Advising for Continuing Students
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) office strives to provide academic advising to all BLS students in order to ensure a productive and satisfying undergraduate experience. Academic advising primarily centers around coursework, degree progress, and career exploration, but also encompasses students’ personal and professional goals and adjustment to the University.
Registration Times
The time at which you may register for courses is your Registration Appointment Time and is based on the number of completed credits at the time of registration. You can check the number of credits you have completed by going to the myUMW portal and looking at your transcript (or go to Banner > Student & Financial Aid > My Student Profile).
Advising Appointments
All continuing students are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to their registration time each fall and spring semester. You will not be able to register at your registration appointment time if you have not met with your advisor. (Note: Students are not required to see an advisor to register for summer courses.)
Which advisor should you meet with?
BLS students majoring in Leadership and Management, designing a special major, or who have not yet declared a major should make an advising appointment with the BLS Advisor. Students who have declared a major should meet with their assigned major advisor but are welcome to also meet with the BLS Advisor, especially as their graduation term approaches.
Not sure who your advisor is?
Check your myUMW student profile (or go to Banner > Student & Financial Aid > My Student Profile). If you have questions, please feel free to contact the BLS Office at (540) 654-2050.
Registration
After meeting with their advisor, students will be cleared to register for classes at their assigned registration appointment time. If you receive an error message when you attempt register that asks for an alternate PIN number, contact your advisor in order to release your registration hold. You may check your myUMW portal to see if you have any registration holds.
Remember, your advisor is simply that: an advisor. It is your responsibility to know the requirements for graduation, the deadlines for applying, and how to check your degree progress. You are expected to learn how to use the tools that the University provides to track your academic progression.
Registration Resources
A Guide to Registration is published each semester on the Registrar’s website. It provides students with the academic calendar, registration instructions, final exam schedules, payment information, and campus maps. For more information concerning the registration process, see Registration Process and Schedule of Courses.
Frequently Asked Registration Questions
When does advising begin?
Advising always takes place during the two weeks following Spring Break or Fall Break.
What if I missed advising?
Students who miss the advising period must make an appointment with their advisor as soon as possible. All students must be advised prior to registering for fall or spring courses.
What if I missed my registration window?
Students who miss their window to register for classes must wait until the adjustment period (also called “open registration”). Check the Registration Appointment Times on the Registrar’s web-page for these make-up windows.
University Resources
The BLS Office seeks to serve all students by educating them on the resources the University has to offer. While our office does not provide certain services such as tutoring and career counseling, we can facilitate students in getting the assistance they need to succeed both academically and professionally. Listed below are just a few of the services available to you.
| Service | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Probation/Suspension | Academic Services | Academic Standing |
| Career Counseling | Career Services | Career Services |
| Drop/Add Classes | Registrar | Course-Change-Request |
| Internship | Career Services | Internships |
| Disability Resources | Office of Disability Resources | Disability Services |
| Research Questions | Simpson Library | Research |
| Speaking Center | Speaking Center | Speaking Center |
| Study Abroad | Center for International Education | Study Abroad |
| Tutoring | Academic Services | Tutoring |
| Veterans Resource Center | Office of Student Affairs | VRC |
| Writing Center | Writing Center | Writing Center |