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Working with Your Faculty/Advisor
The Advisor-History Major Relationship
Each history major and minor has a member of the faculty as an academic advisor. At a minimum, you will see your advisor twice a year, usually in early November to plan for spring classes and in early April to plan for fall classes. Announcements about each semester’s advisement schedule will be sent to the history majors’ Angel group. Only your advisor can give you the six-digit advisement key number that will allow you to register. You should come for these meetings prepared with: 1) a copy of your DARS report 2) knowledge of the courses you still need 3) a proposed schedule based on the next semester’s class listings. You should also tell your advisor about any plans you have to apply to teaching certification programs, as that may affect the courses you need to take, or choices you can make in the General Education program.
Some rules of thumb to bear in mind when drafting your plans: 1) You must have completed three of 101, 102, 211, and 212 before you can take 390: The History Seminar (or take the third in the same semester as 390) 2) You should take 390 before taking any 400-level courses 3) You should not attempt more than three history courses each semester, given the amount of reading and writing that we expect.
Many history majors see their advisors more frequently, especially to seek career planning advice. We actively encourage you to do this! Although we have all pursued the route of doctoral study in History, we know that History majors have a wide variety of interests, and we will do our best to help you sort through your options and plan for the future. Your advisor will also steer you toward other faculty who can help with particular interests or questions. Please see the Career Planning section of this handbook for more information. For those who are interested in pursuing doctoral work in history, talk with your advisor about the Honors Program, study abroad, and other ways to build your skills and knowledge.
