Academic Advising & Student Development

Welcome!

Welcome to Kutztown University and the Department of Academic Advising & Student Development (formerly Academic Enrichment)!

The department is primarily composed of two programs:

Exploratory Studies

The Exploratory Studies (ES) program provides students with a way to discover majors that may interest them in their first year of college before they choose a path of study. The Exploratory Studies program helps students tackle the question, “Which major should I choose?” 

Although many students believe they have decided their major as they enter their first year, nationally, as many as 80 percent either do not know what their major is or will change majors during their first year of college. The exploratory designation at KU offers students who are uncertain about their major(s) the opportunity to work closely with an academic advisor and establish an individualized program that will help them discover which degree program best fits their interests, values, and skills.

General Studies

The Bachelor of Science in General Studies enables students to custom design their curriculum of study. It is well suited for students who are looking for an interdisciplinary, customizable major that they can tailor to their specific academic and career interests. For example, a student could combine Computer Science and Criminal Justice coursework into a "Cyber Security" concentration for their General Studies degree. 

The Bachelor of Science in General Studies / Professional Studies is a degree completion program for students returning to higher education after a 3 or more year absence. The program is designed to allow students to use most of their existing credits and coursework to define a concentration of study.

STudent Development programs

In addition to the Exploratory Studies and General Studies programs, the Department also serves as the administrative hub for the following programs:

• TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSSP) - federally grant funded program that offers academic coaching and advisement and other programming to help students meets their post-secondary education goals;
• TRIO Upward Bound (at William Allen High School) - federally grant funded program that prepares low-income and first generation high school students for post-secondary education;
• KU Honors Program - provides students with intellectual and leadership opportunities beyond the classroom;
• ACT 101 Academic Support Program - state funded program that provides academic support to help students transition to and meet their post-secondary education goals;
• Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) - program promoting academic excellence and community engagement through scholarship among faculty staff and students.

Mission Statement

All programs within the Department of Academic Advising & Student Development adhere to the following mission:

The mission of the Department of Academic Advising & Student Development is to empower students through comprehensive academic guidance, whether they ar exploring major options or pursuing interdisciplinary studies. Our faculty advsiors partner with students to:

• Navigate their college transition
• Develop customized educational plans aligned with academic, career, and personal goals
• Select focused majors or create interdisciplinary degree paths
• Access university resources and opportunities
• Build academic skills and professional competencies
• Create individualized learning experiences that prepare students for diverse career paths