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Academic Advising

University-Wide Academic Advising

Academic advising is a critical partner in fostering your success at IU South Bend and beyond as you transition into a career, graduate school, or wherever your choices and opportunities lead you. This site contains important information about success coaching and academic advising resources available at IU South Bend. In addition, you can link to resources across the University to help explore academic majors and careers, find important student support services, and connect with important academic advising tools.

We can help you to explore the Advising Links to learn more about how Academic Advising can help you toward achieving your goals. We also encourage you to visit a success coach and advisor periodically (3-4 times a year), so they can help you map out your best path for completing all degree requirements. Through collaborative relationships with success coaches and academic advisors, students are encouraged and supported as they develop the skills necessary to take responsibility for their own development and success. Your coach and advisor will provide accurate and timely information regarding academic requirements, university resources, and opportunities to develop critical thinking skills that will enrich your college experience.

Find my Academic Advisor

Links to Academic Advising Pages
What is a Success Coach?

Titan Success Coaches promote access, success, and graduation from college by building relationships with students early in their academic career during the transition from high school to college. Our coaches apply a strengths-based and resiliency framework to guide, mentor, and coach students through academic, personal, and social barriers they encounter in college.  Success Coaches focus our efforts on explaining and clarifying college processes and policies for first-semester/first-year students, Guided Pathways Academy, 21st Century Scholars, Frank O'Bannon Scholars, Renaissance Scholars, and any other student in need.

See our infographic for some of the many ways we coach students through obstacles.

What is a First Generation Student?

A first-generation college student is defined as neither parent of the student having ever graduated from a four-year institution of higher education.

What is Advising

Indiana University South Bend recognizes that advising is an integral part of a college education. The advising process establishes a collaborative relationship between student, success coaches and academic advisors in which the student feels a sense of connection, support, and guidance. Effective advising is developmental. It responds to, and creates, growth and change within the student. Advising encourages students to think critically, seek out resources, and develop action plans. It provides students with the information and encouragement they need to take personal responsibility for exploring options and making decisions. Ultimately, advising allows each student to achieve a meaningful and successful educational experience.

How to make advising work
  • Determine the name and location of your success coach/Titan Success Center and academic advisor/advising center.
  • Make an appointment with your success coach and academic advisor during your first semester.
  • Prepare a list of questions and topics of discussion for your advisor.
  • Read advising emails sent to you throughout the semester.
  • Become familiar with the academic calendar and IU South Bend policies and procedures.
  • Know how to calculate your grade point average (GPA).
  • Review your next semester schedule and develop an academic plan for the next registration cycle.
  • Learn how to read your degree map and degree requirements.
  • Become familiar with your learning style and study skills.
  • Get to know at least one faculty member.

Questions to Ask Your Advisor

  • choose, declare, or change my major?
  • repeat, drop, or withdraw from courses?
  • calculate/raise my grade point average? 
  • submit an appeal for grades to the Academic Review Committee?
  • determine the number of credits I should take each semester?
  • know when I have fulfilled the requirements to graduate?
  • change from non-degree seeking to degree-seeking status?
  • pick up repeat, drop/add, student concern, or petition to return forms?
  • find the name of my major advisor?
  • go for tutoring?
  • take a foreign language placement test?
  • go for testing services?
  • find course transfer equivalencies?
  • find the definition of credit/no credit?
  • a theme or issue?
  • the difference between a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree?
  • an academic support program and who should join?
  • dual enrollment?
  • the definition of probation and jeopardy of dismissal?
  • help me with my study skills, time management, goal setting, and test taking methods?
  • I talk to if I have a learning disability?
  • help me understand myPath (degree planning and evaluation)?
  • make sure that I am taking the courses I need?
  • assist me with my writing skills?

Roles and Responsibilities of ...

  • Give thoughtful consideration to your academic and career goals.
  • Prepare a written list of questions before each meeting with your advisor.
  • Initiate contact with a faculty advisor and/or an Advising Center.
  • Actively participate in the advising session.
  • Ask questions! If you do not understand a policy or procedure, ask questions until you do understand.
  • Know the Academic Calendar. Do not miss deadlines. Know when to register and drop or add courses.
  • Schedule courses that are consistent with your educational goals and that will meet degree requirements.
  • Accept responsibility for making final decisions on academic choices. Academic advisors will present you with options.
  • Development of suitable educational plans
  • Clarification of career and life goals
  • Selection of appropriate courses and other educational experiences
  • Interpretation of institutional requirements
  • Enhancement of student awareness about educational resources available
    (e.g., internship,study abroad,Honors and learning assistance programs)
  • Evaluation of student progress toward established goals
  • Development of decision-making skills
  • Reinforcement of self-direction
  • Referral to and use of institutional and community support services
  • On-going evaluation of advising services
  • To be responsible for communicating consistent information to all students about the advising process.
  • To provide a community of academic advisors for all students.
  • To assist students in the development of suitable educational plans and goals.
  • To monitor and provide accessible guidance on each student's academic progress.
  • To provide referrals to university services when appropriate.
  • To be accountable for providing required, continuous, and accurate training for all academic advisors.
  • To provide sufficient and on-going resources and support for advising services across the university.
  • To recognize the importance of excellent and accurate faculty academic advising through the tenure and evaluation process.
  • To conduct continuous assessment and improvement in academic advising.

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