UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION Navigation

ADMISSION

ADMISSION OF CLASSIFIED STUDENTS

ADMISSION OF UNCLASSIFIED STUDENT

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

ACADEMIC ADVISING

REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT

CREDITS AND GRADES

EXAMINATIONS

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

HONORS

ACADEMIC PROBATION, SUSPENSION, AND DISMISSAL

PROGRAMS

UNDERGRADUATE GENERAL EDUCATION CORE AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

TUITION, FEES, AND FINANCIAL AID

Academic Advising

Academic advising at UH Manoa is an expression of our educational mission and ideals. Advising helps students to integrate and discern meaning from the many facets of their academic journey and to locate their unique journey within the context of their hopes, dreams, abilities, goals, interests, and in fact, within the full trajectory of their lives. Advising conveys higher education's modes of thinking, learning, and decision making, teaches students to think critically about their roles and responsibilities, and encourages students to become active members in our higher education community as well as leaders in our global community.

Overseen by the Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Education and coordinated through the Council of Academic Advisors, academic advising is college- and school-based, so that students' primary connection remains with their academic unit.

UH Manoa provides academic advising for undergraduate students through the student academic services office in their college or school. In addition, students can log onto the STAR system via MyUH Portal (myuh.hawaii.edu) to see how courses taken might fulfill degree requirements. STAR is an advising tool that allows students to manage their academic coursework, but should not be considered a substitute for meeting with advisors to verify degree requirements. Academic advisors bring to their responsibilities as educators not only knowledge of academic disciplines, but also understanding of the rationale that underlies the curricula of the colleges, schools, and UH Manoa. Students are strongly encouraged to seek advising assistance early in their academic journeys.

Academic advising involves:

• Assisting students in clarifying, articulating, and attaining academic and life goals;
• Facilitating students' adjustment to the campus;
• Educating students on how to develop educational plans and assess their academic progress;
• Explaining and clarifying requirements, policies, and procedures;
• Encouraging students to think critically about their roles and responsibilities as students and as members of a democratic and global community;
• Helping students locate and access available resources and to engage in the UH Manoa community;
• Counseling students on personal issues as they relate to academic progress; and
• Serving as advocates and mediators for students.

All students will benefit from two major academic policies related to advising. First, they will receive mandatory advising every semester for their first two years. Second, students will be required to declare their major prior to the start of their junior year. These policies were introduced to encourage early identification of potential majors, support efficient graduation, and promote each student's engagement in his or her academic journey.

College or school advisors complement departmental advisors, who are specialists in their subjects and advise on major requirements and graduate or professional degrees in their discipline.