Academic Advising at Felician University
Every student at Felician University is assigned an academic advisor to ensure his or her success.
Your academic advisor will:
- help you with your academic planning
- assist you in understanding the various academic programs available at the University
- guide you through course selection and registration each semester
- help you choose the right courses for your major in a sequence that benefits you
After your freshman year at Felician University, you will be assigned an advisor based on your field of study. For instance, if you are a business major your advisor will be a faculty member in the business division. This faculty member will remain your advisor until you graduate, unless you change your major. For example, if you change your major to criminal justice, you will be assigned a criminal justice faculty member as an advisor. This allows you and your advisor to really get to know each other and provides you with continuity and a faculty advisor who will truly be able to understand and support your needs and goals.
During your freshman year, you will be enrolled in our Freshman Year Experience Program (FYE). This program provides you with a structured course that helps you acclimate to university life. You are assigned to a Freshman Year Experience group based on your academic major. The course is taught by a faculty member in your academic program and this faculty member will serve as your academic advisor for your freshman year.
About the Freshman Year Experience Program
Starting out at university can be tough because everything is new – new teachers, new friends, new expectations and a new environment. Dealing with all of this change and learning to navigate in your new life can be a little intimidating and overwhelming. But don’t worry: at Felician, we want to ensure that you get off to a solid start and we are dedicated to making your transition a smooth one.
That is why we have designed our Freshman Year Experience (FYE) Program. Think of this as the “how to” course for university, providing all the fundamental cornerstones of getting off to a good start and making the most of your experience.
This program entails a one-credit course which meets weekly in both the fall and spring semesters of your freshman year (second semester of program varies based on your academic major).
The fall semester FYE will focus on the University’s resources, policies and procedures; prepare you for university-level research and academic work; and ensure that you understand the importance of our Franciscan values and mission. It includes topics such as:
- Reading and directed discussion of a universal reading experience
- Understanding your learning style
- Developing time management and study skills
- Learning how to use the library, conducting electronic research and properly citing academic information
- Discussing the Honor Code, grading, academic expectations and registration
- Learning how and where to seek help across campus, including health and counseling centers, tutoring services, writing labs and career center
- Exploring ways to make friends and get involved, including peer support, student government, campus ministry, student activities and athletics
- Understanding the Choices program (This program aims to educate students about the effects of alcohol on their behavior, to promote self-evaluation of drinking patterns and to facilitate the acquisition of effective coping strategies so that students can make informed decisions and reduce their alcohol-related risk and harm.)
The content for the spring will vary based on your major but will focus on your academic major and career interest. It will introduce you to the resources of the Career Center or introduce you to the practicums or field placements in your academic program.
