Academic Advising

To schedule an appointment with your assigned adviser:

• Log into Starfish and click on “Home”.
• Find “My Success Network” in the navigation pane.
  This will show you all your instructors and adviser. You can make an appointment with your adviser from their Individual profiles.
• Click Schedule Appointment link.
  Calendar (left-hand side) will show dates with open appointment times. Days in bold-face are the ones available for scheduling.
• Click the + icon next to the appointment time that fits your schedule.
• Select a Reason for the appointment.
• Type a detailed description for the meeting to help the adviser best prepare for the meeting.

Once you create the appointment Starfish will send you an email confirming the appointment and will also send you a reminder closer to the appointment time. Your “Dashboard” will show the new appointment that you have created.

To cancel the appointment:

Click the “x” in the upper right of the appointment block on your Dashboard.
If you do need to cancel, please do so well in advance and give your adviser some reasons why the appointment is being canceled.

Please review the change of major instructions for the degree you are interested in pursuing. Please note, many of our degrees require audition, portfolio, or application.

How to Apply to Penn State College of Arts & Architecture

If you have questions about the application process, other alternative majors, and would like to meet with an adviser, please make an appointment with Kyrie Harding, Director of Advising.

Find information and online resources for prospective students interested in starting the admissions process and admitted students who are taking the next steps in the enrollment process in the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture.

Penn State Undergraduate Admissions for College of Arts & Architecture

How to Apply to Penn State College of Arts & Architecture

Graduate advising is offered by the faculty-in-charge or program advisers of respective academic programs. Extensive information and resources also are available through the Graduate School and the Graduate Bulletin.

• Arts and Architecture graduate study programs (contacts listed on respective program pages)
• Penn State Graduate School
• The Penn State Graduate Bulletin

• Check for holds on your LionPATH student homebase (Click on “To-Do List” and “Holds” at the top of your homebase)
• Review your degree requirements and make a list of questions
• If possible, have LionPATH open on your computer during the appointment.

To schedule your appointment, see the directions at the top of this page.

There are many offices and websites at Penn State to help you with policies and procedures. Here are the main ones you will need for Academic Advising.

Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (AAPPM)
The Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (AAPPM) provides guidance on the implementation of Senate and University policies and procedures concerning undergraduate education at Penn State.

Penn State University Bulletins
Information on degree programs and requirements. Be sure to select the “archive” to select the year in which you started at Penn State.

Penn State University Registrar
Information about enrollment, registration, academic records, student forms, etc.

Below are a set of commonly used links organized by general topic.

Enrollment

• Registration Timetable
• Late Registration
• Late Add/Drop
• Waitlist Instructions
• Transfer Credits
• Submitting your AP scores

Academic Issues

• Grade Forgiveness Request
• Grade Adjudication
• Leave of Absence process
• Leaving the University
• Change of Major
  

Graduation

• Intent to Graduate
• Transcript Request
• Diploma Information

Finances

• Tuition Adjustment Schedule
• Penn State Financial Aid Office
• Penn State Bursar

How do I get ready to schedule courses in LionPATH? Here is a list of common questions!

What is the first day I can officially schedule courses for next semester?

To find the first date you can register for the upcoming semester, go to LionPATH > Student Homebase> Enrollment Dates > Enrollment Appointment (Do not confuse this with your shopping cart appointment, which is the first day you can begin planning and adding to your cart). You can begin enrolling in classes at 12:00 a.m. on your day to schedule and can adjust your schedule through the first week of classes.

Is there anything I must do before scheduling?

Complete your pre-registration guide and major preferences in LionPATH by going to your “To-Do List” at the top of your LionPATH Student Homebase. You will not be able to schedule your courses until this is completed.

How do I start searching for upcoming classes?

Go to "Find Classes" in LionPATH and begin building a schedule in your Shopping Cart. To search for Gen Ed's and Interdomain courses, click on "Additional Search Criteria" and filter based on the category you are looking for. Here is a quick tutorial on how to search for classes: https://tutorials.lionpath.psu.edu/public/S_SearchClasses/.

How do I find out which courses I have left to take, including Gen Ed's?

If you are already in your major: Go to LionPATH > Student Homebase > Degree Planning and Progress > My Academic Requirements
For more detailed information, see these LionPATH help pages.

• Running a Degree Audit

• Interpreting a Degree Audit

• Degree Audit FAQs and Pointers

If you are in pre-major status (not yet in your major): Go to LionPATH > Student Homebase > Degree Planning and Progress > What-If Report

How do I officially enroll in courses on my scheduling date?

Scroll to the section on "Completing the Enrollment Process" on this LionPATH page: https://pennstate.service-now.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0018824&sys_kb_id=39ea609e874fdd109b7d7484dabb358f&spa=1.

Help! LionPATH won't allow me to schedule a course! Why?

Did you check the pre-requisites or controls for courses?

• Pre-requisites are strictly enforced at the time of enrollment for most College of Arts and Architecture courses, and many other colleges and departments. Check with the department offering the course before registering for a course in which you do not meet the pre-requisites.

• Departments may check to ensure students enrolled in the course meet pre-requisites. Students may be dropped from a course by the department if they do not meet the pre-requisites.

• Students who have an equivalent course that meet the standard of the pre-requisite, or have permission to take a course without completion of the pre-requisite, will need to submit a pre-requisite override request through LionPATH

I officially scheduled courses! How can I see my full schedule?

LionPATH > Student Homebase > Class Schedule "More" (don't forget, you can view the Weekly Calendar View, too!)

As always, advisers are here to help you navigate all of the above.

How do I learn the requirements for the major(s) I’m pursuing?
Find your degree program in the Penn State Bulletin. Be sure to select the “archive” to select the year in which you started at Penn State.

What is the degree audit or "what-if report"?

A degree audit is used to confirm your progress toward meeting degree requirements. It shows you which courses you've taken (and how they are counting) and which courses you have left to complete.

If you are already in your major: Go to LionPATH > Student Homebase > Degree Planning and Progress > My Academic Requirements

For more detailed information, see these LionPATH help pages.

• Running a Degree AuditLinks to an external site.
• Interpreting a Degree AuditLinks to an external site.
• Degree Audit FAQs and PointersLinks to an external site.

If you are in pre-major status (not yet in your major): Go to LionPATH > Student Homebase > Degree Planning and Progress > What-If Report.

If you started at Penn State prior to Summer 2023, your Gen Ed requirements are listed in the Bulletin here.

If you started at Penn State in Summer/Fall 2023 or after, your Gen Ed requirements are listed in the Bulletin here.

Important Note: Be sure to talk with your adviser about the specifics of your program. Often, degree programs have specific Gen Ed courses that also count toward major requirements.

Where should I go if I need help with a class?

• Penn State Learning resources
• Penn State Learning: Guided Study Groups

How can I get help with Note taking or Time Management?

• Note Taking Guide
  
• Time Management Calculator