ACADEMIC COUNSELING:

What is academic counseling?
Academic counseling helps students at St. Edward’s University become self-directed learners by developing effective skills for college success. Services include individual appointments, performance enhancement classes and individual and group tutoring.

How many hours should I take per semester?
Full time status is anywhere from 12-18 hours. Most students take about 15 hours in a long semester. However, the combination of courses and your study habits can make 18 easy or 12 really hard.

Do you contact my parents to tell them my grades?
No. It is up to the student to be in communication with parents/guardians about academic progress. If you wish them to have access to your academic information through University staff, you may sign the FERPA release form. For more information please contact the Office of the Registrar

What if I think a grade is wrong?
Follow the Appeal of Final Course Grade guidelines listed under the Grievance Procedures in the Student Handbook.

How can I tell how I am doing in my classes?
Traditional undergraduate freshmen and students on academic probation receive two progress reports a semester, first for early attendance reports and second for ratings in academic categories as well as a grade estimate. Instructors have the option of utilizing Blackboard, which allows students to track grades throughout the semester. If you are ever unclear about your standing in a class, ask your instructor.

What do I do if I have a problem with an instructor?
First, attempt to work it out with the professor. Your academic counselor can help you with a plan for approaching faculty which may include emailing questions, office hour visits, or requesting meetings with the professor. If you are still having trouble with the professor, you can choose to follow up with their Dean.

ADVISING (UNDERGRADUATE):

What is advising?
Advising includes reviewing academic progress, planning semester schedules, exploring degree options, and clarifying goals.

I’m a new student. How do I sign up for classes?
You must meet with your advisor. Freshmen see their advisor during summer orientations for the upcoming fall, during the fall for the following spring, and in the spring for the following fall. Students are then transferred to their faculty advisors for future advising.

Who is my advisor?
You can find out who your advisor is by logging into EdWeb, and on the left menu clicking into “Unofficial Transcript” and looking at the top OR by going into “Biographical Info” and looking 2/3 down on the left of that page.

Can I see my advisor on the same day I call?
We do not schedule same day appointment in APSS. There will be occasions that we offer walk-in hours during peak times (i.e., first week of classes).

Who will be my advisor the whole time I am at St. Edward's University?
Students starting their college career here at St. Edward’s work with an APSS advisor until they complete their freshman year. They will subsequently be advised by a faculty member of their school so that they can be mentored in their chosen field. Transfer students have an initial registration meeting with an APSS counselor and then are quickly moved to a faculty advisor to utilize their expertise in the major.

When should I get advised?
Advising typically begins one to two weeks after the course schedule is posted on the website. Most students choose to be advised before their registration time so that they have more choices available to them for classes and meeting times. You can check your registration time by looking at your “Registration Hours” on the “Biographical” site of your EdWeb account.

What should I do to prepare for my advising appointments?
You will benefit from utilizing the Advising Preparation Worksheet. It allows you to think through certain variables that might contribute to certain course selections, etc., and to come as prepared as possible for advising.

Can I switch advisors?
If you wish to change advisors while in APSS, contact the front desk staff at 512-448-8660. If you wish to change faculty advisors, contact the administrative staff in your school.

How many classes do I have to take if I major in ________?
Every degree at St. Edward’s requires at least 120 hours. 57 of those are general education hours, or 19 courses. The remaining hours will be those required of your major and, if any space is left, elective hours.

Where do I find a degree plan for ________?
The Bulletin lists all courses required of your major. Consult the Undergraduate Bulletin, Graduate Bulletin, or New College Bulletin depending on your program.

Why do I have to take all of those CULF classes?
St. Edward's prides itself on its holistic liberal arts approach to its undergraduate education. This includes a group of six Cultural Foundations courses which cover: literature, understanding and appreciating the arts, American history, current social problems, western civilization, and current world issues.

I took a foreign language in high school. Do I have to take it again here?
High school courses do not grant college credit, unless taken as Dual Credit or Advanced Placement with scores that result in a transcript suggesting credit hours.

Why should I take the foreign language placement exam for Spanish, French or German?
The test makes sure that you are placed into the correct level of foreign language, preventing you from enrolling in a course that is either too easy or too difficult. Additionally, you may be exempt from some or all of the foreign language requirement by taking the test, freeing up credit hours for you to use elsewhere in your degree plan, such as elective hours or major exploration courses.

Why should I take the CLEP test?
The CLEP exam gives undergraduate college credit for a variety of subjects, some of which may fulfill General Education and/or major requirements. For a list of the scores required to earn credit visit our CLEP site.

Can I test out of a class?
The foreign language placement and CLEP exams are the most common ones taken to ‘test out’ of a class. Students may also request a Challenge Exam in a topic they feel they are very well versed. Follow instructions listed in the bulletin under the “Credit by Examination” section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Can I take classes at home over the summer?
Yes. You must get permission from your advisor who will then complete a “Request to Take Courses Off Campus” form for the Registrar. This insures that the course in which you wish to enroll will transfer in as a St. Edward’s equivalent.

How does transfer credit affect my SEU GPA?
Any transfer credit (another school, AP, or CLEP) does not affect your St. Edward’s GPA. Only the credit hours transfer in, although you must earn a “C” or higher on graded courses.

What classes can I take at home during the summer?
Students often elect to take one or two General Education equivalency courses or courses in which they’ve struggled, such as math or a foreign language allowing them to focus on these topics specifically without the distractions of the regular full semesters.

What are the last dates to add/drop a class?
The Bulletin and Registrar’s website list important dates on the Academic Calendar. Typically, you have until the end of the first week of class to add a class, the 12th class day to drop unrecorded, and one month before the last class day to drop with a “W”.

How do I change my major?
You must contact your advisor in APSS or your faculty advisor and/or secretary of the school to change your major, minor, or certification.

How do I figure out my major if I have no idea what to declare?
Students who have not declared a major when admitted are placed into the Academic Exploration Program. Here, you will work with your APSS counselor and Career Services to explore your interests, abilities, and skills for possible matches with majors and minors. By the end of your first year, if you are still unsure, you will be moved to one of the five schools (Behavioral and Social Sciences; Business; Education, Humanities, Natural Sciences) for advising to work with an advisor who specializes in working with undecided students in that area.

How do I drop a class?
First talk to your APSS counselor about why you want to drop the class. There may be things you can do to help salvage the class and/or improve your relationship with the instructor. If you have exhausted all possibilities for staying in the course, you may drop by logging into EdWeb and going into “Course Selection”.

How can I talk to an advisor?
Call APSS at 512-448-8660 and they will connect you to your advisor. You can also email your advisor.

I didn’t know I had to be cleared by my advisor before I registered for classes.
Once matriculated, all undergraduate students must meet with their advisor before registering. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, get information about your degree, and make tentative plans for your next semester. After your advisor clears you, it is then up to you to log into EdWeb and register.

Who should I meet with first when coming to SEU?
As a new freshman, you will meet with your APSS counselor during the summer for advising and registration. Once the semester begins, he or she will contact you to check in and see how your classes are going and offer any support needed at that time.