Academic advising is an important part of your Lawrence education; in fact, it can play an important role in defining your education and even your life after Lawrence. 

As a student at Lawrence University, you are responsible for planning and pursuing your own educational program. You are able to make your own decisions and choose appropriate options. Your academic advisor will help guide you through these important tasks.

Your advisor can assist you in:

  • understanding the curriculum
  • identifying your strengths and weaknesses
  • setting your goals
  • effectively utilizing the resources of Lawrence

Building a strong relationship with your advisor helps you get the most out of your Lawrence education.

Types of Academic Advisors

 

new student REGISTRATION ADVISOR

New student registration advisors will assist you with class registration during the summer before you start at Lawrence University. 

Pre-major advisor

Before you arrive for Welcome Week, you’ll be assigned a pre-major advisor in your degree program. Double-degree students will be assigned to two advisors, one for each degree. You'll meet with them for the first time during Welcome Week. Your pre-major advisor will help guide you through the liberal arts education at Lawrence, discuss your interests and goals, assist with course registration, and help you adjust to college-level academic expectations. Because the pre-major advisor is here to help you explore your interests and understand the general curriculum, pre-major faculty advisors come from all areas of the College and Conservatory. It is unlikely that your pre-major advisor will come from the department/area in which you are considering a major, unless you are a Conservatory student or transfer student who has already completed at least a year of college. You will continue to work with your pre-major advisor until you officially declare a major.

Major advisor

You will transition to a faculty advisor within your declared major by the end of your sophomore year (ideally before spring registration begins). Your major advisor will continue to help you reflect upon your interests and goals, while also offering support for course planning in the major. You will have a faculty advisor for every major that you declare. 

Navigate Student

Navigate Student is a mobile app and web application used at Lawrence University to schedule appointments with academic advisors, counselors, and specialists from other areas, get access to planning tools and resources for academic success.

Get Navigate

Registration Portal Tutorials

When your registration window opens, you'll be able to register for classes through Lawrence's new registration portal.  Check out our video tutorials to help you get registered.

View tutorials

Find your advisor

You can find your assigned advisor(s) in Degree Works. Your advisor assignment(s) will be listed in the top section of your degree audit. Assignments for new students will appear in late summer.

Find your assigned advisor

Spring Registration & Advising Holds 

Each Spring Term, you will register for classes for all three terms of the following academic year. Be sure to meet with your advisor as you plan your future class schedule, as you will also need your advisor to release your "advising hold" in Voyager before registering for classes. The advising hold is a way to make sure you receive the appropriate guidance before you register for classes.

Placement Exams

Math 

If you are interested in taking calculus classes at Lawrence, students must take our math placement assessment (ALEKS Placement Assessment). This official assessment will be conducted and proctored in-person once students arrive to campus, but new students should take an initial, unproctored Placement Assessment online before registering for classes this summer. This initial Placement Assessment helps gives you a sense of where you currently stand and gets you access to the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module. The Prep and Learning Module is an individualized, self-paced, online review available upon completion of the first Placement Assessment for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics and learn new concepts

World Languages

If you plan to take a world language at Lawrence, you should take a placement exam to help determine your initial class placement.  This is especially important if you have already studied the language or speak the language at home, as a 101-level class might not end up being the best fit for your language level. 

Chemistry

The introductory chemistry sequence at Lawrence includes CHEM 115 and 116. Students with experience in IB/AP chemistry, or with other strong chemistry backgrounds, may consider starting the introductory sequence at Chem 116. Students that wish to place out of 115 and proceed to 116 must take an online chemistry placement exam.

Biology

The introductory biology sequence at Lawrence includes BIOL 130/131 and BIOL 150. Students who have earned AP or IB credit in biology are exempt from the BIOL 130 & BIOL 131 course, but not the other introductory courses. Students also can take a departmental exemption exam for either BIOL 130 and/or BIOL 150 if they feel well qualified based on previous coursework. Contact the program chair, Judith Humphries (judith.humphries@lawrence.edu), for more information.

Music Theory

The Music Theory Placement Exam is required of any student who wishes to enroll in the Music Theory Sequence. This includes entering B.Mus. students (including transfers) as well as B.A. - Music students and other music-interested students who seek in-depth study of these disciplines. The Placement Exam will be used to place you into one of four sections of first-year Theory & Analysis and Aural Skills courses, and into one of five sections of first-year Sight Singing courses. You must complete the exam in order to receive placement and register for any courses in the Music Theory Sequence. The Music Theory Placement Exam will be open between July 17 and August 20.

 

Important Resources

Majors, Minors, & Programs
Find more information about our areas of study including their requirements. You can contact department chairs and program directors for specific questions. You will also find program-specific advising resources linked under "Additional Resources" at the very bottom of program pages. 

Declare a Major/Minor/Interdisciplinary Area
Use this form to declare a major, minor, and/or interdisciplinary area. Students should declare a major by the end of their sophomore year, but ideally before spring registration begins.

Change your Academic Advisor
Use this form to change advisors after declaring a major. You can also use this form to change academic advisors at any time, provided you have consent from the new advisor. 

Class Schedule
This helps you plan your schedule and be prepared ahead of your advising meetings.

Course Catalog
This is the official record of Lawrence’s requirements. It has full information about requirements and academic procedures and regulations.

Academic Procedures, Regulations, and Forms
This page provides an overview of key academic procedures (e.g., dropping a course, requesting an incomplete, withdrawing from Lawrence, etc.).

Registration Schedule
This page provides an overview of key registration periods for the 2023-2024 academic year.

What Can I Do With This Major?
Explore common career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities

Career Center
Learn more about connecting your academic interests to your career goals. Find support for internships, job searches, and more.

Center for Academic Success
Discover a wide array of support and services including academic skills classes, tutoring, accessibility, and more.

Questions or Concerns?

For any additional questions or concerns, please contact Jacklyn John Fischer, Director of Academic Advising.

jacklyn.j.fischer@lawrence.edu

920-832-6986

Email the Director of Academic Advising

For Academic Advisors

Be sure to refer to the Academic Advising SharePoint site for the Advising Handbook and advising resources.