English Department Advising

Advising is a dynamic developmental process, not simply a way of making it through WCU's various program procedures. You should think of your advisor as someone who is knowledgeable about our programs, who can direct you to campus resources, and who has experience with the world outside the university; your advisor can help you make important decisions here that will affect your future.

However, while your advisor will offer direction, make recommendations, and answer any questions you may have about the program, ultimately, you are responsible for:

• understanding and keeping abreast of the program requirements you must complete;
• checking MyWCU to find your enrollment appointment (that is, your registration date) for scheduling your next semester's courses;
• signing up to meet with your advisor in advance of your enrollment appointment, so that you will be able to register for classes when your date and time to schedule occurs;
• conferring with your advisor regularly (and especially when any question arises); and
• maintaining accurate records to ensure that you are meeting the mandated requirements, including the completion of 120 credits, for graduation.

Be sure to consult the advising sheet that corresponds to your specific degree and track.  We recommend that you print and save a copy of the sheet and fill it in as you make you way through the major.

• B.A. Literatures Track Advising Sheet
• B.S.Ed. Literatures Track Advising Sheet
• B.A. Writings Track Advising Sheet
• B.S.Ed. Writings Track Advising Sheet

For the advising sheets for all English minors, please consult our minor pages.

Please consult MyWCU to identify your English Department advisor. Mary Clark is the English Department's Program Coordinator and can answer any advising-related questions you might have.

Why meet with your advisor?

• To ensure timely progress towards your degree.
• To become better acquainted with the program and with a faculty member.
• To lift the electronic advising block so that you can schedule your classes.
• To discuss which courses you should take and the order in which you should take them.
• To answer your questions about specific program requirements, such as the Test of Writing Competency or Portfolio for B.S.Ed. students.
• To learn about the rich array of careers available to majors, graduate school, and other opportunities after graduation.
• To discuss your progress and performance, including any difficulties you may be having in your academic program.
• To learn about resources on campus that can help you with academic or personal problems.
• To obtain information about minors or other academic and extracurricular opportunities.
• To learn about completing assessment instruments for your program.
• To discuss readiness for graduation.

Secondary Education advising

While your Departmental advisor is your primary advisor, B.S.Ed. students should also consult with the Department of Professional and Secondary Education to learn the name of their advisor in that Department. The Prof/Sec advisor will help B.S.Ed. students with the sequence and content of education courses, test requirements, and field experience information. You can find your advisor's name by going to the Department of Professional and Secondary Education, 105 Recitation Hall, or from MyWCU.

Procedure for Scheduling

1. Pay any University bills; you cannot schedule if you have unpaid University bills, parking tickets, health center charges, etc.
2. Sign up for an office meeting with your assigned advisor via the advisor's preferred method (appointment schedule on office door, online scheduling, or via email). You should arrange to meet with your advisor at least 10 days before your registration date, found on MyWCU under "When can I register for classes?". Dates are assigned based, in part, on the number of credits you have earned; you can find your advisor's name and your enrollment appointment date easily by simply logging into your MyWCU account.
3. You should come to your advising appointment with a list of courses, based on the offerings for that semester, that you would like to take and any questions you may have about offerings, your progress in the program, or career directions.
4. Your assigned advisor must clear you electronically before you can schedule on MyWCU. Please do not phone or e-mail requesting that your advising flag be lifted when you have not completed the required in-person advising session.
5. Your advisor will not lift your advising flag to allow you to schedule without a meeting to discuss your plans.
6. To avoid having your schedule purged by the Registrar, pay your bill promptly. If your schedule is purged, you may not be able to reconstruct it. In most cases, the Department will not be able to add you back into classes that have filled, if you have lost your seat in a class due to purging, and another student has added into that class.

Looking for more information about advising at WCU?  Please visit the university's Academic Advising page.