Academic advising is an important component of the educational program at Case Western Reserve University. Academic advisors assist students in the exploration of academic opportunities at the university and in the selection of courses. Advisors may refer students to other sources of information and assistance at Case Western Reserve. Students are expected to initiate and maintain regular contact with their advisors to address the student’s curricular and career concerns, and to review progress toward graduation. Students are expected to meet with advisors when declaring a major or minor, before registering for classes each semester, and when making corrections to their academic requirements reports.
Advising in the majors and minors
Although many new students enter with definite goals, they are not assigned advisors in a major until they have officially declared the major. Students who are ready to declare a major may do so beginning in the first semester. Those in the 3/2 Engineering Program should declare majors within the first two weeks of classes.
When a student selects a specific major or minor, the academic representative assigns a faculty advisor. Refer to the Major Declaration Process for instructions on how to declare a major or minor. Students are expected to meet with their advisors to discuss course selections and to release advising holds prior to registering for classes. Students who have not declared a major should continue to consult with a dean in Undergraduate Studies.
Opportunities for exploration of majors and minors include departmental information sessions and individual conversations with faculty and academic advisors. Students engaging in further exploration of majors are expected to declare a major before their third semester of enrollment.