Undergraduate Study
Your Advisor
When you become an English major, a member of the staff at the English Office will assign you an advisor. If you have a preference, you may request a particular faculty advisor. If you later wish to change advisors, make a new request of the staff at the English Office.
You will meet with your advisor during the pre-registration periods in Fall and Spring semesters when you are making up your schedule for the following term, but you should consider visiting your advisor whenever you have academic problems or questions. Because your studies at Colorado State can play such an important part in the remainder of your life and career, it's important to adopt a proactive attitude in your relationship with your advisor and toward the requirements that give coherence to your degree. Your advisor is present to assist you. He or she may advise about the wisdom of courses you propose, but you are ultimately responsible for choosing courses, fulfilling degree requirements, and graduating on time.
First Session With Your AdvisorMake sure understand each of the following:
- Concentrations: The English major consists of five different tracks: Creative Writing, Language, Literature, English Education, and Writing. Checksheets with course requirements are available from your advisor, the English Office (359 Eddy) and on this website.
- Checksheet: Keep a copy of your checksheet to monitor your progress toward graduation. Inaccuracies or mistakes can delay your graduation. It is your responsibility to understand the requirements listed on your checksheet and to make sure you fulfill them.
- "Green Sheets"/University Studies Requirement: The "green sheets" list courses acceptable to the English Department for satisfying the University Studies requirement and the Arts and Sciences Core (Column C on the checksheets). The English Department does NOT accept all courses listed in the CSU General Catalog as fulfilling these requirements. The English Department accepts ONLY those courses listed on the "green sheets." Copies are available from your advisor or the English Office (359 Eddy).
- Outcomes Requirement: To graduate, you must submit a Senior Portfolio. This requirement can be fulfilled ONLY by keeping all your papers written in upper-division English and Composition courses. Copies of the informational handout on the Outcomes Assessment are available from your advisor or the English Office (359 Eddy).
- Math and CO150 Requirements: You must complete the Math and CO150 requirements before completing 60 credits. If you do not do so, you cannot register for classes without submitting the All-University Composition/ Mathematics Requirement Delay Petition. If you transfer to CSU with 60 or more credits, you must complete the Math and CO150 requirements within two semesters upon entry. Extensions are granted only rarely.
The Advisor's Role and Your Responsibility
Your advisor will help you understand the requirements for graduation, but you, not your advisor, are responsible for completing all requirements for the degree. Keep your cheeksheet up to date. Use the "green sheets" as you fulfill University Studies requirements. Make sure you have waiver and substitution forms properly signed for any approved changes in requirements. Discuss any questions or problems with your advisor.When you make an appointment to see your advisor, be prepared. Come with questions and tentative schedules. Some students find that laying out semester-by-semester and year-by-year tentative course plans is a useful way to draft an interesting and practical overall curriculum plan, especially as graduation nears.
For information about course offerings and registration procedures for the upcoming semester or summer session, please view the Rambler, the Department's student newsletter.
This information is not intended to replace your advisor or the information in the CSU General Catalog, the Class Schedule, or the Department Checksheets.
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