Advising services are an essential part of student success. Through advising, students can better prepare for each semester and make educated decisions towards their program course selections. Meeting with an advisor allows students to stay on track towards graduation, plan for transfer, and help identify opportunities to enter the workforce.
Continuous advising is a requirement for all degree-seeking students to meet with either their Student Success Advisor or Major Faculty Advisor before they register for classes each semester. Students who receive advising are more successful in completing their degree and doing so in a logical and timely manner that removes certain barriers students might face through self-advising. Continuous advising helps eliminate the mistake of taking wrong or extra classes, making sure that they are eligible for a certain class within a specific term, and managing a student’s schedule to best fit their needs.
WHAT WE, ADVISORS CAN DO FOR YOU, THE STUDENT
Student Success Advisors provide information to prospective, current, and returning students on:
YOU, THE STUDENT WILL NEED TO:
Student Success Advisors are assigned to students based on their degree/program selection. Students meet with their Student Success Advisor when first enrolling or transferring to CSI. The Student Success Advisor will help in the planning of courses for the first term, SOAR, or until accepted into a Career Technical Education (CTE) Program. Student Success Advisors will transition information to move forward with continuous advising through the Major Faculty Advisor. Students may contact the Advising Center at advising@csi.edu, by phone at 208-732-6250, or by visiting the Advising Center website to learn who their Student Success Advisor is and schedule an appointment.
Major Faculty Advisors are faculty members under a student’s selected degree/program of interest. Students begin to meet with their Major Faculty Advisor typically in the second semester of enrollment when they go to set up classes during continuous advising. Major Faculty Advisors are there to assist students in selecting courses that best fit the students’ schedule and keeps them on track to graduate. Students are informed of who their Major Faculty Advisor is when first meeting with their Student Success Advisor. Students may also contact the Advising Center or look to the program websites page to learn who their Major Faculty Advisor is and how to contact them.
New students should meet with their Student Success Advisor as soon as they have been officially admitted to CSI and submitted all official Admissions documentation, including high school transcripts and placement information.
Current students should meet with their Major Faculty Advisor at least two weeks before the start of the registration period each semester. It is also encouraged for students to meet with their advisor periodically throughout the semester if any questions or concerns arise.
New students, undeclared, Liberal Arts majors, and non-degree seeking students should contact the Advising Center and schedule an appointment to meet with their Student Success Advisor.
Current students will be directed to contact their Major Faculty Advisor for continuous advising. To set up an appointment with your Major Faculty Advisor, visit the directory page for office hours and location.
Being prepared for your advising meeting will make the best use of your time and be as informative as possible. We suggest you bring the following materials to each session:
It is helpful to declare a major before the start of the academic year as part of the catalog matriculation process. However, it is not required to select a major before attending classes, unless you plan on receiving Financial Aid. Contact the Advising Center or view the program listing to research your degree options.
It is not uncommon for students to change their major while attending CSI. These changes happen as a result of a shift in lifestyle and interests, career path exploration, or workforce needs. Before you declare a new major, we highly suggest setting up a meeting with your current and potential major faculty advisor to discuss the pros and cons in each area of study. If you decide to change your major, submit the request online through MyCSI.
Please note: Students receiving financial aid and scholarships should consult with a Financial Aid Advisor to discuss conditions relating to a change in major.
Students may be exempt from one or both placements (ALEKS/WriteClass) if they submit an acceptable alternative. Your Student Success Advisor or Major Faculty Advisor will help determine if you meet placement by other means such as transfer credit and/or other placement tests like (ACT/ SAT).
Students wishing to improve their placement scores may repeat the ALEKS a total of four times after the initial test (a total of 5 attempts is available).
The WriteClass survey is only available to complete one time. If a student is unsatisfied with where they are placed they may speak to the English department for further evaluation.
Placement scores will be considered valid if they have been taken within three years from the date of original testing.
Because every student has different life obligations such as work, family, travel, and course delivery preferences, flexibility is key. The chart below is a guideline to keep in mind when planning your schedule.
| Outside Time Obligation: | 40 hours/week | 30 hours/week | 20 hours/week | 5-15 hours/week |
| Suggested Credit Load: | 6 credits | 9 credits | 12 credits | 14-16 credits |
New students are encouraged to supply all admissions documentation as soon as possible and set up their advising appointment with their Student Success Advisor immediately upon confirmation that all documentation has been received by CSI. New students will review courses with an advisor, develop a semester plan, and get registered during SOAR. Getting started earlier in the process allows for more availability in SOAR dates and flexibility in creating a desired course schedule.
Current students are strongly encouraged to schedule a time to meet with their Major Faculty Advisor a minimum of two weeks before registration opens. Getting continuous advising done earlier allows students to register on the first day of open registration. Registering early for classes will provide many course section options, so don't wait until the last minute. The Academic Calendar indicates the open registration dates for each term.
New students will learn to register for classes during the Registration Lab at SOAR
Current students are expected to register online using MyCSI after first completing continuous advising with their major faculty advisor.
You can view and print your class schedule on MyCSI. The course schedule contains the course title, credit amount, instructor, class meeting time, and class location. If you don't know your textbook and class material requirements, take your schedule to the Bookstore and the staff will assist you with your required texts and other purchases.
CSI is an accredited institution, therefore all completed credits will transfer. While all the credits will transfer, each school will determine transfer equivalency for the intended program. We suggest you contact a transfer representative or advisor from your intended transfer institution to determine course selection and transfer equivalency from CSI.