Academic Advising Mission Statement

At Valdosta State University, advising is a mandatory, collaborative process designed to help students

  • succeed academically,
  • develop an appropriate educational plan leading to graduation,
  • focus on their life beyond the university, and
  • play a responsible and proactive role in their own education.

Advisors will assist students in decision-making by

  • providing timely and accurate information,
  • making appropriate referrals to campus resources, and
  • encouraging students to use available technology.

Academic Advising Information

Advising is an important and integral component of a student’s academic success in college.  At Valdosta State University, all undergraduate and graduate students must meet with their advisor each semester before being allowed to access the registration system and register for classes.  While advising is mandatory for all students, the process of advising differs from college to college and department to department.

Students with a declared major should contact the Department Head in the appropriate department or discipline for advising. Students who have not chosen a major are classified as Liberal Arts Students (LAS) and are advised through the OASIS Center for Advising. Freshmen and sophomores in the Langdale College of Business Administration are advised through the COBA Student Advising Center (SAC). Students with 30 credits or less in the Dewar College of Education are advised through the College of Education's Advising Center. For more information, review the current VSU undergraduate catalog at  (p. 80)

Academic Advising for Student in Philosophy & Religious Studies

A student should contact the Advising Center at 229.245.4378 and Britt Marie Piper (bmdaniel@valdosta.edu) to make an advising appointment.

Helpful links for Students:

Philosophy Track Major Checklist pre-2007

Philosophy Track Major Checklist post-2007

Philosophy Track Recommended Four-Year Program of Study for Full-Time Students

Religious StudiesTrack Major Checklist pre-2007

Religious Studies Track Major Checklist post-2007

Religious Studies Track Major Checklist post-2009

Religious Studies Track Recommended Four-Year Program of Study for Full-Time Students

Philosophy & Religious Course Rotation

Advising Models for VSU students

Comprehensive Review for the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies Spring 2009

Student Handbook

Registering For Classes

Academic Support Center - The Academic Support Center (ASC) offers general academic advising to all students in order to enable them to make well informed decisions regarding their education. The ASC assists students in understanding University policies which directly affect their academic success. Students can make an appointment from any computer (on campus or off campus) or stop by during office hours.

 - Students in the College of Arts & Sciences are assigned an advisor within their major in their freshman year and are advised by their advisor throughout their degree program.

 (from University of Maryland)

Advising Questions and Answers

Graduate Student Resources

Helpful links for Faculty Members:

Philosophy & Religious Course Rotation

 (from University of Maryland)

Advising Questions and Answers