Parent & Family Advising Resources

University Advisement Center

Welcome!

We are happy to have you here!

The University Advisement Center (UAC) serves as a central point of contact for many advisement needs. Our office advises Undecided students and students who have a Learning Support Reading requirement (more on that below). We've created this website as a guide for what parents, families, and anyone in the support network of a student should know about advising at the UAC. You are an important part of your student's journey and we are excited to help in any way we can.

If you or your student is ever in doubt who to reach out to, start with us! If we can't answer your questions, we'll get you connected with the best resource to support your needs. Visit our Contact Us page to access our contact methods. We're here to support families and parents as well as students during their journey at East Tennessee State University (ETSU).

What is Academic Advising?

Academic Advisors are an important support resource for students throughout their college experience. Students are assigned an advisor based on their major (or Learning Support Reading requirement), and advisor information can be found on the Advisement search tool or in the EAB Navigate Student app.

Academic Advisors assist students with planning and registering for courses, understanding degree requirements, exploring academic and career goals, and connecting with academic support services and campus involvement opportunities. While advisors provide guidance and support, it is important to understand that advising is a shared process that also helps students build independence and take ownership of their academic journey.

Depending on the degree path and where the student is in their progress towards that degree, most students are required to meet with their advisor at least once a semester for advisement for course planning and registration. However, we recommend students regularly reach out with questions and engage with their advisor as needed. We're here five days a week, throughout the year, to support students and their families.

Families can support their students by encouraging them to regularly check their ETSU email, stay engaged with their advisor, and reach out with questions when needed. The Academic Dates calendar gives the dates that registration opens each semester, and parents and families can encourage their student to check when their registration period begins. The exact date and time varies by credit hours, but students can check their registration time under Registration Status in GoldLink.

Learning Support

The Learning Support (LS) program helps students strengthen skills in reading, writing, or math while completing college-level coursework to satisfy general education Compass Core requirements. Learning Support sections of courses include additional classroom instruction time to support students. Learning Support is not remedial, appears as any other course on the transcript, and does not prevent students from enrolling in a full-time schedule.

The University Advisement Center advises students with a Learning Support Reading requirement until this requirement is satisfied. After their first semester of enrollment, students transition from their LS Advisor to their Major Advisor. Undecided major students will continue advisement with the UAC as the unit also advises students Undecided in their major (more information below). Students with declared majors who are required for Learning Support Writing or Math are advised within their Major Advisor.

For more information, visit What is Learning Support?

Parents and families can help their student with Learning Support requirements by encouraging class attendance and participation, reminding your student to use tutoring and campus resources, staying in touch about their progress and challenges, and reinforcing that Learning Support is a normal, temporary step toward success.

Major Exploration

Choosing a college major is an important decision, and it is normal for students to feel uncertain as they explore their interests and career goals. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately one-third of bachelor’s degree-seeking students change their major at least once during college. As students grow academically and personally, their goals and interests may change over time.

Students often benefit when they know they have the support and understanding of their family while making academic decisions. Families can support their student by encouraging exploration, open communication, and the use of campus resources. Some of the resources available for major and career exploration include: 

  • University Advisement Center supports students who are Undecided in major or considering exploring & changing majors
    • UAC Academic Advisors support students no matter where they are in transition to their major path
    • Advisors assist students with degree requirements, academic planning, and career interest conversations
    • More information on advisement at ETSU is available on our find your advisor website
  • Students interested in a specific major are encouraged to meet with a Major Advisor for guidance towards their degree path
  • University Career Services helps students explore career options, internships, and career readiness opportunities

Most importantly, families should remember that changing or exploring majors is often a normal and positive part of a student’s college journey and personal growth. With support from family members, advisors, and campus resources, students can make informed decisions and continue moving toward their educational and career goals.

Timeline

CheckPre-Orientation and Orientation:

Encourage your student to review their GoldLink account for steps to resolve their holds and immunization requirements, as soon as possible in advance of Orientation (and before Pre-Orientation appointments). Parents and family members may be asked by their student for help obtaining immunization records. Resolving Holds and Immunization requirements helps ensure a smooth course registration process at Orientation.

Encourage your student to regularly check their ETSU Webmail, students can review relevant correspondence from Academic Advisors in advance of their upcoming Orientation. Pertinent communication includes the opportunity for students to schedule a Pre-Orientation advising appointment (virtual or in-person) with their Academic Advisor. New Student and Family Programs will also send their communications via the students ETSU email, including the Orientation schedule, parking information, and details on the Orientation day check-in process and relevant documentation needs.

Preparing for Orientation Advisement

Students receive outreach from New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) regarding these requirements and the timeline to complete them.

  • Click Registration Tools, then select Immunization Status
  • Click View Holds, then select Student Hold Resolution Information to view hold types and the relevant contact information

Students are not required to complete a Pre-Orientation advising appointment in order to register for classes. All students meet with an advisor and register for courses during Orientation day. However, you may wish to encourage your student to schedule a Pre-Orientation advising appointment as it allows for more in-depth conversation as well as the opportunity for family or parents to attend. Students who register for classes during a Pre-Orientation appointment will have one fewer session to attend at their Orientation.

The New Student & Family Programs website includes resources such as Preparing for Orientation and the Pre-Orientation Checklist. For questions or concerns regarding Orientation, please email family@etsu.edu.

CheckCollege to Career Pathway:

Families of students often report a desire to be "work ready" upon completion of their college degree. However, beyond completing the required coursework for the degree, students may not know what other steps they should take to improve their career readiness. Parents and families can help their students by encouraging them to seek the following resources:

  • Collaborate with staff in University Career Services to build their resume or write a cover letter when applying for jobs, ensure they have interview-ready dress attire, and they know to seek out opportunities for experience (internships, job shadowing, experiential learning) during college
    • Follow the College to Career Pathway which details steps for students to take each year to prepare for the transition from college to the workforce upon graduation
  • Seek mentorship from instructors and faculty, as they likely have already worked in the career field and could relay insight and perspective to students
  • Consult their Academic Advisor for guidance on a various academic paths to consider pursuing to be competitive in their journey towards a career

Helpful Resources

  • Click here for some common college terminology at ETSU
    • Advisement & Academic Advisors: Advisement is a way students seek guidance in navigating their college journey. Academic Advisors are professional staff responsible for supporting students in course planning & degree planning. Students can search for their Academic Advisor depending on their major and/or minor.
      • Major Advisor: All student's have a Major Advisor
      • LS Advisor: Students with a Learning Support Reading requirement have a LS Advisor
    • Alumni: Former students and graduates of an institution are considered alumni. We have ETSU National Alumni Association on our campus.
    • Bursar’s Office: The Bursar's Office is responsible for student billing and tuition/fee payments. Educational Benefit Forms can also be located on the Bursar's website.
    • College or University: These terms are commonly used interchangeably in the United States to describe institutions for higher education beyond high school. A college can also refer to an academic division of the institution with its own departments, faculty, and degree programs.
    • Credits: A credit (or credits) are the unit which measure how much academic work a course represents and how it counts toward a degree. Standard lecture courses usually are 3 credits, whereas labs tend to be one credit, and are an add on to the 3 credit lecture section of the course. There can be other variations in credit amounts as well when it comes to practicum and internship courses.
    • Dean: ETSU Deans are senior academic leader who oversees a specific college or unit within a university. They are commonly referred to as the academic Dean for the college (Ex: Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences or Dean of the College of Business and Technology). The Dean of Students at ETSU is a senior administrator focused on students’ non-academic life and overall well-being at the university.
    • Elective(s): Electives should be taken with caution and with input from the student's Academic Advisor as coursework may not count towards the student's Course Program of Study (CPoS) for Financial Aid purposes.
      • Free Electives Applied: Credits required by the degree that fall outside general education, major, minor, or concentration requirements.  These credits apply toward meeting the program’s total credit hour requirement once all specified coursework is satisfied.
      • Extra Electives: Credits earned that do not fulfill any degree requirements and exceed the program’s total credit hour requirement.
    • Faculty: A group of academic staff including instructors, professors, and even researchers. Instructors and professors differ in that professors usually hold a doctoral degree, participate in research, and have more academic responsibilities, whereas instructors mostly focus on teaching, and don't need a doctoral degree to instruct.
    • Financial Aid: Financial aid is a general term that describes any source of student assistance outside of the student or the student’s family which help the student meet postsecondary educational expenses. These funds are generally based on financial need and include scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans. ETSU has an Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to support students through these processes.
    • Graduate: A graduate of ETSU refers to a person who completed the necessary degree requirements and earned a degree. A graduate program refers to an academic program a student pursues after earning a bachelor's degree (Ex: The student is applying to a Master's program in Accountancy or The student earned their Doctorate degree in Psychology).
    • Orientation: New Student Orientation is a day full of information, campus resources, meeting other new students, and the beginning of the advising and course registration process. Orientation helps familiarize students with the campus and get ready for life as a college student. Preview is a program implemented at ETSU to allow incoming freshman, transfer and adult, and international students to get comfortable on campus and get to know fellow classmates before classes begin. It includes a deeper look into the on campus resources available to students, has 'get to know' activities designed to allow students to make connections before classes begin, lays the foundation for academic success, and involves various other fun activities and ETSU traditions.
    • Program of Study: A program of study refers to the courses required to complete a particular degree. Undergraduate students have a program of study which includes courses in general education Compass Core, courses in their major (or academic focus area), and (if applicable) courses in a concentration and/or minor. For the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, specific resources and criteria are outlined for Course Program of Study (CPoS).
    • Provost: ETSU's Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs oversees academic priorities and policies. Additionally, academic Deans report to the Provost (Undergraduate, Graduate, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Honors College, University Library).
    • Major: A major is the curriculum for a particular field of study a student wishes to pursue in earning a degree. Students should meet regularly with an academic advisor in the major to select courses needed to complete a degree. A list of majors can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
    • Minor: A minor is a secondary area of study outside of the major program of study with a structured curriculum. A minor is not necessarily required for all majors, so students should consult their Major Advisor regarding the potential need for a minor. A list of minors can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
    • Registrar: ETSU's Registrar's Office is divided into three areas - Registration, Records, and Graduation. The Registrar's Office is responsible for graduation holds, diplomas, graduation ceremonies, etc. Records is responsible for change of majors, course & term withdrawals, transcripts, etc. Registration is responsible for late adds, course repeats, course overloads, etc. Degree conferral occurs after commencement when a student's final degree requirements are reviewed and it is determined the degree can be awarded. Participation in the ceremony does not indicate degree conferral.
    • Semester: A semester is a fixed period during which classes meet and academic work is scheduled. ETSU Academic Dates calendar outlines the relevant dates for each term - Fall, Spring, and Summer. You may also hear the word "term" used interchangeably with semester.