Advising

Students who thrive in the College of the Arts don’t go it alone. While you, the student, are responsible for completing the requirements of your major, there are many people and resources here to help.

To locate the name of your advisor…

• Log onto NEST; go into Degreeworks; view Advisor assignment in the top left column of your audit.  If your advisor is not listed, contact your program coordinator or the advising contact person in the Department or School that houses your major.
• Questions about advising services or advisor assignments may be addressed to:
  • Department of Art & Design — Andre White (973-655-7274); Office Location: Calcia 207
  • School of Music — Gina Balestracci (973-655-7219); Office Location: Chapin 131
  • School of Communication and Media —For any general advising questions, please email us: SCMadvising@montclair.eduYou can sign up for a Zoom group advising session.Additional sessions will be added on a regular basis so please check back if the current sessions are sold out.
  • Department of Theatre and Dance — Eric Diamond  (973-655-3120); Office Location: Life 0309
  • College of the Arts Student Services — Sarah Assalone (973-655-7346); Office Location: Morehead 241

Below are guidelines for entering and continuing students:

Freshmen students will have their beginning fall semester schedules developed for them, which will be provided during orientation.  (Questions about first-semester schedules may be addressed with the assigned academic advisor.)  Towards the middle of the fall semester, freshmen are then required to meet with their advisor PRIOR to registering for courses for the spring semester.

• Students with fewer than 30 credits are also required to meet with their advisor prior to registering for courses for the fall semester of their sophomore year.
• In both of the above cases, students will need a registration pin, provided during advisement, in order to register for classes. Without this pin, students will be prevented from registering.
• Transfer students will work with their respective advisor to create a course schedule for their first semester at Montclair State University.
• Upperclassmen — While not mandatory in order to register, it is strongly recommended that upperclassmen meet with an advisor prior to registration each semester to be sure of staying on track.
  

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Your advisor is here to help you clarify your goals, choose the right courses, track your progress, and make decisions that will help you graduate on time.   Advising services would typically include the following:

• Reviewing your DegreeWorks Audit to help you learn how to use it
• Working with you to create an overall course plan, taking into account your degree requirements and when courses are offered
• Determining which courses taken at other colleges may count towards your major (for incoming transfers)
• Assistance with choosing courses each semester or selecting a concentration or minor
• Referral to other college and campus resources, including tutorial services where needed
• Assistance with processing any necessary academic forms (e.g. credit adjustments, Independent Study requests)
• Guidance towards registering for classes

For additional help on registering for classes, go to: Registration Information.

Coming prepared to your advising session will enable you to ask informed questions and gain the best advice that may be most helpful to your academic and long-term goals.  Before your appointment it is highly recommended that you do the following:

1. Watch these helpful videos (you can start and stop to study each screen):
   • Academic Advising – A Peer Mentor’s Perspective
     
   • Advising Tech Resources and Tools — A Peer Mentor’s Perspective
   • More on Advising (for family members)  |  (en español)
2. Know your program.  It is important to understand the overall scope and curriculum for your program of study. You should also review the University Catalog which provides additional specifics including how General Education fits in with your BA, BFA or BMus degree. (note: Past catalogs are also online, displaying curriculum in effect from prior years.)
3. Review your DegreeWorks Audit.  The DegreeWorks Audit is the tool through which the University determines whether you have satisfied all requirements to graduate.  Through the DegreeWorks Audit, you can examine: (a) courses you’ve already taken; (b) required courses you’ve yet to take; and (c) total credits you’ve earned.  The DegreeWorks Audit can be accessed via NEST.  View more information regarding Degreeworks.
4. For Undergraduates:  Review the Four-Year Graduation Plan for your major.  The  Four-Year Graduation Plan includes an eight-semester example of courses taken that would fulfill your program’s degree requirements.  Bring this plan to your advising appointment to review how it may apply to you.  Be prepared to ask when the remaining courses you need to take are generally offered (fall, winter, spring, or summer semesters? available every year?) so that you can plan ahead when to take them.

Find Your 4-Year Graduation Plan