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CCS Academic Advising Program

The CCS Academic Advising Program provides assistance to Undergraduate, Graduate level, and Teacher Certification (TC) post-degree students enrolled at the College for Creative Studies. – Academic Advising for these degree level students are handled by staff in the Academic Advising & Registration Office (AARO) and the Global Engagement Office (GEO). The GEO advisor is assigned to International Undergraduate and Graduate students. The AARO advisors are assigned to undergraduate students by major.

CCS Advisors are knowledgeable about curriculum, graduation requirements, college policies and procedures. Our goal is to promote student success through intentional interactions and informative experiences that serve as a guide for students navigating their academic programs. and overall college experience. Students are required to have advising meetings during key points of their educational path and are referred to various campus resources as needed to support their academic goals.

Advisors serve as departmental liaisons for their assigned majors to stay informed about current trends and recommendations for students studying in the related areas.

How We Advise

We listen to your needs and goals

We provide options for your plan

We work with you to make adjustments

We follow college policies and guidelines

How We Help

Registration

Add/Drop, Course Planning, Troubleshooting, Student Planning, Semester Preparation

Guidance

Campus Resources, Program Requirements, Academic Policies & Procedures, FERPA & Student Records

Degree Planning

Changing Majors, Discussing Minor Options, Transferring Credits, Consultations, Credit & Elective Options

Referrals & Support

Academic Progress, Assessment, Grade Status Review, Department Approvals or Recommendations, Semester Concerns

Student Expectations

Students are expected to...

Check your CCS email daily. Your CCS email is the main point of communication with college officials.
Schedule regular appointments with an assigned Academic Advisor.
Be on time for scheduled appointments and/or advising group sessions
Come to Advising meetings prepared with questions you would like to discuss.
Consult with your Advisor on course and/or program changes
Consider life situations that may affect class schedules and/or degree plans and discuss options with an Academic Advisor (work load, job/family responsibilities, learning or physical challenges, etc.)
Access your curriculum chart and check degree progress online
Know your FERPA rights and inquire when needed
Follow-up on referrals and communicate with your advisor.
Monitor your attendance, midterm grades, and final grades online via Self-Service.
View the online Schedule Book for current CCS policies, procedures and resources.
Provide accurate information for your student records, forms and assistance.
Establish communication and build professional relationships with your faculty mentors, department chairs, and support staff (i.e., Advisors, Career Coach, etc).
Accept responsibility for your decisions and actions

Advisor Expectations

Advisors are expected to...

Maintain confidentiality of records within FERPA guidelines
Help you understand academic program requirements
Assist you in selecting appropriate courses for your program
Provide accurate information and effectively communicate them to you.
Assess your academic progress.
Provide resources, referrals, and strategies for using available resources on campus.
Interpret CCS policies and procedures.
Assist you in setting realistic educational goals
Provide guidance with decision making, but not make decisions for you.
Be available during office hours by appointment or during posted drop-in hours.

Teacher Certification (TC) Post Degree Program

Teacher Certification students will meet with the Department Chair of Art Education and create an approved “Plan of Work”. This will outline required classes for each semester until certificate completion. Once the document has been created, TC students will meet with their Academic Advisor to register for your classes each semester. Academic Advising appointments are available and encouraged for students who have questions or concerns. Students' academic evaluations are audited regularly to review degree requirement progress.

Graduate Level students (MFA & MA programs)

Graduate-level advising meetings will take place during the academic year based on academic standing, degree progress, and registration assistance. Academic Advising appointments are available and encouraged for current students who have questions or concerns about their program and/or course options. Student academic evaluations are audited regularly to review progress towards graduate studies completion and to address academic concerns.

Undergraduate Students (BFA programs)

Students are required to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor when they enter into an undergraduate program. Additional required meetings will take place during the academic year based on class status, academic standing and degree progress. Academic Advising appointments are available anytime during the semester for current students and are encouraged to address questions or concerns about program or course options. Student academic evaluations are audited annually to review progress towards degree completion and address academic concerns.

Undergraduate Academic Advising Meetings Overview


Prior to start of registration	FAQs for First Semester Registration
Prior to the start of the semester	First Required Advising Meetings for Registration (one-on-one and/or group for first-time college and transfer students) Identify Curriculum Charts & Program Requirements Acknowledge Registration/Tuition Agreements Understand Self-Service Degree Timeline Understand Credit Placement and Credit requirements per semester Register First Year Courses Understand Add/Drop/Withdrawal procedures Know Registration & Financial Resources Understand Major and/or Program Changes
Prior to the start of the semester	New Student Orientation Records & Registration Services Working with your Advisor (Advising Services) FERPA First Semester Tips! Academic reminders!
First Semester Students (non-transfer)
First - second month of the first semester	2nd Required Advising & Registration Meeting (one-on-one and/or group) Understand “My Progress” in Self Service Understand “priority registration” and class/credit status Address Student Planning Questions Understand criteria for academic opportunities Understand Minor options Assess semester (academic success/challenges) Know student support resources
First Semester Transfer Students
First - second month of the first semester	2nd Required Transfer Student Meeting (one-on-one and or group) Understand “My Progress” in Self Service Understand Transfer credit holds Address transfer credit questions Understand “priority registration” and class/credit status Address Student Planning Questions Understand criteria for academic opportunities Assess academic success/challenges Know student support resources
Undeclared Students
First - second month of the first semester	2 Required Advising Meetings during 1st semester (minimum) *Required follow-up in 2nd semester Continue discussion of major options Confirm mentor/dept meetings Assess semester progress Declare major by end of semester
Conditionally Admitted Students
	2 Required Advising Meetings during the early months of the first semester (minimum)
Readmitted Students
Fall and/or Winter	Required Advising & Registration meeting prior to the start of the term
Students on Academic Probation
	3 Required Advising Meetings during probation term
Rising Sophomores
Prior to the registration period	Group Sessions/Workshops: Registration Preparation, Program & Academic Credit Next Steps One-on-one appointments as needed Sophomore Status notifications!
Prior to the registration period
Rising Juniors	Junior Group Sessions/Workshops: Registration Preparation, Program & Academic Credit Next Steps
	One-on-one appointments as needed Junior Status notifications! *Students with Junior Status holds must meet with an Academic Advisor to register
Rising Seniors
Prior to the registration period	Required Advising Meeting: Pre-Graduation Audit Review Senior Status notification! Understand remaining credits to graduate in Self-Service/Student planning Understand eligible credit opportunities that can apply towards remaining credits Understand and determine the need for alternative credit options/procedures (transfer credit, CLEP, etc.) Determine “potential” graduation date and confirm if program changes are required (or necessary) Understand impacts of drops/withdrawals or leave of absence on degree completion progress. Understand graduation policy requirements

What is the difference between an academic advisor and counselor?

Your CCS Academic Advisor will assist you with questions or concerns related to your academic program and provide resources if assistance is needed outside of the advisor’s specialized areas. CCS Counselors operate within the Student Affairs Office and provide personal health and wellness services to students.

What is the difference between an academic advisor and mentor?

Your Advisor will focus on your individual needs as a student and provide options that apply to your whole educational experience. Your mentor will focus on your development as a growing professional student in your major and provide guidance to support your portfolio development, and career choices. Both your advisor and mentor will refer you to resources outside of their specialized areas as needed.

What is the difference between an academic advisor and career coach?

Your Advisor will provide input on program and/or career related opportunities and inform you of eligibility requirements. Advisors can help you within your degree planning to reach those goals, and confirm action items necessary to complete procedures. Your Career Coach will provide individualized guidance on internships and career events that will help you define your career goals and path. Students can meet with their Academic Advisor in advance to prepare for meetings with their Career Coach.

I am a New student to CCS, when should I contact my Academic Advisor?

New Students are contacted by their Academic Advisor when it is time to register and set-up the first Advising & Registration Appointment! All communication is sent using the CCS student email account, which should be checked regularly.

I am having trouble reaching my Advisor, what should I do?

Undergraduate students are encouraged to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor and should check their appointment page for availability. If there is no availability, students may schedule with another Academic Advisor for assistance. The Academic Advising & Registration Office can be emailed at [email protected] for further assistance, questions, or concerns and we will do our best to assist you.

Can I see any Academic Advisor?

If you are an undergraduate major, then technically, yes. However we do recommend students meet with their assigned advisor for guidance related to their major. All advisors can assist students with questions, concerns, registration, etc. International students will contact the ISSO for guidance on all requirements and options. When in doubt send an email regarding your questions or concerns.

If I change my major, will my Advisor also change?

Yes! Advisor assignments change if a student changes their major. Advisors are liaisons for their assigned departments and know first hand what updates, changes, or recommendations are supported by the departments.The Advisor for your assigned major is always the first to know about your program. However, all Advisors work together to stay informed about CCS programs, policies and procedures. You can choose to stay with an Academic Advisor outside of your major, if you prefer. The AARO must be informed of the request and your records will need to be updated.