Students sitting around a table with Blanton Hall in the background and blue skies

Academic Advising

What Is Academic Advising?

Academic advising is a developmental process in which students and academic advisors engage that focuses on helping students achieve their academic, personal and career goals. The activities during this process are neither clerical nor transactional. During this relationship students’ educational plans are developed, their potentials are realized and life/educational/career goals are clarified. While both students and advisors are responsible for actively participating in the academic advising process, students are responsible for making decisions about their educational and career plans.

Students can find out who their advisor is by logging onto NEST and viewing their degree audit on Degree Works.

Make an appointment with your advisor through Navigate!

Academic Advising 101

As part of the Orientation and Academic Advising process at Montclair State University, new students and families are encouraged to view the videos below to learn about the importance of Academic Advising and to help inform a productive first meeting with your academic advisor.

Advising Benefits

The benefits to students and the University are numerous. National research on academic advising has shown that students who utilize the advising services on their campuses were more likely to be successful, graduate on time and have a greater sense of connection to their universities. The positive impact of academic advising extends to the University as well, since students are performing better, return to campus each semester and are more satisfied with their college experience.

Students in Majors

Students who have declared their majors are assigned faculty or departmental advisors in the School/Colleges in which their majors are housed. These academic advisors will help students learn more about their field of study, guide them through the requirements of their programs and help them to explore opportunities outside the classroom to further immerse themselves in the discipline.

University College

Whether you are exploring your academic and career interests, working towards meeting the admissions requirements of the College or School of your choice, or in the process of changing your major, University College will provide you with the support, guidance and opportunities needed to forge a successful academic path within Montclair State University.

Other Academic Advising Programs

The University has a few programs to provide declared and undeclared students with support and academic advising. Students are admitted into these programs upon acceptance to Montclair State University.