Academic advising of college students by faculty advisors is a time-honored tradition at colleges and universities. At Martin Community College the primary purpose of academic advising is to assist the student in developing educational plans consistent with the student’s academic abilities and life goals. At Martin Community College, academic advisors are faculty members who will register you for your classes each semester. Your advisor is assigned by program. To find your advisor go to Academic Programs and click on your program. Your assigned advisor will be listed at the bottom of the page. Special Credit Non-Degree students should contact the College Counselor at 252-792-1521 ext. 293 for advisement and registration.
Although the ultimate responsibility for making decisions about educational plans and goals rests with the student, the academic advisor is in a unique position to help the student identify and assess choices, possibilities, alternatives and consequences. This is an activity that may make the difference between success and failure for many students. Research has shown that a personal relationship with a member of the faculty and/or an advisor is an important factor for many students, and that such a relationship is important in keeping some students in college.
· Attend the first day of class. Study the course syllabus to understand the course requirements and the instructor’s policies.
· Attend all classes. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to make up the work missed.
· Plan to study one to two hours outside of class for each hour in class.
· Understand that being a student is like a job and often not an easy one. It takes work.
· Accept responsibility for your academic decisions.
· If you work 10 hours a week, take 16-19 credit hours per semester.
· If you work 20 hours a week, take 12-13 credit hours per semester.
· If you work 30 hours a week, take 6-10 credit hours per semester.
· If you work 40 or more hours a week, take 5-8 credit hours per semester.
Student Responsibilities
1. Although faculty and professional advisors at MCC may advise and assist the student, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements are completed. For this reason, all students should be familiar with appropriate materials, including the Martin Community College Catalog and the Academic Success Planner.
2. Students should be aware that the College Catalog represents a contract with the college and describes the requirements, policies and procedures that must be completed in order to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate.
3. Within the specified deadlines, students are responsible for completing all the necessary steps required for registering, changing schedules, declaring or changing program majors, applying for graduation, and other related academic procedures.
4. Students should know the name and office locations of their advisors. Students should schedule appointments with their advisors and be prepared and on time for those appointments.
5. Shortly after the assignment of an advisor (or of a new advisor), students should meet with their advisor to discuss long-range academic and career goals. Before that meeting, students should attempt to map out, as completely as possible, courses and requirements for their degrees, diplomas or certificates. The College Catalog includes the requirements for each program area provided by the college. If unsure about career goals, students are encouraged to seek assistance from college counselors and the college career center.
6. Prior to registration week, students should schedule an appointment with their advisor to discuss courses to be taken during the coming semester. Students should prepare for those meetings by consulting the College Catalog, completing trial schedules (with at least three alternate courses). Students should realize that arriving late or unprepared for scheduled meetings with their advisors is unacceptable.
7. Prior to registration week, students should remove any “tags” that might prevent registration.
8. Students should keep orderly files of all academic records, including grade reports, registration forms, and other pertinent data. Those files should be taken to meetings with advisors. The Academic Success Planner provides places for the listing of such information, and a pocket on the inside of the back cover for grade sheets, etc. Use a program check sheet (available online at the Student Success Center) and follow the guidelines outlined in the MCC Catalog. Before making changes in a major program area, students should schedule a meeting with their advisor to discuss requirements and consequences of the proposed change.
Advisor Responsibilities
1. The advisor should be accessible, with posted and reliably maintained office hours.
2. The advisor should be knowledgeable abut academic requirements and college policies, procedures and resources. If, when advising a student, the advisor is uncertain about a requirement or procedure, the advisor should immediately attempt to contact an appropriate, knowledgeable person in order to determine the correct course of action.
3. Advisors should assist advisees in developing educational plans consistent with the students’ academic abilities and career goals. A plan should be developed for each student entering the college, clearly specifying the conditions which must be fulfilled to complete the requirements for the degree, diploma or certificate. The College Catalog includes listings of all courses required for the students’ major program areas.
4. Students uncertain about their career goals should be directed to college counselors and the career center.
5. The advisor should be knowledgeable about resources offered through the college, including counseling and financial aid resources.
6. The advisor should ensure that all necessary forms and records are accurate and complete.
7. The advisor should clearly inform the student of the responsibilities of the advisor and advisee. The student should also be reminded that arriving late or unprepared at meeting with the advisor is unacceptable.