Each student is responsible for knowing university, college, and department or school requirements as stated in the catalog and in the materials printed by their college and department or school.
To assist the student in interpreting policies and requirements, academic advisement is provided through the colleges and University Advising. Advisors will provide students with information about the broad range of advising services. Students may also check their progress toward a degree by visiting the Academic Progress tile, available at student.msu.edu. The advising programs vary in specific details. Each student is assigned an individual or team of advisors to consider personal goals, explore interests, consider educational options, and focus on courses and co-curricular opportunities that will enhance their undergraduate learning experience. Exploratory Preference and Exploring Business Preference students have advisors across campus directly in or located near our Neighborhood Engagement Centers and the MSU Union.
Academic advising is a continuous process in which a student and advisor discuss possible educational options, in the student's total educational program; in specific fields of study; and in potential careers, in order that the student may make informed choices. Academic advising also includes interpretation of the Michigan State University catalog and guidance materials provided by the student's college and department or school and referral to other university resources for academic, career, and personal assistance as needed.
Exploratory Preference Major and Exploring Business Preference Majors
Many students come to the university uncertain about a preferred area of academic interest. Other students find their academic interests shift or expand as they are introduced to the many and varied academic experiences associated with attendance at the university. The Exploratory Preference and Exploring Business Preference major options allows students to investigate the wide variety of majors available at Michigan State University. University advisors assist students with major and career advice, as well as course selection.
University Advising
University Advising Advisors are housed in each Engagement Center across campus and the MSU Union. They assist students with adjusting to university life, guide students in the selection of a major, facilitate and support academic skill building, and make appropriate referrals to enable students to take advantage of other resources and services the university offers. University Advising Advisors' efforts promote self- sufficiency, self- responsibility and self-development that will enable students to achieve academic, career and life goals long after their days on the MSU campus have passed.
Students who declare major preferences are assigned to academic advisors in the colleges of their major preferences. University Advising also enrolls and is administratively responsible for Exploratory Preference and Exploring Business Preference Majors. University Advising is responsible for coordinating administrative actions (e.g., withdrawals, late drops, readmissions, etc.) and making decisions concerning retention and academic status.
Admission to a Degree-Granting College
Students may be admitted as first-year students to James Madison College, Lyman Briggs College, and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. Students may be admitted to certain colleges following completion of a designated combination or sequence of courses. (see Admission to the College in the appropriate college section of this catalog). Students who have completed the prerequisite courses for admission to the College of Nursing may apply during the freshman year for subsequent admission. Any student who has reached junior standing by earning 56 credits must be admitted to a degree-granting college to continue as a student at Michigan State University.
ACCEPTANCE BY A DEGREE-GRANTING COLLEGE. A student seeking admission to a degree-granting college will be accepted by a degree-granting college provided he or she:
- has earned a minimum of 28 credits,
- is in good standing (see Academic Standing of Undergraduate Students - ASUS - for additional information),
- has the required grade-point average in designated combinations or sequences of courses within the 28-credit minimum (see Requirements for Admission to the College in the appropriate college section of the catalog), and
- is selected for admission by the duly established selection committee in any department, college, or school where a specific limitation on enrollment has been established.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION. For information about teacher certification opportunities, options, and requirements, refer to the statement on Teacher Certification in the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog.
REFUSAL OF ACCEPTANCE BY A DEGREE-GRANTING COLLEGE. By the fifth day of the next semester, students who fail to meet the requirements for admission to the degree-granting college of their choice but have earned a minimum of 56 credits and are in good standing must:
- apply for acceptance by another degree-granting college, or
- transfer to an appropriate program in the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Social Science, or the College of Natural Science.