Advising in the College of Computing and Digital Media
Academic advisors can assist you with progression toward degree completion, navigating university technology and resources, course selection and registration issues, and many other things. We encourage students to meet with their academic advisors regularly as they move through their program.
The College of Computing and Digital Media provides both
staff (also known as
academic) and
faculty advisors to help students successfully complete their degree requirements and prepare for their careers and graduate study.
Both types of advisors can address questions about major/minor and graduation requirements. However, you can think of the difference between these advisors as a difference in perspective and scope.
-
Staff Advisors
- Offer a broader perspective.
- Have expertise in how to successfully fulfill major/minor and graduation requirements and navigate the degree process.
- Possess in-depth knowledge about college and university policies and procedures, your degree progress report (DPR) and transcripts, and the wide range of resources and extra- and co-curricular experiences available to students.
-
Faculty Advisors
- Experts in your major field.
- Know the wide variety of careers available to majors, which particular courses will be best for you, and and how to most effectively choose and prepare for specific graduate programs and careers.
- They can also help you evaluate how well your skills and abilities fit with the field and your goals. In addition, they have extensive contacts in the field and can foster your professional development in your academic area of interests.
Appointments with both your staff and faculty advisor can be made in
BlueStar in Campus Connect.
Scheduling an Appointment
- Click
Student Resources on the Student Homepage in
Campus Connect.
- Then click
BlueStar Student Support from the menu on the left side of the screen.
- On the top left side of your BlueStar homepage, you will notice a menu button. Select
My Success Network from the list of options.
Setting a Meeting with an Academic Advisor
Staff advisors hold 30 minute appointments for long-term planning, academic concerns, academic probation, SAP appeals, schedule verification, Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) I-20 request forms, open quarter course selection and Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) registration and holds. During the first week of each term, 15 minute express in-person and phone advising is available. To schedule an appointment:
- Complete steps 1-3 above.
- From the My Success Network page, click the blue CDM Academic Success Center link, then click the blue arrow next to the person with whom you would like to meet, and then select Schedule from the options.
- Current Students should select Advising and students who have not yet begun at DePaul should select Prospective Student Advising. From there, indicate what type of help you need, and proceed through the steps until you have set your meeting.
Setting a Meeting with a Faculty Advisor or Professor
- Complete steps 1-3 above.
- From the My Success Network page, look under Your Connections and use the blue triangle to navigate to the faculty member’s schedule. Appointments under Advising can be set by anyone. Appointments under Teaching are reserved for current students of that faculty member.
- Please Note:
Faculty outside of Your Connections can be found by searching their name in the bar at the top of the screen, or by find their department in the boxes under Your Services.
Preparing for Your Appointment
As academic advisors, we value the time we get to spend assisting and equipping you to be successful in your educational pursuits. To most effectively utilize the time we spend together, please consider the following suggestions when preparing for an advising appointment.
- Please anticipate your advising needs and make appointments early. Advisors’ schedules fill up quickly, especially during peak times, such as registration.
- Expect advisors to give you referrals. While we are experts in advising, we are not experts in all matters related to DePaul University. We’ve worked hard to build networks across campus to appropriately refer you to additional support services.
- Feel free to discuss academic and non-academic issues relevant to your education with your advisor. Be willing to identify and discuss your difficulties and come up with ideas for addressing them. The more we know about you, the better able we are to determine appropriate academic goals.
- Be prepared and come with written questions
- Examples of questions to ask a staff advisor are, How many credits do I have left until I graduate? Can you assist me with my SAP appeal letter? How do I add a major or minor?
- Examples of questions to ask a faculty advisor are, May I have permission to substitute X course for Y course? What does the job market look like for my major? What’s the difference between Information Systems and Information Technology?
- Research Degree & Course Requirements.
- Review Liberal Studies Requirements.
- View the Schedule of Classes in Campus Connect.
- If you wish to discuss scheduling, create a tentative schedule for yourself and bring it to the advising appointment.
- If making a phone appointment, please have internet access during time of appointment.