University Advising Resources

Honors Advisors are part of the larger advising network on campus, and work in conjunction with other university partners and advisors to promote student success.  

Advising in a Major Area of Study  

Each major has at least one advisor responsible for overseeing undergraduate advising for students in your major. Some majors have one person who does this, often referred to as the Chief Undergraduate Advisor or Director of Undergraduate Advising. Some majors have several advisors.  

When you are seeking advice about fulfilling major or minor requirements, you should see an advisor in your major’s undergraduate advising office. If you look under the “Primary Advisor” heading in your Student Center in Spire, you will find contact information for advising in your major. 

Honors Program Director 

The Honors Program Director (HPD) from your major department acts as a liaison to Commonwealth Honors College and oversees Honors College students enrolled in the Departmental Honors track. The HPD oversees your admission to, and progress related to, Departmental Honors, as well as approves all Departmental Honors research, proposals, and courses and reviews Honors independent studies. The HPD is a resource if you are having difficulty finding departmentally-based Honors courses or Thesis Committee members. For Departmental Honors students, regular meetings with your HPD ensure that you remain on track to graduate with Departmental Honors credentials. 

Academic Dean 

The Academic Dean in the college/school in which your primary major is listed assists you with issues pertaining to academic policy, progress towards degree completion, and academic standing. Additionally, Academic Deans can assist you with requests such as for Late Withdrawal Petitions, Late Course Add Petitions, and Credit Overload Petitions. 

Student Success 

The UMass Amherst undergraduate Student Success unit is a partnership between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs and Campus Life. The Student Success team creates and contributes to campus-wide approaches and programs to enhance student success and offers student-centered, user-friendly information as well as resources especially designed for first-generation students.