What is Academic Advising?

At MSU Denver you have access to both professional academic advisors and faculty advisors to help you navigate the University. (Faculty are the professors and instructors who teach your classes. Some of them advise, too.) Advisors are here for you if you:

  • Need help deciding a major, minor, or concentration.
  • Want to learn how transfer credit fits into your degree plan and goals.
  • Are looking for referrals to other offices but don’t know where to start.
  • Need help choosing classes for your next semester.
  • Are exploring careers.

If you’re unsure of which major best fits you, that’s Ok. We have a team of Exploratory Advisors just for you!  Exploratory/Undeclared students are those who have not yet decided on a college major. It is perfectly normal to not know what you want to study in college. You may not have all the information you need to choose a major. Maybe you just need more time to learn about your strengths, interests, and values.

It is common for students to have more than one advisor during their time at MSU Denver. Undergraduate students typically work with a professional academic advisor and then move to working with faculty advisors. Graduate students – check with your program for more advising information. MSU Denver students have an advising team to support them from their first day through graduation!

Meet with your advisor early – before it is time for you to register for classes. Check in with someone at least once a semester. Make sure you become familiar with Navigate Student, our online advising resource. You’ve got this!

Back to Top

^

Pro-Tip: Advising During Busy Times of the Year

If you don’t see availability in Navigate360 Student, send your advisor or the advising office for your program an email. For some locations, there may also be an option in Navigate Student to request an appointment. Advisors work as quickly as possible to get back to students. Scroll down for information about how to Connect with an Advisor. Here are some tips:

  • Always message an advisor from your msudenver.edu email account.
  • Include your student ID number in your message. (It may start with 900 or 901).
  • Check out our Advising Resources for Students Page or your College or School’s advising information. Your answer may be there!
  • If it’s been several days and you haven’t heard back, consider sending a follow-up message. You could also look in Navigate Student again to see if any times have opened up.

Connect with an Advisor

Advising at MSU Denver happens in the academic department for your major, minor, or certificate. These programs at the University are grouped into Colleges and Schools. It’s OK if you’re not sure what College or School your program is housed in. Use the resources below to find your program. Then, visit your College or School’s advising information page to learn more about their resources.

  • If you are exploring program options, we’ve got a team for you, too! Check out Exploratory Advising.
  • If you have general advising or program-related questions, please reach out to an advisor in your major, minor, or certificate program.
  • To meet with a faculty advisor, reach out to your academic department or advising center for more information about connecting.  (Faculty are the people who teach your courses, some of them advise, too!)

Keep Scrolling for Contact Information and Helpful Links

What next?

Schedule an Appointment in Navigate Student

Download Advisor and Program Contact Information

Explore Advising Information from Colleges and Schools

Other Helpful Contacts

We've Got One More Way to Discover What College or School Your Program Belongs To

Find your program!

Track Your Degree Progress

 

The Degree Progress Report (DPR) helps you and your advisor track program requirements and how you are meeting them. It includes information about classes you have taken at MSU Denver and classes transferred in. You can also see the classes you are registered for. It doesn’t tell you what order to take the classes in, but advisors can help you plan!

Review your DPR before you meet with an advisor and prepare questions to ask during your appointment.

Check out the DPR overview in the video below.

 

DPR Overview from the CLAS Advising Page | Length 4:43 minutes | Closed Captioned

Something Important to Remember

Your DPR is not an official transcript, it is an advisory guide. Your DPR may not show all information until the Office of the Registrar finishes a final graduation check. If there are issues with your graduation application you will be notified.  If

  • your major, minor, concentration, schedule, or catalog year changes
  • you repeat a course or earn below a minimum needed grade

information on your DPR may change. If that sounds overwhelming,  remember an advisor can help you better understand what you see on your DPR.

Back to Top

^

Future and New Students

Future Students

If you haven’t been accepted to MSU Denver, you can’t schedule an appointment with an advisor without some help. Connect with the Office of Admissions if you have questions about getting started at MSU Denver. If you have specific questions about an academic program, locate department contact information on the Academic Programs page.

If you would like to apply, please visit msudenver.edu/apply

We can’t wait for you to join us!

 

New Students

Welcome new Roadrunner! We are so glad you are here! The Office of Admissions has prepared checklists of next steps for you. (Graduate students should check in with their departments. Online students should check in with Online Learning.)

Checklists go over tasks from setting up student accounts to applying for financial aid and scholarships, and so much more.  Check your MSU Denver email often. It’s the official way for us to email you. You will be receiving a lot of important information there!

Meeting with an advisor is a task you should complete now that you have been admitted. Their schedules book up quickly, especially at the beginning and end of semesters. Don’t wait to reach out! If you attend a virtual or in-person orientation you will meet with advisors at an advising and registration session. The staff at orientation can help you connect with your department and help you make a plan to get started at MSU Denver. If you complete an online orientation, please follow that up by scheduling an advising appointment.

Back to Top

^

Resources for Students, Faculty, and Staff

Submit Icon

Resources for Students

Tutorials, FAQs, and more

Find Your Answers
Apply Icon

Academic Standing Resources from Student Intervention Services

Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension Standing Resources and Next Steps

Academic Standing Information
Design icon

Resources for Faculty & Staff

Handouts, Training, and Resources

Enter the Staff Site