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 Transferring to KU as an Undeclared Student

It's easier to be admitted to specific KU majors if you first enter as an undeclared student.

False: Undeclared students must meet all departmental requirements and prerequisites for the major they intend to declare. These requirements may include but are not limited to obtaining a specific minimum GPA, specific grades in prerequisite courses, and earning specific number of cumulative credits. Undeclared students should be aware that there is no assurance that he or she will be accepted into the major of choice since programs with limited capacity may be restricted or closed.

If you are undeclared, you can take any classes you want.

False: Some academic departments limit course registration  to students who have declared a major in that area, so as an undeclared student you may not be permitted to take courses in certain departments.

With the help of an Advisor, you will be able to select courses from a variety of disciplines that match your interests and fulfill general education requirements for most KU degree programs.

As long as I choose a major before my junior year, I can still graduate within four years.

False: Any delay in choosing a major could extend your graduation date beyond four years, especially in programs that have a very structured course sequence.

You are encouraged to declare a major/minor by the time you have completed forty-five (45) credits or by the end of the 1st semester of your sophomore year. However, you are strongly encouraged to work with the Advising Center Staff and the Career Development Center to clarify your educational and career goals, and declare your major as soon as you are reasonably certain.

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 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 utilize the range of resources and services available to you.

Advising Expectations

• Schedule and keep regular appointments with your Advisor.  If you must miss an appointment, call the Advising Center in advance to cancel and/or to re-schedule 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

Choosing your courses wisely each semester is an important part of academic planning. You will work with an Advisor during Connections to schedule courses for your first semester at KU. It is essential that you prepare for your Connections Advising Session. 

• Since transfer advising is completed during the Connections program, it is important that you register for a Connections session at your earliest convenience.
   

• Contact all your previous institutions well in advance of your Connections session to have your official transcripts sent to Kutztown University (KU).   You may check the transferability of your completed courses by using the online Transfer Course Evaluation. 
   

• 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.

• Think about your personal schedule and determine when you want to take your classes.

- 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?

Please note:  Information on the Connections program is sent to students after they have been offered admission to the University and their advanced registration deposit has been paid.

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 utilize the range of resources and services available to you.

Frequently asked Questions by Transfer Students

I wasn’t able to transfer into the major I really wanted. How can I get into that major now?

First, it is important to know why you were not admitted to your major of choice. Some programs have enrollment caps and others have specific admissions requirements. If you are unsure why you were not admitted to your major of choice, contact the Admissions Office.

During your Connections sessions, you will meet with an Advisor. Discuss your intended major with your Advisor and develop a plan for meeting the entrance requirements. Undeclared students should be aware that there is no assurance they will be accepted into the major of their choice since some programs with limited capacity may be restricted or closed.

How do I register for courses at KU?

You will work with an Advisor during Connections to schedule courses for your first semester at KU.
See Course Registration for more information about Advising for Undeclared Transfer Students.

How do I know what courses will transfer to KU?

The online Transfer Course Evaluation will show you what courses typically transfer from your institution. To officially transfer your courses to Kutztown University (KU) you must request that an official transcript be sent directly from the Registrar's Office of all your previous institutions to the Admissions Office at Kutztown University, P.O. Box 730, Kutztown, PA 19530. Your transcripts will be evaluated by the Admissions Office and a determination of transfer credit will be made.

How do I find out when classes start and when breaks are scheduled?

An Academic Calendar is available online and includes all important dates including start and end dates, drop/add and withdrawal deadlines, and scheduled breaks in classes. An academic calendar is also printed inside the front cover of the Master Course Schedule. The Master Schedule is available each semester and can be picked up in the Registrar’s Office and other locations around campus.

Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions

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