Frequently Asked Questions
ADVISING FAQs
Why do I need an academic advisor?
What can I expect from my advisor?
What is expected of me from my advisor?
How do I come prepared for an advising appointment?
When will I meet with my advisor (how often)?
How do I find out who my advisor is?
How do I use the degree audit?
How do I make changes to my schedule (add/drop)?
ACADEMIC/GENERAL FAQs:
What is the process for becoming a teacher at N.C. State?
How do I transfer into the College of Education?
What do I do if I am failing a class?
How many classes should I take each semester?
I want to get into a class that is currently full, what are my options?
How do I transfer credits from another institution?
As a teacher education student, can I have a minor?
What is the first year course repeat policy?
ADVISING FAQs:
Why do I need an academic advisor?
Your academic advisor is a one-stop resource and personal advocate for your success while here at N.C. State! He/she is knowledgeable about your specific degree program/major, and is here to help you navigate through the process of being a student both here at N.C. State and within the College of Education. Your advisor is also knowledgeable about university policies and programs, activities and clubs within the College, and can help you identify specific resources both on and off campus that may be helpful to you.
Additionally, your advisor is a good point person for questions about preparing for graduate school, job interviews, and can also serve as an excellent reference as you apply for scholarships, extracurricular opportunities, and special academic programs, so visit with you advisor often and make sure he/she has the chance to get to know you! Your advisor is also the only person that can release your PIN number for registration, so you will certainly need your advisor as you prepare to register for classes each semester.
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What can I expect from my advisor?
You can expect your advisor will treat you with respect as an adult. In all of your conversations and sessions, your advisor will maintain the utmost confidentiality in accordance with FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) and university regulations.
You can also expect your advisor will be your primary source of information regarding all program, department, and university requirements and policies, and he/she will monitor and accurately document your academic progress through your first two years here at N.C. State. Additionally, your advisor will assist you in working with and developing professional relationships with your faculty and instructors, and will encourage and assist you in developing and defining clear, realistic educational goals.
Expect your advisor to be accessible for meetings during his/her office hours, by appointment, telephone, and email, and expect that he/she will serve as a general resource for your academic and personal success during your time here as a student in the College of Education.
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What is expected of me from my advisor?
Your advisor will expect you to take ownership of your education. Although he/she is here to help you, you and only you determine your success at N.C. State! You will also be expected to make regular contact with your advisor throughout the semester, especially if or when problems crop up. The sooner your advisor knows about a particular situation, the more likely they are to be able to help you with it! Keep your advisor informed of your academic progress, and always be truthful - the more honest you are, the better we are able to assist you! Your advisor will also expect you to check your email on a regular basis, as this is the primary means through which he/she will communicate important information between sessions. Finally, your advisor will expect you to maintain your own notes and records of your academic progress, in addition to the records he/she keeps. Keep in mind that you are responsible for the actions (or inactions, as the case may be) that affect your educational goals and progress!
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How do I come prepared for an advising appointment?
In order to be prepared for any and every advising session, you should at the very least bring something to write on and a writing utensil, so that you can take notes or jot down any information that your advisor shares with you. It may be helpful to keep a folder with all advising-related materials that you can bring to each advising session, so that you and your advisor can collaboratively review what was discussed at previous sessions. Depending on the nature of your session, you will also want to bring with you any necessary forms and paperwork. For example, if it is an advising session in preparation for registration, it is helpful to bring with you a copy of your degree audit, as well as a tentative list of courses that you plan to sign up/register for, as well as alternates. If meeting with your advisor to discuss a late semester course drop or potential withdrawal, bring with you any documentation that supports your case (letter/note from doctor/psychologist, etc.).
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When will I meet with my advisor (how often)?
You will be required to meet with your advisor at least twice per semester - once during the first several weeks of the semester for a "check-in" session, and also once during pre-registration period (mid-semester) so that you can go over your intended schedule and obtain your PIN number. Prior to each of these meetings, your advisor will contact you via email with instructions for scheduling an appointment. While these are the minimum required times to meet with your advisor, we certainly hope that you will come see us much more often! We are here every day to assist you with schedule conflicts, course/instructor issues, questions about academic policy and procedure, and any other issue related to your success here at N.C. State. Utilize us!
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How do I find out who my advisor is?
The clearest way to identify your advisor is to log into MyPack portal and view your degree audit. Your advisor's name will be listed at the very top of your degree audit, beside your name and student ID number.
To access your degree audit, first go to MyPack portal (http://mypack.ncsu.edu; also linked from the Registration and Records home page). Once logged in with your unity ID and password, click on the red "For Students" tab. Under the heading "Academics," you will see the subheading "Degree Progress/Graduation." Click on the "Degree Audit" link.
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How do I use the degree audit?
The automated degree audit (also called ADA for short) is a personalized tool that has preloaded every requirement that is part of your major/degree program. It helps you see exactly which requirements and specific courses are needed for your degree, and also helps you measure your progress towards degree completion by "filling in" the semester during which you fulfill each requirement.
At the end of each spring semester, you will be expected to use your ADA as a planning tool by utilizing the "Plan of Work" feature within your ADA and planning out your prospective schedule for the following two semesters. Your advisor will talk to you more about how to update your Plan of Work. More information about the Plan of Work feature as well as a tutorial is located at http://www.ncsu.edu/registrar/registration/plan.html.
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Changing your major is a process that MUST be initiated by talking with your advisor! Each department within the College of Education, as well as the various departments within Colleges across campus, has an individual and unique transfer process, and it is imperative to meet with your advisor first to make sure that you meet the requirements to transfer to the new major of your choice, as well as to receive pertinent information about the transfer process and the name of the appropriate contact individual within the new major. Adding or updating an "Intended Major" within your degree audit does NOT officially change your major, and rather is for use as a planning tool only.
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How do I make changes to my schedule (add/drop)?
Any changes that you make to your schedule during the registration period should first be discussed with your advisor. After having met with your advisor, you can add, drop, or waitlist a course by logging into MyPack portal and accessing the Enrollment (registration) system. A tutorial for how to use this system to register for classes and make modifications to your schedule can be found at: http://www.ncsu.edu/registrar/publications/tutorials.html. Please be aware that many classes have restrictions such as required prerequisites, or they may be limited to only certain majors or classifications. For questions regarding a specific course, please contact your advisor.
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ACADEMIC/GENERAL FAQs:
What is the process for becoming a teacher at N.C. State?
The undergraduate degree in teacher education prepares students for a professional career in teaching. As such, there are several detailed steps that must be carefully completed by students in stepwise fashion. From the beginning of the process as you are accepted into the teacher education major up until the end of the process when you are awarded your degree, it is important that you stay informed of teacher education expectations. The Office of Professional Education is the best place for teacher education majors to stay in the know!
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How do I transfer into the College of Education?
If you are interested in transferring into the College of Education, you must first make sure that you meet the requirements for the major you are interested in as detailed in the Intracampus Transfer Policy. If you are ever in doubt concerning the entrance requirements for a particular program, make sure to contact Student Success and Advising Center. All programs require an application and supporting materials- which can be picked up in the Student Success and Advising Center.
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What do I do if I am failing a class?
If you are failing in a class, first think about what has contributed to this and ways in which you can improve. There are many resources on campus that can assist you with things such as time management, stress, study skills, and even learning to balance many responsibilities that come with being a college student. If you are having difficulty with the subject and material, seek assistance from the Tutorial Center; spaces fill up quickly, so do this early!
Your instructor can also be a great resource. Make an appointment to discuss what you can do to improve your grade. Usually, your instructor can provide great insight on how to improve your skill and understanding of the subject. This also shows the instructor that you care about your grade and progress in the class.
You should also speak with your academic advisor. Academic Advisors are a great support and resource many of which are experts about the campus and its resources. An Academic Advisor can also assist you in improving your skills and help guide you to the best possible resolution.
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How many classes should I take each semester?
The typical academic load for teacher education students falls somewhere between 15 and 18 credits each semester. Depending on your major and class standing, this can range from 4 to 6 courses per semester. Staying on track with your degree audit and plan of study and discussing scheduling options with your advisor is the best way to ensure that you are making adequate progress towards earning your degree.
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I want to get into a class that is currently full, what are my options?
Retrieve the class information from the Registration and Records site: class time, meeting place, and instructor's name. If you have time with your current schedule, go to the actual class to inquire if you can be added. You can also search for the instructor in the N.C. State online directory and contact the instructor with your request to be added. These are usually things you should do during the first week of class. While this is a recommendation, keep in mind that the final decision is the instructor's.
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How do I transfer credits from another institution?
Before registering for a course at another institution, always check the transfer course equivalencies site and speak with your Academic Advisor. After you complete the course, have an official transcript sent to the Admissions Office. To receive credit at N.C. State, you must complete the class with a grade of "C" or better; the grade you receive will not be calculated into your N.C. State GPA.
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As a teacher education student, can I have a minor?
Since teacher education majors are professional degrees with relatively detailed requirements, it is difficult for students to complete a minor and graduate within a 4-year window. Depending on the student's teacher education major, desire to extend study, or willingness to enroll for summer sessions, a minor could be a possibility. College of Education students are encouraged to consult with their advisor if interested in the possibility of declaring a minor.
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What is the First Year Course Repeat Policy?
Students who earn a grade lower than"C-" on courses taken during their first year at N.C. State have the opportunity to retake up to two of those courses with no penalty. The first year repeat can only be used for courses at the 200-level and below. The first year repeat cannot be "saved" to use on courses taken beyond the first year at N.C. State.
Upon completion of the course the second time, the original grade will be removed from the GPA calculation. However, the repeated courses will still appear on the transcript with a "R" to indicate the course was repeated using the first year repeat policy. The first attempt of the course must have occurred within 12 months of the student's initial enrollment. The second attempt must be no later than one year after the first attempt (e.g. a student who made a "D-" in MA 131 in Fall 2008 may retake the course in Spring 2009, Summer 2009, or Fall 2009).
Students are advised to consult with their Academic Advisor in making the decision to elect a course repeat under this policy. The student must submit a form to the Department of Registration and Records on or before the last day to drop a course of the semester or summer session in which the course is repeated. Forms may be obtained from advisors and the Department of Registration and Records.
