Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Academic Advising & Retention Center?
The Academic Advising & Retention Center (AARC) is a tremendous resource for WKU undergraduate students to utilize during their time on The Hill. AARC provides a wide range of academic services to undergraduate students. The Center coordinates academic advising activities among undergraduate colleges and academic departments for undergraduate students. All degree-seeking undergraduate students must meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for classes until they have 90 hours and an Application for Graduation on file in the Office of the Registrar. AARC advises all Exploratory/ Generally Undecided students and helps these students plan for their potential major.
The Learning Center (TLC) and the Best Expectation Programs (BEP) are initiatives of the Academic Advising & Retention Center. At TLC, WKU undergraduate students provide free peer-to-peer course specific tutoring. Currently enrolled WKU students should make appointments for one-on-one tutoring via our online scheduling system or call (270) 745-6254 and we will make a tutoring appointment for you. In addition to tutoring course specific content, TLC offers assistance with academic skill areas such as note taking, time management, test taking skills, etc. TLC is also host to a number of other programs and services including: The Academic Advantage Series: Workshops for Success, Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), a 32 machine Dell computer lab for academic projects only, and black & white printing.
BEP teaches students the importance of positive study habits, time management, and provides academic support to help students be independent and successful learners. These academic services offer participating students the opportunity to better prepare and adapt to college life and to improve their academic skills and performance in college courses.
How can I find out who my advisor is?
After logging into TopNet, students will click on the "Student Services" tab. After clicking on this link, students should click on the "Registration" tab followed selecting the "View Advisor Information." tab. This link will provide the advisors name, phone number, email address, and office location so the student may contact the advisor.
If you believe you have the wrong advisor assigned to you, please contact the Academic Advising & Retention Center at (270) 745-5065. If you are requesting a change in advisor, please fill out the Change of Major/Minor/Advisor form.
How do I change my major/minor/advisor?
Changes in majors, minors, concentrations, and advisors are made upon request by students. Students must submit a Major, Minor, Concentration, Advisor Change Form to the academic department that administers the student’s chosen program. This form is available online for students in TopNet. Once in TopNet, click on Student Services, Student Records, and finally Change of Major, Minor, Concentration, Advisor. This form will walk the student through the process and give them the opportunity to correct any errors prior to printing the form. After printing the form, students are required to bring the form to the department listed on the form for requested signatures. Regional Campus students should bring the form to their Regional Campus advisor for processing.
Students with approved undergraduate degree programs on file in the Office of the Registrar may change their major(s) and/or minor(s) by filing an approved, revised program or an Undergraduate Degree Program Change Form with the Office of the Registrar. For further information please contact the Academic Advising & Retention Center at (270) 745-5065.
I am taking all of my classes at a Regional Campus. Am I required to see an advisor at the main campus in Bowling Green?
Generally the answer is no. There are advisors at Glasgow, Owensboro, and Elizabethtown/Fort Knox loctations to work with you on the requirements of general education and majors offered at each of the Regional Campuses. There are Colleges within WKU that will occassionally send an academic advisor to the Regional Campuses to advise students for specific programs. For more information on those program, please do contact the main office of the Regional Center in which you are enrolled.
I will be attending on a part-time basis (fewer than 12 hours) in the fall: is academic advising mandatory?
Yes. WKU requires academic advising for all undergraduate degree-seeking students through completion of 90 hours and an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar.
