SUMMER
Before Orientation, new students must enroll in at least 12 graduate credits during the summer. To help them choose their first 12 graduate credits, incoming students will receive an advising guide for their Concentrations. Please note that academic advising with faculty will not be available during the summer.
ORIENTATION
During Orientation Week, the faculty Program Chairs will lead Group Academic Advising Sessions by Concentration for incoming students. These sessions are designed to equip you with detailed information about your Concentration, enabling you to make informed decisions about your academic path. You will also finalize your course plan for the fall semester. Remember, you can modify your fall course schedule during Orientation Week until the end of the drop/add period, which occurs at the end of the second week of classes.
ADVISING ASSIGNMENTS
Over the summer, faculty Program Chairs will assign individual academic advisors to each incoming student except for students whose primary Concentration is Coastal and Marine Systems* (CaMS).
All students are assigned an academic advisor for their primary Concentration only.
By mid-August, students can find the name of their individual academic advisor in DukeHub. The academic advisor will likely arrange small group meetings or office hours with their advisees to address their questions about the fall course schedule. While the main focus of the meeting will be on course planning, students are encouraged to take the opportunity to discuss their academic and professional goals, ask general questions about the university/school and the program, and address any concerns.
Please keep in mind that advisors have various teaching, research, and administrative duties. Therefore, it’s important to come prepared for your advising meetings. Some students develop close relationships with their advisors, while others only contact them around pre-registration times. In both cases, we want students to have productive and successful meetings with their advisors.
*Advisors for primary CaMS students will be assigned later in the fall semester. For early fall planning and course registration purposes, the CaMS faculty co-chairs will hold advising meetings/office hours with incoming students during Orientation.
No academic advising with faculty will occur over the summer.
Incoming students will be provided with a course registration advising guide for their Concentrations.
TIPS FOR STUDENTS:
1. Be proactive. Feel free to initiate/schedule the meeting with your advisor.
2. Be on time for the meeting.
3. Come prepared with specific questions and issues that you want to discuss. This will help you make the most of your time with your advisor and maximize the use of their expertise.
4. When your advisor emails you, it is important to respond promptly. This fosters effective communication and mutual respect in your advisor-student relationship.
5. If you have written material that you would like your advisor to review, please send that information to your advisor in advance so they have time to prepare for the discussion.
6. Review your courses with your advisor.
7. Track your degree progress in Stellic (NetID login required). Stellic access may not be available for incoming students until mid-summer.
SUPPORT RESOURCES
If you are experiencing any personal issues that may influence your ability to be successful academically, please make your advisor aware so they can provide support. They may redirect you to university resources, such as Counseling and Psychological Services, DukeReach, Duke Student Wellness, Office of Institutional Equity, etc.
If you are unsure where to start, please contact the Office of Student Services, and we will help connect you to the appropriate resource. The Student Services Office is located in suite A101, LSRC, and can be reached by phone at 919-613-8070. For email inquiries, send your message to nsoe-registrar@duke.edu.