Helping you plan for success
Traditional Undergraduate (TU) students
All TU students will be assigned an academic advisor based upon their declared major field of study.
Advisor information is listed on a student’s record in multiple places in OASIS. Students should always work with their primary advisor first for any academic needs, questions, or concerns.
Changing Primary Academic Advisor
Students may submit paperwork to change to a different academic advisor. This is often expected when a student changes majors. Students will sometimes request a change of advisor on their own due to scheduling differences or other factors. Here are the ways in which a student obtains a new academic advisor:
1. Students submit the Change of Advisor form to Enrollment Services requesting a change to a specific new academic advisor. That new advisor must sign the form agreeing to serve as the student’s new academic advisor. Enrollment Services will change the assignment, and the new advisor information will display in OASIS.
2. Some majors will require a student to have an advisor assigned from within the content area of the major. When a student changes majors into one of these majors, if they have not obtained the signature of a new advisor from within that major as outlined above, they will be assigned a new advisor by the new academic program and sent notification to their OU email account about the new advisor assignment. Enrollment Services will change the assignment, and the new advisor information will display in OASIS.
Adult Degree Program (ADP) students
All ADP students will be assigned an academic advisor from the staff of the Academic Success Center. ADP students will maintain this advisor regardless of their major area of study.
Specialized Advising for Undergraduates Interested in Certain Career Options
Students should communicate their intended career, graduate, or professional school aspirations to their academic advisor early in their academic career to ensure the proper courses and degree programs are considered to achieve those goals. Oglethorpe has experts in many career, graduate, and professional school fields that can assist with the advising process in areas such as: biomedical sciences and allied health studies, engineering, law, medicine and other healthcare professions, scientific illustration, and many other areas. Your primary academic advisor can assist you in connecting with the proper resources to understand course requirements, prepare for potential graduate level admissions exams, and navigate the application process for any schooling needed after Oglethorpe.
Our advising philosophy
Oglethorpe University is committed to providing quality academic advising. Academic advising is an integral part of the educational process. The primary purpose of academic advising is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans compatible with the attainment of their life goals. Advising is a central component of success. Students who work closely with their advisors are more likely to meet their goals and achieve academic success. Students should maintain regular contact with the advisor, and are expected to work with their advisor prior to registration each semester to ensure the proper sequencing of courses, discuss completion of degree requirements, explore post-graduation plans, and inquire about any other academic matter.
Effective advising is characterized by a good working relationship between the advisor and the student, which adapts to the experiences and changing needs of the student. Quality advising also requires understanding, affirming, and respecting the individual differences within the University community. The advisor is expected to develop the knowledge, experience, and interest for successfully communicating with students in a genuine, sincere, accurate, and confidential manner. Students are expected to understand University and program requirements and accept responsibility for fulfilling them. Together, advisors and students are expected to maintain a professional and mutually respectful relationship as they progress toward the attainment of educational objectives.