Life at TU

freshman to-do list

Step 5: Complete Academic Interest Form     

Deadline: June 1

Contact:  Academic Advising - 410-704-3678

 

The To-Do List information below is for students entering fall 2011. Information for students entering fall 2012 will be available in mid-April.

 

The Academic Interest Form will be used to develop your first-term schedule of classes. Your schedule will be based on the answers you provide on the Academic Interest Form and university Core Curriculum requirements that all students must complete. Your academic profile and course availability are also important factors in the creation of your schedule.

Each newly enrolled freshman student must complete the Academic Interest Form online by June 1. Follow the steps below to complete your form:

  1. Read all information relating to the Academic Interest Form. In addition, we suggest you review the list of university Core Curriculum courses available at the Academic Advising Freshman Information website.


  2. Complete and submit the form, answering all questions. The form must be submitted by June 1. You may submit your form any time after officially enrolling at Towson University. The earlier you submit your form the more classes will be available to you.

When your Academic Interest Form is received, a professional academic advisor will register you for 1-3 required foundation classes.  You will then receive an e-mail with instructions on how to complete your schedule.  Please read the instructions carefully and register by July 10.

Need help? Schedule a phone consultation with an academic interest advisor, detailed below.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact the Academic Advising Center at 410-704-3678.

A professional academic adviser will create the foundation of your schedule based on:

  • The answers you provide on your Academic Interest Form. Please answer all questions as completely as possible.
  • The courses required for graduation, specific major requirements and the courses available when the form is received.
  • Special scheduling considerations, including athletic practices, Honors College courses and other commitments that you may have.
  • AP or college credit: AP credit is awarded based upon your test score(s). Test results may not be available until late summer, so changes in your final schedule may be necessary. Please indicate on your form if you are taking AP exams or classes at another college. This will enable us to avoid duplication of classes.

Consultation Appointment

New freshmen who wish to review their Academic Interest Form with an adviser may schedule a phone consultation appointment. Phone appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are only scheduled via the online reservation system (no phone reservations), in half-hour intervals. Please be sure to enter your e-mail address and telephone number correctly. Appointments are available from May 2 – June 30. This is an information-only session. Schedules will not be made during the consultation. This optional session is not required. You will not be at a disadvantage if you don’t have a consultation. All students will be registered for classes in the same manner. Please be aware that no changes to your schedule will be made prior to meeting your First-Year Experience Adviser at the start of the fall term. Although advisers will be making changes to your schedule throughout the summer, your final schedule will be available at New Student Orientation.


First-Year Experience (FYE) Adviser

All students are assigned to a First-Year Experience (FYE) adviser who is a member of the Towson faculty, a professional academic adviser or a staff member. FYE advisers help students with the special situations they may encounter during their first year in college. Advisers can answer questions about curriculum, majors, special opportunities (internships, study abroad)
or general adjustment to college, including crucial time management and study skills. Your FYE adviser will be listed on your class schedule. You will meet your FYE adviser during your New Student Orientation program.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are Towson’s graduation requirements?

Every student who attends Towson University must fulfill the following requirements in order to graduate:

  • Complete university Core Curriculum requirements

  • Fulfill requirements for a major (and minor, if desired)

  • Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA

  • Complete 32 upper-level units (300-400 level)

  • Earn a minimum of 120 units

These requirements must be completed by the time you graduate. Some classes will fulfill both a Core and a major requirement. Advisers take these requirements into consideration when developing your schedule.

For more information, visit Current Students, then select a topic under Academic Resources.

For best course availability, please complete your Academic Interest Form as soon as possible and by June 1. Schedules are created in the order in which Academic Interest Forms are received. Once the foundation of your schedule has been created, you may be given the opportunity to add additional courses to your schedule. You will be notified by an e-mail to your
Towson University account which will include guidance about how to select and register for additional courses to complete your schedule.

What are the university Core Curriculum requirements?

The university Core Curriculum requirements (Core) are arranged to give you an opportunity to take courses in all of the critical areas that make up a liberal education. University Core Curriculum requirements include 14 courses in four categories:

  • Fundamentals
  • Ways of Knowing
  • Writing in a Chosen Field
  • Perspectives

The Fundamentals category includes English composition, mathematics, creativity and creative development, and a Towson Freshman Seminar. Fundamentals courses are generally taken in the first two or three terms of a student’s undergraduate program. The Ways of Knowing category includes one course in arts and humanities; one course in social and behavioral sciences; and two courses in biological and physical sciences (at least one course must include a lab). Writing in a Chosen Field is an advanced writing seminar, typically taken by a student in her/his junior or senior year. The Perspectives category includes one course in each of the following: metropolitan perspectives; the United States as a nation; global perspectives; diversity and difference; and ethical issues and perspectives. Students can choose from a variety of classes in each category with the exception of English composition, which is required of all students. Courses taken for Core Curriculum requirements may also be used to fulfill requirements of your major.

Do I need to know my major now?

You are not required to declare your major when you enroll at Towson. You can be considered as an open/undecided major until you are ready to declare a specific major. Please indicate any major(s) of interest on your Academic Interest Form. You can change your major at a later time; students must choose a major by the time they have earned 60 units.

Should I take all Core Curriculum courses in my first two years?

While it is generally a good idea to take many of your Core Curriculum courses early in your academic career, often it is best to combine Core courses with major requirements throughout your time at TU. Some students use the Core to explore options for a major. All Core Curriculum units are counted toward the graduation requirements, and most majors leave room for students to take additional, non-major-credit classes.

How do I keep track of all these different requirements?

The 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog will be your source of information throughout your time at Towson. The catalog includes all Towson University academic policies and regulations, including information and requirements for every major and descriptions of every course offered at the university. It also contains listings of campus resources, faculty members, and scholarships and honors available to students.

You may access the catalog online for general information and course descriptions to aid you in completing your Academic Interest Form. From Towson’s home page, follow the link for Current Students on the left side and under Academic Resources click on Courses and Catalogs.

You will be assigned a First-Year Experience (FYE) Adviser who will be listed on your course schedule. You will work with your adviser to develop an academic plan that will help and guide you through your first year at TU.

Am I required to have an advising consultation in person or by phone?

No, a consultation is just another method to share information about the advising and registration process. Everything a new student needs to know is in this To-Do packet or online. Schedules will not be created during an advising consultation. You can trust the expertise of the professionals who will create your first-term schedule.

What if I need (or want) to make changes to my schedule?

Advisers take time and consideration when making schedules. Each student’s interests and needs are reviewed individually. If, however, you feel there are educationally essential changes that need to be made, you can consult with your First-Year Experience Adviser during New Student Orientation. Changes may be made depending on course availability. There is a “change of schedule” period during the first week of classes. Students have the opportunity to make changes during that time as well.

How do I know if I need Placement Testing?

Students who received a Critical Reading, Math or Writing SAT score of 500 or above are exempt from placement testing in that skill. If placement testing is required, the Placement Testing Office will contact you directly about testing dates. If testing is required, placement testing should be completed as soon as possible so that Academic Advisers can create your schedule using testing results.

What if I have taken AP classes?

For students who take Advanced Placement tests, AP credit is given based on your test score(s). A list of eligible classes and scores can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog. The Office of Admissions (410-704-2113) will award the appropriate credit. If you are taking AP or IB classes or if you are planning to earn credits from another institution, please indicate so on the Academic Interest Form.

 

 

 


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