Academic Advising
All students are assigned to a collegiate-level unit that coincides with their academic major status. New students will meet with an academic advisor during orientation. Students benefit from a relationship with an academic adviser and dean throughout the entire undergraduate experience. Commonwealth Honors College students are also guided in every aspect of their undergraduate career.
Advising Centers for Declared Majors
Students with declared majors can find academic advising services and their academic deans in the following locations:
College of Engineering, 126 Marston Hall
College of Humanities and Fine Arts, E20 Machmer Hall.
Isenberg School of Management, 206 ISOM
College of Natural Sciences, 220 Morrill II
School of Nursing, Skinner Hall
School of Public Health and Health Sciences, 102 Arnold House (academic dean only, for advising services see Departmental Advising below)
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (including pre-law advising), 128 Thompson Hall
Undergraduate Advising
Undergraduate Advising 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.
Departmental Advising
If you have already declared a major, you will also receive advising through your academic department. Most departments have a designated 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 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.
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 Honors College.
