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Academic Advising

Continuing Students

Why do I have to be academically advised?

Academic advising allows students to clarify their desired educational goals in relation to UALR’s degree offerings. For continuing students, your Advisor will review your progress on the core curriculum, review your major eligibility, discuss applicable academic policies, make individualized courserecommendations for the upcoming semester, and make other applicable recommendations. After the advising appointment occurs each semester, the advising flagis lifted allowing the student to register. [back to top]

How often do I have to be advised?

You are required to meet with an academic advisor twice per year (once for the summer/fall term and once for the spring term). University College’s advises year round. Advising for the next semester usually begins on the third week of classes. We encourage students to get advised early.If you are a contracted Academic Success Student you will be advisied in the Academic Success Center until you have fulfilledyour contract.Early advising prepares you to participate in early registration according to your classification(Eg.Freshmen, Sophomore,Junior,Senior). [back to top]

Is there any way that I can be e-advised?

Student e-mail advising is available year-round through University College. [more information] [back to top]

I am taking classes at the Benton Center, is there any way I can be advised there?

Student advising is also available through the UALR Benton Center. Contact the UALR Benton Center for more information. [back to top]

If I enroll and do not pay for my classes, will UALR drop me for non-payment?

If you enroll in the early registration period and do not 1) pay the $100 deposit, 2) pay full fees, or 3)have confirmed financial aid, the University will drop ;you from calsses for non-payment or non-deposit of your tuition/fees. However, if you enroll during regular registration period, the university will not drop you from classes and you will be required to pay full tution and fees. Please refer to the Registration Pocket Guide for payment due.[back to top]

Where do I go if I need help adjusting my schedule?

UALR has created an excellent guide to show you how to use BOSS at www.ualr.edu/success. Academic Advisors and the staff in the Administration South Building (ADS) [campus map] can also assist students with schedule adjustments. However, it is the student’s responsibility to learn how to use BOSS. [back to top  

I am experiencing some difficulty in some of my classes. What resources are available that can help me improve my academic performance?

UALR provides academic support services. Some of these resources include:

For students enrolled in Math 1302(College Algebra) and above, Chemistry and Physics

  • Math Lab Mac II (Department of Math and Statistics)

For Students enrolled in Math 0300(Elementary Algebra) & 0301(Intermediate Algebra)

[back to top]

How do I withdraw from my classes once I am enrolled in it?

Registration Pocket Guide for date. After that date, you will need to go to the Office of Records and Registration to fill out a withdrawal form. [back to top]

There are so many majors, how do I decide on one?

You may have an intended major in mind, or no idea as to what major to choose. Take advantage of services that can assist you in exploring your major interests. UALR’s Office of Career Counseling and Planning offers a variety of resources and career search tools and strategies that can assist you in your search for a career to pursue. Your departmental Academic Advisor is also well qualified to discuss career and major options with you. [back to top]

When should I choose a major?

Departments have differing major requirements as specified in the undergraduate catalog[Online Catalog]. Your academic advisor can also help you plan to meet your specific requirements and if you are comfortable with your choice, will encourage you to declare. Some majors require that certain core courses be completed with a specific grade or taken in sequence before admission, while others do not. In most cases ,student do not have to complete the entire core to meet the admission requirments to a major.Your major requirements can find it in the UALR Undergraduate Catalog, which is also available online. [back to top]

What if UALR doesnot offer my major?

Student planning to transferto academic programs not offered by UALR, are responsible for contacting the institution to which they will transfer in order to ensure that coursework taken at UALR will satisfy degree requirments at the other instituion. [back to top]

How do I declare a major?

When you feel ready to declare a major/minor and have met the requirements set forth by your major department, which are listed in the UALR Undergraduate Catalog, you will need to follow these steps to officially declare your major/minor.

  1. Go to the UALR BOSS system.
  2. Select the < Enter Secure Area> Option.
  3. Enter your < Student Identification Number> and < Personal Identification Number (PIN)>. If you are a new student to UALR, you will receive this information in the mail on your Admissions Letter from the Admissions Office.
  4. At the main menu, select the < Student Services and Financial Aid> Menu.
  5. Select the < Student Request Menu> option.
  6. Select the < Change your Major and/or Minor>option
  7. You will see a Primary Curriculum area that will list your current major/minor status. To the right will be a < New Program> display. Under the drop down menu, choose your major, if applicable.
  8. Select your new < First Minor> from the drop down menu (if applicable).
  9. Select your new < Second Minor> from the drop down menu (if applicable).
  10. Repeat steps 7-9 for a Secondary Curriculum if applicable.
  11. Select < Submit>.
  12. Review and verify the information to be made and select to finish.
  13. After you have completed this procedure, the request will be sent to the departments for approval. Under the Student Request Menu, you can choose the View your Online Requests to track the progress of your Change of Major.

Upon acceptance into your major(s), you will be advised in that academic department. Your academic department will then develop a Degree Plan which indicates all course work required for the degree. [back to top]

How do I calculate my GPA?

GPA can be computed by taking your total quality points (semester or cumulative) and dividing it by the sum of your total earned hours (semester or cumulative). Download this form to calculate your GPA. [back to top]

How many hours* do you have to have to be a Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior?

Freshmen students have earned 1-29 hours. Sophomores have earned 30-59. Juniors have earned 60-89. Seniors have earned 90 hours or more. (*Note: These hours do not include developmental coursework.) [back to top]

I want to take summer classes at another school. What do I need to do?

You will need to complete a special exception form-enrollment at another institution as a transient student, in a correspondence course, or as a concurrent UALR student.These forms can be obtained in the Office of Records and Registration or in your Office of Academic Advising. [Instructions for completing the form]. Keep in mind that courses repeated at another institution are not subject to UALR’S repeat course policy and donot relpace UALR quality points which are used to calculate your UALR grade point average. [back to top]

What if I have other questions?

If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our advisors, please call or come by the Office of Academic Advising. [back to top]

Updated 6.16.2009