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Advising Resources for Students

The #1 Best Tip is to check (and read) your BearMail every day. Your advisor will send you information, invitations, and action items. Learn more about BearMail and the technology you need as a student.

The #2 Tip is to follow on Instagram for tips, reminders, and *secrets* to college from the advisors and staff in Student Academic Success.

Types of Advising

ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp has several types of advising and success support based on your major and situation. You might even have more than one advisor!

  • Academic Advising (Majors, Programs, Minors, and Certificates)

    At this type of meeting, you will work with someone from your college to discuss your academic plan. You can find your assigned academic advisor in Degree Works.

    You should ask questions about which classes will apply to your major, minor, or program and what order to take these classes in. Often, students attend academic advising 1-2 times per semester as they prepare for registration or graduation.

    If you notice something weird in your Degree Works about a class, ask your Academic Advisor to help you.

    Graduate Students meet with academic advisors too! Your graduate program advisor will help with your academic plan and research goals.

    If you would like to add a Certificate (shorter and smaller than a full minor) to your degree, you will meet with the Certificate Advisors:

    • Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate Program –
    • Brewing Laboratory Science Certificate Program – Michael Mosher
    • Diagnostic Assessment and Skills Training Series – Please call the ASL & Interpreting Studies department, not all certificates may be offered 970-351-1075
      • Leadership and Supervision Certificate Program
      • Legal Interpreter Training Program
      • Educational Interpreting Certificate Program
    • Didactic Dietetics Education Certificate Program – Lisa Caldwell
    • Digital Marketing Certificate Program –
    • Human Resource Management Certificate Program –
    • Music Technology Certificate Program –
    • Safety Science Certificate Program – Byron Straw
  • Probation Advising

    For Probation Advising, you meet with the probation support in your college (this might be your academic advisor or a success coach). 

    Your probation support will discuss academic policies, study skills, and other resources related to why your GPA is lower than a 2.0. You might also talk about some goals and how to address the challenges in your life.

    Students going through Academic Probation must meet with their support at least once to remove the registration hold. And students who meet with their probation support at least once per month tend to accomplish their goals sooner.

    Visit the Probation Portal or Email probation@unco.edu with policy questions, access to the Academic Success Workshop, and information on suspension or readmission appeals.

  • Success Coaching

    During a coaching session, your support will provide academic and life assistance. You might discuss milestones or goals you want to hit, how your major or minor fits into your end-game plans, and how a class is going right now.

    Most students meet with their mentor for success coaching regularly in the semester. And building a relationship with your success coach or advisor can help you down the road: this person might be a perfect reference or able to write a letter of recommendation if they get to know you throughout the year.

  • Special Program Advising

    ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp offers a lot of opportunities to connect with fellow Bears as part of special programs. You will know who and how often you need to meet with your program support during your orientation with those folks. 

    Here are a few programs that support your success and are part of our campus advising community:

Ready, Set Register for Next Semester

Your assigned advisor is trying to contact you! Check your BearMail every day and follow the instructions they send to schedule your registration support and advising sessions.

How to prepare for advising


Start with the steps for Ready, Set Register each semester. Take time to clear any Holds, look at Degree Works, write down questions, and identify a few classes to discuss with your advisor for your academic plan. If you are a new Bear, your first advising session will be at New Student Registration.

Every semester you need to:

  • Reflect on your personal and academic values, skills, interests, and goals
  • Schedule at least one appointment with your advisor and reach out when questions come up
  • Prepare for advising sessions by checking Degree Works, your past plans, and writing down your questions to ask
  • Complete any additional advising prep that your advisor sends you
  • Read about the rules and requirements for your next degree milestones (registration deadlines, graduation)
  • Check BearMail for updates from your professors, advisor, Bear Central, and other university announcements

What to expect at advising


You should expect a conversation with someone from your college (major and minor) to chat about your academic plans, classes you need to consider, and your education goals. Advising might occur over multiple meetings, in-person or virtually, and in an individual or group setting. 

Your advisor may want to discuss:

  • How your current classes are going
  • What courses you are interested in or nervous about taking
  • Which campus resources, like Tutorial Services, you have used
  • How your study habits or exam prep is going
  • If you have plans for graduate school or other professional programs
  • What GPA goals you have and how you can achieve them
  • What questions you have about registration for the next semester
  • How you are adjusting to campus

We want you to get the most out of your academic advising session and be Registration Ready each semester.

Find your college advising center


Some majors pair you with a faculty mentor/advisor. You can find your advisor's name and email in Ursa under your "Student Information" link. And when you feel lost, you can always start by contacting the advising center in your college.

Find a program mentor


Top Things Every Bear Should Know

As a student, you have a lot of information, policies, departments, and people to know: we have a list of the 12 things many Bears forget, don't realize, or haven't heard of before. 

  • You have three options for Written Communication in the LAC.

    The Liberal Arts Curriculum requires you to pass 6 credit hours in Written Communication. You have three options for Writing:

    Option A: Introductory Writing (plus Bonus Support) & Intermediate Writing

      • First, you will take ENG 122 and the one-credit ENG 132. This option gives you more attention and support with your ENG 122 instructor, and students tend to earn higher grades. Your advisor might recommend this course based on your Placement Survey (the DSP), SAT/ACT Test Scores, or high school GPA.
      • After completing your ENG 122 with 132 (in the same semester), you choose one class from these 

    Option B: Introductory Writing & Intermediate Writing

      • You will take ENG 122 by itself (no Bonus Support) first.
      • After you complete your ENG 122, you choose one class from these 

    Option C: Intermediate Writing & Advanced Writing

      • Based on your ACT or SAT scores, you could choose one class from these You need an SAT Verbal with a minimum score of 630 or ACT English with a minimum score of 30 or SAT Reading Test with a minimum score of 34.
      • Then you will take ENG 323 as the advanced course.

    If you have any questions, please contact the Writing Program Administrator, Dr. Tara Wood: writingprogram@unco.edu.

  • ALEKS (the math assessment) might be the reason you can't register for a Math class.

    The University of Northern Colorado requires that students complete an assessment to determine readiness for mathematics and statistics courses called the ALEKS. However, some students are exempt from this requirement. You may have taken ALEKS in preparation for New Student Registration the summer before your first semester or during your first advising session as a transfer student. 

    Students wishing to register for the following courses need to take the ALEKS placement exam: MATH 120, MATH 124, MATH 127, MATH 131, MATH 171 and STAT 150.  The placement exam is (1) required to be completed and (2) in the URSA system BEFORE you can register for the course.  Please be aware, it can take several days for ALEKS and URSA to sync, so be sure to take the test several days prior to registering for your course.  Some math classes need specific scores on ALEKS before you can register for them--and you can retake ALEKS after practicing for a higher score.

    If you are being told you need a code to retake the ALEKS, you will need to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module to review some of the concepts missed in your previous attempt. After this, the assessment can be retaken.

    Visit the Math Placement website for further information.

  • You need at least 120 Credits to graduate from ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp with a Bachelor's.

    You need to complete four requirements to earn your Bachelor's Degree, and the first requirement is earning a minimum of 120 credit hours.

    You may have completed all your LAC courses and all your major requirements but are short of the 120 rule. When you create your graduation plans with your advisor, ask about minors or double-majors that fit your degree plan and end-game goals. If you need a few more classes, you can consider the University-Wide electives.

    If you complete more than one major AND earn at least 150 credits, you would graduate with a double degree instead of a double major.

  • Your GPA depends on what grades you earn and how many courses you complete.

    Your  is a math equation based on Quality Points you earn for each class and the GPA Hours you have taken at ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp. You have two types of GPA on your transcript:

    1. Term GPA each Semester = Semester Quality Points/Semester GPA Hours
      • Your term GPA is listed under each semester on your transcript.
    1. Cumulative GPA = Total Quality Points/Total GPA Hours
      • Your cumulative GPA is listed near the end of your transcript. Your cumulative GPA doesn't include non-ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp grades (like the B you earned at a community college over the summer).

    Your term GPA is probably different from your cumulative GPA unless this is your first semester!

    The  you earn are based on the grade for the class. Only standard letter grades (A-F) have quality points, while S+, S, U, W, and I are excluded from your GPA equation.

    GPA Example: Klawz took five classes and earned 32 Quality Points divided by 11 GPA Credits so far. Klawz has a GPA of 2.9.

    Grade

    Credit

    Points

    GPA

    A = 4.000

    3

    12.000

    B- = 2.667

    5

    13.335

    C+ = 2.334

    3

    7.002

    S = N/A 

    N/A

    N/A

    I = N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    Total

    11

    32.337

    = 2.939 GPA

    When Klawz finishes the Incomplete and earns a grade, the total Points and Credits will change the GPA. Klawz' "S" will not change.

  • You may need to hit targets to maintain your Financial Aid like being a full-time student and making SAP.

    The Office of Financial Aid in Bear Central has resources to help you find, understand, and keep money towards your degree. You need to talk with this office and review your award offers before making changes to your course schedule.

    Generally (again, review your financial aid package to confirm), you need to stay enrolled in at least 12 Credits each full semester for aid. If you withdraw or don't attend your classes, you may need to repay some aid.

    Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the standard to remain eligible for your financial aid. If you use financial aid, review the SAP Policy each semester: set a reminder for the first week of classes.

  • Registering for the next semester is more than picking out classes: we have deadlines and steps to follow.

    Registering for the classes you need and want is critical for your graduation plan. You should complete steps 1-4 of Ready, Set Register at least one week before your registration date for the best selection for courses.

    On your registration date, open these three pages in another window for quick answers to common errors:

    Every semester (including summer and interim sessions), you have 3 deadlines to add to your calendars:

    1. The Add Deadline is the date you can register for classes through URSA without additional paperwork and approvals.
    2. The Drop Deadline is the date you can remove yourself from a course through URSA, and it won't appear on your transcript or charge you tuition. 
    3. The Withdraw Deadline is when you can exit a course without a grade (you will see a "W" on your transcript).

    You can appeal if you miss a deadline based on situations beyond your control.

  • You can find money throughout your college career from scholarships to jobs to community assistance.

    Scholarships are available throughout your graduation timeline! You should seek out and apply for scholarships every semester until you graduate.

    The Office of Financial Aid curates a list of ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp scholarships to check out, and the deadlines span the year. You can get help and feedback on your essays from the Writing Center or a mentor, like your advisor.

    • The ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp Foundation Scholarships open on November 1 with an application through URSA. Set a reminder to apply each Fall.
    • The Reisher Scholars Program offers funding and recognition to Colorado residents. 
    • The Stryker Institute provides funding and leadership development to women from under-represented groups.
    • The CHE Program provides funding and community support to first-generation students.
    • Your college or major might have scholarships too! Ask your department about opportunities.
    • And you can find community scholarships like  or the .

    For job opportunities, you should visit the Center for Career Readiness to give your resume a boost. Then head over to Handshake through URSA to find campus and community job posts.

    If you experience other financial hardships, because life happens, for local financial support options like , , and .

  • You are in charge of decisions about your classes: we have tools and support to help you with those choices.

    Often the difference between a dream and an accomplishment is in the planning. ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp has several tools to help you turn your graduation dream into the moment you walk across the stage. Use these tools to prepare for your meetings with your advisor, success coach, or ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp mentor.

    Degree Works is the official overview of your degree progress. Keep an eye on the Green Check Marks and Red Circles as you complete different requirements. If anything looks 'off', ask your advisor right away.

    Your major developed a general Four Year Plan to help you visualize your degree timeline. These are guides, and your advisor will develop an individual degree plan based on your academic records.

    Your assigned advisor is here to help from start to end. You can find your advisor through URSA under Student Information. You can also visit your college's advising or success center for help.

  • We have many resources and services to help you succeed: and they are free to use!

    Your academic success depends on many factors. ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp has various services to help you along the way--all included in your experience as a Bear.

    • Tutorial Services offers peer-led sessions for undergraduate courses. 
    • The Writing Center provides one-on-one sessions for specific writing projects. about their use of the Writing Center.
    • The Math Study Center offers drop-in assistance to students enrolled in math courses.
    • University 101 is a class designed to help you learn skills and tools for college.
    • The Michener Library provides more than books and study spaces: ask for research help, talk to a , and watch 
  • You have a community here with tons of opportunity to meet people and get involved.

    Your personal success depends on many factors, and ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp has various community networks to help you along the way.

  • We publish a book with all the policies, course descriptions, and programs every year: you can search that book online whenever you have a question about your degree.

    Every policy, major, course description, and rule about being a ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp Bear exists in our 

    We published a new catalog every year with changes, and any changes apply to that Fall term. The catalogs are labeled by the year of that Fall (first number) and Spring (second number). When you are searching for a catalog, think about the year you started as a ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp Bear: 

    If you began in the Fall of 2021, your catalog year is 2021-2022. If you began in the Fall of 2020, your catalog year is 2020-2021. If you began in the Spring of 2019, your catalog year is 2018-2019, and so on.

    Use the catalog to verify information, check your degree requirements, and search for which minors and majors we offer. 

Follow on Instagram for tips, reminders, and event information straight to your feed. Bookmark our as a shortcut to the links you need about campus events.

Just a few more notes

Graduate Students

As a graduate student (earning a Masters or PhD), you may follow different deadlines and policies from our undergraduate Bears. Make sure you bookmark your Graduate School Policies and Deadlines page and review the . Graduate students are considered full-time with 9 credit hours (undergrads are at 12) and generally complete thesis or dissertation projects as part of the graduation requirements. Stay in touch with your advisor for both academic planning and research support.  Graduate students receive advising support from the graduate coordinator (Master's Students) or select a faculty member to serve as an advisor (Doctoral Students). 

And consider volunteering with the Graduate Student Association to enhance student life and your experience as a Grad Bear.

International Students & Scholars

As an international student studying at ÌðÐÄÊÓƵapp, you will meet with your college's advisor for academic planning and our International Advisor through the Office of Global Engagement for support on cultural adjustment, immigration services, and more.  

If you are an exchange student, you will need to work with both your home school and Office of Global Engagement to ensure your courses align.

You will also visit  if you are interested in ! We have exchange agreements with 15 partner schools, options for shorter programs, and other opportunities like service learning abroad. Talk to the Office of Global Engagement advisor and staff to find the program that works for your experience.

Student Athletes

As a student-athlete competing on NCAA teams, you will work closely with the staff.  You will need to meet with your academic advisor for the PIN and degree planning, and you will verify your schedule with your academic success coordinator before you can register.

You will also meet regularly for classroom support with your coordinator throughout the semester.