First Year Advising Center
UNIVERSITY ADVISING (U/A) PROGRAM (Undeclared / Exploring Majors)
Feeling pressured to pick a major? You are NOT alone. Did you know that, on average, a student changes their major at least 3 times? Choosing the major that is right for you can be intimidating and overwhelming. Many students struggle to choose a major for a variety of reasons:
- Multiple Strengths / Interests
- Intimidated by certain classes/subjects needed for a particular major
- Competitiveness of Major
- Job Markets
- Financial goals
- Social / Familial influences to choose a particular career field or major
We understand and are here to support you in every step of your exploration journey.
At Western, we have developed the University Advising (U/A) Program. The U/A Program gives students a home and a supportive team with resources to help them at any stage of the exploration process- whether you are an incoming freshman, a transfer student or a current student.
WHO WE ARE
The U/A Program is a campus-wide resource housed within the First Year Advising Center in Memorial Hall. Students that join the U/A program are assigned to a U/A Academic Advisor that has a broad knowledge of all the different majors on campus. Students are encouraged to to meet with their U/A Academic Advisor multiple times in a semester to help them take active steps along the exploration journey.
U/A Advisors help students:
- Explore majors
- Advise on major exploration classes students can take as well as finding general education classes that overlap with the majors a student is exploring
- Assist students in navigating the different resources available
- Connect students with major advisors and faculty within the majors they are exploring
SERVICES WE OFFER
One-on-One Academic Advising
As a U/A student, you’ll be assigned to a U/A academic advisor who specializes in helping students navigate through the major exploration process. Your U/A advisor can also serve as an academic success coach that will help you stay on track academically along the way. Students have the opportunity to meet with their advisor multiple times throughout the semester and are encouraged to meet at least 4 times each semester while they remain in the U/A program.
Connecting with the Career Center
In addition to meeting with their U/A advisor, students are also encouraged to meet with a Career Counselor in the Career Center . Career Counselors help students complete and review assessment(s) that can help them narrow down and explore jobs/majors that best match their skills, interests, & abilities. Career Counselors can also help students later on in their academic journey to navigate the job market and learn how to build their resume, interview for jobs, network with professionals in their career field as well as assisting with other job-searching skills.
Major Exploration Resources
Visit our Major Exploration page to see all the different tools and resources we have to help you at any point in your exploration journey.
U/A Academic Advisors seek to empower students who are exploring majors by identifying their personal, academic, career, and life goals. U/A Advisors not only assist students in navigating and selecting classes that fulfill general education requirements, but also help students find classes that will allow them to explore their major(s) of interest.
IS THE U/A PROGRAM THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?
Can I be a U/A student if I am an incoming transfer student?
Yes - so long as the student is bringing in less than 45 semester hours, they can be in the U/A program.
If I have a declared major, can I change into the U/A program?
Yes - so long as the student does not have 45 or more semester hours, they can change over to the U/A program. However, before they can complete the change of major form, they would need to talk to the Director of the First Year Advising Center and Student Learning Center.
Am I only allowed to take general education classes as a U/A student?
Not at all. In fact, U/A students are encouraged to take a class/classes(s) that relate to their major(s) of interest to help them narrow down their options. Some majors have important prerequisites that must be completed, so it is important that U/A students have a balance of exploratory classes within major(s) and general education classes.
I am unable to meet the graduation requirements for my current major and I have more than 45 semester hours, can I change into the U/A program?
If a student is being told they will not be able to complete the requirements for their current major, but they know which major they want to change over to, they can simply connect with the academic advisor for that major directly. Students must meet with the major advisor before they can change majors and complete the declaration of major form.
If a student does not have any idea what major they want to declare, they are welcome to schedule a meeting with the Director of the First Year Advising Center & Student Learning Center. While they may not be eligible to change over to the U/A program, they can still receive the support they need to help them identify a major that works for them.
QUESTIONS?
Contact: Dr. Miguel A. Huerta
Email: m-huerta2@wiu.edu
Make an appointment
Hours:
Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm
Contact Us:
(309) 298-1871
wiu-firstyearadvising@wiu.edu
Location:
Memorial Hall, Lower Level 024
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