Academic Advising

Opportunities for Alternative Faculty Responsibility - Click here

For specific questions about University and departmental academic requirements, please check with the department in question. http://www.bridgew.edu/AcadDept.cfm

For students transferring to Bridgewater State University from a community University in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, check CorsArt (Course Articulation) ahead of time to see which classes will transfer for credit. Students can use this program to learn ahead of time how University credits taken at another institution will transfer to Bridgewater State University.
http://www.bridgew.edu/Admission/coursart/

Bridgewater State University has a commitment to provide academic advising for every matriculated undergraduate. For freshmen, this commitment is fulfilled through the Haughey First Year Advising Program in the Academic Achievement Center. This program provides each student a minimum of five advising contacts, starting with New Student Orientation, and extending through the first semester of enrollment. Thus, by the time a student has completed a semester of study, he or she has had the opportunity to learn much valuable information and a set of essential skills that support informed academic decision-making and successful management of academic life.

A. Freshman Advising
Through its freshman-advising program, the Academic Achievement Center introduces new students to the advising program though a number of group and individual advising session throughout the year. The focus of each is on helping students plan a program of study and make a successful and happy transition to University life.

Freshman Advising at BSU is a five-step process and participation in all stages of this process is obligatory for all new freshmen. The skills learned during these five academic advising sections are essential to properly understanding BSU academic requirements and to developing the confidence in the academic system needed to succeed.

I. Advising 101
The first step in new freshman advising is Advising 101. In this session students learn valuable information that supports skillful course schedule planning and successful management of their academic careers. Students learn how to locate information about BSU policies and processes; students are informed about General Education requirements, prerequisites and related course information; students are informed how to make full and effective use of the course offering bulletin, catalog, and other tools necessary for course selection.

2. Advising 102
Advising 102 walks students new to BSU through some further fundamentals of scheduling, graduation requirements, course schedule abbreviations, prerequisites, and course registration. Further topics addressed cover appropriate course loads, class sequences for University Math, English, and Foreign Language requirements and a recommended freshman course selection.

III. Large Group Advising
Large Group Advising is the third step in advising process. The purpose of this session is to provide students with information about the “nuts and bolts” of advising and academic planning. Academic standards and crucial collegiate skills like using the degree audit, calculating a Grade Point Average (GPA), and projecting the semester grades needed to achieve a target cumulative GPA are also addressed in the Large Group Advising session.

IV. Small Group Advising
Small group advising is the last step in the advising process prior to working directly with a faculty advisor. The purpose of this session is to provide students with major-specific information like major requirements, and other information needed to successfully complete this semester, and plan for next semester.

V. Individual Advising
Faculty advisors serve as the final point of contact for students before course registration and advise students according to their content-specific fields. Faculty advisors perform a final check of the student’s schedule and sign-off, enabling students to register for classes. While faculty advisors do fulfill the final step in the course-planning process, they also serve as full-time resources for students on campus. Faculty advisors can often help students identify campus community resources and offer sound advise about the keys to academic success and future career plans.

VI. Advisors in the AAC

Scheduling an appointment with your advisor is easy.  To do so just visit the AAC or call our reception area at extension 1214.  Click here for a a current list of Advisors in the AAC.

B. Mandatory Placement Tests
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts mandates that all in-coming freshman and transfer students take placement exams in English and Mathematics. Placement test results serve as the basis for beginning academic placements in BSU Math and English course sequences. Placement testing is usually conducted during orientation sessions, though the University offers multiple placement test opportunities and review workshops in the month prior to orientation sessions.


C. Orientation
Orientation is an exciting time for new students. In many cases it serves as a grand introduction to the culture of the BSU campus community. New student Orientation gives students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with campus academic resources, housing and dining, campus athletics and campus social life. Orientations tours and activities are planned to get students started with the transition to University life—focusing on both the administrative procedures of course registration and on becoming members of the BSU community. Many Orientation activities are conducted by a team of undergraduate Orientation Leaders (OL’s) —a great resource for an insider’s view of campus life. For information about orientation schedules and activates please follow this link:
http://www.bridgew.edu/orientation/


D. Non-matriculated Advising

Many learners enroll in Bridgewater State University classes as non-degree candidates through The Office of Graduate and Continuing Education. Among such learners, some seek personal enrichment and knowledge, while others hope to eventually apply for admission and complete a degree. All non-matriculated students, however, may benefit from academic advising to help them make the most of their academic experience at the University.

The Academic Achievement Center sponsors advising two evenings each week for learners in the following three categories:

Life-long learners who take courses for their own personal development and would like to discuss with an advisor their interests.
Potential future degree-seeking students who are currently enrolled or interested in enrolling for classes, but are not candidates for admission to Bridgewater State University.
Prospective transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 University credits and are undecided about major.

Currently enrolled non-matriculated students who fit one of these categories should consider meeting with an academic advisor to discuss course offerings, academic planning and BSU academic and/ or certification programs.

Phone 508 531-1214 to make an appointment for advising—both evening and day advising sessions are available throughout the academic year.

E. Undeclared Advising

All currently enrolled matriculated undergraduate students who have not declared a major are assigned an academic advisor in the Academic Achievement Center. Advisors are skillful at helping students select courses and use campus resources such as Career Services, to identify areas of high interest and talent that can become possible majors.

Phone 531-1214 to make an appointment with your academic advisor.

F. Transfer Advising

Orientation Transfer Schedule

All beginning transfer students attend a Transfer Orientation program prior to their first semester of Bridgewater State University enrollment. The Transfer Orientation provides new students much valuable information about University policies, procedures, and resources. In addition, participating students complete any required placement testing, receive academic advising that is informed by a transcript evaluation of credits brought in transfer, and register for classes.

Beginning transfer students who do not have a declared major are assigned an academic advisor in the Academic Achievement Center with whom they are encouraged to work during each academic semester. Transfer students with a declared major are assigned a faculty advisor in their department of major, and should make contact with this person early in the first semester of enrollment.

G. Academic Probation

The cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) that signifies a student is in good academic standing is 2.00. A cumulative GPA less than 2.00 automatically places a student on academic probation, and makes him or her subject to academic separation from the University according to a formula of credit hours attempted and cumulative
GPA. This formula can be explained through the following example:

A beginning student with no previous University experience who enrolls for 15 credit hours must present a GPA of at least 2.00 to be in good academic standing after the first semester of enrollment. If the student earns a GPA of less than 2.00, he or she will be on academic probation, unless the GPA is below 1.00. According to the chart below, a beginning student who has attempted between 1 and 16 credit hours will be academically separated with a cumulative GPA below 1.00.

As a student enrolls for subsequent semesters and adds credit hours attempted to his or her academic record, the standard that defines academic probation versus academic separation rises. Thus, by the time an individual has attempted between 17 – 31 credit hours, he or she will be retained on academic probation if the earned cumulative GPA is between 1.50 and 1.99. He or she will be academically separated from the University if the earned cumulative GPA is below 1.50. As a student gains more University experience and adds credit hours attempted to his or her record. The standard that defines the cumulative GPA for academic separation rises, until the point where a student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to remain enrolled.

CREDIT HOURS
ATTEMPTED*

SEPARATION
BELOW THIS GPA

1-16

1.00

17-31

1.50

32-46

1.65

47-61

1.75

62-89

1.85

90 and above

2.00

*For the purposes of this policy "academic standing credit hours" includes all quality hours at BSU plus all credit accepted in transfer. However, only quality hours earned at BSU will be utilized in determining GPA.

In order for a first semester transfer student to avoid separation from the University, his/her cumulative GPA must remain at 1.5 or above. After the first semester, a transfer student follows the table above.

Enrolled students who are on academic probation are provided group advising sponsored by the Academic Achievement Center. Through advising, students learn the specifics of Bridgewater State University academic standards and policies that impact on their academic lives. Most importantly, students learn how to calculate a GPA, how to project semester grades needed to achieve a desired cumulative GPA, and what campus services are available to support academic achievement.

H. Second Semester Freshmen on Academic Probation

All beginning freshmen are assigned an academic advisor in the Academic Achievement Center and participate in a comprehensive program of group and individual advising during the first semester of enrollment. After the first semester, all freshmen who are in good academic standing (cumulative GPA 2.00 or above) and have a declared major are assigned a faculty advisor in their department of major. Any second semester freshmen who is on academic probation (cumulative GPA below 2.00) will continue to be advised in the Academic Achievement Center.

Second semester advising for freshmen on academic probation includes a mandatory group advising session and individual appointments with a faculty advisor. The goal of this second semester advising program is to assist students in achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.00 and good academic standing through improved academic performance.

I. Academic Separation
Students out of compliance with BSU standards of academic standing are subject to academic dismissal from the University. Both matriculated and non-matriculated undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA which is above the University probation and separation levels. Graduate students at BSU are also subject to academic separation if the GPA fails to exceed probation and or separation levels. For a more complete statement and explanation of University policy regarding academic separation and the process for appealing academic separation, check the BSU Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog.

Last Modified: November 20, 2012