Academic Advising

Academic Advising Iowa State University's academic advisers are dedicated to enhancing each student's academic and career aspirations.

The advising period begins two to five days prior to the first day of registration. Advisers provide important information to students that allow them to register for classes.

Each student is assigned an adviser when he or she arrives on campus, usually a faculty member or professional adviser in the student's academic department. If a major has not yet been declared, a member of the college faculty or staff will be assigned as adviser. The adviser can serve as a primary resource for the wide variety of university support services available to Iowa State University students, but it is the student's responsibility to ask for assistance. Advisers assist in the development of an academic program that meets students' career objectives as well as curriculum requirements.

Advisers can help students achieve their academic objectives by advising them about course requirements, recommended electives, and procedures for registration and schedule changes. It is the student's responsibility, however, to be knowledgeable about Iowa State policies and procedures and the graduation requirements for his or her individual program and to ensure that these requirements are met.

In most departments, students may change advisers. A student who wants to change advisers should check with the department regarding the adviser change procedure.