Advising FAQ
How does Academic Advising work in CNS?
CNS offers our undergraduate students a dual academic advising model. Students will have access to professional advising staff through our first-year advising and upper-level advising teams and also have access to faculty mentors through their major department. Students can view their assigned academic advisor and schedule an appointment in Navigate. For more information, see First-Year Advising and Upper-Level Advising.
All primary majors are assigned to a professional academic advisor in SPIRE. Secondary majors will not be assigned at this time, but will have access to advising services.
Where can I see who my assigned professional academic advisor is?
Students/Staff/Faculty can view a student’s assigned advisor in SPIRE. Go into the Student Center and scroll to the bottom to view the Primary Advisor box on the bottom right. Advisors will also be listed in Navigate under the Student Success Team for a particular student.
All students in CNS will be assigned a professional advisor. To view your assigned advisor, log in to SPIRE. Your advisor will be listed in the bottom right-hand side of the Student Center in the Primary Advisor box.
How can a I schedule an appointment with a professional academic advisor?
Students can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment through Navigate.
- Click the blue "Make an Appointment" button.
- Under what type of appointment would you like to schedule? Select Advising.
- Choose the reason for the appointment. When in doubt, choose Academic Advising.
- Select a date, then click "Find Available Time" to see your assigned advisor's calendar.
How can I find the location of my in-person advising appointment?
Advisors will list their specific office locations in Navigate under special instructions. Students will see this when they schedule the appointment, and it will be listed in email confirmations & reminders.
I need academic advising and am unsure where to go. Who can I contact?
First Year Advising: cnsfirstyearadvising [at] umass [dot] edu (cnsfirstyearadvising[at]umass[dot]edu) 413-545-3044
Upper-Level Advising cnsuladvising [at] umass [dot] edu (cnsuladvising[at]umass[dot]edu) 413-545-1969
CNS Dean’s Actions/Misc.: cnsstudentsuccess [at] umass [dot] edu (cnsstudentsuccess[at]umass[dot]edu) 413-545-1969
Can I change my schedule once the semester starts?
Yes, you can change your schedule during the add/drop period. Be sure to log into SPIRE on the last day of add/drop to check your schedule to be sure it is correct.
How can I Declare a CNS Major?
Any undergraduate student who wants to declare, change, or add a CNS Major should complete the CNS Change of Major Form This includes:
- CNS students changing from one CNS major to another
- Students from other schools/colleges who want to switch into a CNS major
- Any student who wants to add a secondary major in CNS
This form should not be used to declare a minor.
We will review your request within 3 working days and get back to you with next steps, which may include scheduling an advising appointment.
How can I withdraw from a course?
You can withdraw from a course through the mid-semester date via Spire. Follow these instructions to withdraw. A "W" will appear on your transcript indicating that you were enrolled in the course after the add/drop period. Be sure you remain a full-time student—still carrying 12 credits after dropping the class. If you think you will fall below 12 credits, meet with your academic advisor or an academic advisor in the CNS Advising Center.
I am not doing well in a class. Can I withdraw from it after the mid-semester date?
The only way you can withdraw from a course after the mid-semester date is if you successfully petition based on verifiable and extenuating circumstances. You should discuss your situation with your academic advisor. If you decide to move forward with the process, submit a Late Withdrawal Petition. Your petition will be reviewed by the CNS Advising Committee and you will be notified of the decision.
Can I take a required course for my major or a general education course pass/fail?
No, you can only take elective courses pass/fail. You must choose this option by the mid-semester date (same date as the last day to withdraw from a class). The faculty member does not know if you have chosen the pass/fail option. Remember—if you get a good grade in the course and it helps your GPA, the grade will appear on your transcript and will be calculated in the GPA. If you earn a passing grade that would not improve your GPA, a “P” appears on your transcript and the grade is not calculated into the GPA. However, if you earn an F in a P/F course, this F will be used in calculating your GPA.
What happens if my GPA goes below a 2.0?
To be in academic good standing you must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. If you go below a 2.0 you will be placed on academic probation and will need to see the academic dean in 220 Morrill II Science Center and your academic advisor to develop a strategy to improve your academic performance. If in any subsequent semester you again have cumulative GPA below 2.0, you will be suspended for a semester but then allowed to return to the university. If your cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 for a third semester, you will be dismissed from the university.
I have taken a course two times and earned a grade of C- or below both times. Can I take a course for a third time and how can I do this?
A course may be repeated for a total of three times only with prior permission of the undergraduate dean of the school or college in which the student is enrolled. Taking a course for a third time is often an indication that the major you are pursuing is not a good fit for you. Receiving permission to take a course for a third time is rare. In order to request permission to take a course for a third time, you must submit a Course Repeat Petition (a Three-Peat form).
What do I need to graduate from UMass?
You must earn 120 credits; complete your general education, college, and major requirements; earn a 2.0 GPA in your major; and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
How do I find out more about the General Education Requirement?
This list of General Education Requirements defines the requirements and indicates the courses that you can take to fulfill it.
How do I get on the Dean’s List?
You must earn a 3.5 GPA and be a full-time student.
How many credits can I take in a semester?
To be a full-time student you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits in a semester. Most students take 15–16 credits a semester. CNS allows students to register for 19 credits in the fall and spring semester. It is possible to petition to take more than 19 credits, but students must submit a Credit Overload Petition. Requests will be reviewed and if approved, students can register for additional credits at the beginning of the semester.
I was not able to complete a final assignment in a class—what should I do?
Speak to your instructor immediately! Your professor may agree to an “incomplete” in the course, which will allow you to make up the work before the end of the following semester. You must complete an Incomplete Grade Form, which you can get from your instructor or from the academic dean in 220 Morrill II. Remember—an incomplete counts as an F until you complete the work and a grade is submitted. You only have one semester to complete the work or the “incomplete” becomes an F. Ideally, you should complete the work before the beginning of the next semester to avoid piling old work on top of new.
Can I take a course at another school and have the credit transferred to UMass?
Yes, but you must complete a Prior Approval Form, which must be signed by your academic advisor. If the course you are taking fulfills a general education requirement, you need to get a signature from Transfer Credit Services in the Registrar’s Office (213 Whitmore). If the course would be for a major requirement, get the signature of your major advisor. The completed form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. When you have completed the course(s), have an official transcript sent to the Registrar’s Office. You must earn a C- or above for a course to be transferred, and your grade for the course will not be factored into your GPA.
How can I be sure my schedule is correct?
Log onto the SPIRE system to check your schedule. You want to be sure that your schedule is all set by the last day of add/drop.
I am not getting mail from the university—what should I do?
Make sure the university has your correct address. You can update your address by going onto the SPIRE system and make the necessary corrections. Ensure that your contact information—addresses and phone numbers—are always up to date in SPIRE.
Where do I go for help in writing my resume or getting ready for an interview?
Career counselors in CNS Career and Professional Development are a great resource for this.
How can I find out about scholarships offered by the college?
CNS and individual departments offer a variety of scholarships. For more information and an online application form, see the CNS Scholarships page.
How can I appeal a suspension or a dismissal?
If you have been suspended or dismissed from the university, you will receive notification from the Registrar’s Office about how you may appeal your case to the Committee on Admissions and Records. Appeals are accepted in writing only, must be received by the appeal deadline, and must go through a CNS academic dean first.