Pressed for Time? Academic Advisors Can Be Reached in Several Ways

By Dashel Wright
Academic Advisor, APUS

After a long day at work, mommy duties and car trouble, Rebecca frantically remembered that she forgot to register for her new courses. To make matters worse, her online classes were to begin in less than 48 hours.

Rebecca didn’t know what online courses to take next, so she decided that skipping a term was the easiest solution. However, Rebecca’s story would have ended differently if she knew how easy it is to contact her academic advisor.

How Academic Advisors Can Help You

Academic advisors are here to help students throughout the entirety of their educational journey and are a resource students should use frequently. We act as a mirror for our students and encourage them to share their ideas, goals and fears with us. Conversations between students and their academic advisors often helps students learn more about who they are and who they want to become.

Also, academic advisors provide  students with new information, resources and options that will aid in their educational, professional and personal development during their time with us. We play an important role in the success of our students.

We provide support and encouragement when times get tough. In addition, we will motivate you as you near the end of your program, meet you at Commencement and cheer for you at your graduation.

More specifically, advisors assist you with the following:

• Deciding what program of study best fits your goals
• Selecting how many courses to take at a time
• Selecting the ideal order to register for courses
• Assisting with the degree change process
• Explaining university policies and procedures
• Providing guidance on university resources and support

The Unique Aspects of Our Advising Structure

Our operating hours are one unique aspect of our advising department. Phone lines are open seven days a week, allowing students to easily call in and talk with us. Our advising experience is different than some schools, where students may be limited to speaking with their academic advisor one time per semester.

Additionally, our academic advisors are assigned to specific advising schools. For example, a student pursuing a bachelor of arts in criminal justice will work with academic advisors from the undergraduate school of Security and Global Studies. This advising model allows students to work with advisors who are experts on the programs offered in their schools.

Academic advisors  work closely with program and faculty directors to ensure students’ needs are met. This structure allows academic advisors to build relationships with students in their own school, which makes the student-advisor interaction more personalized.

Contacting Your Academic Advisor

Your advisor’s contact information is posted on your Academic Plan in the ecampus. The “Your Academic Advisor” box on your Academic Plan includes several contact methods.

Call or Email Your Advisor

Our telephone number is 877-755-2787 and telephone lines are open during the following hours:

• Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET
• Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET

We welcome emails at any time. Our goal is to respond to all emails within eight business hours. We understand that our student population is made up of individuals who wear several hats, so we value your time and want to help you in a timely fashion.

An Online Chat with Your Advisor Also Elicits a Quick Response

If you have a simple question and would like a quick response, a chat is the perfect option. To chat with us, simply click on the “Chat with an Advisor” link on your Academic Plan.

You will be connected to an academic advisor. Chat lines are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Another Option: Schedule an Appointment

If you’re looking to discuss your questions at a specific date and time, scheduling an advising session in advance might be a good solution for you. To schedule an advising session, visit your Academic Plan and select “Schedule an Appointment.”

You will be asked for your preferred contact method and the date and time you wish to be contacted. We ask that you schedule your advising session 48 hours in advance.

Your academic advising team is here to help you be successful. Reach out to us by using the contact method that works best for you.

The academic advising team at APUS will support you with answers to simple questions, challenging scenarios and everything in between. When in doubt, ask us for help.

About the Author

Dashel Wright has worked for American Public University System since 2015, first as a financial aid advisor and now an academic advisor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from West Virginia University. Dashel is currently working on her second bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies at American Public University, and has plans to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling in the future. Dashel has a passion for working with the youth and homeless populations in her community of Martinsburg, West Virginia.