Undergraduate Student Handbook

Advising

Although advisement in the department is facilitated by faculty members from the department, it is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with university and department procedures and policies; degree program, including course prerequisites and requirements; and university registration procedures. We firmly believe that the more ownership you have to the successful completion of your degree program at the university, the better prepared you will be when you graduate. It is important that you check the following on an ongoing basis:

• Ram Portal
• Degree Audit
• WCU email
• Special Education Department Website
• WCU/CESW social media pages

The guidance sheet and recommended pacing guide for your program of study can be found at the back of this handbook. The Degree Audit available via Ram Portal shows all the courses you have taken and grades you have earned - it should be accessed periodically and checked for accuracy.

Self-scheduling occurs near the middle of the semester, and involves the following steps:

1. Log in to Ram Portal to review your degree audit – this shows all courses completed and associated grades. The audit also lists all other program requirements that you will be expected to complete.
2. Advising Appointment - you must meet your faculty advisor to review your progress; address any questions you may have and remove your advisor hold. It is important that you reference your pacing guide and build a "tentative schedule” in Ram Portal before your advisor appointment. Some advisors require students to sign-up for appointments, while others have walk-in appointments – your EDA advisor will provide guidance on their preferred process.
3. During your appointment, your advisor will review your “tentative schedule” and discuss other issues that may relevant (i.e., your grades, your teacher candidacy status etc.).
4. When your scheduling window opens, you will enroll in your approved courses via Ram Portal – it is important that you schedule your courses as soon as possible following your appointed time; seats in your preferred course sections fill up fast!
5. Remember to log off properly if using a computer in a public computer lab!

Your faculty advisor is assigned by the department and noted on Ram Portal.

Every student in the Special Education major will be assigned a special education faculty advisor during your first semester. Our Student Success Coordinators are also available for additional academic advising support.