Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Academic Advising

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How many credits are needed to graduate?

            The university requires a minimum of 120 semester hours to complete a Bachelor’s degree. However, this is a minimum number – many programs require more hours than this. Your SNAP report will show how many total hours you need to earn in your declared major. For more help, see an academic adviser.

How many credits are required in General Education?

            Students must earn a minimum of 48 credits in General Education. It’s for that reason that we consider Gen Ed to be the core of every college degree at UW-L. See the UW-L course catalog for a detailed description of the requirements / options in each Gen Ed category.

 Is there a point at which I must declare a major / minor?

            While there is no official deadline to declare a major/minor at UW-L, students are usually positioning themselves to declare a major somewhere between their sophomore and junior years. Remember that students must earn a minimum of 48 credits in General Education. This allows for flexibility and an opportunity to explore the many options that are available at UW-L. Students who would like help with the decision of declaring a major should meet with an adviser here at the AAC. It is also important to be aware of the Excess Credit Policy which applies to Wisconsin resident undergraduate students who have earned 165 credits (or 30 credits more than required for their degree programs, whichever is greater). See the UW-L course catalog for a detailed description of the policy.     

 Where do I go to declare a major or minor?

            Students can declare a major/minor with the college in which the major belongs.  For example, a student planning to major in History would go to the College of Liberal Studies Academic Services office and talk to an academic services coordinator there.  If the student is looking to declare a major in either the College of Science and Health or the College of Business Administration, they should see the Assistant to the Dean. Students will need to complete the Change of Program Form (green in color). It is also important to note that certain programs on campus require applications. Students planning to pursue such programs must meet the necessary requirements and be accepted officially before declaring their major.

I’m struggling in a class. What should I do?

            First, talk to the instructor. While you may have done poorly on an exam, the faculty member won’t necessarily know you’re struggling unless you speak up. All UW-L faculty are required to hold office hours; those office hours should be listed in the course syllabus. Make an appointment to see the instructor during those hours to talk about your progress in the class. Sometimes things aren’t as bad as they may seem to you. Other times, things may be much worse than you realize. Your instructor can provide options for additional assistance, tutoring, or other means for you to get help. In any event, communication with your instructors is essential to your success as a student. So don’t delay!

How do I decide whether to drop a class?

            If you have met with your instructor and gotten additional help – but the situation in class isn’t getting any better – you should speak with your instructor about options available to you. Perhaps it might be best to drop the class and begin again at another time. The decision to drop is yours, but should be made only after you consider all the consequences. Will you be able to drop without having a WF recorded on your transcript? Will you go below full-time student status if you drop? (This may affect housing, financial aid, and other benefits that you are entitled to.) What will you do with your extra time if you drop the class? Sometimes dropping a class and suddenly freeing up several hours a week of time can cause a temptation to be even less academically involved than you need to be, and put your performance in other classes at risk. See your academic adviser for guidance if you are concerned about dropping a class.

How do I calculate my GPA?

            Multiply grade point by the number of credit hours for the course. Here’s a GPA calculator to help you! http://www.back2college.com/raisegpa.htm

What’s the difference between W and WF?

A “W” or “WP” (withdraw passing) will be listed on your transcript however the credits are not counted as credits attempted. A “WF” (withdraw failing) in contrast will be listed and also counted as credits attempted which will be averaged into your GPA.

When and how do I register for classes?

            At the top of your SNAP form you will find the date and time at which you may begin registering for the forthcoming semester. Registration is done via the TALON system. Instructions for using TALON can be found at http://www.uwlax.edu/records/REGtaloinst.html.

            Your registration date and time is assigned automatically based on the number of credits you’ve already earned and your current semester’s schedule. For that reason, seniors register first… followed by juniors… followed by sophomores… followed by freshmen. Because registration times are based on your current semester’s schedule, there may be other students with the same number of earned credits as you who are allowed to register slightly earlier. But the system we have established is as fair as it can be for all students at UW-L. Please remember that you cannot register for a forthcoming semester until you have paid your registration deposit of $100.

Where can I get a new copy of my SNAP?

            Students are able to access their SNAP thru TALON. Students will also have their SNAP e-mailed to them toward the later half of each semester (near to the time of registration). Questions about SNAPS should be directed to Records & Registration located in 117 Graff Main Hall.

What is a “trial SNAP” or “sample SNAP” or “SNAP search”?

            Students who wish to learn more about a particular major/minor may request a “sample” SNAP showing the requirements for that particular degree program. The SNAP form may be requested from the Academic Advising Center at no charge. Go to the Academic Advising Center web page SNAP link to find out more.

How can I transfer credit into UW-L?   

             If you are in the process of transferring to UW-L or are a recently admitted transfer student to UW-L and have questions about credits, you should consult with the Office of Admissions located in 115 Graff Main Hall. 

            If you are currently enrolled at UW-L, and have to take course work elsewhere either in a summer session or during an academic year, you must secure approval in advance of enrollment at other institutions for course work to be taken for transfer to this university.  See the assistant to the dean in the dean's office of the school/college in which you are enrolled and fill out an "Off-Campus Permit" form, which is used to secure approval to transfer credits from other institutions. 

            Note that students interested in understanding how credits may transfer for a particular class from one UW institution to another may also want to check the Transfer Information System.  While information contained in the Transfer Information System should always be confirmed at both institutions, it is a good beginning point and helpful frame of reference as you talk with such institutions. 

I am thinking about transferring to the University of Minnesota. Where can I get help?

First, begin with an academic adviser or admissions counselor at U of M. There are also a couple of web sites you can visit that will tell you how your UW-L credits will transfer: https://mn.transfer.org/cas/; http://www.cas.mntransfer.org/.

How many credits do I need to be considered full-time?

            Twelve credit hours in a semester is considered full time status.

Who do I talk to if I want to do an internship in my major?

            Start with the university Career Services office. You will want to pay the $20 fee to get access to the internship database, so you can view internship postings. Most departments on campus use Career Services for internship placement – however, some programs place their own interns. Career Services can help you.

I think I might have a disability. Where can I go for help?

            If you know you have a disability – or suspect you might – you need to contact UW-L’s Disability Resources Office. The experts there can help you determine what accommodations would be appropriate to ensure your success at UW-L. UW-L’s Disability Resources Office is located on the lower level of Murphy Library. http://www.uwlax.edu/drs/

Is there any help on campus for first-generation college students?

            You are considered a first-generation college student if neither parent nor guardian has graduated from a four year institution. If you are a first-generation college student, you should contact Student Support Services. Many different kinds of assistance are available for students who qualify. SSS is located in Wilder Hall.  http://www.uwlax.edu/sss/

What’s the difference between faculty and staff academic advisers?

            A faculty adviser is a faculty member (full-time instructor) who teaches classes and does research in an academic specialty area AND provides academic assistance to students. Staff academic advisers sometimes teach classes, but their full-time job is providing academic advice to help students succeed. Generally speaking, staff academic advisers provide assistance across the curriculum, while faculty advisers mostly provide guidance in their subject area.

Why are there academic advisers in the college offices? What do they do?

            The academic advisers in the college offices provide assistance with General Education (particularly as Gen Ed relates to majors and minors within the academic units of the college). Advisers in the college offices can assist with questions about transfer credits and program eligibility issues. If you’re a declared major, you’ll want to see an academic adviser in your college sometime in your last year of study at UW-L, so you can do a ‘credit check’ and make sure you have completed all course requirements for graduation from your program within that college.

I want to change my faculty adviser. Who do I talk to?

            The first question would be why you want to change. Have you not been able to meet with your adviser (maybe there’s a schedule conflict)? Do you have a disagreement with your adviser? Does there appear to be a ‘personality conflict’ between you and your adviser? Perhaps just changing advisers won’t really resolve the core issue(s) you’re dealing with. First, try hard to meet with your adviser and come to a resolution of the problem you’re facing. If that isn’t successful, see the chairperson in that academic department for additional guidance. If you still feel uncomfortable about the situation, please come speak to an adviser in the Academic Advising Center.

 Do my grades get mailed to my parents?

            Grades are no longer mailed to students (or to parents, for that matter!). Grades are available on TALON a few weeks after the end of each semester. See the semester timetable for more information.

How and when do I request a course override?

            If a class is full, students may contact the instructor of the course to see whether the instructor will allow additional students into the course – to override the set course limit for maximum number of students. It’s the instructor’s call as to whether more students will be let in (and how many), whether there will be a waiting list to get in, or whether there will be absolutely no more students admitted to the course. In the case where the instructor will allow students to override into the course, you may request a course override form from the instructor – or, at the instructor’s discretion, the department office. Completed override forms must be signed by the instructor, approved by the department, and in some cases ok’d by the dean. To enroll in a course with an override form, you must take the signed form to the Office of Records and Registration, 117 Graff Main Hall.

Can I take a course pass-fail?

  1. Specific courses are approved for pass/fail grading. Students do not have the option to request a graded course be changed to P/F. Credits taken on a P/F basis will not be averaged into a grade point average if "P" is filed by the instructor. The credits will count as credits earned. An "F" will be averaged in and will be counted as credits attempted
  2. Students on academic probation are ineligible for P/F credit courses, except for those enumerated 050 courses.
  3. 21 credits is the maximum number of P/F course work hours applicable to an undergraduate degree.

Students should realize that P/F graded courses might not be accepted in transfer to other institutions of higher learning. Professional schools are especially reluctant to accept P/F graded course work.