Cougar sculpture on campus.

Academic Advising

Academic Advisors

Advising at CAHNRS

Vision

Advising at Washington State University is a valued partnership with students, faculty, and administrators that builds educational relationships integral to academic success.

Mission

Academic advising builds collaborative student-centered relationships that support achievement of personal development and academic success.

Goals

  • An academic advising program valued by students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
  • An academic advising program that focuses on student-centered relationships.
  • An academic advising program with consistency and clarity of message.

If you have any questions, please contact the Academic Programs Office in CAHNRS at 509-335-4562 or cahnrs.majors@wsu.edu.

Student Responsibilities

  • Schedule regular appointments with your advisor (minimum one per semester).
  • Arrive on time. If you are late, you may need to reschedule.
  • Bring your questions!
  • Consider your values and goals and be honest with your advisor about these.
  • Regularly check your WSU email.
  • Gather relevant decision-making information and necessary materials (Academic Requirement Report, transfer information, tentative course selections, forms, etc.)
  • Discuss challenges affecting academic performance (i.e., study skills, course requirements, personal concerns, and more).
  • Research WSU resources with The Academic Success and Career Center:
    • Tutoring
    • Study skills workshops
    • Student success courses
  • Ask when it’s best drop courses or to take a course pass-fail or audit.
  • Ask about career considerations, internships, study abroad, and changing directions/major/interests.
  • Keep a personal record of your progress toward your academic goals
  • Remember: This is your degree! Accept responsibility for your decisions and your actions that affect your educational progress and goals.

Academic Advisor Responsibilities

  • Be accessible, knowledgeable, and informed while demonstrating care and respect.
  • Maintain confidentiality in the advising relationship.
  • Guide students as they define and develop their goals.
  • Encourage students to be responsible for their educational plans, options, and achievements.
  • Understand and effectively communicate curriculum, graduation requirements, and university and college policies and procedures.
  • Guide students in the selection of appropriate courses each semester, particularly considering time to graduation and course prerequisites.
  • Keep a record of advising appointments.
  • Visit all relevant websites, attend required trainings, and understand resources available to students.
  • Support students with information about and strategies for utilizing resources and services available on campus and in the community.
  • Lift advising holds.