Academic Advising

Advising serves as a primary means of integrating students into the larger college community, facilitating the completion of their academic programs, and supporting the transition to their professional careers.

Visit the Academic Advising Center as a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or transfer student.

Freshman and Sophomore Students

Freshman students (except Performing Arts students) are assigned to an advisor in the Academic Advising Center for their first three semesters. Honors Program students are co-advised by the Honors Program director and the Advising Center staff. Students meet with their advisor once a semester in group sessions or individual appointments.

Freshmen and sophomores often visit the Advising Center to:

• Define educational goals and discuss long-term planning
• Understand the General Education and major requirements
• Prepare for course selection and registration
• Review options for minors
• Learn about important academic polices and procedures
• Seek referral to other campus resources—such as the Lacerte Family Writing and Academic Resource Center, Career Services, the Counseling Center, and the Office of International Study and External Programs

Visit our FAQ page to learn more about answers to common questions.

back to top

Junior and Senior Students

As students approach their junior year, they transition from their advisor in the Academic Advising Center (or Honors Program) and begin to work with a faculty advisor in their academic major. The Advising Center continues to serve as an additional resource for juniors and seniors.

Juniors and seniors often visit the Advising Center to:

• Track academic progress toward graduation
• Declare a minor
• Ask questions about areas of study outside of their faculty advisor’s expertise

Visit our FAQ page to learn more about answers to common questions.

back to top

Transfer Students

All transfer students (except Performing Arts students) are assigned to the transfer student advisor in the Academic Advising Center, whom they will meet with individually during their first semester. Transfer students then transition to a faculty advisor in their academic major during the second semester.

Transfer students often visit the Advising Center to:

• Understand how their transfer credits fit into the Emerson curriculum
• Establish a long-term plan for graduation
• Prepare for course selection and registration
• Review academic policies and procedures
• Decide if an off-campus program—the Kasteel Well, Los Angeles, or Washington D.C. semester program—can fit into their academic plans
• Seek referrals to other campus resources for support in the transition to Emerson: the Lacerte Family Writing and Academic Resource Center, Career Services, and the Counseling Center

Visit our FAQ page to learn more about answers to common questions.

back to top

Performing Arts Majors

Performing Arts majors are assigned to a faculty or professional advisor within their major upon arriving at Emerson. The Academic Advising Center serves as an additional resource for Performing Arts majors and all students are encouraged to make use of its services.

back to top

Programs and Workshops

The Academic Advising Center hosts a variety of programs designed to educate students about academic resources and opportunities, and assist students with academic planning.

First Step is an orientation program designed to introduce freshmen to academic advising at Emerson. Students meet with their academic advisor in a group setting. The meeting provides advisors with the opportunity to share important information regarding Emerson’s curriculum and College policies and procedures. In addition, the advisor introduces some of the many opportunities available to students to enhance their academic careers.

Transitions is an orientation program that informs incoming transfer students about academic life at Emerson. Transfer students meet with their advisor, review the advising and registration process, and learn about the resources the Advising Center provides to help make a seamless transition into the Emerson community.

Meetings for Academic Planning (MAP) are small group sessions for freshman and sophomore students, advised by the Academic Advising staff. Each MAP session is major-specific. They focus on educating and informing students about course registration while providing tools and resources that will be useful throughout the academic planning process.

back to top