Current Students > Center for Learning and Advising > Academic Advising

Advising Syllabus

The goal of an advising syllabus is to help bridge the gap between curricular and co-curricular topics.  One benefit of a syllabus is that it enhances work with our students.  It can serve as a means to prompt important questions and academic/career explorations in advising appointments. 

Some categories of an advising syllabus may include:

• Center’s information
• Definition of advising
• College’s mission on advising
• Goals and expectations of an advisee
• Expectations of an advisor
• Objectives
• Learning outcomes

The use of an advising syllabus helps advisors communicate their definition and expectations of an advisor/advisee relationship.  Students receive syllabi in practically all of their courses to understand the instructor’s course expectations.  Why not use the same philosophy with academic advising?  This is especially important since academic advising is an essential part of a student’s educational experience. 
An Academic Advising Syllabus is being created by the Center for Learning and Advising (CLA) and the Academic Success Center (ASC).  The syllabus will be unique to each center. 

References:
Trabant, Tonya.  Advising Syllabus 101.   www. nacada.ksu.edu.

Advising Groups

The Title III proposal provides a number of activity/goal guidelines for the three academic advising groups; the other two being (1) Arts and Humanities, and (2) Social Sciences, Business and Education.   In addition, milestones listed for the project and staff discussion about needs indicate that each advising group should in some way be involved in the following:

• Help the CLA staff member master the majors and programs within that area at Thiel, and provide her/him with tools used in each department for advising majors, to help her/him become the CLA staff expert for that area of the curriculum. 
• Provide input to the creation of on-campus seminars for faculty on advising.
• Agree on topics for and be involved in providing the four focused discernment programs for undecided students that the project proposal specifies for each semester of the 2007-08 academic year.
• Provide input for an increase in advising services, including but not limited to career, financial, personal interviews.
• Advice the CLA in the creation of a special academic planning tool for students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Center for Learning and Advising (CLA)?
We are a new center created to provide academic guidance and career preparation for all students.

When and why should you come to the CLA?
Whenever you feel the need to "sort things out" related to your academic studies or choice of career and major, or for input from our academic advising/career counseling specialists. We are also there to assist you in developing your E-Portfolio.

Do you need any kind of advice or assistance adjusting from high school to college?
Come in and talk with our advising specialists, and be referred to helpful resources.

Are you wondering how to best approach your college studies?
Our advisors are here to consult with you on your personal needs.

Are you unsure about a major or do you want to rethink your chosen major?
We are here to help you explore your interests, skills and various majors so you can find your best choice. We do this through one-on-one meetings, group sessions and personal assessment tools.

Are you concerned that your major may not be right for you?
We can help make this decision less stressful by exploring with you the different areas in which you are interested. We can also assist you in learning more about your values, interests and skills.

Are you wondering where your major can take you?
Together we can explore majors and what careers they train you for. If you know your career path, we can help you accomplish your goals through internships, job shadowing and informational reviews.

Who can benefit from the CLA?
Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors are all welcome! We are here to help you with academic questions, career choices and job preparation.

Why did the Career Center move to the CLA?
We believe that to effectively assist you in your academic choices, we also need to prepare you with career development tools. We will still be offering all the career development workshops to prepare you before, during and after the interviewing process. We also provide guidance for graduate and professional study.

How do I obtain an internship?
Contact John Rindy at ext. 2181, email him at jrindy@thiel.edu or visit him on the first floor of Roth Hall.