You and Your Advisor
Your academic advisor can help you make informed decisions, understand degree requirements, and stay on track throughout your program. Use these resources to prepare for advising conversations, plan academic milestones, complete required forms, and find support when questions or challenges arise.
How Graduate Advising Works at UConn
Graduate advising at UConn is primarily managed through each student’s academic program. Depending on your degree, you may work with a major advisor, an advisory committee, a graduate program director, department staff, or a combination of such. These advisors can help you understand program requirements, plan coursework, prepare for academic milestones, and make well-informed decisions throughout your graduate career.
Because advising structures and requirements vary by program, students should review their program’s specific expectations and connect with their advisor or program office early and regularly. Your advisor can help you stay on track, but you are also responsible for understanding degree requirements, meeting deadlines, and submitting required forms as you progress through your program.
Academic Advising and Degree Planning
These resources can help you understand advising expectations, track degree progress, and complete required forms in partnership with your advisor or advisory committee.
- The Graduate Catalog - Advisory System: An overview of major advisors and advisory committees at the University of Connecticut.
- Major Advisor Change Form.pdf: Submit a request to change your academic advisor.
- Advisement Report: Learn how to view your progress toward completing your graduate program’s academic requirements. Advisement reports are not utilized in all programs.
- Plans of Study Forms: Work with your advisor to map out the specific courses you need to complete your academic degree program.
- Dissertation Proposal.pdf: For doctoral students, after you have successfully completed your dissertation proposal with you advisor, submit the appropriate form to Degree Audit so the milestone can be added to your record.
- Career Services: Explore career development resources, events, and tools to help you connect your graduate education with your professional goals.
Support Services
If you are facing academic, personal, or wellness-related challenges, these offices and resources can help you identify options, understand accommodations, and connect with additional support. You do not need to wait until a situation becomes urgent to ask for help.
- Student Advocacy and Support: If you are facing academic or personal challenges, reach out to Kimberly Curry, the Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support for assistance.
- Student Health and Wellness – Mental Health: Connect with UConn student health services, including counseling, crisis support, workshops, and resources to support student wellbeing.
- Center for Students with Disabilities: Learn about the accommodations process, the types of accommodations available, and how to connect with the Center for Students with Disabilities to obtain them.
Are You Looking for a Mentor?
- Graduate Student Mentoring: A Mentee's Guide: As a mentee, you can learn from and connect with other graduate students, faculty, industry experts, or practitioners during your degree program. This guide outlines best practices for graduate students in their role as mentees at UConn.
