Academic Advising

Academic Advising is an essential component for a college student’s success. At the University of Mary Washington the importance of advising is reflected in specialized advisors. Students will have a First-Year, Academic, or Major Advisor during their entire time at UMW.

Freshman students will be assigned a First-Year Advisor when they arrive at UMW during their first term. First-Year Advisors are transitional advisors who will help new freshman get acclimated to college life. First-Year Advisors are faculty members who can advise all new freshman students, regardless of their intended major. At the end of the first spring students with 28 credits or more can declare their major; thus moving to a Major Advisor (a faculty member from the student’s major department). If they are unsure about a major or have less than 28 credits the student remains with the same faculty member as their Academic Advisor. The student will stay with their Academic Advisor until they declare and move onto a Major Advisor. They will stay with a Major Advisor until graduation.

Transfer students, with over 28 credits, will be assigned an Academic or Major Advisor upon arrival. Their Academic Advisor will be selected based on the student’s response to the New Student Questionnaire (administered via UMW email before arrival). When the transfer student chooses to declare their major, this can be done before arriving at UMW or any point while at UMW, than they will be placed with a Major Advisor (a faculty member from the student’s major department). They will stay with a Major Advisor until graduation.

Other advising for pre-professional interests, academic jeopardy, careers, disability, and other specialized groups is coordinated through Academic Services or the departments.