Your academic advisor is your guide as you map out your own personal Dietrich School experience. Talk to your advisor about your interests and dreams, your passions and goals, and he or she will connect you to the best resources and classes that Pitt has to offer for your journey. But you have an important role to play too.
The relationship between the advisor and the student requires shared responsibility. Here’s how it works:
Advisor Responsibilities
- Advisors are knowledgeable about the curriculum in the Dietrich School and the admissions requirements for the professional schools at the University of Pittsburgh.
- Advisors listen actively and thoughtfully, assisting students as they think through problems and concerns about their academic program and their adjustment to University life.
- Advisors respect each student’s confidentiality and promote a safe environment.
- Advisors effectively refer students to other offices on campus, such as the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Office of Career Development and Placement, or the University Counseling Center.
- Advisors assist students in monitoring their progress toward completing degree requirements.
- Advisors respond to students within 48 hours during the work week, Monday through Friday, by email or phone.
- Advisors challenge students to explore major and career areas of interest while at the same time supporting students who are struggling with their academic and/or career direction.
Student Responsibilities
- Students are expected to be proactive in learning the components of the curriculum, including both general education requirements and major requirements, and to seek out resources beyond their academic advisor to understand and make decisions about the curriculum.
- Students are expected to take responsibility for their personal, academic, and career decisions.
- Students are expected to speak respectfully to staff and other students in the Advising Center.
- Students are expected to utilize the student support services of the University (for example, tutoring and academic success workshops, and the Office of Career Development and Placement) to enhance their educational experience.
- Students are expected to perform the following in order to select courses and make informed decisions regarding degree progress:
- Refer to the academic calendar to meet necessary deadlines, including add/drop and withdrawal deadlines, final exam schedules, and declaration of major dates;
- Navigate all aspects of PeopleSoft, the student registration system.
- Students are expected to read their University e-mail on a regular basis, which is the official means of communication for the University.
- Students are expected to come to each advising appointment prepared to discuss academic progress, personal and career goals, interests, concerns, and, at times, the specifics of course work for upcoming semesters.
