Academic Advising

Complete Your Pre-Advising Review Before Scheduling Your Appointment

 
To make the most of your upcoming advising appointment, please complete your Pre-Advising Preparation before scheduling. This brief review will help you come prepared to discuss your academic plans and goals. 

1. Review Key Resources

• Degree Evaluation – Degree Audit
  Use Degree Audit, available through Patriot Web, to track your degree progress. You are expected to understand how to navigate and interpret your degree audit. A helpful tutorial is available on the Registrar’s website. 
  
  
• Course Planning – Four Year Plans
  The Office of Academic Affairs provides sample degree plans to help you map out your courses and stay on track for graduation. These plans outline recommended course sequences by major. 
  
  
• Understanding Degree Requirements – University Catalog
  The University Catalog outlines academic programs, policies, and course descriptions. Your catalog year is the academic year you entered Mason and determines your degree requirements. Be sure to refer to the correct year when planning. 

2. Find Answers to Common Advising Questions 

Save time during your appointment by reviewing answers to frequently asked questions: 

• Academic Affairs FAQ
  Covers topics like academic retention, leave of absence, and transitioning to the Fairfax campus. 
• Declaring a Concentration/Minor 
  Step-by-step instructions for officially declaring a concentration or minor.
• Leave of Absence 
  Policies and procedures for requesting time away from your studies. 
• For-Credit Internship 
  Guidelines for eligibility, application steps, and how internship credits apply to your degree. 
• Math Placement Test 
  Information on who needs the test, how results are used, and available test dates. 
• Academic Calendar 
  Important dates and deadlines including semester start/end dates, add/drop deadlines, and exam periods. 
• Scheduling an Appointment Guide
  Help you navigate the steps to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. It provides easy-to-follow instructions to ensure you find the right advisor, and successfully confirm your appointment.
• Canceling an Appointment Guide
  Explaining how to properly cancel an existing appointment if your plans change. Following these steps helps open up the time slot for other students and prevents any issues with future scheduling.

Completing these steps in advance ensures a productive and efficient advising session. We look forward to supporting your academic journey!