Academic Advising at UMBC is a shared partnership between students and Academic Advisors. An Academic Advisor's role is to assist you in planning your academic career and move you closer to graduation. Your Academic Advisor is a vital member of your academic support team and someone we recommend you connect with regularly to take full advantage of their support.  

You can talk to your Academic Advisor about several topics including: 

Students with declared majors at UMBC are assigned departmental specific Academic Advisors for support with course selection and degree planning. There also are many students who prefer to explore all their options and/or may transition between programs as they select the best major to meet their academic, personal and career goals. Students who have not declared a major will work with Academic Advisors in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising, who are committed to helping students explore degree options and evaluate general education, gateway, and major requirements.  

Check the "degree" section of your myUMBC profile to see your assigned Academic Advisor under the "Degree Info" heading. If you're still unsure, below is a link to the department contacts for all majors. The person listed as "advising coordinator" or "advising contact" can help you find out who your Academic Advisor is or assign you an Academic Advisor. 

 

In preparation for an advising appointment, reviewing your degree card on your myUMBC Profile is helpful. Here you can: 

Additionally, you can develop a list of questions/topics to discuss with your Academic Advisor in order to structure your meeting. To help with that conversation, ask yourself:  

Students who are interested in Pre-Professional Allied Health Programs will also work with Academic Advisors in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising. In addition to an Academic Advisor in your major department, you may also work with Advisors in other programs including: Pre-Med/Pre-Dental, Pre-Law, Athletics, Academic Success Center, Honors College, other UMBC Scholars Programs, etc. 

 

The Spring 2023 schedule of classes will be available on Monday, October 24th and you should plan to meet with your Academic Advisor before your registration appointment date. You can review the course offerings and discuss them with your Academic Advisor when you meet. You can also check out information on several personalized degree planning tools offered at UMBC.  Be ready to discuss any outstanding items or questions you might have from previous advising meetings.  

 

Contact the Office of Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at oapa@umbc.edu. If you have a quick question, you can also send a DM on Instagram @umbc_advising, schedule an advising appointment with us or visit our office in Sherman Hall, B-wing, rm 224. 

 

Welcome back Retrievers! We are excited to have our campus community connect again in person while continuing to keep masks in mind.

You may be ready to jump in full speed ahead or may be apprehensive about returning. Wherever you are, it is okay! UMBC is prepared to support you and help ensure that your return to campus is successful!

Below are some tips as you start the fall semester:

First and foremost, checking in with yourself throughout the semester is essential as prioritizing your health.UMBC invests its resources to support you holistically, and you are encouraged to take full advantage of all it has to offer you to be the best version of yourself!

The Center for Well-Being is located on Center Road between Chesapeake and Susquehanna Halls, The Center for Well-Being includes Retriever Integrated Health (University Health Services, the Office of Health Promotion, and the CounselingCenter); Student Conduct and Community Standards; and the Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b) Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being. It also includes the Mind Spa—a student space equipped for the practices of mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation—and an informal student meeting/lounge space.

You can also pay a visit to the newly renovated Retriever Athletics Center for a workout or facilitated class.

While it may seem counterintuitive, seeking academic support before you encounter academic difficulty can help provide accountability and a solid foundation for tackling the workload you’ll face during the semester. The Academic Success Center offers support services, including appointment and drop-in tutoring, the Writing Center, academic success meetings, and much more.

Perhaps over the last year, you’ve had time to reflect and are considering an alternative academic pathway. Advisors in the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising (OAPA) welcome the opportunity to discuss your academic plans, including any potential significant changes you are considering.

Additionally, consider attending the 5th Annual Major Event on November 16th. This is a great opportunity to further explore your major options or connect with faculty and staff in your selected academic department.

Building relationships with your peers provides you with an invaluable support network as you navigate back onto campus. 

One way to do this is by joining a student organization. This year’s Involvement Fest will be back to its in-person format on September 9th on Erickson Field. Mingle with students that share your academic or hobby interests and consider joining clubs to enrich your college experience.

Are you living on campus? The Office of Residential Life is hosting various programs throughout the semester to build community in your Retriever neighborhood. 

Are you commuting to campus? There is also programming through the Off-Campus Student Services offices that exclusively cater to students on the go throughout the week and looking to stay connected to campus life.

Still unsure about larger gatherings? Don’t hesitate to keep up with virtual study groups, video game sessions, or outdoor meetings with a few close friends—to name a few ways technology continues to keep us all connected.

Cheers to a fresh start on prioritizing self-care, forming habits conducive to balance and academic success, and ultimately maximizing your time on campus (and virtually) to bridge connections with dedicated resources and vibrant student life. We hope your semester is a great one!