiring Mandatory Advising Meeting for Students

Students are assigned an academic advisor through the Advising Center prior to the start of their first semester of enrollment. Advising meetings between students and advisors are mandatory for first-year students and new transfer students. Students are expected to meet with their advisors prior to each semester's registration, and meetings with advisors to review degree progress are required for all students after 30, 60, and 90 credit hours earned. Advisors are responsible for documenting when such advising meetings take place.