Majors

I have a major.  Why does it say that I'm undecided?
How do I choose a major that is right for me?
How do I declare my major?
Do I have to declare my major right away?
When should I declare a major?
Where do I go for more information about my major?
What should I do if I want to change my major?

Advisors

Who is my advisor?
When should I see my advisor?
How do I make an appointment with my advisor?
Can I be advised if I have a hold on my record?

General Questions

What are my responsibilities?
Why do I have to take General Education courses?
Which students are seen in the Academic Counseling Center?
I tried to register and it says I need an Alternate PIN from my advisor.  What does this mean?
What if I have a question that wasn't answered here?

I have a major.  Why does it say that I'm undecided?

All students that are seen in the ACC are listed as undecided.  Make sure your counselor is aware of your choice of major to ensure that you are taking the appropriate courses.

How do I choose a major that is right for me?

• Stay aware of and use University resources including:
  
  • Your Academic Counselor
  • Career Counseling Center, 214 Wilder Tower
  • Focus2, a career and personality assessment
  • List of Majors
  • Four Year degree plans
    
• Choosing a satisfying major involves matching your interests with your aptitude and skills.
  
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What do you most like to do?
  • What is your personality style or major personality characteristics?
  • What subjects do you enjoy and earn good grades?
    
• When reflecting on your past, who have you met or observed and then thought that the work they did or described seemed interesting to you?
  
• Explore websites to gain more information. See our Links page for a list of potential sources.
  
• Consider taking the Career Development course, COUN 1661 (3 credit hours).
  
• Ask your advisor about introductory classes that may be available to explore areas that interest you.
  
• Attend information sessions on campus about career or major interests, i.e., Pre-Law and Allied Health Info Sessions.
  
• Participate in the annual “Discover Your Major Day” to meet and talk to leading instructors and advisors from various academic departments.
  
• Use the “Career Encounters Program” through the Career Counseling Center .  You can visit with a professional in their working environment in the area in which you have an interest.
  

Remember that choosing a major will not guarantee a life long career.  The average person changes careers several times in a lifetime.  A college degree can open doors.

How do I declare my major?

See your advisor. Students will remain assigned to the ACC as long as they are undecided, are taking any pre-college level coursework, or have a GPA lower than a 2.0.  If they no longer meet any of the previous criteria, then they, working with their advisor, formally declare a major. At that time, the student will be directed to the advising location of the declared major.

Do I have to declare my major right away?

It is normal for most beginning college students to be unsure about their major. In fact, it is common for students to remain “undeclared” through the first academic year. ACC advisors encourage students to keep an open mind when choosing a major and will often refer them to Career Counseling or to the Focus2 resource for interest tests. Waiting to declare a major is not a problem since U of M curriculum requires students to take certain basic courses (General Education) regardless of one’s major. Students’ experiences in and out of the classroom during the first year will help them decide a major.

When should I declare a major?

To ensure graduating with the minimum hours required, students are expected to choose a major by the end of their sophomore year.

Where do I go for more information about my major?

There are several sources of information for your major including:

• The Undergraduate Catalog includes course descriptions, 4-year Plans, and other useful pieces of information
• Departmental websites
• Faculty Members
• Advisors
• Websites - see our "Links" page for options

What should I do if I want to change my major?

Contact your advisor. He or she will have the appropriate paperwork and you can also discuss how your classes may change according to your new major.

Who is my advisor?

If you are advised in the ACC and are unsure of who your advisor is, check our "ACC Staff" link on the left to see if you recognize your advisor.  If not, you can call our office (678-2062) and they will give you the name of your advisor.

If you are advised outside of the ACC, you should contact that department to find out your advisor's name.

When should I see my advisor?

Students must see their advisor each semester before they register.

Advising for the spring semester typically starts in October, so you should contact your advisor in late September or early October.  Advising for the fall semester starts in March so you should contact your advisor in late February or early March to make an appointment.  Don't be surprised if they are booked with appointments for several days because advising is a very busy time.

However, advising is not the only time you can contact us.  If you have any questions, problems, or need information, give us a call or send us an email.  We're here to help!

How do I make an appointment with my advisor?

You can call or e-mail your advisor directly to make an appointment or you can call the front desk (678-2062).

Can I be advised if I have a hold on my record?

Yes.  You can meet with your advisor to pick out your courses even if you have a hold on your record.  However, certain holds may stop you from registering, even if you have met with your advisor.  Make sure to check your holds  before registration begins to ensure that you can register for classes on time.

What are my responsibilities?

• Know your Academic Counselor’s name and location
• Consult with your Academic Counselor if problems arise
• Call early to schedule appointments
• Keep current on academic requirements, policies and procedures
• Have a list of classes for the upcoming semester
• Accept responsibility for academic choices

Why do I have to take General Education courses?

“The purpose of the Tennessee Board of Regents’ general education core is to ensure that college students have the broad knowledge and skills to become life-long learners in a global community that will continue to change. Because courses in general education should emphasize breadth, they should not be reduced in design to the skills, techniques, or procedures associated with a specific occupation or profession.

General education provides critical thinking skills for analysis to continue to seek truths, to discover answers to questions, and to solve problems. Specifically, educated people practice and are literate in the various methods of communication. They recognize their place in the history, culture, and diverse heritages of Tennessee, the United States, and the world. They appreciate the web of commonality of all humans in a multicultural world and are prepared for the responsibilities of an engaged citizenship. They recognize the ethical demands of our common lives. They demonstrate the skills and knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences to analyze their contemporary world. They are familiar with the history and aesthetics of the fine arts. They understand and practice the scientific and mathematical view of the world.

Finally, Tennessee’s general education core provides for its citizens the means to make a better living. Above all, it enables its citizens to make a better life.”

Which students are seen in the Academic Counseling Center?
The ACC is here for those students who are undecided, are pre-nursing, are taking pre-major coursework, or are in transition (i.e., changing their major).

I tried to register and it says I need an Alternate PIN from my advisor.  What does this mean?

This is an advising hold; it means you have not met with your advisor to discuss your classes for the upcoming semester.  Contact your advisor to set up an appointment and once you have met they will clear the hold.

If you have already met with your advisor and this message still appears, contact them as soon as possible so the hold can be removed.

What if I have a question that wasn't answered here?

You can send an e-mail to ACC@memphis.edu to have general questions answered.