Advising

• A collaboration between you and your academic advisor to help you make informed decisions at each stage of your undergraduate career.

• A time when you can ask questions about your major, course selections, academic performance, University policies and procedures, scholarship or internship opportunities, and more.

• A place where you can engage in intense self-study, explore your undergraduate options, and clarify your values and academic and career goals.

• An opportunity to create your personalized academic road map, leading to your timely graduation.

Administrators, faculty and professional staff at South believe that advising is a responsibility and an opportunity for enhancing your undergraduate experience. Many situations will arise during your academic career in which informed academic and career advise is necessary. Academic advisors at South help you define important choices you must make and provide guidance as needed at each stage of your undergraduate career. However, you, not your advisor, are responsible for selecting courses, meeting graduation requirements, and adhering to University policies and procedures.

You are encouraged to meet with your academic advisor as often as you need. We recommend you visit your academic advisor each term prior to class registration so you can discuss the best plan for the upcoming semester and beyond.

You can graduate in four years. Here are some suggestions:

• Plan to complete at least 30 semester hours each academic year (14-16 hours or roughly 5 courses each fall and spring; summer can also be included).
• Explore opportunities at South early in your academic career. Choose your major and follow your degree plan within your first year at South (changing your major can alter your progress).
• Explore other majors with similar requirements. Radiologic Sciences is a limited-access program (i.e., a program with more interested students than available seats) so having a plan that you can work on along with your RAD pre-reqs can make changing majors a lot smoother if needed.
• Join the Radiologic Sciences Club; current students in the professional phase can give you study tips and tricks to help you prepare for the last two years of your degree.
• Take the higher level of math and science courses when it is an option; should you change your major, higher levels of math and science will generally transfer to other majors a lot easier than lower levels.
• If you need to repeat a course from freshman year for a grade replacement, do so no later than the Fall semester of your second year so the grade replacement will be processed prior to decisions for the professional phase being made.
• Monitor your progress through your Degree Evaluation located in PAWS, and seek advice from your academic advisor to ensure you stay on track.
• Maintain good academic standing each semester.
• Register in courses needed for your program as soon as your time ticket opens. Ensure you meet with your academic advisor prior to your registration date.
• Set realistic, obtainable academic and career goals.

Below are some ways to prepare for your advising appointment.

• Review your Degree Audit located in PAWS. Identify what courses you’ve taken, and which classes you still need to take.
• Review the FAQs on the Radiologic Sciences web page. Are there any items for which you need clarification?
• Review your previous plans and advising appointment notes in Navigate South (click the ‘Reports’ tab and locate the ‘Advising Summaries for…’ section).
• Explore minors or other majors that interest you.
• Review your financial aid requirements (Scholarships, Grants, Loans, GI Bill, etc.), if applicable.
• Make a list of the any questions you may have.