Academic Advising |
Academic Advising is an integral part of the Crescendo experience. Because of the dual-major program, scheduling for classes requires thoughtful planning. Advisors in the office understand the intricacies of planning a dual-degree and are prepared to help students complete their degree with as few interruptions as possible.
All of our Academic Advisors are licensed Mental Health or School Counselors with a Masters Level education and beyond. Some of the most common disabilities cannot be seen by others, so as an institution we have no way of identifying these students so that they are receiving the help they need. We want to ensure that all our students are receiving the best help possible; disability or not. Students are required to meet with their assigned advisor each semester for the two years of their program (... and the second to last semester of their 4th year to ensure students are on track for graduation at the end of their 5th year). |
Why Professional Advising vs. Faculty?Unlike faculty advisors, professional advisors are trained for the specific duty of advising and do not need to balance an additional workload like a faculty advisor. Therefore, professional advisors are available to students, allowing for more one on one interaction. Additionally, professional advisors specialize in all areas of curriculum while providing assistance in life decisions and exploration of goals. High responsibility is placed on professional advisors to offer aspects of advising viewed as important by both faculty members and students: something faculty members cannot fully offer. Professional advisors offer more developmental aid, in a broader scope, which contributes to the overall growth of the student.
Overall, professional advisors are better suited to aid students in exploration of career and life goals. Professional advisors hold a more holistic view of the student which we believe is better suited for our students’ overall development. |
ExpectationsExpectations for Students:
As a student, you are expected to… 1. Schedule and keep advising appointments each semester. 2. Be prepared for advising planning sessions by researching degree requirements, pre and co-requisites, as well as transfer information. 3. Actively participate in advising by asking questions and by sharing and clarifying goals. 4. Follow through on advising recommendations in a timely way. Expectations for Advisors: Advisors will... 1. Be knowledgeable about programs and graduation requirements, policies, and procedures. 2. Encourage and guide students to develop and pursue their goals and create an academic plan. 3. Refer students to appropriate campus resources by utilizing assessment results. 4. Be accessible via phone, email, and by appointment and will respond to students in a timely way. 5. Follow through on actions promised to students. 6. Recommend appropriate classes and describe catalog of record and other tools/resources to assist students in course selection and registration. |