Advising at KCAD

Advisor Types

Advising Learning Outcomes

Just as all KCAD courses have learning outcomes, so does academic advising. Through working with their advisors, students will:

• Understand the curricular requirements, academic standards, and key academic milestones of their chosen program of study
• Understand KCAD’s academic policies and procedures
• Be made aware of campus resources, programs, and support systems that will help them succeed
• Take responsibility for making decisions that impact their academic success
• Develop an educational plan and regularly assess their progress toward completing their degree

Making the Most of Advising

Students should think of advising as a team effort between them and their advisors. Like any group project, students will have individual responsibilities they need to live up to if they want their team to succeed:

• Always be mindful of academic and career goals
• Regularly schedule (and follow through with) advising appointments
• Arrive to advising sessions prepared and ready to actively participate
• Ask questions when further understanding is desired
• Understand the academic policies in the Ferris State University College Catalog
• Stay on top of emails sent to @ferris.edu student email account

Advising for Newly-Accepted Students

Once a student has been accepted to KCAD and has chosen a program of study, an Admissions Counselor will work with them to set their schedule for their first semester and get them registered for classes. After a student has been enrolled and arrives on campus, they’ll be connected to the Coordinator of Academic Advising and their Program Advisor for future advising needs.

First-Year Advising

Students are encouraged to meet with the Coordinator of Academic Advising and their Program Advisor at any time during their first year at KCAD. Seeking advising support and guidance early (and often!) is a great way for students to stay engaged, be prepared, and make the most of their education. 

Advising Appointments: Drop-In vs Scheduled

Drop-in advising sessions with the Coordinator of Academic Advising are available at any time, but making an appointment is always encouraged*. Drop-in advising sessions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. These 15-minute sessions are intended to address a specific question.

*The Coordinator of Academic Advising will prioritize drop-in appointments during key times of each semester.

Scheduled advising appointments require students to schedule them in advance. These sessions can be held Monday through Friday, and are typically 30 minutes long.

Preparing for an Advising Appointment

Before any scheduled or drop-in advising appointment, students should do the following to make sure they get the most out of the experience:

• Review their Program Plan (see a sample Program Plan)
• Prepare a list of questions to guide the conversation
• Review the requirements of their major and KCAD’s General Education requirements
• Ask a faculty or staff member for assistance if they’re having trouble with any of the above steps