Pitt-Johnstown’s academic advising involves a developmental teaching process in which an advisor and an advisee (student) enter into a collaborative, growth-oriented relationship.
- All full-time students who have declared a major are assigned a faculty advisor during their first term. Students in pre-Business participate in group advising and are assigned an individual advisor when declaring a concentration during the second term of their sophomore year.
- All full-time students who are undecided/undeclared are assigned an academic advisor from the Academic Success Center during their first term.
Your faculty advisor will help you:
- With program planning, course selection, and scheduling
- To develop, clarify and evaluate your educational plans and goals
- To identify and explore alternative opportunities
- To assess the potential outcomes of your decisions
Pitt-Johnstown students develop a comprehensive education and career plan utilizing a period of exploration, followed by investigation, and finally implementation.
The Academic Success Center supports Pitt-Johnstown’s mission to offer a high-quality educational experience by providing comprehensive services designed to strengthen learning, promote success, and enhance retention of students.
The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about educational plans and life goals rests with the individual student.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because your advisor will be one of the most influential people during your college career, you should meet with your advisor within the first three weeks of the semester. Academic advising is an ongoing process. Meeting with your advisor helps to define your academic or career goals and helps you to choose courses.
You may ask the department administrative assistant if the advisor has other available time slots. Email your advisor or leave a voice mail message asking to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Courses may be dropped with a W (Withdrawal) grade on the transcript at any time from the tenth day through the ninth week of the semester as indicated on the academic calendar. Discuss any plans with your advisor and submit the completed form to the Office of the Registrar. After the ninth week, you must demonstrate extenuating circumstances and gain approval from the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs before submitting the completed form to the Office of the Registrar.
Every year more than 20% of entering freshmen enroll as undecided or undeclared, and more than 40% of students change their major at least once. Advisors assist you in the development of strategies for educational-, career-, decision-making-, and self-knowledge.
Your parents are a vital part of your educational support network. It is helpful for you to discuss your thoughts and feelings with your parents. Your advisor can assist you in developing a plan that can include your parents' involvement in the decision-making process.
