Guiding Principles of Advisement 

To learn more about undergraduate advising practices and policies, please review the information below. 

Advisement in Steinhardt is:

• integral to the academic experience and plays a key role in student satisfaction, success, and retention

• comprehensive, holistic, and developmental.  It begins at recruitment, continues through orientation, undergraduate and/or graduate study, and is extended to alumni/ae

• a process of shared responsibility, and works best when both the student and advisor are active participants in the process

• organized by department, may vary by program, and is connected to school and university resources through the Office of Student Affairs

• reviewed and evaluated regularly to ensure ongoing high-quality and best practices

The Role of the Student

Students are responsible for charting and making decisions about their academic, professional and personal path. They work in concert with their advisors to develop an academic plan and a course of study consonant with their career goals. In particular, students:

• understand the philosophy that guides the discipline/major

• learn about degree requirements, including prerequisites, electives, and course sequencing 

• develop an academic plan that meet requirements for the successful completion of the degree and the maintenance of good academic standing

•  plan a program of study that integrates other academic options and opportunities (e.g. study abroad, independent study, honors courses, co-curricular, and professional activities)

• are aware of and adhere to the policies, procedures and deadlines that guide undergraduate study (e.g. drop/add, registration, pass/fail option, etc.)

•  initiate meetings and actively prepare for consultation with their advisor, bringing a planned schedule and concerns and/or questions for discussion 

•  are familiar with school/university student services and resources and actively seek assistance when needed

• pursue professional development opportunities by engaging with faculty, alumni/alumnae, professional organizations, and career resources on campus 

The Role of the Advisor

Advisors are a primary point of entry into the Steinhardt community and the academic department.  As professional and academic mentors throughout a student’s academic tenure, advisors interface with students, faculty, field placement supervisors, and administrative offices to serve as a core connection between a student’s classroom learning, professional development, and co-curricular opportunities.

Advisors guide students to:

• refine educational and career goals

• understand academic and professional expectations

• craft meaningful programs of study

• facilitate professional, personal and career development

In particular, advisors: 

• communicate the philosophy that guides the academic discipline/major 

• explain degree requirements, including prerequisites, electives and course sequencing  

• assist in developing an academic plan that meets requirements for the successful completion of the degree and the maintenance of good academic standing

• oversee the planning of a program of study that integrates other academic options and opportunities (e.g. study abroad, independent study, honors courses, co-curricular, and professional activities)

• explain and clarify the policies and procedures that guide undergraduate study (e.g. drop/add, registration, pass/fail option, etc.)

• prepare for consultation by maintaining up to date records, monitoring student progress, retention and success, and provide a safe and confidential environment for concerns and/or questions

• refer students to school/university student services and resources, as appropriate

• are proactive in addressing student issues

• connect the student with professional development opportunities through faculty, departments, professional organizations, and career resources on campus

Advisors also pursue their professional development by: 

• connecting to professional resources for continued improvement of advisement, (e.g. professional development networks, conferences, and other resources)

• actively participating in the intellectual and educational life of their departments, Steinhardt, and NYU

•  analyzing and monitoring academic retention patterns and success rates for recruitment

•  reviewing and evaluating advisement quality