Important Advisement Information

The Advisement Office can:

1. Assist with the enrollment process and verify courses are required for program student is seeking.
2. Change majors or help in selecting one.
3. Answer or get answers for general questions students might have.
4. Assist students in staying on course with plans to graduate or transfer to a four-year school.
5. Direct students to the appropriate office to obtain assistance with a course they are having difficulty with.

Advisement Definitions

Academic Advising and Planning:
Course selection for current and future semesters and other activities to assist students in achieving their goals.

Apply to Graduate:
Students must apply to graduate. It is recommended that students apply one semester prior to graduation. Click here for information on applying for graduation.

Assessment:
All new students who have not already completed college-level English and/or Math must complete assessment testing in English, reading, and math to determine appropriate placement in classes. Students will receive an interpretation of their assessment scores during academic advisement.

Choosing a Major:
Counselors offer many career planning activities to help students explore their future career options. John A. Logan College offers both transfer programs leading to baccalaureate degrees and certificate programs that prepare you for employment.

College Credit for Prior Experience:
Counselors and advisors can discuss the possibility of applying for college credit from alternative sources toward the completion of your John A. Logan College degree. Some of the courses may Include:

• College credit earned at other institutions
• College level examination program (CLEP)
• Armed Service Experience (for additional information contact the Associate Manager of Admissions and Records at 618-985-2828 ext. 8509)
• Proficiency Exams
• Dual Credit
• Advanced Placement (AP)

Distance Learning:
John A. Logan College now offers distance learning formats that save students travel time and allow for more flexible scheduling. Contact the Associate Dean for Education Technology, at 618-985-2828 ext. 8278 or by email at d2lsupport@jalc.edu.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI):
John A. Logan College participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), which eases the transfer process among many Illinois colleges and universities. Discuss your transfer plans with your advisor and the school to which you plan to transfer. Students can visit www.itransfer.org for more information.

Returning Adults Transition Issues:
Returning adult students may need support balancing home, work, and college. Counselors are available to discuss problems and explore solutions.

Transfer Information:
It is never too early to beginning discussing transfer requirements. Transfer information is available through the Academic Advisement Office C204. Each program should be individually planned with a counselor or advisor. Catalogs from various colleges and universities are available in C204.

Transferring Credit from Other Schools:
Students who wish to transfer credit from other schools must have an official copy of their transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions and Records. Once the transcript has been received the student should complete a Transcript Evaluation Request Form. Evaluation results will be sent to the student’s email address provided on the form.

Transcript Request:
John A. Logan College transcript requests are processed through the Office of Admissions and Records. Click here for information on requesting a transcript.

Withdrawing:
Students are not required to obtain an advisor’s approval to withdraw from a course. However, you are encouraged to consult an advisor before changing your schedule. Schedule changes may impact financial aid, veterans benefits, and/or degree progress.

Advisor Responsibilities

Your academic advisor was selected for you from your major area of interest as indicated on your admissions application. Your assigned academic advisor will provide a friendly, open environment that will foster self–exploration, self–awareness and self–evaluation thus enhancing a sense of personal identity, and they are accessible to all advisees and exhibit an open–door policy. Additionally, advisors assist students in exploring the possible short and long–range consequences of their choices and to facilitate student’s recognition and acceptance of personal responsibility for what happens to their lives. Advisors, with the assistance from their advisee, must focus not just on a semester–by–semester plan but a tentative college career plan that may encompass several years as well as what may or may not happen beyond college and training.

Your advisor can help you with many things. Here are a few:

• Career Options
• Enrollment
• Dropping/Adding a class
• Paperwork for changing majors and/or advisors
• Applications for Graduation
• Advice on courses, schools, and anything you want to talk about

Student Responsibilities

Below is a list of things you can do to help make your advisement experience more productive.

1. Share information with advisors regarding interests, goals, educational, and career plans.
2. Share personal information that has a bearing on academic careers. The numbers of hours spent at work, responsibilities to family, financial aid status, and any limitations are all necessary information for advisors.
3. Be familiar with the College Catalog and the Student Handbook. These are vital sources of information.
4. Make a note of advisor’s advising hours and phone number. When students cannot meet during the designated hours, they are expected to schedule appointments and to call if they are unable to keep appointments.
5. Keep a record of graduation requirements. Students should keep copies of ALL correspondence from the college, and from meetings with their advisors. It is ultimately the students’ responsibility to fulfill the requirements for graduation.
6. Be familiar with college deadlines, which can be found in the Student Handbook.
7. Be willing to contact the appropriate student support services available on campus. The Student Handbook is an excellent resource.
8. Be prepared for meetings with advisors, particularly when registering for next semester. Students should review what courses are still necessary for their programs and have an idea of what courses they would like to take as electives.
9. Alert their advisors immediately if they begin to have difficulties that are affecting their class work or continued enrollment.
10. Be an active participant in the advising sessions.