Faculty and Academic Advising

Syracuse University Advising Mission Statement: To collaboratively support and empower students in an inclusive environment to realize their potential, make informed decisions, and engage in an interconnected and changing world.

School of Education Advising Vision: Intentionally engage students where they enter developmentally to support their transition to attaining their academic, personal, and career goals.

To support you throughout your course of study, we offer a three-pronged comprehensive approach to student advising—faculty advisors, academic advisors, and peer advisors.

Faculty Advising

Your faculty advisor is an instructor or professor in the School of Education, and often in your program or department, assigned to you when you matriculate. They are available to assist you with academic decision-making and planning, and provide personal and professional support. For graduate students, your advisor will help you develop your program of study and discuss your program requirements (such as a portfolio or intensive exam). Faculty advisors maintain posted office hours and are available to meet with students on a regular basis.

Academic Advising

Academic advisors are professional staff in the Office of Academic and Student Services help you plan and keep track of your academic goals and get you ready for graduation. They can help you with the registration process, graduation requirements, transferring programs or credits, University and School policies and rules, and documentation. They can also help you with college life issues like family and relationships, exploring other programs at Syracuse University, and help you find and use other resources and offices on campus.

View Advising Staff and find your Academic Advisor

Peer Advisors

Peer advisors are upper-division School of Education students who serve as a resource for incoming first-year students, beginning in the summer prior to arriving on campus and lasting throughout the freshman year. Your peer advisor is usually enrolled in your academic program of study, and many times hails from a similar geographic area as you. These seasoned veterans of the School of Education are well-trained to answer your questions about academic and social life within Syracuse University and have first-hand experience of what it is like to enter into the School of Education community for the first time.

SOE Undergraduate Peer Advisors

School of Education Advising Syllabus

The learning outcome goals for students in the School of Education is to:

• Understand Syracuse University and School of Education policies, procedures and academic deadlines (includes SU Code of Student Conduct and SOE Professional Conduct Standards).
• Know about and utilize career services within the School of Education.
• Engage in the advising process by using DegreeWorks and being prepared for all advising meetings.
• Identify and declare a major that aligns with your interest and career goals, which requires knowledge of degree requirements to work toward a timely graduation.
• Be independent navigators of SU’s online platforms (Orange Success, MySlice, DegreeWorks, Blackboard, and Handshake).
• Identify and access campus resources that support students (Center for Learning and Student Success, Center for Disability Resources, Barnes Center, Recreational Services, Writing Center, Veterans Resource Center, Center for Academic Achievement and Student Development)
• Appreciate and engage in co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities that extend learning outside the classroom (experience credit, internships, study abroad, student clubs and activities, The SOURCE, residential/leadership opportunities)

Academic Advising is a collaborative relationship between a student and advisors (faculty advisor and professional staff advisor) that supports the advancement of academic and career goals.

Student Responsibilities in the Advising Partnership

• Schedule an appointment with your advisor at least once a semester. Cancel appointments ahead of time if you are unable to attend the meeting.
• Review DegreeWorks each semester and track your progress toward completing graduation requirements.
• Attend to Orange Success notifications (flags and kudos).
• Thoroughly read and respond to syr.edu emails promptly.
• Develop a working knowledge of policies, procedures, deadlines, and campus resources.
• Accept responsibility for decisions and actions that impact your academic and personal goals.
• Conduct yourself in a professional manner in and out of the classroom.
• Self-Advocate and proactively seek support from your advisor when needed.

Advisor Responsibilities in the Advising Partnership

• Advise students in making academic decisions that support goals and interests as they relate to majors and minors.
• Develop purposeful relationships with students and inform students of the nature of academic and faculty advising responsibilities.
• Assist students in understanding the purpose of DegreeWorks and Orange Success.
• Maintain accurate student records in DegreeWorks.
• Monitor and respond to Orange Success flags and kudos.
• Be available to students to provide academic and personal support.
• Be an active listener in discussions and respond with information that supports student needs.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance to FERPA regulations.
• Be accessible and create an environment that is safe and respectful.
• Be familiar with campus resources for student referrals.
• Challenge students to reflect on and take ownership of their academic journey.
• Respond to emails and phone calls promptly.