Advisement
The University Advisement Center (UAC) advises students undecided in their major, exploring their major and careers options, as well as students with a Learning Support Reading requirement. The UAC also serves as a central resources for general advising questions and support for all ETSU students.
Advisors are here to support the academic success and graduation of all students. Most students will be required to confer with their major advisor before they can register for the next semester. We recommend students always reach out to their Advisor before making academic decisions such as adding new courses or dropping courses from registration, withdrawing from a course, or withdrawing from the University.
15 to Finish
15 to Finish is an ongoing initiative that encourages students to take 15 credit hours per semester. The initiative is geared towards helping student to graduate within a reasonable amount of time.
The value of 15 to Finish extends beyond simply accumulating credits. Staying on pace can help students:
• Maintain academic momentum and persistence by making steady progress toward degree completion
• Reduce the likelihood of additional semesters, along with the added tuition, fees, housing, books, and other costs that may come with extending enrollment
• Limit additional student-loan borrowing and debt by reducing the need for extra semesters of enrollment
• Enter the workforce or graduate school sooner, allowing students to begin earning full-time wages and building their careers earlier
• Create opportunities for academic and career experiences such as internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, minors, certificates, and other coursework
• Build flexibility into their academic plan. Students who are on pace – or slightly ahead – may have more room to adjust their schedules if an unexpected academic or personal circumstance arises
• Support academic success. Research and institutional experience associated with 15 to Finish indicate that students who accumulate credits at a faster pace can demonstrate stronger persistence, retention, and degree-completion outcomes
Most of ETSU’s degree programs require 120 credit hours to graduate, so 120 credits/15 credits per semester = 8 semesters. This translates to 4 years for a freshman to earn a degree.
Academic Advisors create plans in DegreeWorks that consider the 15 to Finish initiative. These plans help guide students more quickly toward their graduation goal. It is important to remember that 12 credit hours is considered full-time and if you/your student do not feel that you can successfully complete 15 credit hours in a semester, 12 credit hours will retain your full-time student status. 15 to Finish is a planning goal, not a one-size-fits-all requirement. Advisors consider each student's degree requirements, course availability, academic preparation, financial-aid and scholarship requirements, employment and family responsibilities, and individual circumstances when determining an appropriate course load.
The ultimate goal for each student is to graduate and Academic Advisors will support students in creating an individualized plan for success!
Find Your UAC Advisor
The University Advisement Center provides academic support and advisement for:
- students with an Undecided major
- students with a Learning Support Reading requirement
- students enrolling as Dual Enrollment or Undergraduate Special
- students in need of general support & guidance or assistance with general questions
Find Your Major Advisor
If you have declared a major (not undecided/undeclared) AND you do not have a Learning Support Reading requirement, please use the advisor search below to find a list of advisors for each major. Your advisor can assist you with course registration, making changes to your current course schedule, assessing your degree progress, etc.
Academic Catalog
Use the link below if you interested in exploring the degree programs offered at ETSU. The Undergraduate Catalog allows you to access available majors and minors.
FAQs
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Am I required to meet with an Advisor?
- Most students are required to meet with an Advisor each semester.
- Depending on a variety of factors such as credit hours earned, declared major, etc., you may not be required to meet with Advisor. However, all students are all recommended to stay in regular contact with their Advisor.
- Students with an Undeclared major and students with a Learning Support Reading requirement are required to see an Advisor prior to registering each semester.
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How can I prepare for advisement?
- Familiarize yourself with the Academic Dates.
- Early advisement gives students more choices for classes and class times. When your Advisor reaches out to you about scheduling an appointment, schedule an appointment that fits into your schedule as soon as possible.
- Ideally, you will make an advisement appointment prior to your scheduled registration date/time (Registration Status in GoldLink).
- Resolve any registration holds in advance of the registration period. (Examples: library fines, parking tickets, immunizations, etc.)
- Make a list of questions to take to your advisement appointment.
- Use Schedule Builder or DegreeWorks to research courses in your degree program that you'd like to take, if offered, in your next semester of enrollment.
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What happens during an academic advisement appointment?
- Your Advisor will assess your progress towards your degree and any remaining degree requirements. They'll work with you to create a schedule that meets your academic needs and personal schedule (outside of your collegework).
- Your Advisor will clear your registration hold at your advisement appointment.
- Your Advisor can help you develop an academic plan through graduation using DegreeWorks.
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What steps do you recommend for academic success?
- Your advisor is a great resource. Don't hesitate to contact them if you need assistance. We are more than just a registration tool and would prefer to see you frequently throughout the semester.
- Ask questions when you don't know or don't understand something, both inside and outside the classroom. Being successful in college requires more than simply showing up to class and making good grades on your exams and assignments.
- Be sure to research and access various student support resources on campus. If you don't know who to ask, if a resource exists, or how to get connected, talk with your Advisor or speak with someone in the University Advisement Center. We'll help point you in the right direction.
- Check your student email, daily, as some campus communication contains time sensitive information. Respond in a timely manner to all emails from your Advisor and University personnel. If you have a campus mailbox, be sure to regularly attend to it as well.
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Where can I access information about the registration process?
The Registrar's Office maintains a registration resources website which is full of excellent resources to help with the following:
- When can I register?
- What are my registration holds?
- How do I register for classes? How do I use Schedule Builder?
- How do I confirm my registration?