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Advising for General Studies, Undeclared, and Applied Science

Advising Syllabus

Advising Syllabus (PDF)

Major Codes

  • Undecided/Undeclared: OT01
  • General Studies: BG00
  • Bachelor of Applied Science: BAS0 (ONLY for transfer students with Associate of Applied Science)

Advising Goals:

  • Undeclared/Undecided students: To assist students to declare major by the completion of the Gen. Ed. requirements.
  • Declared students: Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Applied Science, to assist students to graduate in the most timely and cost effective manner.

Student Learning Objectives (these objectives will be assessed for completion)

  • Completion of effective Plan of Study for Gen. Ed. requirements for undeclared students
  • Intentional or purposeful engagement in Major/Career Exploration activities
  • Access and utilize DegreeWorks evaluation report each semester
  • Intentional planning of career and job exploration activities for BG00 and BAS0 students

Effective Strategies for Completing Learning Objectives

  • Learn how to access and utilize MSSU Catalog/Acalog.
  • Learn how to interpret course numbers, sequencing of courses and Pre-requisites
  • Become knowledgeable about MSSU Academic policies and resources
  • LioNet: Learn how to fully utilize Lionet for advising purposes (Video tutorials and/or handouts)
    • Learn how to self-enroll
    • Learn how to access and understand your Financial Aid information
    • Learn how to access your personal Academic records
    • How to view, read and utilize Degree Works (Degree Evaluation) (Video tutorial and handout)
  • Learn how to know when and where to get help
  • Learn how to communicate and work with faculty, tutors, and other support staff.
  • Learn how to create a semester by semester Plan of Study for completion of General Education requirement (for Undeclared students) or completion of degree for BGS and BAS students
  • Commit to and intentionally engage in activities to declare a major if Undeclared by engaging in all or some of the following activities
    • Completing UE 105 class.
    • Complete “TruTalent” assessment, write an associated reflection paper, and discuss profile with a Career Counselor or your advisor.
    • Engage in job shadowing in majors of interest.
    • Conduct Career Interviews with people in the fields of the majors you may be interested in.
    • Attend meetings of or join clubs or organizations of majors you are interested in.
    • Explore other career exploration activities as assigned or discussed with your advisor.

Resources Used

Career Assessments

Communication Policies & Procedures

MSSU Email: Your MSSU-issued e-mail account will be your official means of communication with university officials. If you do not check it regularly, you will miss important information necessary to maintaining your role in the advisor/student relationship. Watch for emails from your advisor and/or the Student Success Center email account studentsuccesscenter@mssu.edu.

Setting up appointments: Walk-ins are welcome; but setting an office appointment is better to ensure you will be seen on time. To set an appointment, call the office phone number at 417-625-3550.

Phone: We will contact you through the phone numbers you have provided for us to remind you of appointments (unless you expressly inform us not to do so). If your phone number changes, please update your LioNet Contact information and notify your advisor.

Cell Phone Usage: During academic advising appointments, cell phone use is considered distracting and unprofessional. You may be asked to turn it off or to wrap up any voice or text conversations in the lobby. Your full attention is required during your advising appointment.

Advising Meetings Schedule

  • Get-to-know-you meeting: early in the semester (1st-4th week of school)
  • Midterm meeting: Set up meeting for weeks 9-11
  • Pre-Enrollment meeting
  • Other appointments as needed, such as: times of personal difficulties, when considering dropping a class or completely withdrawing from school, poor grades, financial concerns, etc.

Meeting topics can include but not limited to the Learning Objectives listed above.

Self-Enrollment

Self-enrollment is available on Lionet or the MSSU Mobile App to most currently enrolled students without the use of any additional pins or passwords. Consult with your advisor and refer to your Degree Works audit prior to self-enrollment.

  • Students must have 30 or more credit hours (including in-progress classes, but excluding courses that are below 100 level).
  • Students must be in Good Academic Standing.
  • Students are expected to meet with their advisor prior to self-enrollment.
  • Students are expected to take full responsibility for the courses they enroll in if they don't consult with or follow their advisor's input.
  • *Note: Some departments and programs may not allow or may not be suitable for self-enrollment. Check with your department if you can self-enroll.

Microsoft Office and Cloud Storage: Students have access to Microsoft Office and cloud storage (OneDrive) through the University issued email account.

MSSU Mobile App: Download MSSU Mobile App for quick and easy access to LioNet, your email, campus events and other important information

Important Phone Numbers to keep in mind (save these on your phones)

Degree Works Audit

A Degree Works audit is an online version of a degree requirements check sheet. It provides a review of past, current, and planned coursework as well as information about completed and outstanding requirements. Audits are organized by blocks. The blocks show what requirements are needed for a specific degree, major, and minor and help you plan in order to fulfill the requirements within each block. Degree Works is not a substitution for consultation with an academic advisor or the college catalog. Degree Works is accessible through your Lionet account under Student Quick Links > Degree Works. You can view your degree audit anytime, but we recommend that you view your audit several times during a semester. Here are a few times when it may be helpful to view your degree audit:

  • At the beginning of each new semester
  • Prior to meeting with an advisor
  • Prior to registering for courses
  • At the end of each semester
  • Prior to applying for graduation
  • After any changes to major or minor
  • After filing a General Academic Petition
  • Anytime you wish to check/verify your progress toward graduation