Academic planning is more than just selecting courses to take. The first step in planning is to establish a purpose for your presence at the university. Why is this critical? Completion of a baccalaureate degree will require an extensive investment of your time and energy. Such an investment is not possible without commitment. Commitment requires purpose. Purpose requires a reason. Take time to explore the reason you are here.

You may be here by default: "My parents wanted me to go to college, but I really don’t know what I want to do with my life. Most of my friends are in college, and I’d look dumb if I didn’t go."

You may be here for the right reason: "My aunt is a CPA. I’ve talked with her about her job, and I can see myself doing what she does. I like analytical problem solving, and I get a lot of satisfaction from learning."

If you are here by default, you may have difficulty committing sufficient time and energy to achieve academic success. Consider visiting the Academic Advising Center to explore your options for a major and a career.

Understanding the Environment

Many students find difficulty in making the transition from high school to college. Individuals accustom to getting "A" grades find themselves getting "C" grades, or worse. Such an experience can be tough on one’s self-esteem.

What is college? College is new friends wanting to shoot buckets, play cards, watch soaps, or just hang out. College is a slate of professors talking over your head and asking you to read more pages in a week than you read in a semester in high school. College is professors not taking attendance. College is freedom to choose how you’re going to spend your day. College is making difficult choices. College is learning to learn. College is your future. College is only once.

Managing Time

Success in college is a lot about making realistic estimates of time required for academics, committing the time, and following through with the commitment.

When in doubt about the amount of out-of-class time for a course, estimate 2 hours out for every hour in class. Some classes will take more, and some will take less. If college is a full-time job, a 45-hour week for a 15-credit load is not unreasonable.

Important other resources to be managed include professors, friends, friends that you haven’t yet made, and finances.

Professors are often underutilized as resources. At UW-L you have the opportunity to get help from your professors on a one-to-one basis; make the most of it. They may not be as engaging as your high school teachers, but professors will help you. You must understand, though, that most professors want you to have grappled at length with a topic before you ask for their help.

Your friends may want to be with you more time than you can afford. You must not give them time that you have allocated to your academics.

Network. Make new friends who are at least one year ahead of you in college. Learn from their experiences.

Credit cards are liabilities, not assets. Don’t allow short-term debt to pile up. Paying off debt requires more employment and less time allocated to academics.

The University Catalog is a contract between you and the university. If you meet the terms of the contract, you will be awarded a baccalaureate degree. It is your responsibility to know the requirements for graduation. Study them. Here’s a good strategy. Use the Check Sheet (obtained in the CBA dean’s office) to learn the general education requirements, requirements for admission to the CBA, the CBA Professional Core, and the major requirements. Use the Catalog for checking course descriptions and course prerequisites.

Most professors are excellent advisors. However, they do expect you to know the requirements. Your advisor’s job is to review your plans and provide advice. Always feel free to get a second opinion from another professor

A university is an institution of higher learning. The focus is on learning, not teaching. Take primary responsibility for your learning.

Because of the popularity of the 4-1/2 year plan for meeting the 150-hour requirement, this section provides guidance on that approach.

As Table 1 demonstrates, you can complete 150 credits in 4-1/2 years quite easily.

TABLE 1
FOUR AND A HALF YEARS TO 150 CREDITS

Etc. @ is used because courses are being offered in a variety sessions including summer term, January (J-term) and May (M-term).

Another solution to picking up extra credits is to use UW- Extension.

# ACC 350 (VITA) is two credits.

* The spring of the senior year would include a 12 credit internship and 3 "regular" credits.

• Second CBA major: especially finance, information systems, or international business
• Other second major: this may be hard to fit within 150 credits
• International Business minor
• Foreign language proficiency (major or minor)
• Communications minor

You may create your own set of courses that you can characterize on your resume as an emphasis. For example, the CBA does not have a minor in either finance or information systems. You might pick and choose from the courses in either of those programs to create an emphasis.

Scheduling Notes for Freshmen

Around November 1 and again around April 1 of your freshman year you will get a letter requesting your presence at a scheduling meeting for Principles of Accounting. It is important you attend because accounting majors should take Principles of Accounting a semester earlier than other business majors. At the meeting you will be allowed to register for ACC 221 or 222 early. If you cannot attend the meeting you should contact the department chair in person as soon as possible.

Every semester accounting majors are required to see their advisor before they can schedule classes. Students sign up in advance for advising. The advising period is generally two weeks during the middle of November and two weeks in the middle of April. The computer will not allow you to register unless you have been cleared by your advisor.

Table 2 shows a typical schedule for ACC courses. Your plan can be different. Your advisor can give you up to date information, but currently ACC 421 is the only upper division accounting course offered during the summer. ACC 418 and 421 are not offered in the spring. All other required courses are currently offered both semesters. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program (ACC 350) is offered only in the spring. The timing of other electives will depend on demand.

Accounting courses are listed in typical order. You and your advisor may make changes.  All the above accounting courses are required except for VITA and internship.

Print Exhibit 1, complete it, and bring it to the first advising session you have with your advisor.

EXHIBIT 1
PLAN FOR 150 CREDITS

Name _________________________________

E-mail address ____________________

Graduation Date _____________________

I plan to take the CPA Exam:  Yes    No

If no, then you are finished with this document

Expected date of CPA Exam:  May    November   Year ___________

Internship Plan: YES   NOT SURE   NO

The additional academic credential I am considering:

MBA  Yes      No

Major ____________________

Minor ____________________

Emphasis___________________

Advisor Signature ____________________