Create your path. Stay on track.
Academic advising is essential to your success as an undergraduate student. Your advisor will help you understand policies and procedures, assist you in selecting majors and courses, and encourage you to engage in campus and community activities. These experiences enrich your college experience, while also helping you realize your dreams and reach your goals.
Academic Advising Center
Advising at the University of Iowa is designed to grow with you academically. Your advising team will change as your needs change. First-semester students and those with fewer than 30 semester hours are advised in the campus-wide Academic Advising Center, where the center’s advisors specialize in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa.
Departmental advising
As a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student with a declared major and 30+ semester hours of credit, you will transition to a departmental advisor. CLAS advisors are located within departments and specialize in providing expert guidance tailored to the majors they serve.
Students with multiple programs of study may have multiple advisors. You’ll visit your primary advisor for registration, but we all work together to help you meet your academic and career goals. Find and schedule with your advisor(s) using MyUI.
Advising for Sociology and Criminology
As a student of Sociology or Criminology, you are encouraged to make use of the advising services available to you throughout your time at Iowa.
When to meet with advisor
Matt is available to assist students with the following:
- Share in student successes!
- Advisor signatures on add/drop and other university forms
- Questions about course registration
- Questions or problems with your degree audit
- Academic probation - reviewing strategies for future success
- Opportunities for Honors students
- Involvement in internships, research, or volunteer experience
- Discussions regarding adding second majors, minors, and certificate programs
- Information regarding campus resources for students
- Other questions or concerns you may have
When to meet with faculty
You will be encouraged to meet with faculty in your area of interest. This serves to learn more about the department, the disciplines of Sociology and CLJ, and to gain further assistance with areas such as:
- Provide disciplinary guidance for research projects
- Serve as a mentor for honors theses and projects
- Discuss your graduate and professional school aspirations
We encourage you to allow faculty members the opportunity to get to know you well enough that they can provide expert advice tailored to your individual interests.
Meet Sociology and Criminology academic advisors
Matthew Rhodes
Schedule an appointment
Connect with your professional advisor through MyUI. To contact faculty advisors, email them directly to make an appointment.
Getting started with Academic Advising
Verify your advisor and program
Your advisor may change. Verify your primary advisor and their office location. Your program(s) of study are listed in MyUI and include your majors, minors, certificates, or pre-professional programs. If any of this needs to be updated, contact your advisor.
Review your degree audit
Check your degree audit regularly to ensure you understand your program requirements and how courses will count. Contact your advisor if you have questions.
Prepare for registration
Visit your advisor each semester to discuss courses and registration. Your primary advisor can also assist with schedule changes, including adding and dropping.
Seek academic support
Your advisor can help you work to improve your academic performance whether you are on academic probation or want to improve your GPA. Ask about support for your academic success.
Next steps
Plan for graduation
Collaborate with your advisor to create a plan for graduation that incorporates all your programs. Review this plan with your advisor(s) regularly and ask questions about your progress toward degree completion.
Find student resources
The University of Iowa provides resources for social, health, well-being, financial, and academic support. Your advisor can help you navigate campus services.
Explore engagement opportunities
Learn about student organizations, study abroad, service, research, internships, and honors in your major.
Set your goals
Discuss your interests and future educational and career goals. Your advisor can help you plan for graduate and professional study and can connect you to the Pomerantz Career Center.
More about Academic Advising in CLAS
For more information, or to find an advisor in another department, visit the CLAS Advising Network.