All students must declare a major after they have completed 24 credit hours.
The following academic programs provide the pre-major status.
- Art
- Athletic Training
- Computer Science
- Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Social Work
Pre-Law Students
Students who plan to attend law school should meet with a pre-law advisor in the Department of Political Science, the Department of English, the Department of History, or the Department of Legal Assistant Studies (LSAT). The advisors help student develop a course of study that will prepare them for the Law School Admission Test. The pre-law advisor will also suggest additional courses and non-academic activities that will prepare students for law school. Students should also contact their major departments for guidance in completing the Bachelor degree.
Pre-Law Advisors:
Dr. David W. Carrithers, Political Science Department
Dr. Katherine Rehyansky, Department of English
Dr. James Russell, Department of History
Prof. Karen McGuffee, Legal Assistant Studies
Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Students
Students who plan to attend medical or dental school should meet with a pre-medical advisor in either the Department of Chemistry or the Department of Biological and Environmental Science. The advisors help students develop a course of study that will prepare them for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The minimum requirements for admission to a medical school are16 hours of Chemistry (general and organic), 8 hours of Biology (general biology), 8 hours of Physics (general physics), and 6 hours of English. The pre-medical advisor will also suggest additional courses and non-academic activities that will prepare students for medical school. Students should also contact their major departments for guidance in completing the Bachelor degree.
Pre-Pharmacy Advisors:
Dr. John Lynch, Department of Chemistry
Dr. Deborah Kreiss, Department of Biology
Dr. Steve Symes, Department of Chemistry
Pre-Dental Advisors:
Dr. Deborah Kreiss, Department of Biology
Dr. Ethan Carver, Department of Biology
Dr. Timothy Gaudin, Department of Biology
Dr. Douglas Kutz, Department of Chemistry
Pre-Medicine Advisors:
Dr. Manuel Santiago, Department of Chemistry
Dr. Kyle Knight, Department of Chemistry
Dr. Ethan Carver, Department of Biology
Dr. Timothy Gaudin, Department of Biology
Dr. Margaret Kovach, Department of Biology
Dr. Deborah Kreiss, Department of Biology
Dr. Sean Richards, Department of Biology
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Advisor:
Dr. Ethan Carver, Department of Biology
Advising for Students Who Have Declared a Major
Students who have declared a major should seek regular advising from their major department or their college. When a student declares a major, he or she should meet with the Department Head to be assigned to an advisor.
Advising for Students Enrolled in the Honors Program
Because students enrolled in the University Honors Program (UHON) must complete a unique general education curriculum, they are advised by members of the Honors Program staff as well as by the faculty of their major departments.
Freshman honors students are required to meet with a program advisor each semester to review their goals and academic progress and to plan schedules for subsequent semesters. Sophomore, junior, and senior honors students are strongly encouraged to schedule advisement and review sessions with the staff. Each semester, the Honors Program Director reviews the academic progress and standing of all students in the program and meets with students to discuss areas of concern.
In addition, all honors students enroll in one of four special advisement courses (UHON 100, 200, 300, or 400), which offer information on academic and career planning, unique opportunities to enhance students' educational experiences, and university resources appropriate to the student's class level and goals.
Advising for the Student Athlete
Students who are members of University varsity sport teams should seek the advice of their major department and the athletic academic advisor to ensure they remain eligible to participate in their sport.
Advising for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should follow the regular advising procedures described above. During the advising process, the student should ensure that the advisor understands the accommodations that the student requires and that the course schedule reflects these needs. Students and advisors are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Students with Disabilities should specific questions about the student's needs arise.
General Rules and Guidelines Related to Selecting Courses
This section reviews the general guidelines students should follow when selecting courses. Other sections of this catalog present more specific rules and regulations regarding specific degree requirements.
