Undergraduate students are admitted to the college, school, or professional school which offers the degree program which was declared on the student's application. Undeclared students, visiting students, and non-degree-seeking students are admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences. Students indicating a desire to pursue a degree in the evening hours are admitted to the Evening College.
The Advising Center, 225 Millennium Student Center, (314) 516-5300, provides advising for all undergraduate students, regardless of major. Undeclared students are encouraged to declare a major as soon as possible since it is important to determine what specific requirements must be satisfied to complete the baccalaureate program. Advisers in the Advising Center offer the following services to all undergraduate students: setting and planning academic goals, planning or changing a course schedule, withdrawing from school, placing a course on S/U status, petitioning for grade modification, applying for graduation, and making referrals as needed.
College of Arts and Sciences
All incoming undergraduate students are required to be advised in the University Advising Center in the Millennium Student Center. Students who have declared majors are encouraged to contact their major departments as soon as possible.
The 15 departments in the College of Arts and Sciences offer majors, minors, and certificates in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics and computer science, and the biological and physical sciences. Interdisciplinary programs are available in women's and gender studies, gerontology, labor studies, conservation biology, trauma studies, and more. The college also serves students with interests in the health sciences, pre-law, and pre-journalism. Information on these areas may be obtained in the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences, 303 Lucas Hall. Since there are specific requirements that each major must satisfy to complete a baccalaureate program, students are urged to declare their majors as soon as possible. This may be done at the time of application, or later in the Advising Center. Once a student declares a major, the department offering the degree will assign a faculty adviser and contact the student. The adviser, usually a faculty member in the student's area of interest, will assist in selecting suitable courses and advise the student in matters relating to degree requirements.
Students with specific concerns related to the specialized degree requirements of the college should consult with the academic departments responsible for their majors. Questions regarding transfer credit as they relate to a specific degree may be directed to the appropriate department. Students may contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences by phone at (314) 516-5501 for clarification on any academic issues related to the division or by e-mail artscience@umsl.edu.
College of Business Administration
The College of Business Administration's office of academic advising has available a staff of professional academic advisers who provide assistance to students in planning their academic careers and in dealing with appropriate course selection, College of Business Administration requirements, general education requirements, evaluation of transfer credit, course prerequisites, school policy and regulations, and graduation requirements. Other matters related to a student's academic matriculation should also be directed to this office.
Prospective business students who are admitted to the Evening College should submit an official declaration of their major to that office. When they have completed 39 hours of credit, they will be assigned to the College of Business Administration for advisement.
Transfer students who have been admitted to the College of Business Administration should contact the advising office and plan to meet with an adviser early in the semester for an evaluation of transfer credit and the planning of their degree programs.
All students are urged to make advising appointments early during each semester, prior to registration dates, to obtain approval of schedules for upcoming semesters. Advising is a continuous and ongoing process. For information, call (314) 516-5888.
College of Education
Students wishing to prepare for teaching careers should consider the following:
- Students who intend to teach in elementary, early childhood, middle school, special education, business education, or physical education settings must apply for admission to the College of Education.
- Students who intend to teach in other secondary school classrooms may elect to apply for admission to the College of Education to pursue the Bachelor of Science in education degree (B.S.Ed.), or they may elect to earn a degree from another college or school at UM-St. Louis and take courses additionally to meet state teacher certification requirements.
With either option, pre- and post-degree students must meet university and departmental requirements, as well as those for teacher education in Missouri. Teacher education curricula vary considerably. Regardless of which option a student chooses, he or she must complete the formal application to the teacher education program. Careful planning of individual schedules is necessary to ensure selection of appropriate courses and to avoid extending programs. Students should therefore seek advisory help from the office of teacher education at the earliest opportunity. Regular consultation with advisers is essential. For information, call (314) 516-5937.
The office of teacher education provides assistance to all students interested in professional education programs and certification requirements. Questions about admission to the teacher education program, sequencing of courses, prerequisites, graduation requirements, and related matters should be directed to that office.
College of Fine Arts and Communication
The College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Department of Art and Art History, Communication, Music and Theatre and Dance. These four departments offer eight degrees, both graduate and undergraduate. The College also serves students with interests in pre-architecture. The College of Fine Arts and Communication is further distinguished by its collaboration with the community. Endowed professorships link the University to the Saint Louis Symphony, The St. Louis Art Museum, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Laumeier Sculpture Park to name a few.
Students and prospective students are encouraged to contact the department advising coordinators for the program of individual study. Students who maintain a relationship with their department have greater opportunities to meet other students with similar interests as well as optimize their student experience.
Barnes College of Nursing and Health Studies
The Barnes College of Nursing and Health Studies offers the bachelor of science in nursing degree (B.S.N.) for non-RNs through a four-year program of study. RNs who are graduates of diploma or associate degree nursing programs complete a junior-senior B.S.N. track (B.S.N. Completion), which avoids repeating previous nursing education.
With both options, students must meet university and Barnes College of Nursing and Health Studies requirements. Careful planning is necessary to assure appropriate course sequencing. Students are strongly encouraged to develop a plan of study in conjunction with a nursing academic adviser to avoid extending the program of study.
Faculty maintain the right to make appropriate curriculum changes to comply with standards for accreditation as stipulated by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Missouri State Board of Nursing's minimum standards.
Pierre Laclede Honors College
Honors Scholars receive both academic advising and personal counseling from the college's administrative and teaching staff throughout their undergraduate careers. During the first two years, particular attention is given to the ways in which students fulfill their Honors College and university general education requirements and prepare themselves for their majors by taking the necessary prerequisites. After a major is declared, Honors College advisement with regard to work done for honors credit continues and is supplemented by major-related advising provided by the appropriate academic unit. The college identifies candidates for major graduate fellowships and assists them in preparing their dossiers. Similar assistance is given to scholars planning to go on to graduate and professional schools or seeking career opportunities immediately upon graduation.