Advising and Registration

Definition: Advisement at ETSU is a continuous interactive process between an advisor and student which facilitates the development and achievement of the student’s overall goals. Advisement is a distinct part of a student’s educational experience, provided by ETSU as a service. Advisors routinely contact students regarding academic alerts which instructors submit, mid-term grades, course scheduling and progress toward degree providing information, recommendations and referrals.

Responsibility Shared: A successful relationship between an advisor and student depends upon shared responsibility. Advisors and others at ETSU provide mentoring, advice, referrals, and information to help students make wise, informed decisions. The relationship students develop with their advisor is important to their success at ETSU. Students should consult with their advisor each semester and especially before making decisions that may affect their academic progress and success. Discussions with the advisor may include: understanding degree requirements, dropping a class, withdrawing from ETSU, selecting courses, and exploring career options. Students are ultimately responsible for their academic decisions, including course selection, meeting prerequisites, and adhering to policies, procedures and deadlines at ETSU. Additional resources and information available on the Undergraduate Student Advisement website.

Future Students (Transfers and Freshmen)

During the summer, new students, both freshmen and transfer, and their guests are invited to the campus to share in an orientation to university life and to register for fall semester classes. The orientation program is mandatory if you live within a 250-mile radius of campus. At orientation, students will be introduced to campus, attend interest sessions, meet with an academic advisor and leave campus with their class schedules completed. Students entering ETSU summer or spring semesters will also have an opportunity to attend an orientation. For more information see the New Student and Family website.

Students who are not required to attend orientation should contact their advisor after completing the required online orientation-LAUNCH.

Current ETSU Students:

Spring registration for returning ETSU students begins in early November. Summer and fall registration begins in early April. Students should be advised well before registration begins. Some departments may begin advising weeks before registration begins.

Advisement Required For Most Students

All students have a major advisor and should confer with their advisor each semester and when questions arise. In fact, ETSU requires most students consult with an advisor before registering for the next term. Students will have an advisement hold each semester that will prevent registration until the student has consulted with their major advisor.  Mandatory advisement ensures timely and accurate course registration and helps keep students on track to graduation.

The following students must be advised and will have an advisement hold that will prevent registration before they are able to register each semester:

• Regardless of major, students required to complete Learning Support courses in Reading will be advised by the University Advisement Center (423) 439-5244..
• All students with less than 60 earned credits.
• Students who have been readmitted are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration their first term back at ETSU.
• These guidelines are the minimum advisement requirements. Many colleges and departments may have additional advisement requirements. Students should consult with their academic department or advisor to determine their advisement requirements.

How to Find Your Advisor

Students who have declared a major should see an advisor in that major. A quick reference Advisor Contact List is available online.

Additional Advisement Opportunities and Requirements

Some students may have multiple advisors (major, minor, program, licensure) who will provide advisement in these areas.

 Other advisement or support areas include:

• Athletics (423) 439-4618 or 9-6439
• Medical Professions Advisement (423) 439-5602
• Student Support Services (423) 439-5396
• Students who are pursuing secondary education licensure (grades 7-12) should contact the Clemmer College advisement office during their first semester at ETSU (423) 439-7626.

Transfer Students

Transfer students often have questions and concerns that are unique to transfer students. Some of these are addressed below. Additional resources and assistance available through New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) and Transfer Articulation. The following resources will also be helpful in a smooth transfer to ETSU.

Transfer students should review their Degree Works audit in GoldLink once they are accepted.

Please follow the guidelines listed below:

• Missing coursework
  • Have you submitted your transfer transcripts to Undergraduate Admissions?
  • Contact Undergraduate Admissions (423) 439-4213
• If you have a transfer course that you feel should meet a major or minor requirement, discuss with your major advisor to determine review process.
• If you have a transfer course that you feel should meet a General Education requirement please see directions for General Education Transfer Course Review.
• Transfer students who do not transfer in college-level English or Math courses will be required to take a placement test in that subject area.

Advisement Appointments - How to Be Prepared

• BE PREPARED
• Review your Degree Works audit in GoldLink.
• Be aware of and ask questions about the following graduation requirements:
  • Admissions Requirements for Program (if applicable)
  • General Education Requirements: a common set of course requirements that all students must meet, regardless of their major or career goals. Some general education courses are specific to your major or minor. Discuss requirements with your advisor. Transfer students may request a General Education Transfer Course Review if they believe a transfer course is equivalent to an ETSU general education course requirement.
  • CSCI 1100 or Proficiency Requirement
  • Major Requirements
  • Minor Requirements (if required)
  • Concentration Requirements (if applicable)
  • Licensure Requirements for Teaching (if applicable)
  • College of Arts and Sciences degree options and requirements (if applicable)

Declaring a Major

Undergraduate students must declare a major no later than the first term after they complete 60 semester credit hours. Transfer students who transfer more than 60 semester credit hours must declare a major by the end of their first semester at ETSU. This policy also applies to students in pre-professional programs. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree must declare a major at the time of application.

Major, Area Concentration, and Minor

A “major” is the curriculum for a particular field of study a student wishes to pursue in earning a degree. The minimum number of credits for a major is 24, but the total varies according to the area. An “area” concentration” is a specialized area of study within a major. Most majors require a “minor.” A minor is a secondary area of study outside of the major program of study with a structured curriculum composed of at least 18 semester credit hours of which at least 9 hours must be at the 3000-level or above. Students should consult their catalog of record to determine the major and minor requirements for specific areas of study. They should meet regularly with an academic advisor in the major to select courses needed to complete a degree. Students should also meet with an advisor in their chosen minor department to ensure that the correct courses are chosen to complete the minor.

How to Change Your Major or Minor: If you decide to change your major, minor or concentration, you do so through the academic department in the new area. Before selecting a new major, minor, or concentration, it is very important to select what best fits your interests, skills, and goals. Review your prospective choices with the advisor in this program and review requirements in the Programs A to Z guide in this catalog or use the What If Program in Degree Works (available in GoldLink.) The advisor or department will assist you in completing an undergraduate change of major. Students should keep their major, minor and concentration up-to-date to ensure accuracy of Degree Works audit.

Early Semester Progress Reports (mid-term grades) are used as an early indicator of academic progress in undergraduate level courses. Early Semester Progress Reports are available to undergraduate students in GoldLink around the 8th week of the fall and spring semesters. If the grades are unsatisfactory, students should use these grades to start conversations with their instructors, their academic advisor and to seek tutoring and other campus resources to improve their grades.

Academic Probation and Suspension: Information can be found in the Academic Retention Standards Policy.

Advisement Information Resources

• The Office of the Director of Academic Advisement: This office houses the Executive Director of Academic Advisement and Assistant Director of Advisement Training. The office coordinates best practices for advisement, provides campus training for Banner, GoldLink, advisor training, and serves as a referral source for advisors, faculty, staff, and students.  
• Academic Calendar for Students is a list of important dates by term including holidays and deadline dates.

It is the responsibility of a nonimmigrant applicant to comply with current INS regulations in regard to collegiate enrollment. INS regulations may prohibit the enrollment of an individual in B-1 or B-2 visa status. International Programs and Services administers the university’s foreign student (F status) and visitor exchange (J status) programs. Other nonimmigrant applicants may consult with International Programs. The office also coordinates study abroad, overseas university partnerships, exchange programs, and the International Education Study Abroad Scholarship. (423) 439- 7737

Courses taken while participating in exchange programs may be transferred to ETSU and may fulfill graduation requirements while tuition, fees, and sometimes room and board are paid at ETSU rates. See International Programs for more information.

Information may be obtained from International Student and Scholar Services.

Returning Students: Spring class registration for returning ETSU students begins in early November. Summer and fall registration begins in early April. Students should be advised well before registration begins and will register through GoldLink using the tools identified below.

Future Students: 
During the summer, new students, both freshmen and transfer, and their guests are invited to the campus to share in an orientation to university life and to register early for fall semester classes. The orientation program is mandatory if you live within a 250-mile radius of campus. At orientation, students will be introduced to campus, attend interest sessions, meet with an academic advisor and leave campus with their class schedules completed. Students entering ETSU summer or spring semesters will also have an opportunity to attend an orientation. For more information see the New Student and Family Programs website.

Students who are not required to attend orientation should contact their advisor after completing LAUNCH (online orientation).

Registration Process:

Most students will be required to meet with an academic advisor to review course selection for the upcoming semester. Students will register using GoldLink when registration begins if all registration holds have been removed.

•  GoldLink is the ETSU portal. Students can login to register for classes, print class schedule, accept financial aid awards, pay fees, view Degree Works audit, academic transcript and much more.
•  Schedule Builder is a simple interface that provides you with the ability to generate schedules for your classes in mere seconds! Compare up to 4 schedules at a time! “Lock in” your first choice professor and regenerate for a new set of schedules. Send the schedule back to your Registration Cart until your registration time. Check it out in GoldLink on the “Student” page under the “Registration Tools” box and experience Innovative Schedule Building!
•  Degree Works is an academic advising and degree auditing tool that helps advisors and students successful navigate curriculum requirement.  Degree Works uses the established curriculum to give students updated information of courses taken or transferred, grades received and courses needed to complete their degree(s) requirements. Degree Works also provide students with the ability to plan for future terms or the entire length of the program with the use of the “Plan” function. The “What-if” scenarios is another feature that allow students to experiment with changing majors or degree plans.
• Registration HelpLine, 102 Burgin Dossett Hall or (423) 439-5584 (M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EST). Additional information and registration forms can be found on the Registration website under forms.

Guide to Registering

This guide provides information and directions for registration each semester. The university catalog is the official publication of the university and should be consulted by all students in matters relating to academic policy and program planning.

1. Before registering

• Check your registration status in GoldLink a few weeks before registration begins. Registration status displays holds, advisement holds, first available registration time, hours earned, academic status, etc.
  • How to check registration status
    • Login to GoldLink portal
    • Choose the “Student” Page
    • In the “Registration Tools” box, choose “Registration Status”
• Pay fees/parking tickets online in GoldLink or contact appropriate offices for more information or to clear holds. Most holds will also have a reason listed for the hold. Visit website for list of hold types and who to contact.
• Get advised. Advisor Contact List
• Plan your class schedule for the next term. Use the Look Up Classes or Schedule Builder option in GoldLink to create your class schedule. Use these resources to learn how to register.
  • “How to Register” using GoldLink: Tutorial available online.
  • Schedule Builder: A helpful tool for creating schedules each semester.
  • Registration resources: Forms, tutorials, and how-to documents that will help with registration.

2. Registering for classes

• Register online using GoldLink or
• Register in person at 102 Burgin Dossett Hall or call Registration Helpline: (423) 439-5584 (M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, EST) for help.

3.  Completing registration

• Accept financial aid in GoldLink.
  • Financial Aid tutorials and step by step guides
• Complete - Confirmation of Registration and Payment of Fees guides
• Pay fees on GoldLink.
• Complete all schedule changes before the first day of class to prevent additional fees.
• Review schedule changes with your academic advisor or verify course choices noted in your program of study.
• If you decide not to attend ETSU, you must drop your courses on GoldLink or through Office of Registrar, 101 or 102 Burgin Dossett Hall. NEVER rely on being dropped for non-payment. Students are responsible for verifying all schedule changes on GoldLink.

4. Just prior to the first day of classes

• Print your class schedule again because course locations (buildings and room numbers) may change.

Failure to submit the appropriate documentation could prevent a student from completing the class registration process or could limit the number of credits in which a student is able to enroll. The State of Tennessee requires all students to meet the following immunization requirements:

1. All enrolling students will be required to provide health information that, at a minimum, establishes the student’s compliance with rules promulgated by the Tennessee Department of Health regarding requirements for immunization against certain diseases prior to attendance and compliance with the latest standards for immunization for meningococcal disease as set forth by the recommended immunization schedule issued by the Center for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization practices.
2. Prior to full-time enrollment, the student must provide documentation of receipt of required immunizations or provide positive quantitative laboratory serology reports.
3. New, incoming students who live in on-campus student housing must comply with the latest standards for immunization for meningococcal disease as set forth by the recommended immunization schedule issued by the Center for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
4. Admission to some programs may have additional requirements.

Exemptions:

Information regarding immunizations will be posted on the Student Health Services website https://www.etsu.edu/nursing/universityhealth/.