Academic Advising | Master's Advising | PhD Advising | Career Advising
- See the MLA Handbook for specific advising roles amongst faculty and staff.
- All new graduate students receive academic advising prior to the start of their first term.
- Students are responsible for seeking advice from their assigned advisor.
- Students should meet with their advisor at least once per academic year.
- Faculty in the department serve as informal advisors throughout the program.
- As a master’s student, you will have an academic advisor
- Advisors provide guidance on:
- Academic planning
- Departmental policies
- University graduation requirements
- Advising begins prior to registration.
- Advisors are available at designated times to assist with:
- Course selection
- Registration
Student responsibilities include:
- Keep the Director of Graduate Studies informed about matters concerning your progress toward degree completion
- Taking initiative in scheduling advising appointments
- Meeting as often as needed; advisors may also request meetings when necessary
The department closely monitors:
- Graduate enrollment
- Student progress through the program
- Course demand
- This planning helps ensure that most students can complete their programs on time.
Upon admission to the PhD program, you are assigned:
- A provisional faculty advisor who serves as your primary source of academic and research guidance
- Additional oversight from the Graduate (PhD) Studies Committee
The provisional faculty advisor supports you by:
- Advising on departmental and university degree requirements
- Assisting with the development of your program of study
- Helping identify potential research directions
- Guiding the selection of an outside area of specialization
- Introducing you to faculty with relevant research interests
Advisor roles and progression:
- The provisional advisor remains in place until you advance to degree candidacy
- Upon advancement, a dissertation major advisor is formally designated
- In many cases, the provisional advisor may continue in this role.
- However, the advisor may change as your research interests evolve and your dissertation focus becomes more clearly defined
Student responsibilities:
- Keep the major advisor informed of progress
- Submit an annual progress report each academic year, developed in consultation with the advisor
- The report is used as part of a broader process to guide your progress and assess whether you are making sufficient progress toward completion of your degree.
Students also have access to college‑wide career advising, which includes support with:
- Career goal development
- Internship and job search strategies
- Application materials
- Interview preparation
Students may:
- Schedule individual advising appointments
- Enroll in career development courses (DSGN)
- Access online resources through the Career Services website