What is academic advising?
Penn State's Academic Advising Program is designed to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals; promote intellectual discovery; encourage students to take advantage of both in-class and out-of-class educational opportunities; and become self-directed learners and decision makers.
What are the responsibilities of advisers and advisees?
To protect the rights and responsibilities of both student and faculty, the adviser neither grants nor denies administrative approval. The student must assume final responsibility for the successful completion of all graduation requirements.
The adviser’s role
- To understand University procedures and the academic concerns of students
- To understand the expected standards of achievement and the student’s likelihood of success
- To discuss suitable career objectives as demonstrated by student abilities and interests
- To plan a course of study and offer advice about courses, adjustments, prerequisites, etc.
- To refer students to other resources when appropriate
- To keep informed and current regarding the specific college and department
The advisee’s role
- To acquire information for course scheduling, program planning, and graduation requirements
- To seek academic and career information needed to meet educational goals
- To become knowledgeable about University and college policies, procedures, rules, etc.
- To be prepared with accurate and relevant materials when meeting with the adviser
- To consult with the adviser at least once every semester
Consult LionPATH
Penn State LionPATH is an expert-based, empirically grounded advising and information system delivered online. It was created to supplement student/adviser relationships and to engage students in interactive inquiry for informed educational planning.
Penn State LionPATH offers students a variety of services, including providing each student with the name of his/her adviser; providing an update on the student's cumulative grade-point average (GPA); assisting students in exploring majors; and giving students the ability to drop and add courses and/or withdraw from the University.
Student success events
The Academic Advising Office is proud to host several events throughout the year to engage students and promote academic advising.
Academic advising weeks
Each semester, the Advising Office hosts Academic Advising Weeks to remind students it is time to schedule for the upcoming semester. Meet with an academic adviser at different popular spots on campus including the Great Hall and Library, to discuss your academic plan.
Donuts and drop-ins
Hungry for major and scheduling help - and a donut? Join the Academic Advising Office to grab a donut and chat with an adviser about major and scheduling questions.
Lunch and learns
Through a series of educational, interesting, and thought-provoking topics, Academic Advising hopes to engage students in a variety of interactive and informative sessions.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
All new first-year students to Penn State must participate in New Student Orientation. At NSO, you will visit campus to meet with faculty and staff, begin to develop academic and co-curricular goals, become familiar with campus resources, and schedule courses for your first semester to begin putting your academic plan into action.
