PSU believes that academic advising should be a part of your entire academic career, beginning with your pre-admissions contacts with the University and with an Orientation, Advising & Registration session, and that you should have frequent contact with advisers during the entire time you attend PSU. After attending an Orientation, Advising & Registration (OAR) session offered by New Student Orientation, all new students can seek advising in the Undergraduate Advising and Support Center (UASC) if they have questions about University-wide requirements (e.g. BA vs. BS, University Studies) or have not declared a major or in their major department if they have declared a major and/or have questions about their major-specific requirements.
Academic advising, provided by both professional advisers and faculty advisers, will assist you with the following:
- Exploration of personal life goals
- Exploration of career and academic goals (including graduation and professional programs)
- Integration of personal, academic, and career goals
- Selection of general education option, degree, and major or program of study.
- Selection and scheduling of courses
- Understanding University policies and regulations
- Information about and referral to University resources and services
The goal of PSU's academic advising services is to assist you in understanding (a) both the requirements for graduation and the University's institutional policies, (b) what campus resources are available, (c) the value of activities outside the classroom, and (d) the balance between your responsibilities and those of the University.