UMGC Policy V-1.01 Academic Advising and Success Coaching Policy

1. Introduction
   1. UMGC has developed academic advising services in accordance with the University System of Maryland Policy III-2.50 Policy on Academic Advising, approved on June 21, 1990. UMGC recognizes that adult learners have unique needs for advising. Advising provides intentional, targeted outreach to students in order to co-create an academic plan, provide the right resources at the right time, connect them to the University community and motivate them to achieve their education goals.
   2. The policy of UMGC is to provide comprehensive advising services and success coaching at times and locations convenient for adult students with the purpose of creating a world-class student experience. Generally, these services are provided on an individual basis and are conducted by professional advising staff and/or faculty. In order to accommodate UMGC's students who are geographically dispersed, advising services are rendered by phone, email, chat sessions, virtual appointments, and/or in face-to-face format. Supplemental advising services and information may be found on UMGC websites and in UMGC written publications. Students are responsible for reading information provided by UMGC.
   3. A majority of UMGC's students are served by Success Coaches in the Office of Student Affairs located at our Adelphi campus in Adelphi, Maryland. UMGC also offers advising services (as part of Stateside Military Operations) at several civilian and military locations throughout the United States. The UMGC Europe Advising Staff serve students for courses originating from UMGC Europe. The UMGC Asia Advising Staff serve students for courses originating from UMGC Asia. All UMGC staff are tasked with creating a student-first environment when offering advising services.
   4. Completion of official transfer credit evaluations and clearance for degree completion is traditionally conducted by Academic Operations.
   5. Academic advising is not mandatory; rather, it is available and recommended for every student.

2. Academic Advising and Success Coaching

   Advising (Success Coaching) empowers students on their UMGC educational journey by listening, guiding, motivating, and celebrating the student’s success from the point of enrollment through graduation. All UMGC staff described in Section I.B. above:

   1. Maintain communication to aid students in curriculum planning, course selection, and academic support;
   2. Provide a basic orientation to all UMGC student services, performing administrative functions on behalf of the student, as requested, in accordance with UMGC policy; and/or
   3. Make referrals, and serving as a liaison for the student, to individual departments as necessary.

*Replacement for: UMGC Policy 120.10 Academic Advising