Ask an Advisor
Click below if you have questions regarding:
Academic Advising
All undeclared students in the College of Arts and Sciences (soon to be University College) are advised by the full-time advisors within the University Advising Center, located in 2038 Colvard building. Those students who have declared a major should contact their major department to learn the name of their advisor within their program. Additionally, students who are seeking information regarding their completion of general education requirements should contact the University Advising Center for an audit of thier current courses. If you are a student in transition, from one declared major and wish to change to a different program, you may speak with any advisor in the Advising Center.
- How will an academic advisor assist me?
The Advising Center staff is committed to helping students identify and achieve their academic and personal goals. As the student, you are responsible for the choices you make during your time in college – academic advisors can assist your decision making by providing a solid foundation of information and support. Among other things, an academic advisor can:
- Identify courses that meet the general education requirements, pre-requisites for your major, and that fit with your personal interests and strengths.
- Talk with you about exploring and choosing a major.
- Help you understand probation/suspension and connect you with resources to help you succeed.
- Clarify academic policies and procedures.
- Initiate filing forms for transient study, declaring a major, and special requests.
- Discuss your progress towards completing the general education requirements.
- How can I reach an academic advisor?
Our advisors are available Monday – Friday, 8:30-4:30pm in 2038 Colvard. Most often we are able to meet with students on a walk-in basis. During busy times, such as pre-registration, it is advisable to call ahead to schedule an appointment, (704)687-7717.
- Henrietta Thomas, Director
- Cheryl Hester, Academic Advisor
- Shonta LeMaster, Academic Advisor
- Kevin Parsons, Academic Advisor
- Laiko Quintero , Academic Advisor
- Howard Simms, Academic Advisor
- Sarah Wilde, Academic Advisor
Registration
- How do I register for/withdraw from my classes?
Students must register for classes at UNC Charlotte through online registration in 49er Express. For verification, students will be asked for both their User ID and their password (PIN) number. Make sure to have both of these with you before beginning the registration process. Be sure to observe all dates and times of operation for web registration. Also, be careful to observe drop/add deadlines each semester. These dates are listed in the Academic Calendar link online. Note: The Schedule of Classes is only available online.
- Why do I have a hold on my registration?
All freshmen in the University and all Arts and Sciences (University College) Undecided students (regardless of class standing) MUST see an advisor in order to prepare for registration each semester. After declaring a major, students are encouraged to visit their assigned advisor within their major department for help on deciding which classes to include in their upcoming schedule. Students may also have holds for poor academic performance or financial responsibilities. Look at your 49er Express account to determine the reasons for your registration holds.
- When is the last day that I can drop/add a class?
Students should familiarize themselves with the Current Academic Calendar located online each semester in order to learn important deadlines and dates.
General Education Requirements
- How do I know if all of my requirements are completed for graduation?
Students can view an audit of their transcript on the web. However, students are encouraged to visit the Advising Center for an official audit since occasionally some inaccuracies appear on the Web. Students should also contact an advisor within their major/minor to make sure that all of their degree requirements have been met.
Suspension/Probation
- Why am I on probation/suspension?
Any student who falls below a 2.0 GPA in a given semester is placed on academic probation at UNC Charlotte. All students are given at least one semester after being put on academic probation to reach good academic standing. For details about causes for academic suspension, visit UNC Charlotte Acadmic Advising.
There are many academic support services available at UNCC, free of charge to students. These services are available for any student, and are particularly recommended if you are struggling to succeed in your college courses. For more information on study skill development, time management, tutoring, planning for exams, succeeding in math courses or writing in college, visit the University Center for Academic Excellence or the Writing Resource Center, or speak with your advisor.
- I'm suspended - what now?
Suspended students have several options. Should you decide to appeal your suspension, fill out a Suspension Appeal form online. Students may also choose to take summer school at UNC Charlotte in an effort to pull their GPA to a 2.0 or above, opt for the Two Year Rule, or transfer to a community college to complete an Associates degree before re-entering the University. Those students who decide to take summer school classes at UNC Charlotte in an effort to raise their GPAs still must complete a Suspension Appeal Form in order to gain readmission to the university. Any student who has been suspended is encouraged to meet with an advisor to weigh the different available options.
Majors
- How do I declare a major/minor?
In order to declare or change a major/minor, students presently enrolled at UNC Charlotte can obtain a Change of Major/Minor form from the University Advising Center or from their current major department. Arts and Sciences (University College) Undecided students should come to the Advising Center in order to obtain this form. Note: All students must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in order to declare any major at UNC Charlotte. Other programs such as Business, Computer Science and Software Information Systems, Communications, Criminal Justice, Architecture, Art, Nursing, Education, and Engineering have additional requirements and prerequisites. See an advisor to learn about further conditions for declaring the major and what those conditions are.
- I'm having trouble deciding on a major - where should I turn?
Students who have difficulty deciding on a major or a career should utilize the services of the University Career Center located in 150 Atkins. Each of these offices has a full-time staff and computer software programs that can aid students in making career and major decisions.
- I have not been able to declare the major of my choice – what can I do?
One of the secrets not often mentioned is that selecting a college major is a two-way street. Students choose a major based on personal interests, values and skills; preconceptions of the career they want after graduation; or sometimes because of what their family envisions (even if it isn’t the student’s top choice). Similarly, academic departments search for majors who have demonstrated success in their courses, and whose interests intersect with the talents of their faculty. Departments are also constrained to admitting only the number of students they can accommodate in the classroom. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that students are unable to declare the major of their choice.
For some, facing this obstacle can feel devastating. They may feel lost about where to go from here. They may even feel like giving up on college altogether. At the University Advising Center, we try to help students see the opportunities that still abound for students who are unable to declare their first-choice major. We know that there can be multiple paths for finding a major and a career that best fit you, and are here to help you navigate a new path.
Some of the ways your advisor can assist you include:
- Helping you make sure you are fulfilling the general education requirements needed for graduation, regardless of which major you ultimately choose.
- Identifying alternate majors that may lead to similar career paths.
- Showing you majors that draw on similar courses or pre-requisites.
- Guiding you towards campus resources (including the Career Center, the Counseling Center, and faculty members) that may help you discover the major that is the best fit for you AND the department.
- Answering your questions about policies and procedures for declaring a major, as well as concerns about suspension/probation if that applies to you.
- Talking with you about how to share the news with family and friends that you are changing your major.
Finding a major that is right for you doesn’t have to be a game of trial and error. Our staff are here to help.
Placement Tests
- Where and when can I take my Foreign Language Proficiency Test?
The Language and Cultural Studies Department in 427 College of Education regularly offers proficiency exams in Italian, German, French, Spanish or Latin. Their phone number is (704)687-8755.
Any student who has previous experience studying a language and who is interested in continuing in that language here at UNCC is encouraged to take the placement exam. If a proficiency exam is not offered in the language you speak, you may arrange alternate means of determining your proficiency level through the languages department.
Students who have had three or more years of a single language in high school are exempt from taking foreign language at the university level through the elementary level (the 1202 level). However, some majors require students to take an additional 2000-level foreign language course (or higher) in order to fulfill the department’s related work requirements. All students are advised to check with their major advisor to understand the language requirements they are expected to meet.
- Where and when can I take my Math Placement Exam?
Students who are not transferring in at least College Algebra (Math 1100) first must take the Math Placement Test during S.O.A.R. or in the Math Department in 376 Fretwell in order to register for any math course at UNCC. The phone number for the Math Department is (704)687-2580.
Foreign Language Requirements
- What are the foreign language requirements for my major?
As of Fall 2005, all students entering a degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their choice through the 1202 level.
Additionally, students in the following majors must demonstrate proficiency through one 2000-level course if they are studying a Latin-based language:
- Anthropology
- Communication Studies
- Criminal Justice
- English
- History
- International Business*
- International Studies*
- Languages and Cultural Studies*
- Latin American Studies*
- Philosophy
- Social Work
* indicates foreign language proficiency required through an advanced level.
We strongly recommend that all students meet with their advisor regularly to understand exactly what foreign language proficiency they are expected to complete, as there have been several changes in this requirement in recent years. Depending on when you first entered UNCC and when you declared your major, your requirements may differ from those of your peers.
Support for Evening Students
- What services are available to evening students?
Adult and evening students should contact the Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) in 106 Barnard for more information regarding what additional services are available to them.
Full Time Status
- What qualifies me as a full-time student? What does this mean?
Those who are enrolled with at least 12 credit hours in a given semester are considered full-time students. Only full-time students are eligible for on-campus residency and some financial aid programs. Students are also encouraged to determine whether their parent or guardian's insurance policies are affected by their full or part time status as a student.
- Can I get permission to take more than 18 hours in a semester?
Students who have proven their capability to handle extra hours through previous academic performance are allowed to take additional hours. Interested students must gain permission through their departments to take more than 18 hours in a given semester.
Coursework at other Schools
- How will my courses from another school transfer into UNC Charlotte?
Students must submit an official transcript from previously attended universities to Admissions along with their application. Admissions will complete an evaluation of transfer courses and assign credit accordingly. Students are encouraged to access UNC Charlotte's online Transfer Credit Advisor for help in determining how credits from another university will be recognized at UNC Charlotte.
Note: Students are advised to bring copies of all previous transcripts to SOAR or their first academic advising session.
- How do I get permission to take classes at another school?
Students interested in taking classes at another school during the summer must first obtain a Transient Study Form (with required departmental signatures) from the Advising Center or the Registrar's Office and complete it before enrolling in the courses at another institution. This process insures that UNC Charlotte will accept the credit for this coursework before the classes are taken elsewhere. Full time students interested in taking classes at another institution during the Fall or Spring semesters must get special permission from their departments to enroll through university consortium, or complete a Transient Study Form. Part time students are allowed to do course work elsewhere without special permission but still must complete a Transient Study Form. |
