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Enrollment & Advising

Welcome to Academic Advising! Academic Advising is an important part of a student's experience and is integrated throughout all levels of a student's progress at MICA. The Academic Advising office is under the auspices of Enrollment Services, and is a member of the Student Services Center.

We are staffed by full-time professional advisors dedicated to working with all undergraduate students on making the most of their MICA education through the delivery of advising, mentoring, and enrollment services.

Important Dates this Month

For more advising highlights this semester, please check out the Academic Advising Calendar.

March - Sophomore Advising Month
All current Sophomores meet with their academic advisors for half-hour advising sessions to review academic progress and plans. Students will not be able to register for next semester until they have completed their advising. Don't wait until the last minute to make an appointment or you could miss this priority time! Phone 410.225.2315 or stop by Academic Advising to schedule an appointment.

March 1 - Applications for Graduation Due for All May & August Graduates
Any student graduating in May or August must complete this form online in order for MICA to recognize your intent to graduate- even if you don't plan on participating in the May Commencement Ceremony. If you do not complete this form, you will NOT receive tickets to Commencement or your diploma.

March 12 - Study Abroad Application Deadline for Fall 2010 Study is Extended!
The original deadline was March 1. You must submit your completed materials to the Office of International Affairs by this date. For more information on eligibility, abroad schools, and the process, visit International Affairs Semester Study Abroad.

March 1 - Major Declaration Deadline for First Year Students
All first year students must declare their majors by this date. Declaration forms should be turned in to the Foundation Academic Advisor in Main 260. For more information on majors, minors and concentrations, check out Advising Resources.

March 2 - Last Day to Drop a Class with Record
This is the final chance to drop a course. You will be awarded a grade of W for any withdrawn courses. Grades of W do not affect your GPA. You may want to check with your advisor on any consequences for dropping a course. Any withdrawal after this deadline must be appealed through Enrollment Services.

March 15 - Academic Warning Notices Mailed to Students
Academic Advising sends letters to students identified by their instructors as being in jeopardy of failing. (Letters are mailed to local addresses; if you don't have a local address, it will be mailed to your home address. If you don't have an active address in our system, you won't receive the letter.) Follow up with your instructors and academic advisor to figure out the best course of action.

March 15 - Continuing Studies Summer 2010 Registration Begins
Students can take courses that count toward degree requirements. Consult with your academic advisor for questions on course selections.

March 26 - Spring into Your Major!
All first year students are invited to an open house hosted by their newly declared major departments. Learn more about your department and the sophomore year experience, meet your faculty and upperclass students, and spend time with your fellow majors.

March 29 - Fall 2010 Schedule of Courses is Published
See courses, registration instructions and class level registration dates for next semester. Read course descriptions and talk with your faculty, fellow students, and your academic advisor to help determine your course choices. Remember: you can't register if you haven't met with your academic advisor.

 

Our Mission

Academic advising at MICA is integral to student learning throughout the undergraduate college experience. We believe that the relationship between academic advisor and student is based on mutual respect, trust and ethical behavior. We promote student self-awareness and the development of their thinking, questioning, and doing skills for becoming lifelong learners through the

  • delivery of advising, mentoring and enrollment services
  • engagement of students as active participants in their academic career
  • mutually negotiated expectations between the student and college
  • recognition of the unique learning experiences and goals of student artists and designers
  • embodiment of MICA's mission, culture, and values within the department and in collaboration with the MICA community.

Our Goals

  • Provide access to advisors who demonstrate knowledge and understanding
  • Assist students in understanding the purpose of higher education, MICA's academic programs, and the application of both to their own life goals.
  • Teach students to identify and use college resources
  • Partner with academic and co-curricular programs across campus
  • Continually assess and improve upon our academic advising practices

Foundation Year Academic Advising

Academic Advising during the Foundation year is provided by an assigned faculty advisor, who is an Elements of Visual Thinking instructor. Students therefore have weekly contact with their advisors, allowing for easy and regular communication of important information. Foundation faculty advisors serve as a source for general questions and concerns about coursework, academic programs, campus life, and other issues. This advising is supplemented by the Foundation academic advisor, a professional staff advisor who is in close contact with other campus resources, and is dedicated to working with first-year students on a broad range of student life and academic matters. The Foundation academic advisor assists students with registration and scheduling, transfer credit and advanced placement, understanding Foundation requirements and degree programs.

Upperclass Academic Advising

Midway through spring semester of their first year, students are assigned to upperclass academic advisors and begin working with the new advisors on long-term planning and preparation for sophomore year registration. Upperclass advisors partner with their students through the remainder of the students' academic careers at MICA, regardless of major. This continuity supports the development of a more substantial advising relationship. Students are required to meet with their academic advisors at least once per semester in order to be eligible for the next registration period, and are encouraged to see their advisors on a frequent basis. Academic advisors support students' short-and long-term academic planning, clarifying career and life goals, explaining degree requirements, interpreting institutional policy, and navigating the campus community and its offerings.

Faculty and Advising

Academic Advising recognizes that the strong connections that students develop with their faculty are an important aspect of their MICA experience. Our advising system is designed to complement those connections, with faculty acting as academic and professional mentors, while providing students with additional resources.

Students and Advising

Students' participation in the advising relationship is central to its success. Experience shows that students with strong advising connections are more satisfied with their MICA experience. Families and friends can support academic advising by encouraging students' engagement with their academic advisors through frequent meetings, the sharing of information, and pro-active planning.
Students are responsible for making appointments with advisors, bringing appropriate records to advising meetings, understanding and tracking their progress toward graduation, and following through on necessary advising actions.

Programs

Academic Advising coordinates a variety of programs and publications throughout the academic year which are designed for undergraduate students of varying levels and interests. These programs help students to transition to college life, gain self-knowledge, make an informed declaration of major, learn about academic departments and campus resources. Information is posted on our website as these events approach.