The syllabus for advising services is a template for student success in a collaborative effort with one or more professionals on our campus. Effective advising should assist the student in achieving their academic, professional and personal goals. Faculty advisors will strive to provide accurate and timely information, creating a framework which aids students in their academic program.
Know and complete the requirements for your degree program and the Northwest Core
Understand and follow academic policies and procedures as published in the Northwest Missouri State University Undergraduate Catalog
Get to know your advisor. Schedule regular appointments with your advisor as needed; you are required to meet with your advisor at least once each semester to plan your academic program and select courses
Plan ahead and bring questions and relevant materials with you; be prepared for appointments with your advisor
Prepare a tentative course schedule prior to meeting with your advisor for course selection appointments
Know how to utilize current technology to access academic information such as Catpaws, Degree Works, and the online catalog
Be familiar with campus services and resources and use them as needed, especially if recommended by your advisor
Reflect upon your interests, abilities and educational, professional and life goals and discuss with your advisor
Monitor your academic progress
Contact your advisor if you have academic concerns or difficulties
Retain important documentation related to your academics
Check your Northwest e-mail regularly and create a schedule for success in outlook
Get to know advisees; contact new advisees early in the semester
Post and keep office hours and inform advisees of the best way to be contacted
Know and understand the Northwest Core, academic program and professional requirements, as well as college policies and procedures; help advisees to understand all of these elements
Assist advisees in reflecting upon their interests and abilities and clarifying educational, professional and life goals through active listening
Monitor advisees’ academic progress and assist them in planning their programs to achieve their academic, professional and life goals
Inform advisees of appropriate campus resources, support services and educational opportunities
Encourage advisees to meet with the advisor before problems arise
Learn advising procedures, tools and technology by reviewing advising materials online and/or attending advisor training opportunities
Maintain advisement files
Support advisees’ applications for educational opportunities when appropriate
Through the academic advising experience, students will:
Make appropriate educational decisions and set realistic goals based on individual interests, skills, abilities, and values
Develop a meaningful educational plan based on goals
Monitor academic progress towards goals
Demonstrate an understanding of core, major, minor/specialization, certification and degree requirements
Identify and utilize campus resources, support services and educational opportunities, as appropriate
Become self-reliant regarding academic and wellness matters
Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy behind the college’s core general education requirements and their relationship with professional programs
All advisors at Northwest Missouri State University have access to students ACT scores and the interest inventory areas from ACT. The scores when combined with our World of Work map, can be a helpful resource for deciding students or those wanting to change majors or add a minor. Advisors will find these in CatPaws under each advisees test score tab.
Before Your Advising Appointment
Review your degree audit
Verify that your information is correct and attend to any inaccuracies
Update your personal education plan (4-year plan) or graduation plan
List questions and concerns for your advising session
, can be a helpful resource for deciding students or those wanting to change majors or add a minor. Advisors will find these in CatPaws under each advisees test score tab.