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Graduate Advising Procedures

Graduate advising differs in many ways from undergraduate advising. The official written record of formal advising is the agreed upon course of study, which determines if and when a graduate student has met all the M.A. degree requirements. 

When a course is taken may be of great importance. A student may not arbitrarily decide, for example, to take M AR 501 during the second year of the program. Advising also helps students with long-range planning, such as when to take seminars and how to best prepare for them. Any requirement substitutions must be signed by the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. The written advising record protects you by demonstrating that you have approval for all course selections. The approval process helps to ensure that you are aware of your options, all requirements, and pitfalls that have the potential to delay your graduation.  

Advisor approval is final. One advisor cannot override decisions made by another advisor. In the rare case of a disagreement, the matter is referred to the Graduate Committee.

The School policy on advising includes the following:

  1. You must see your advisor every semester in order to discuss your progress, select your classes, and have your advising sheet updated.
  2. If possible, sign up for an appointment during your advisor's formal advising hours. Doing so enables staff to give your folder to your advisor prior to your appointment. Go to the front desk and make the appointment at least 24 hours in advance. If you have a schedule conflict, then see your advisor during office hours or ask your advisor for a special appointment. Your advisor will then request your file from staff.
  3. You may select your advisor from among the graduate faculty in the School of Media Arts. Once you have chosen an advisor, notify the Graduate Secretary. You may change advisors at any time, but be sure to keep the Graduate Secretary up to date on any changes.
  4. In order to be guaranteed a place in class, continuing students must pre-register each semester. Registration for the Spring semester, for example, takes place during the Fall semester. Failure to pre-register exposes you and your prospective classmates to possible cancellation of an under enrolled class.
  5. Should you decide to add or drop a class, get your advisor's approval and your advising sheet updated prior to changing your schedule.