Academic Advising

At CMU, academic advising is more than choosing courses that fit your timetable. We take a holistic approach to advising, which includes conversations about academic interests and career/vocational goals.

Advising Resources

The Advising Coordinators assign each first-year student to a First Year Advising group for guidance and mentorship throughout their first year at CMU. In addition, the Advising Coordinators are on hand to consider CMU degree and pre-professional options with students.

Take advantage of the following resources:

  • Academic and Vocation Advising (academic supports/tutoring, program and course planning, vocation exploration, and more)
    • Lisa Richard, Coordinator of Student Advising
      • Students RETURNING to CMU, click here to book an appointment (students early in a degree program).
    • Gina Loewen, Coordinator of Academic Advising
      • Students RETURNING to CMU, click here to book an appointment (upper years and graduating students).
    • Valerie Smith, Associate Registrar for Graduate Studies (graduate students).
  • Career and Work-integrated Learning (WIL) Advising
 

Advising Philosophy

In the CMU advising office, we think of course selection, degree planning, and career and vocational exploration as building your own unique adventure. At first, it might feel like you're wandering through uncharted territory but, with the support of advisors, the path becomes clearer as you move forward. Stay on track, and you'll see your degree pathway unfold. Committing to this process turns it into a lifelong journey of academic and professional discovery.

Here’s a handy guide for prioritizing your course choices:

  1. Pick courses that genuinely interest you.
  2. Choose classes that align with your academic and career goals.
  3. Select courses that keep your options open until you decide on the degree program that fits your ambitions.
  4. Plan strategically to complete your degree within your desired timeframe.
 

Registration Instructions

  • For the Registration Guide, click here.
  • For Courses and Timetables, click here.
 

Academic Supports

The PATH program is intended to provide students with academic support and help at all levels of their degree—regardless of subject area or specialization.

Drop-in Academic Help

The foundation of the PATH program is Drop-in Academic Help. Located in the CMU Library, this service is available multiple times a week. The Helpers are upper-year volunteers who can assist with editing papers, identifying writing or studying issues or hurdles, organization and time-management struggles, and more. PATH drop-in volunteers will also work with you to determine the best path for your continued success and learning. If deemed appropriate, PATH volunteers will connect you with a one-on-one tutor. Schedules for Drop-in Academic Help will be posted each semester.

One-on-one Academic Tutoring

One-on-one Academic Tutoring is a more intense, focused time dedicated to problem solving, identifying barriers to learning, and co-developing learning structures that will help each individual student succeed. Tutoring can focus developing and strengthening a range of topics and skills including: time management, academic writing, reading comprehension, research skills, study skills, and more. Subject-specific tutoring is available based on tutor schedules. The Tutors are upper-year students who have been hired based on relevant academic strengths and communication skills. Each Tutor has received multiple hours of Tutor training.

Every first-year student is eligible for 3 hours of FREE one-on-one academic tutoring. Upper-year students, and first-year students requiring more than 3 hours, are invited to pay a nominal fee for tutoring services.

Study Groups

Study groups are intended to be open to anyone who simply wants to study in the presence of other students. Study groups help some students focus through body-doubling, deterring unnecessary distractions, and encouraging each other’s success. Schedules for open study groups will be advertised each semester.

  • Academic Writing: Click here to learn more.