Advising Resources 

Welcome to the Major

I thought I would put together a little note with some helpful information.

The easiest way to contact me is through email (paul.prew@mnsu.edu). We can go through the Sociology or Corrections courses to help you figure out which classes to take and when. I have some information below that can help you do much of your course planning on your own, but I am here to help you choose courses or minors that mesh with your interests. I also can help clarify the process and give you a better idea of how long it will take to graduate. One of the things that I like to do is to sit down with my advisees when they are near their Junior year to plan out their remaining courses. This will give you an idea of how many classes you need to take and whether a summer class or two would allow you to graduate a semester early.

First, the most helpful tool to plan your studies and select your courses is the “DARS” report. If you have not located it already, you can find it under “E-services.” The weblink is https://www.mnsu.edu/eservices/ You should be able to find it under the section on E-services called “Grades and Transcripts” (if I remember correctly - your version displays a bit differently than mine). You can find your unofficial Transcript under “Academic Record.” But the most helpful information is found under “Interactive Degree Audit.” This is your DARS report.

In your DARS report, you can find a list of all of the general education requirements and the requirements for your major and minor. Those requirements you have completed will be checked off in green, and those you have not will have a red “X.” Those courses that you are currently taking that meet your requirements will be indicated by a green checkmark with an “IP” in it (indicating you are in progress). As you take more classes, it is easier to figure out your last few terms and when you will be able to graduate.

To search for classes in current (or previous terms) available for registration, go to the Course Schedules page. You can find it here: https://secure2.mnsu.edu/courses/

To help you plan your course of study, be sure that you declare your minor by going to the appropriate department and letting them know you will be minoring in their program. This will then add your minor to your DARS report.

Because the DARS report has been improving, I think it is easier than in the past for students to plan their own course of study without an advisor’s help. However, I am there to guide you and can help you avoid some of the problems with the small print such as the 40 credit rule and the 8/2 rule for general education credits. There are some common pitfalls that I can help you avoid, so I would suggest meeting with me to make sure we do not miss anything.

Once you are ready for graduation, there are two things to know.

First, you must apply for graduation approximately a year before you plan to graduate. They will take the application much later, but the reason to apply earlier is to allow the Registrar’s office to go through your intended plan of study and to double-check our work. We may miss something such as 1 more credit needed for graduation. In one case, the Registrar’s office found something I missed, and then, I noticed something that the Registrar’s office had missed. It really helps to double check.

Second, you must fill out a form to register for graduation if you want to walk in the ceremony.

Welcome to the major, and let me know if you have any questions!