Frequently Asked Questions  

1. Who is my academic advisor?

2. How can I change my major and/or advisor?

3. How do I know when to meet with my advisor?
   

   

4. How do I know what classes to take?
   

5. How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

6. What is a Registration Access Code?

7. How do I get my access code?

8. How do I enter my access code into the registration system?

9. What are the General Education requirements?

10. What are Cultural Diversity requirements?

11. Can I repeat a course in order to protect my GPA?

12. What is the difference between withdrawing from a course and dropping a course?

13. Which year of the Bulletin I should I use?

14. How many credits should I take each semester?

15. What do I need to do if I am on academic probation?

Who is my academic advisor?

• Your academic advisor is assigned according to your major course of study. The Office of First Year Experience provides advising services for all students who have not chosen a major. Your advisor’s name is located at the top of your class schedule.  Your class schedule can be viewed online through the MNSU E-Services website. You can also call The Office of First Year Experience for help. 507- 389-5498

How can I change my major and/or advisor?

• If you are declared as an undecided major and you make a decision regarding your major course of study:
  • Go to the Student Relations Coordinator for the college, and they will assign you to a new advisor.
  • OR Go directly to the department to declare a major and they will assign you to a new advisor.
    

 

How do I know when to meet with my advisor?

• It is up to you how often you would like to meet with your advisor. It is recommended that you meet with your advisor at least once a semester to discuss registration. However, advising centers and faculty tend to be incredibly busy the few weeks before registration, so the earlier the better. Your advisor is also available to you whenever you need to discuss any issue related to your academics or the transition to MSU.

  Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

  registration	class schedules	withdrawing from a class
  dropping a class	choosing a major	switching a major
  getting an access code	struggling in a class or classes	homesickness
  academic probation	Test taking tips	Time management
  Study skills	Managing stress	Campus involvement

  
  

How do I know what classes to take?

• There are several ways to choose classes. First, if you have selected a major, consult with the Undergraduate Bulletin to find out which classes you are required to take. Second, consult your credit evaluation sheets to find out which general education classes you still need to fulfill. Third, after completing these steps, meet with your advisor to discuss the courses you are considering.

How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

• The Office of First Year Experience has 10 advisors who are available to meet with students. The best way to schedule time with an advisor is to call ahead (507-389-5498) or stop in and make an appointment with the front desk.
  

What is a Registration Access Code?

• Registration access codes are assigned to undecided students by the FYE Office. Access codes REQUIRE that a student meet with their assigned academic advisor in order to register for classes. Undecided students who have completed fewer than 24 credits OR greater than 60 credits are assigned an access code. The purpose of an access code is to assure that undecided students are aware of the academic standards and requirements needed for degree completion.
  

• Note: Several other majors at Minnesota State Mankato also require an access code. Check with your academic advisor to see if you need a registration access code.

 

How do I get my access code?

• Access codes are assigned 6 weeks prior to registration and you will need to meet with an advisor in the Office of First Year Experience in order to receive your access code. FYE office sends an email to undecided students who need to meet with an advisor to get an access code. You and your advisor will discuss the general education requirements, course selection for the following semester, major exploration, the online registration process, as well as any questions you might have. Come to your advising appointment prepared to discuss your current classes and bring a list of possible classes for the following semester.

 

How do I enter my access code into the registration system?

• After you meet with an advisor in the FYE office, will receive your Access Code for the semester.

You will need to enter your registration access code prior to registering for classes. You will only need to enter your access code once a term.

1. Go to the Registration E-Services website: https://www.mnsu.edu/eservices/

2. Log into your account

3. Click on Courses & Registration tab

4. Click on Registration Access Code tab

5. Check to see of the correct semester is displayed.

6. Click on Courses & Registration tab

7. Click on Registration Access Code tab

8. Enter your access code and click Submit.

What are the General Education requirements?

• Satisfaction of General Education requires a minimum number of credits in assigned multidisciplinary categories. The specific requirements may vary depending on the academic year Bulletin you are referencing. The Undergraduate Bulletin explains the General Education requirements in more detail. We strongly recommend meeting with your advisor to determine the General Education requirements you have completed as well as the requirements you have left to fulfill.

• Note: General Education is intended to be intertwined with the classes in your major.  For many majors on campus it is NOT recommended to take all of your general education classes first and then begin the classes in your major. Meeting with an advisor can help you make informed decisions regarding the best class schedule.

 

What are Cultural Diversity requirements?

• Cultural Diversity courses are required in order to graduate from MSU. The Undergraduate Bulletin explains the requirements needed to fulfill your cultural diversity courses.  Advisors in the FYE office can explain cultural diversity requirements in more detail. We recommend meeting with an advisor to determine the cultural diversity requirements you have completed as well as the requirements you have left to fulfill.

 

Can I repeat a course in order to protect my GPA?

Effective Spring Semester of 2007-2008 academic year:

• A student may only take a course three times. This includes the first completion and two course repeats.

• The last grade earned in a repeated course will the student’s final official grade and the only grade included for that course in GPA calculations.

• This course repeat policy only applies to courses taken at MSU.

• You can visit the Academic Affairs website for more information.

What is the difference between withdrawing from a course and dropping a course?

• Dropping a class

If a student drops a class they are merely deciding that they do no want to take the class.  Students must Drop by the end of the first week of classes using the on-line registration system.  A dropped course has no permanent impact on a student’s record and will not count against their completion rate. Check the registration website for official deadlines.

 

• Withdrawal from Individual Full Term Classes

A withdrawal from individual full term classes means that the student plans to withdraw from one or some (but not all) courses and receive a W on their official transcript. Withdrawing from a class does impact a student’s completion rate.  Students may withdraw from individual courses up until a couple weeks before the end of the semester by using the on-line registration system. We highly recommend meeting with your advisor before officially withdrawing from a course in order to discuss how it may affect your academic progress as well as your Finical Aid. Check the registration website for official deadlines.

 

• Withdrawal from All Full Term Classes

Students may also withdraw from all of their courses (Official Withdrawal from the University).  Official Withdrawal is initiated through the Campus Hub located on the main level of Centennial Student Union.  A student’s withdrawal from the University will impact completion rate, campus housing, and Financial Aid. We highly recommend meeting with your advisor before officially withdrawing from all courses in order to discuss how it may affect your academic progress as well as your Finical Aid. Check the registration website for official deadlines.

 

 

Which year of the Bulletin I should I use?

• Bulletin Expiration Policy

The privilege of graduating under the requirements of an undergraduate bulletin extends no longer than seven years from the term of the student’s original enrollment. The requirements outlined in the current bulletin become effective at the beginning of the fall semester. Although no student can graduate under requirements outlined in a bulletin of more than seven years preceding the date of graduation, the student may elect to graduate under a more recent bulletin. However, students must complete all the requirements under a single bulletin, except for new programs.

Note: While specific requirements for a degree may expire or change, students never “lose” college credits they have earned. They may have to take additional coursework, or fulfill different requirements to obtain a degree under a new bulletin.

 

How many credits should I take each semester?

• A student needs to average 16 credits per semester in order to graduate in four years.  It is recommended that a full time student sticks to the average course load. It is not uncommon for first year students to take less than 16 credits their first semester. Some students feel it is a way to ease into college life. Additionally, if a student would like to take more then 18 credits per semester they would need to complete the Credit Hour Overload application found on the registration website .

What do I need to do if I am on academic probation?

• If you drop below satisfactory academic standards for MSU you will be notified by an email from your college outlining the specific steps you will need to remove probation. Each college may have different requirements to remove academic probation.

• If you are an undecided student you will work with the Office of First Year Experience advising staff. To successfully begin the probation advising process undecided students should click here.