National-Louis University Undergraduate Academic Advising Center

The Academic Advising Center serves all NLU undergraduate students, all graduate students in the National College of Education and all non-degree seeking students. Our goal is to provide students with a clear path to graduation and help you achieve success at NLU.

When should you see an academic advisor?

Students in accelerated programs (ABS, BSM, BSMIS and HCL)
Students in NLU's accelerated programs will be pre-registered for all courses in their major program. Students in these programs may have up to 40 quarter hours of credit outside of the program that must be completed to graduate. An academic advisor will help you to understand your credit evaluation and the options available to complete these other requirements. You will work with your advisor to develop a degree plan for earning credit as efficiently as possible. Please plan to meet with your advisor once upon admission to NLU, and then at least once more as your program comes to an end.

Students in traditional programs (Education and College of Arts and Sciences)
Students in these programs should meet with an advisor frequently to make sure that they are on the path toward graduation and taking only required courses. Unless you are in a cluster or cohort group that has been pre-registered for all courses, undergraduate students are required to have an academic advisor's signature to register each academic term or to make schedule changes.

Students in graduate programs in the National College of Education
Graduate students in NCE should see their advisor to develop a plan to ensure that their career and academic goals will be obtained at NLU.  Students can see their advisor to register for courses, discuss degree requirements, learn about additional endorsement opportunities for teachers, and understand NCE and state requirements for teachers.

Students can expect their academic advisor to:

• Effectively communicate the curriculum and graduation requirements for your program and university and college academic policies and procedures
• Encourage and guide students as they define and develop realistic goals and as they make academic progress according to their educational plans
• Provide students with information about strategies for using the available resources and services on campus
• Assist students in understanding the purposes and goals of higher education and its effects on their lives and personal goals
• Monitor and accurately document students' progress toward meeting their goals
• Be accessible for advising students in meetings either in groups or individually during posted office hours, telephone, e-mail, or web access.
• Assist students in gaining decision making skills and skills in assuming responsibility for their educational plans and achievements
• Maintain confidentiality
• Assist students in working closely with their professors and refer you to appropriate university sources as assistance is needed