Advising Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I make an appointment with my advisor?
A: Call or just stop by the CLAS advising office. The office number is 303-556-2555; anyone answering the phone will be able to schedule your appointment.
A2: Please, don't email your advisor with a list of available times to meet. This will just delay your getting an appointment.
A3: Check out your advisors stop-in hours and just drop in.
Q: How do I declare a major in CLAS?
A: Declare your major by coming to the CLAS advising office, NC 4002.
Q: What majors and degrees are available?
A: You can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree.
A2: You could also complete a double degree (BA and BS) by completing two majors and 150 total credits. Please talk to your CLAS advisor for more information.
Q: Do I have to see an advisor?
A: All new students have to meet with an advisor prior to registering for their first semester. This applies both to first year students and new transfer students.
A2: Continuing students on Academic Probation/Suspension are required to meet with their advisor and complete an Academic Success Packet.
A3: Students expecting to graduate in the current term must meet with an advisor.
A4: Continuing students can meet with an advisor if they want to. You are not required to see an advisor unless you aren't in good standing or want to graduate. It's probably a good idea to check in with your advisor once a year.
Q: When can I register for classes?
A: Continuing students will receive an invitation to register via email from the Registrar's office. You can also check your registration time assignment on SMART.
A2: New freshmen and transfer students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registering.
- New Freshmen will also be invited to orientation, at which time you will meet with an advisor and register. We encourage all freshmen starting Fall to attend Advising 1001.
- Transfer students are also able to attend Orientation, but you may prefer to make an appointment (303)556-2555.
Q: What if I'm wait listed for a class when school starts?
A: You should attend all classes even if you are wait listed. The chance of getting into a class you haven't been attending is slim (unless the wait list rolls you in). You don't want to get behind in a class because you are on a wait list. Go to class and participate as if you are already enrolled. Talk to the Professor; even if you don't get rolled in from the wait list, your Professor may be willing to add you if you've been coming to class all along.
Q: How will I know if I get enrolled from the wait list?
A: Log in to SMART and print out a new copy of your schedule. If you are in, it will show you as enrolled.
Q: I want to make some schedule changes. When is drop/add?
A: Once you've registered, any changes you make are considered drop/add. Make sure, however, that you take care of all changes before the drop/add deadlines.
Q: Where can I find that list of dates and deadlines?
A: There's a web site for almost everything. Go take a look at the Academic Calendar.
Q: How do I put my name on a wait list?
A: Log in to SMART and enter the call number for the class you want to wait list. When it comes back and tells you the class is closed with wait list, you have to highlight the word "wait list" and submit it again (look at the left most column). Then, print a new copy of your schedule and make sure the change you have made is there. Keep checking through the first two weeks of class to see if you have been admitted to the class. If you have been admitted but aren't attending, it is your responsibility to drop the class from your schedule.
Q: When should I buy my books?
A: You can buy your books at any time. In fact, buy them as soon as possible and start reading--get ahead! Be careful not to write in your books until you are sure you are going to stay in the class and that the book is required reading. Some books will be recommended reading only--it it's a book in your major--buy it and read it. The Auraria Campus Bookstore is located in the Tivoli. If you can find books in the Library and can't afford to buy them, go for it. Many profs will put textbook copies on reserve in the library, but you won't be able to check them out--you'll have to read it in the library.
Q: My parents are trying to talk to you about my GPA and academic standing. Why won't you talk to them?
A: Students at UCD are adults with a right to privacy. Your rights are protected by a federal law known as FERPA. This law prohibits your advisor from speaking with anyone about your academic record. Advisors can only disclose information deemed "Directory Information":
Name
Address
E-mail Address
Class
Major
Awards
Honors
Telephone Number
Dates of Attendance
Registration Status
Degrees Conferred
Q: If I'm a student on this campus, does that mean I'm a student at the Health Sciences Center?
A: No. The University of Colorado Denver and the Health Sciences Center merged a few years ago to become the University of Colorado Denver. This distinction does not affect students at either campus. This is an administrative change only. Admission to UCD does not affect admission to the professional schools at the Health Sciences Campus.
Q: Can I complete my degree online?
A: Sociology majors and English Writing majors can complete their major online, but this isn't true for the rest of your classes. While many classes are available online, you are unlikely to be able to complete all 120 hours for graduation through online courses.
Q: When can I apply for graduation?
A: You can apply for graduation after you have registered for your final semester. Graduation applications are due no later than the last day you can Drop/Add a full-term class during the semester.
Q: Can I walk through the graduation ceremony even if I'm not done with my classes?
A: No. Your advisor will not let you apply to graduate until the semester you will be finished.
- Graduation ceremonies are held twice a year: May and December.
- Graduation is certified three times a year: May, August and December. August graduates are invited to participate in the December ceremony
Q: When will I graduate?
A: You can graduate when you complete all the requirements for your degree. This includes completing 120 hours, 45 of which are upper division, all core requirements, and all major/minor requirements. You will need to submit a graduation application by the last day of Drop/Add in your final semester.
Q: What do I need to earn Honors in my major?
A: Honors are determined by your major department. Students completing their last 45 credit hours in CLAS with a 3.75 GPA will be honored by the College as graduating with distinction. If you think you want to graduate cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude, please talk to your major advisor.
Q: What are the National Scholarship Programs for which UCD nominates students?
A: There are a number of different programs, the main ones are the Goldwater, Truman, and Udall Scholarships. For political science and history majors who plan to go on to graduate school, you will also want to look at the James Madison fellowships.
Q: Where can I go to get more information about the undergraduate teacher education program?
A: Students interested in teacher education will major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The State of Colorado does not allow for an undergraduate major in Education. Please see a CLAS academic advisor for more information.
Q: If I already have a degree, should I be in the undergraduate program or graduate program?
A: Students with a degree have the option to do either the post-baccalaureate or graduate program. Please contact an academic advisor in the School of Education and Human Development or attend an IPTE information session.
Q: What courses do I take: 4000 or 5000?
A: Undergraduates in IPTE will take the 4000 level professional education courses.
Q: Do my licensure courses count toward a Master's Degree?
A: No, your licensure courses count toward your BA. Courses can only count toward one degree. However, we do allow undergraduates to take up to 9 MA/Endorsement credit hours in the School of Education and Human Development so you can begin your advanced degree at undergraduate tuition rates.
Q: I'm an undergraduate taking IPTE 4910. What are the expectations?
A: IPTE 4910 is considered an exploratory internship that allows you to experience the world of education first hand in one of our partner schools to determine if an education career is right for you. Please see a CLAS advisor to discuss IPTE 4910 and learn the details for enrolling in the internship. The undergraduate handbook outlines suggested activities for this internship. Your site coordinator and IPTE 4910 professor will provide more details as you begin your internship and participate in the on-campus site seminar.
Q: Should I be taking classes while I'm in IPTE 4910?
A: Yes. The expectation is that you are still a full time student with a full load of classes. One teacher candidate recommends taking Math 3040 during the same semester you are taking IPTE 4910.
Q: I'm an undergraduate in 4910, can I participate in the site seminars at my partner school?
A: No. Undergraduates will participate in seminars on-campus. The on-campus seminars are designed for undergraduate students.
Q: How many credits do I have left?
A: This should be a very simple thing for you to figure out. You need 120 total hours to graduate, 45 of which must be upper division (3000+). There are several ways you can find out where you stand:
- You can look at your degree audit by logging into SMART.
- You can also get an unofficial transcript on SMART.
- Or, you can make an appointment with your advisor. We recommend you look at your online degree audit and then come in with questions.
Q: I've been accused of cheating? What do I do now?
A: There is an established procedure for students regarding ethics violations:
- Request a meeting with the professor and the department chair. This may be a misunderstanding that you and the prof can work out, but you'll never know if you don't ask.
- Talk to your CLAS advisor. She will advise you on the procedure for taking your case to the Ethics Committee in CLAS. Students and faculty can ask for a hearing by the committee.
- The Ethics committee is made up of CLAS faculty, staff and students
- Contact the Student Advocacy Center for assistance and support in making your case.
Q: What are the requirements for a Bachelor's Degree in CLAS?
A: You should talk with your CLAS advisor about your specific issues, but the Core Curriculum is available here.
Q: Do I need a minor to graduate?
A. Minors are not required in CLAS. Many students choose to complete a minor to supplement their major, but it is not necessary.
Q: Do I have to take a foreign language?
A: A certain level of language proficiency is required for graduation, but you may not need to take a foreign language in college to get to that level. This can be achieved by taking 2 semesters of college-level foreign language with a minimum grade of C-. You can also take a proficiency exam. Or, if you took 2 or more years of one language in high school and earned a minimum grade of C- in your second year, the language requirement will be met.
Q: Who is my CLAS Advisor?
A: Students are assigned CLAS advisors by the first letter of their last name.
Q: How many hours can I transfer for my degree?
A: 60 hours is the maximum allowed from 2-year colleges.
A2: 90 hours is the maximum allowed.
A3: Regardless of the number of hours you have completed prior to coming to UCD, you must complete a minimum of 30 hours in residence.
Q: If I repeat a course, does it remove the original grade from my transcript.
A. No. UCD does not have any sort of grade-forgiveness program. Both grades will appear on your transcript and be averaged into your GPA.
Q: I hear there's a new CORE starting in Summer 2007--do I have to use that?
A. Your graduation requirements depend on when you enter the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The new CORE will only apply to students starting in that semester. Continuing students can opt for the new version or stick with the previous version.
