Academic Advising
Although your academic decisions will be in your own hands, we offer plenty of advising to help you make informed decisions, and to help keep you on track toward graduation and life.
Departmental Advising
If you have already declared a major, you will receive your advising through your academic department. Every department has a Chief Undergraduate Advisor who can help you with problems or concerns. In addition, some departments will assign an advisor to you while others will give you the option to choose from among the faculty. If you are able to pick your advisor, make sure you are comfortable with that person. Take the time to find an advisor you know and trust.
Undergraduate Advising
The largest advising office is Undergraduate Advising, which works with students who haven’t declared a major. Their staff—academic deans, trained professionals, faculty, and graduate advisors—will help you explore UMass Amherst’s nearly 90 major options and choose classes that will fulfill general education requirements while you do so. If the major that interests you has limited enrollment or specific entrance requirements, advisors will assist you until you complete the admission process. If your interests change, they will help you find a different area of study. In addition, they can help you with any other academic concerns.
Advising for the Arts and Sciences
For students with majors in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, your academic dean and advising services are located in E20 Machmer Hall.
For students with majors in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, your academic dean and advising services are located in 128 Thompson Hall (this also includes advising services for pre-law students).
For students with majors in the College of Natural Sciences your academic dean and advising services are located in 113 Stockbridge Hall.
Special Programs
A number of special programs at UMass Amherst offer advising to their students as well. These include the Multicultural Engineering Program and the Commonwealth College, the honors college.
