Your Advisor

What is ACADEMIC ADVISING?

Academic Advising is the ongoing process of consulting with an Academic Advisor in your academic field(s) in order to make the best decisions to ensure that your degree and career goals are met. Academic Advising is intended to help you, the student, know and use the resources available here at Murray State University, so that your higher education experience is as rewarding as it can be.

Your Academic Advisor will help you to achieve your academic and career goals. Your Academic Advisor is a faculty or staff member in the department that houses your area, major, or minor. He or she will assist you in making decisions about courses, schedules, and degree requirements.

Your Primary Academic Advisor will clear your Advising Hold, necessary for registration, once you have fulfilled requirements for academic advising, including arranging and attending an advising session with your Academic Advisor. 

Who is my ACADEMIC ADVISOR?

In MyGate, click on the Academics tab and look at the Student Info section. Information on your Primary Academic Advisor is here. Click on Academic Standing for your Registration date/time and any holds. 
NOTE: In the Summer, some Academic Advisors are not available for advising. If you have an immediate advising need and cannot reach your advisor, please contact your Department Chair for help. 

 What are my RESPONSIBILITIES for ACADEMIC ADVISING?

• YOU are the key to your academic success! 
• Know how and when to contact your advisor. Check posted office hours; know whether he/she can be reached by phone or e-mail or other means.
• Make an advising appointment at least a week before your REGISTRATION date.
• Review your RACR (Racer Academic Completion Report), determine classes needed in the coming term(s), and create a tentative schedule, including CRN #s, course #s, titles, times, instructors. 
• See How to Read a RACR if you have any questions or concerns on reading your RACR. 
• Be sure that you know the requirements for your degree, area or major/minor, University Studies. (See Bulletins.)  Be sure you keep up with your grades, GPA, progress toward graduation. (Your RACR shows you all of these!)
• Know the deadlines and policies for registration, financial aid, scholarships, tuition payment, drop/add, withdrawal, as well as for submitting forms for graduation. (See the link to the Registrar's website (murraystate.edu/registrar) for this information.)
• Be aware of all university, college/school, and department policies and procedures that apply to you. (See the Registrar's website for your University Bulletin. Bulletin year is at the top of your RACR.)
• Review all course syllabi at the beginning of every term to be sure that you are aware of the policies and procedures for each class that you take.
• ASK QUESTIONS. Your Academic Advisor is here to help, or to direct you to the help you need!

What are my ACADEMIC ADVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES?

• Your Academic Advisor should be available to meet with you each semester, and should have regular posted office hours for academic advising. Leave ample time between your advising session and your registration date! Remember that some advisors have a LOT of advisees.
• Your Academic Advisor should be well-versed in your area or major, and should be able to provide you with advice on selecting courses to reach your academic goals.
• Your Academic Advisor should be able to help you to read your RACR and to make sure that you are fulfilling all needs toward graduation.
• Your Academic Advisor should be able to help you to find the resources you need. Establish a good relationship with your Academic Advisor and he or she can help you to get the most out of your academic career at Murray State University.
• Remember: your Academic Advisor ADVISES, but YOU make the decisions! You are responsible for your own academic success. 
• If you have trouble with your Academic Advisor, contact your Department Chair for assistance or msu.advising@murraystate.edu.

How do I make an appointment for ACADEMIC ADVISING?

Call or email your academic advisor. See People Finder for contact look up. 
Contact the department office for advisor location and regular office hours. 

What do I bring to my ACADEMIC ADVISING appointment?

• A device on which you can view your RACR (smart phone, laptop -- your advisor may be able to share his/her screen with you, though!) 
• A tentative schedule of classes for the upcoming semester, including CRN #s, course titles, times, instructors
• Questions you want to ask your advisor
• Note-taking supplies (your advisor may use the RACR Notes feature too)
• Your full attention so that you can be an active participant in the conversation 

 If you have a problem scheduling an advising session, contact the Department Chair. If you still cannot get the help you need contact the Registrar msu.registrar@murraystate.edu or Academic Advising msu.advising@murraystate.edu.