Academic Advising at Western

Your first experience with Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center will be at an Advising & Registration session. Click here to make a reservation.

Academic advising at Western Washington University is a shared responsibility. The Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center works in collaboration with Western faculty and staff advisors in academic departments to support students in developing meaningful educational experiences. Students, faculty and advisors share responsibility for academic advising at Western. Advising involves working closely with advising staff and faculty to establish and complete academic goals; it provides opportunities to explore the intellectual side of your life, choose among educational options, and develop plans to support academic and life objectives. 

What does "A Shared Responsibility" Mean?

Western's expectations of students may be different from your last high school, college, or university. At Western, academic advisors and faculty are well prepared to assist you, but rely on you to initiate advising conversations.

Advisor's Responsibilities

Academic advisors engage with students to empower and support them in achieving their academic goals. Advisors are responsible for staying current with Western's academic programs and degree requirements, academic and campus resources and more. Academic advisors also have the responsibility of guiding you to become confident in navigating Western's programs, policies and resources. 

Student's Responsibilities

Your responsibility is to take the initiative in connecting with an advisor. We recommend that you meet with an advisor early and often to stay on track towards declaring a major and graduating. Prepare for your advising appointments by looking at advising resources such as Degree Works, Programs of Study in the University Catalog, visiting department websites, and writing down all your questions beforehand. 

  1. Advising and Registration: Advising Begins Here
    • What classes should I register for?
    • What can I study at Western?
    • What are GURs and why do I need them?
  2. Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center: General Advising After the Advising and Registration Session
    • What classes should I take next?
    • How am I doing on my GURs?
    • How do I choose/declare a major?
    • How can I raise my GPA?
  3. Academic Departmental Advising: Advising for Majors and Minors
    • Will my transfer courses apply to my major?
    • What do I need to declare my major?
    • Am I on track to finish my major?
    • Is study abroad/internship an option for my major?
  4. Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center: Your Resource for Continuing Advising
    • I've declared my major, but am I on track to graduate?
    • How do I add a minor?
    • Do I have time to double major?
    • Can I drop a class?