Academic Resources

Capitol Technology University advising serves to assist students in developing educational plans compatible with their professional goals and aspirations. Through information dissemination and clarity of options, advisors provide students with a clear set of choices. Students, in turn, leverage their own knowledge and experience to select an appropriate course of action to enhance their academic and professional careers.

To fulfill our mission, we work closely to help you discover your academic and professional interests and help you create a plan to achieve your goals. Advising can cover many topics, including:

Academic Success

• Study Strategies
• Time Management
• Appropriate Decision-Making
• Stress Reduction
• Taking Notes
• Taking Tests & Test Anxiety
• Presentation Preparation
• Writing Research Papers

Problem Resolution

• Self & Family
• Peer Interaction
• Wellness
• Financial Aid

Educational Choices, Changes and Plans

• Degree Requirements
• Transfer Credits/Distribution of Credits
• Undergraduate and Graduate Program Offerings
• Change in Major/Minor

Referral to On-campus Learning Resources

• The Learning Center
• Business Resource Center
• Library Resources
• Career Development and Cooperative Education
• Labs

The college advisor can also help you:

Identify educational interests or career goals
Choosing a major can be a challenging task. If you are undecided about which major to choose or thinking about exploring another major, the advisor can work with you to identify your strengths and goals and help you determine a course of action that is appropriate for you.

Prepare to register for classes
The advisor can provide you with the Advising Preparation Form, which gives you tips on how to create a schedule that is consistent with your degree plan and your goals and objectives.

Select appropriate courses 
The advisor can help you select the correct courses to fulfill your degree requirements, answer your questions regarding the courses you need to take, help you find out whether or not a course has a prerequisite and help you determine which electives you should take.

Monitor your academic progress
Work with the advisor to develop an educational plan that is consistent with your professional and academic goals; this plan will enable you to track the courses you have taken and ensure you fulfill all your degree requirements for graduation.

Review academic policies and procedures
The advisor can help you understand the university's policies and procedures related to dropping/adding a course, repeating a course, course prerequisites, co-requisites, the registration process and other relevant topics.

Find out about other support services on campus
The advisor can assist you in obtaining information about other student support services, student groups on campus and extracurricular activities.

Become a better person
Through innovative programs and one-on-one meetings, the advisor can help you improve your time management skills, test-taking skills, money management skills and other skills necessary to help you adjust and thrive in college.

Your responsibilities as a student/advisee include:

• Initiating contact with your advisor and seeking help on a regular basis
• Reading the college catalog section pertaining to your major
• Familiarizing yourself with the academic policies, procedures and requirements in the university catalog and student handbook

1. What is academic advising? The purpose of academic advising is to help you design a plan of action that will assist you in achieving your academic goals while making sure you understand the objectives and requirements of Capitol Technology University.

2. What can I expect of my advisor? You can expect your advisor to help you:

• register for classes
• identify educational interests
• select appropriate courses
• explore a major that fits your interests
• review the college's policies and procedures

3. What should he or she expect of me? Your advisor expects you to:

• schedule appointments in advance and come prepared with your preferred courses and/or questions
• become familiar with your degree tracking sheet, the course catalog and your degree program requirements
• consult with the advisor when you experience academic difficulty
• consult with the advisor when you want to change your major, pursue a double major or take courses at another college

4. How many classes do I need to take to be "full-time?" A full time undergraduate student is enrolled in 12 or more credits during a semester. If you are a graduate student who is enrolled in at least nine (9) credits during a 16-week semester, you are considered full-time. You are considered a part-time student if you do not meet these criteria.

5. What can I do if I am experiencing difficulty in my classes? Talk to your instructor as soon as possible. You can also make an appointment to meet with the advisor to discuss ways to enhance your study skills, time management skills and other skills needed for success in college. You can also visit the Tutoring Resource Center (TRC) in the library, where tutors are available to assist students in achieving their academic goals. These services are free to Capitol students.

6. What is a prerequisite? What is a co-requisite? A prerequisite is a course you must complete before being allowed to register for a more advanced course in the same or related area. A co-requisite is a course that you are required to take along with another course, or in some cases, taken before the course.

7. How do I change my major? If you want to change your major, meet with the advisor to discuss the impact that changing your major will have on your expected graduation date. You should then fill out a change of degree form which can be obtained in the Office of Registration and Records. The academic dean responsible for your intended degree program must approve all changes of the degree program. If you change your major, you are required to meet all requirements of the new program that are in effect at the time of your degree change. You must also complete all of the official documentation available in the Office of the Registration and Records.

8. How do I pursue double degrees? If you want to obtain double degrees, you are required to seek advising from an advisor, faculty member and/or the department dean. They will review your current tracking sheet and potential additional tracking sheet to consider the impact of an additional degree program on your expected graduation date. In addition, you should meet with the director of career services to validate your assumptions about career opportunities. These meetings can occur in person or via email for distance learners.

9. What is a tracking sheet, and where can I obtain one? A tracking sheet is a form that outlines all of the degree requirements for each major. Tracking sheets are available for all of the major degree areas that Capitol offers, and can be obtained online or in the dean's office.

10. I failed a course and I need to repeat it. What is the college's policy on repeating a course? You may repeat a course twice in order to improve a grade. You may take a specific course a maximum of three times during your academic career.

11. I received a D in EN-101. Can I take EN-102 next semester? You cannot take EN-102 next semester if you did not receive a passing grade in EN-101. EN-101 is a prerequisite for EN-102 and Capitol Technology University requires you to obtain a grade of C or better in prerequisites for degree-required courses. This is true for all courses that are prerequisites. Example 1: In order to take MA-261 - Calculus, you must achieve a grade of C or higher in MA-114 - Algebra & Trigonometry. Example 2: In order to take CS-130 - Computer Science, you need a C in CT-115 - Introduction to Programming, etc.