Welcome to the Advising Center for Undeclared Students

As an Undeclared Student, you will have the opportunity to research and evaluate academic majors and clarify your goals while you explore your interests through courses, programs, and extracurricular activities at Kutztown University (KU). The Advising Center for Undeclared Students provides a variety of resources and knowledgeable staff  to help you make informed decisions about your course work at KU.

Myths About Majors

My major will determine my career.

False. While certain majors such as engineering, nursing, computer science, and accounting prepare students for specific career paths, most majors provide background and skills that are transferable to many career fields. In fact, students who major in the Liberal Arts and Sciences find that they have a wide variety of career options because they have developed broad-based skills that can be applied in many career fields.

 I can ensure employment after graduation by choosing a career in a "high demand" field.

False: The job market moves in cycles. Jobs that are considered “hot” right now may not be "hot" when you graduate. Jobs also change over time. Some current jobs  will become obsolete and new jobs will emerge. One way to ensure that you have the “right” skills for the changing job market is to develop transferable skills such as writing, speaking, problem-solving, team-building, and computer skills.

It is a good idea to get my general education courses out of the way first and decide on a academic major later.

False: General Education requirements vary greatly from major to major. Some majors have specific general education courses that must be completed before entering the major, while other majors may place restrictions on which general education courses may be applied to the degree. So, it is essential that you begin to explore majors during your first semester at Kutztown University (KU).

Remember that any delay in choosing a major could extend your graduation date beyond four years, especially in majors that have a very structured course sequence.

The best way to find a major is by taking courses in different areas until I find one that really interests me.

False: There are over 50 academic majors and 30 academic minors at Kutztown University (KU). Exploring majors by sampling courses and eliminating potential majors one course at a time is both time-consuming and expensive.

You can learn a lot about  majors by reviewing course requirements, talking with faculty and students in various majors, participating in student organizations related to your majors of interest, and browsing through required textbooks in the bookstore. Also you can review Choosing a Major for more ideas on making an informed decision about your major.

Academic Advisement

Your Academic Advisor is a person who will guide and advise you in matters such as selecting and scheduling courses, establishing and evaluating academic goals, understanding and navigating university policies and procedures, exploring academic majors and related careers, declaring a major and connecting with other university programs and campus resources.

A Staff Advisor or a Faculty Volunteer Advisor  from the Advising Center for Undeclared Students will be your Advisor until you declare a major.

You are strongly encouraged to meet with your Advisor often and make use of the range of resources and programs available beginning early and continuing throughout the semester.

Advising Expectations

• Schedule and keep regular appointments with your Advisor.  If you must miss an appointment, call the Advising Center for Undeclared Students in advance to cancel and/or to reschedule the appointment.
   

• Keep a file of important Kutztown University (KU) papers and bring it to all advising appointments.
   

• Prepare for your advising appointments by making a list of questions and concerns and completing all tasks or assignments recommended by your Advisor.
   

• Check your Kutztown University (KU) email regularly for campus and department updates and announcements. Read and respond to all correspondence.
   

• Contact the Advising Center for Undeclared Students immediately about any academic problems you encounter.
   

• Actively explore academic majors and careers by using the resources in the Advising Center for Undeclared Students, the Career Development Center, and academic departments on campus.
   

• Become familiar with the Undergraduate Course Catalog and Master Schedule.
   

• Learn how to navigate and use Online Student Services so you can register for courses, view your grades, financial aid package, tuition charges, and any restrictions you may have on your record (i.e. library fines, parking tickets).

Course Registration

Selecting Courses

You will be required to meet with your Advisor for a pre-advisement appointment prior to registration each semester. Please contact the Advising Center for Undeclared Students to schedule a pre-advisement appointment a few weeks prior to your scheduled registration time. Your registration date and time will be posted to your Online Student Services account.

During your pre-advisement appointment, your Advisor will review your academic progress, discuss academic majors you are considering, and help you select courses for the following semester. It is essential that you prepare for this appointment. Click here to access a worksheet for Academic Planning and Pre-Advisement.

Preparing for your Pre-Advisement Appointment

• Review the current semester. Make notes on what went well and what could have gone better.
   

• Note the grades that are you currently earning in your classes.  Are any of these classes  prerequisites for other courses?
   

• Gather information about the majors you are considering.  Click here to Research Academic Majors and Minors.

• Make a list of five (5) or (6) courses you are interested in scheduling next semester.  Use check sheets to determine course requirements and to create your list of possible courses.  Click here for the  Check Sheet for Undeclared Students.  Check sheets for other majors are available from the academic department or the Advising Center for Undeclared Students.  
   

• Review the Master Schedule and look for courses that you may want to take.   Be sure to read the course description for each course on your list so you have a good understanding of the course content.  Look for specific course information that may impact your registration for each course including prerequisites, co-requisites, and controlled courses.

Course descriptions can be found in the online catalog.

• Check your Online Student Services account for any outstanding debts such as parking tickets, library fines, or other restrictions.  You must clear your restrictions before you can register for courses.
   

• Check your Online Student Services account for your assigned registration time. You will not be permitted to register prior to your assigned registration time, however, you may log-on to register anytime after your assigned date through the last day of registration. To pre-register, you must develop a class schedule during the registration period.
   

• Write down any additional questions you have for your Advisor.

Course Registration

Registration is the process of enrolling in courses. You will be assigned a specific date and time to log onto Online Student Services to enter your course selections into the system. Your assigned registration date will be posted on Online Student Services well in advance of the registration period.  Please note:  you will not be able to register through Online Students Services until you meet with your Advisor who will clear (unblock) your account for registration.

The courses you and your Advisor discussed during your pre-advisement appointment will serve as a guide for completing the registration process. When you log onto Online Student Services at your assigned time, you will select the specific section, including the days and times, that each of your courses will meet. Consider the following factors before registering for your courses.

• What is the best time of day to schedule your classes?  Are you more alert and active in the morning or afternoon?
   

• Do  you want time between your classes to study and review your work or do you prefer to schedule your classes back to back?
   

• Are you involved in activities such as athletics, marching band, or employment that will affect your class schedule?

If you have difficulty registering for the courses recommended by your Advisor, please contact the Advising Center right away to discuss other options.

Frequently Asked Questions about Course Registration

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