ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
Academic advising is an educational process that, by intention and design, facilitates students’ understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and fosters their intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning (NACADA, 2004).
Academic advising is a collaborative educational process whereby students and their advisors are partners in meeting the essential learning outcomes, ensuring student academic success, and outlining the steps for achievement of the students’ educational, life, and career goals. This advisor/student partnership requires participation and involvement of both the advisor and the student as it is built over the student’s entire educational experience at the university. Both the student and the advisor have clear responsibilities for ensuring the advising partnership is successful.
At The University of New Mexico, academic advising provides students with the opportunity to build a relationship with their advisor for the purpose of gaining assistance in planning their educational career, in learning the skills needed for academic success, and in learning how to access the variety of resources and services available to them on the UNM campus. The College of Fine Arts Advisement Office provides undergraduate students with advisement services. The Advisement Center is staffed by two full-time Fine Arts advisors, a part-time pre-major advisor, and departmental faculty advisors who advise on a part-time basis. Advisement is required for freshmen and transfer students before registration. For Art Studio transfer students, a portfolio may be required for placement in the program. Music transfer students are required to take the theory placement exam and to audition on their instrument or in voice. Transfers into the Theatre and Dance programs are required to audition for placement.
It is the student's responsibility to know and understand the requirements for the degree and graduation. Students must meet degree requirements in effect at time of their admission (or readmission) into the College of Fine Arts. The Advisement Center functions to help students learn about the degrees available in the College of Fine Arts and to help them understand the core curriculum, major course requirements, and college and UNM graduation requirements. Although the requirements are listed here and in the UNM Catalog, many of the degrees in Fine arts are complex. You may need further explanation, which the advisors can provide. Along with information, the Fine Arts advisors can provide degree progress sheets, and degree summaries. Faculty advisors can answer your questions about the field you have chosen to study and career paths you may pursue. Advisors also can help you to understand the importance of the required courses in the discipline you have chosen.
Advisement is an important aspect of your education at UNM. In order to use your time and energy wisely and efficiently, it is of the utmost importance to meet with a Fine Arts advisor or the faculty advisor each semester. The academic advisor will inform you about the degree programs available in the College of Fine Arts, which courses are the best to take for your degree, the latest changes in degree requirements, and how to plan your program to make the most of your education at UNM. The advisors are here to answer your questions, and to advise you regarding your academic, career, and life goals. (See Advisors.)
