Academic Advising

Carnegie Mellon recognizes the vital role of academic advising in undergraduate education.  The university assigns an academic advisor to each student, and makes certain that all advisors have clear, timely, and accurate information concerning programs, policies, procedures, and resources.  In addition to having assigned academic advisors, students often develop relationships with faculty and staff members who serve as academic mentors.

Institutional Statement on Advising

Academic advising is integral to the education mission of Carnegie Mellon.  Advising is an intentional process, grounded in teaching and learning, and provides each student with guidance for developing and achieving meaningful educational, professional and personal goals.  Successful advising at Carnegie Mellon depends upon a shared understanding of, and commitment to, the advising process, by students, advisors, and the university.  Academic advisors engage students in learning, promote students' academic success, and foster students' personal, ethical, and intellectual growth, all of which will carry into their roles as citizens and lifelong learners.

The Student's Role in Academic Advising

Seeking advice is an important part of how students begin to make decisions about their academic and professional futures.  Each major and department has an advising system which may be different from one another.  It is important that students find out early from their first year advisor how the advising system for all their four years at Carnegie Mellon works.

Students are responsible for: understanding the importance of their relationships with advisors; seeking out advisors, contacts, and infomration on a regular basis; knowing the requirements of their individual degree programs; and taking final responsibility for making their own decisions based on the best information and advice available.  The Carnegie Mellon Advising Resource Center (CMARC) is an additional place for students to obtain information and general advice.

The Advisor's Role

To achieve the goals of academic advising at Carnegie Mellon, advisors, along with their advising programs, are responsible for: being knowledgeable of, and communicating, the requirements of the academic programs in which they advise; monitoring students' progress towards degree completion; being available to meet with students on a regular basis; assisting students in finding the appropriate institutional and community resources; involving students in the academic and career planning process and the exploration of options and resources; and engaging in developmental activities to stay informed of issues that impact student success.