Academic Advising

The University of San Francisco School of Education seeks to support students through advising around academics, issues affecting the student experience and unexpected life crises. The SOE uses the Advising Hub to document advising meetings with a goal to make the process more effective and efficient. Our hope is that this focus on supporting students in their courses, fieldwork, research and overall development will lead to the wellness and retention of the most critical members of a community.

Once each semester, the School of Education hosts Advising Weeks that span across two teaching weekends.

• Fall 2023: October 2- October 21
• Spring 2024: March 18-April 6
• Fall 2024: September 30-October 20

Below are resources to support advisors in their advising of students:

• SOE calendar of deadlines
• Resources on how to use Degree Evaluation
• Helpful Advising Links
• Advising Hub Training Videos:
  • Video on how to use the advising hub and create an interaction (all advisors): This is the primary task you will conduct in the advising hub.    This video also covers how to access student transcripts, credential information, and the degree evaluation all in one place.
  • Video on how to submit a progress report (for all faculty who teach): Progress reports can be submitted by instructors at any time during the semester.  They are visible to the student, instructor and academic advisor.
  • How to use the credentials tab (advisors in TED, CPY, TESOL, ETK, TSL and SPED): The credentials tab is the record of all requirements for the student's credential.  Students have access to the same checklist through MyUSF.  Credential advisors should go over this checklist in each advising session.
• School of Education Academic Calendar
• Handbooks
• Funding and Scholarships
• Wellness Resources

Course Specific Advising

Instructors should schedule four hours of “Office Hours” each week. These meetings provide a space for students to process the content and concepts presented to them during class. If there is a concern with a student’s progress the professor should schedule a meeting during office hours to help get the student on-track to successful completion of the class and they should also contact the student’s advisor.

Office hours can also be an opportunity for a student to:

• Clarify assignments and expectations
• Get additional support 
• Discuss classroom dynamics
• Have a one-on-one meeting with a faculty member if they are struggling with material

Program/Credential Advising

Academic advisors should meet at least one time per semester with their assigned advisees to review coursework, discuss registration, and review students’ transcripts to be sure that they are on course for program completion. Advisors might use a “Program Checklist” during advising meetings. These semester check-ins also offer an opportunity to talk about professional plans and career interests.

• If there are incompletes, or courses below a B-, or classes where the grade is NR, the advisor will make a plan with the student to complete the course with a passing grade.
• Students should not audit or sit-in on a class without being registered if they expect to get a grade or a credit for the course.  Students cannot be registered for courses retroactively.
• Advising can happen individually or in groups.
• These meetings might be a time to fill out forms (change of grade, add/drop, incomplete, petition for transfer of credits, inter-program transfer) and give a copy of form to the Program Assistant to add to the student’s file.

Annual Department Reviews

Academic program and/or departments should conduct an annual student review that includes assessment of student progress and well-being. This process can accomplish two goals:

1. Provide a mechanism for programs/departments to receive feedback about students’ experiences
2. Serve as an early indicator of students’ needs that allows the program faculty and staff to identify relevant resources and necessary supports