Advising FAQs

If you don't find the answer to your question below, please reach out to your academic advisor. 

• Where can I find a list of all the majors offered at WSU?

  The Majors, Minors & Programs page allows you to explore majors by interest and see related programs that may be housed in different colleges or to pull up an alphabetical listing of the majors. Each page includes links to degrees offered and course requirements, information about what students can expect to learn and can do after graduating with the degree, and details about the salary and career outlook.

  Another place to find a list of all the majors is the Catalog. Links are provided to view programs sorted by degree type or by major/minor.

• Where can I find a list of all the classes needed for my major?

  The Catalog lists all the courses required for a degree. You can also find general information about the degree including program prerequisites, whether or not a minor is required, grade requirements, and credit hour requirements. There is also a section for advisement, program admission requirements (if applicable), and general education courses that will also satisfy major requirements. 

  Grad MAPs, or Graduation Major Academic Plans, outline what courses you would need to take each semester to earn your associate’s degree in two years or bachelor’s degree in four years. While Grad MAPs can be a helpful guide, we suggest you meet with your advisor to create a personalized plan that meets your needs.

  CatTracks, WSU’s online degree evaluation tool, is another great resource for finding the list of classes needed. CatTracks displays your real-time progress through your degree by showing you which of your requirements are met, in-progress, or still needed.  CatTracks, by default, displays the requirements according to your current major declaration(s), but you can check out your progress toward any major by using the “What If” feature.

• Where can I get a list of all the General Education courses?

  From the Catalog home page, locate the “General Education Requirements” link. You can read through the detailed version there or click the PDF link to find a more concise, printable version on the General Education for Students webpage.

• Where can I find more information about a class?

  Click on the "Course Descriptions" link on the Catalog homepage to learn more about what a class will cover. Along with the course description you can find additional information such as when the course is typically offered and in what format. Prerequisite and/or corequisite information is also listed.

  Note that descriptions for variable-titled WSU and Honors courses can be found on the General Education and Honors webpages.

• How do I declare my major?

  To view the steps on how to change your major, please go to the Changing My Major through the Registrars office.

• How will my classes count if I change my major?

  As WSU has decentralized advising (meaning advisors are housed in each college rather than one central unit), you'll need to check with the advisor for each major you are considering to see how your classes will count. Alternatively, you can use the CatTracks "What if" feature to get an idea of how your completed and in-progress courses will count toward any program at WSU.

• How can I tell if a class will transfer to WSU?

  While we cannot provide official advisement about course articulation until your transcripts have been sent to WSU and evaluated, we do have a Transfer Guide that allows you to view courses that have been transferred to WSU previously and how they were articulated.  Note that the course transfers listed in the guide are subject to change at any time so it is important to send in your transcripts to know exactly how your classes will transfer.

  If the class is not listed in the Transfer Guide, you can request the course be reviewed by submitting an Equivalency Review Request. 

  In addition to the WSU Transfer Guide, USHE created the Utah Transfer Guide which could be helpful if you are transferring credits between Utah’s public colleges and universities for select majors. 

• I don't think my course transferred to WSU correctly. What do I do? 

  If you believe a transfer course should count for General Education, submit a petition that will be reviewed by the director of General Education. 

  For other courses, reach out to the chair of the department that offers the course (you can identify the chair on the faculty page of the department website). If you are having trouble determining who you should contact, reach out to your academic advisor for a referral.

  Be aware that you will likely need to provide some additional information or documentation about the course (e.g., course syllabus, assignments, text book, etc.) in order to have an appeal considered.

• I had something unexpected come up after the cancel/withdrawl deadline and I'm not sure I can finish my courses. Is there anything I can do?

  As a student you have the right to petition for a change in your academic record (such as a late cancellation or withdrawal in this case) for qualifying circumstances. Review the Academic Petitions webpage to determine if you qualify and for information on how to submit a petition.

  If you don't qualify for a petition, talk with your professor(s) to let them know of your situation and ask about options for completing the course.

• Can I get grades taken off my transcript?

  Generally speaking, no, unless you qualify for a change in your academic record (see Academic Petitions). However, you may request that your institutional grade point average (GPA) be recalculated to exclude grades of D+ or lower for courses taken at WSU six or more years ago. Review the Academic Renewal page for more information about this policy and how to apply.

• Can I get credit for military training?

  Detailed information about options for posting credit for military training can be found on the Credit for Military Training page on the Records Office website.

• What are my options for earning credit if I know a foreign language?

  You may obtain lower-division foreign language credit by either passing a higher numbered course with a C or better or through examination. Visit the World Languages & Cultures website (see "Foreign Language Credit for Prior Language Experience") for more information. As many of the credits will be counted as electives, it may be beneficial to discuss how many electives you need for your degree with your advisor before posting the credits. 

  Generally, you may not earn lower-division foreign language credit for proficiency in your native language.