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 2022 October 3rd - October 22nd
- Spring 2023: March 20th-April 1st
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
- Instructions on How to Use the Advising Hub
- Video on How to Sign Up for Reports
- Video on How to Create an Interaction
- Instructions on How to Submit Progress Reports
- Video on How to Submit a Progress Report
- 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:
- Provide a mechanism for programs/departments to receive feedback about students’ experiences
- Serve as an early indicator of students’ needs that allows the program faculty and staff to identify relevant resources and necessary supports