Academic Advising comprises an integral role in your student’s learning, development, and overall academic and artistic experience at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Students work with one of our Academic Advisors who assists them with course selection, educational planning, course concerns, personal issues, and navigating SAIC’s policies and procedures. Our Academic Advisors work with students holistically, often connecting them to other services and resources for additional support. Academic Advisors, both part-time faculty and full-time staff, are also artists, designers, philosophers, writers, and scholars. The diversity in our Academic Advisors’ departments and specialties allows opportunities for students to connect with someone who shares their interests and who can introduce them to new ideas.
Academic Advising is an ongoing process, not just a routine approval of classes, and is the responsibility of both the student and the advisor. By actively exchanging ideas and working through decisions with Academic Advisors, students can discover their educational and artistic potential.
We strongly encourage students to meet with an Academic Advisor at least once a year to review their progress toward degree requirements. This is often referred to as a degree audit or credit check. Meeting with an Academic Advisor is especially important if students are verifying transfer credits, considering changing programs, going through an academic or refund appeal process, or nearing graduation.
Advising is required for:
- All new first-year students (advising is required for 2 years)
- All new transfer students (advising is required for 1 year)
- Students enrolled in English for International Students (EIS) classes
- Student enrolled in Academic Access Program (AAP) classes
- Students who have academic holds (eg, probation or suspension)
- Students who are either taking a leave of absence or who are returning from a leave of absence or suspension
Questions?
Your student can either stop by the Academic Advising office, or make an appointment to talk to an Academic Advisor. Our busiest times are during the add/drop and advance registration periods, so we strongly encourage students to make an appointment as soon as possible. You can also email questions to Academic Advisors through the Office of Student Affairs email help desk at studenthelp@saic.edu.
Learn More
