Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies

Advising

Academic advising is an integral part of the teaching/learning process.  It is a shared responsibility between the student and academic advisor. The objective of the academic department advising is to discuss the degree requirements, review the student’s progress and help students decide what courses they should be taking in the next semester. Here are a few tips to keep in mind regarding advising:

• Departmental advising in one form or another must take place each semester in order to have the advising hold flag lifted from your PeopleSoft student account.
• Students should retain all records of meetings with their group and individual advisors.
• The Degree Progress Report is the official document used by the department and the graduation office to evaluate if you have completed the requirements for the degree.  It is your responsibility to monitor your Degree Progress Report for discrepancies.  Discrepancies should be immediately reported to your advisor.
• The find your Degree Progress Report, login to PeopleSoft, click on Self-Serve>click on Student Center> pull down the other academics menu and click on Degree Progress Report.

In the Mass Communication and Communication Studies Department, students have the following advising options depending on their standing in the program:

• Online self-administered advising
• Individual Advising

Exceptions include:

• First Year Experience Students (Non-Transfer) All students who are registered for ORIE 305 & 306 are required to meet with FYE Advisors at least twice during the fall semester with at least one meeting dedicated to course selection and registration.  During the spring semester FYE students are still required to meet with their advisor for registration for the following semester. General MCCS advising requirements and dates are NOT for FYE students.  FYE students are NOT allowed to waive advising. FYE students will be contacted by their FYE advisors for individual and group advising dates and times.  Failure to meet with an FYE advisor will prohibit registration.
• First Semester Transfer Students Once admitted to Towson, you will attend a TU Cares Orientation session where you will meet a COMM or MCOMM advisor who will help you sign up for classes and answer any questions.
• Graduating seniors You are not required to seek advising to have your advising hold flag removed if you do not need to register for classes for the following semester, however, you are responsible for your graduation clearance. Consult your degree progress report and if there are any discrepancies, seek individual advising.
• First semester seniors You must participate in one of the three forms of advising prior to registering for next semester's classes. It is important for you to consult your degree progress report as you are ultimately responsible for your graduation clearance.  Your are encouraged to seek individual advising.

Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies
Media Center, Room 114 (map)
Phone: 410-704-3431
Fax: 410-704-3656

Mailing address: 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252
Advising and program information: jarmstrong@towson.edu
Webmaster: mccs@towson.edu

Prospective and current students can contact James Armstrong for advising information at jarmstrong@towson.edu, 410-704-3253, Media Center Room 118.

	• Junior and senior students may complete the online self-adminstered advising form in place of individual advising.

	• TU Transfer Student Guide (PDF) • Advising information for transfer students • How to transfer to Towson University • MCOM course prerequisites (PDF)

	• How to declare or change your major/minor/track online (PDF) • Application for admission to the major • Petition to transfer courses into your MCCS major or minor • Petition to attempt a course for the third time • MCCS course prerequisites (PDF) • How to read your Degree Progress Report (PDF) • How to apply for graduation • Undergraduate Catalog • Core Curriculum requirements