Academic Advising

Academic advising is a cornerstone of RCD, where study is understood to be a collaborative process, forged in conversations and dialogue. In choosing an adviser, students are strongly encouraged to select a member of our core faculty. In addition to the student’s primary adviser, all students are also advised by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. While your primary adviser may change as your interests or focus evolve, the Director of Studies will support you from your first semester in RCD until graduation, getting to know you and your academic interests  and engagements as they develop over the course or your studies.
 
As a major in RCD you will meet with your primary adviser regularly in order to develop a coherent program of study, and after discussing your specific course selections with you, your advisor will clear you to register each semester. Your primary adviser may also advise your senior capstone or thesis, if you choose to pursue one. All other advising questions will be directed to the Director of Studies, including questions about what courses count toward an area of concentration, and how to navigate study abroad, transfer credits, etc. Under university rules, students must declare a major no later than the end of their sophomore year. Students that double major in RCD and another discipline must have an RCD primary advisor.

RCD’s faculty can help familiarize students with the department's areas of concentration and the nature of critical, comparative and interdisciplinary work. In addition, the department’s introductory courses offer freshman and sophomores a tremendous opportunity to become better acquainted with RCD faculty members before choosing a major or advisor. For continuing students in the department who wish to submit a change of advisor request form, you can find it on the Student Forms page. For additional information about academic support more broadly,  please visit the Academic Advising page.