Miami University

College of Arts & Science & University Studies
Academic Advising

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below is a collection of questions that we encounter in our day-to-day interactions with students. Please be aware that the responses are not a substitute for advising. You should contact an academic advisor for advice on your particular situation.

General
Majors, Minors, Thematic Sequences, Capstones
Transfer and AP Credit
Registration
Foreign Language
Internships and Careers
Graduation

General

Who is my advisor?

To find your faculty advisor's name and contact information:

Log in to myMiami.
Click your Student tab located near the top of the screen.
Your advisor will be listed in the top, right corner.

What if I am interested in talking to someone in a different division other than the college?

You may contact the divisional office at the numbers below:

Farmer School of Business (513) 529-1712
School of Education, Health & Society (513) 529-3133
School of Engineering & Applied Science (513) 529-0700
School of Creative Arts (513) 529-2209

How do I declare a major(s), minor(s), and thematic sequence?

Pick up Change of Major form at the Office of the Registrar (or any advising office).
Complete the form and obtain a signature from:
- chief departmental advisor (CDA) for major in the College of Arts & Science
- minor advisor for minor in the College of Arts & Science
- department for thematic sequence
Submit the form to CAS Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall) or, in the case of a thematic sequence declaration/change, the division that houses the thematic sequence.

What if I am changing my major from another division to the College of Arts and Science?

You should make an appointment with a divisional advisor in 146 Upham Hall to discuss requirements for the College.

How can I find my DARS?

Degree audit reports can be printed online using BannerWeb. [Instructions (Office of the Registrar)]

Can I become a part of the Honors Program?

You should contact the Honors Program to find out if you are eligible.

When should I see an academic advisor?

You should see your faculty and divisional advisors in preparation for each semester's registration, as well as any other times when you have questions or would like to talk about your academic pursuits.

Majors, Minors, Thematic Sequences, Capstones

Majors

How do I declare a major(s), minor(s), and thematic sequence?

Pick up Change of Major form at the Office of the Registrar (or any advising office).
Complete the form and obtain a signature from:
- chief departmental advisor (CDA) for major in the College of Arts & Science
- minor advisor for minor in the College of Arts & Science
- department for thematic sequence
Submit the form to CAS Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall) or, in the case of a thematic sequence declaration/change, the division that houses the thematic sequence.

What if I am changing my major from another division to the College of Arts and Science?

You should make an appointment with a divisional advisor in 146 Upham Hall to discuss requirements for the college.

Is there a pre-law major?

There is no one major for students considering law school. See the Pre-Law Program website for more information regarding majors and preparing for law school admission.

Is there a pre-med major?

There is no one major for students considering medical school. See Mallory-Wilson Center for Healthcare Education advising web page for more information regarding majors and preparing for medical school admission.

How do I keep my options open if I don't know what I want to major in?

Ask your advisor for help. With careful advising, you can often construct a schedule that allows you to pursue multiple directions simultaneously. For example, you can usually take courses that meet the Miami Plan in any of the undergraduate divisions or majors.

How do I pick a major if I don't have any idea of what I want to do when I graduate?

You don't have to know what you want to do for a career before choosing a major. Make decisions about your major based on your interests and strengths, rather than on future predictions of what the job market will look like. What is "hot" as a job today may not be when you graduate.

What if I know what I want to do when I graduate, but I don't know which major will help me get there?

Your divisional advisor and advisors in Career Services can help you determine major(s) that might be best for you to consider.

How long can I remain in University Studies?

You should decide on a major by the end of the first semester sophomore year. However, some majors are more sequential (i.e., prerequisite driven) than others and may take longer to complete.

Minors

Do I need to be in the Farmer School of Business to declare a business minor?

You do not need to be accepted in to the FSB in order to declare a minor in business. However, many minors in business have limited enrollment and you should contact the department directly to find out when and how you can declare the minor. Also, courses within the minor will often require a prerequisite(s).

Thematic Sequences

Can I take my thematic sequence courses out of order?

It depends on the sequence and whether the earlier courses are prerequisites for the later courses. You should contact the listed department for the sequence.

Do I have to take my thematic sequence outside of the College of Arts and Science?

As a College of Arts and Science student, you may select a thematic sequence in any academic division.

Capstones

Do I need to declare a Miami Plan Capstone?

No, you do not need to declare a capstone.

How do I know which courses are Miami Plan Capstones?

To complete the Miami Plan capstone requirement, you must select a course that is specifically designated as a Miami Plan capstone course. These are identified in the course descriptions by the abbreviation MPC.

Transfer and AP Credit

How can I find out if courses I take from another school will transfer to Miami?

Visit u.select to determine whether there are courses equivalent to Miami's courses. This will help you predict how the courses will apply to your requirements. If the school is not listed on u.select, or if you are unsure of the equivalency, consult your divisional academic advisor.

What credit what will I receive from my AP scores?

A list of accepted AP tests and scores is available through the Office of the Registrar. Policies have changed since the publication of The Miami Bulletin, 2008-2010. Please refer to Registrar's website for accurate information.

Registration

How do I know when to register for classes?

Login to BannerWeb.
Click on Student Services.
Click on Registration.
Click on Check your registration status and your registration dates and times.

Since I register based on my earned hours, how do I know how many earned hours I have?

You can find your earned credit hours by looking at the Undergraduate Summary to Date section on the last page of your DARS.

What is credit/no credit?

No grade is awarded for a course that it taken credit/no credit. You earn credit by earning a C or better. If you earn a C- or lower, you do not earn credit. Because no grade is awarded, the course is not calculated into your GPA. You cannot take courses for your major/minor on a credit/no credit basis.

How do I drop a course?

If you stop attending a class, it is not the same as dropping it. You must take action to drop the course. Before dropping a course, we recommend that you consult the instructor and your academic advisor to discuss the implications. There are very specific deadlines that dictate the consequences of dropping a course. Dates and deadlines vary between full-semester and sprint courses.
Note: Please consult the academic calendar for official withdraw deadlines.

How can I register for more than 20 hours?

You need to get permission for excess academic hours from an advisor in the College of Arts and Science. However, there are specific criteria under which a student would qualify for excess hour permission. Please be aware that excess hour permission is not always granted.

What happens if I repeat a course?

See the Student Handbook [PDF].

Can I get a grade removed from my transcript?

Once a grade is posted on your transcript, it cannot be removed. If you stopped attending the course before the withdrawal deadline, but failed to drop the course, see your academic advisor to discuss whether you can petition for removal.

How many credit hours do I need to be considered a full time student?

You are considered a full time student with 12 credit hours.

How many hours do I need to be a sophomore, junior, or senior?

Freshman: 0-29 earned credit hours
Sophomore: 30-63 earned credit hours
Junior: 64-95 earned credit hours
Senior: 96-128+ earned credit hours

How do I get a copy of my transcript?

Official copies of your transcript are generated by the Office of the Registrar.

How can I find my DARS?

Degree audit reports can be printed online using BannerWeb. [Instructions (Office of the Registrar)]

Foreign Language

Do I have to take the foreign language placement test?

If you are starting a foreign language for the first time, you do not need to take the foreign language placement test. However, if you have taken a foreign language in high school and plan on continuing that language, you will need to take the placement test. The placement test gives you a score that helps you register for the appropriate level of a foreign language; the placement test does not waive the foreign language requirement, nor does it award academic credit.

Can I "get out of" taking foreign language?

Students must earn credit in a foreign language at or beyond the 202-level. It is possible to complete the College Requirement by a language not offered at Miami, including sign language. A foreign language substitution is only approved for students who have documented language-based learning disabilities.

Internships and Careers

Where do I find information about internships?

Career Services is an excellent place to learn about internships.

What if I know what I want to do when I graduate, but I don't know which major will help me get there?

Your divisional advisor and advisors in Career Services can help you determine major(s) that might be best for you to consider.

Graduation

How do I get a copy of my transcript?