2020-2021 Graduate Academic Catalog

Academic Advising

Academic advising is a high priority at Lesley University. Each student in the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences (GSASS) and the Graduate School of Education (GSOE) has access to a program-affiliated advising team consisting of an assistant director for academic advising and a faculty advisor.

Assistant directors are professional academic advisors assigned to each program. They are responsible for the coordination of academic advising and overseeing the delivery of services to all GSASS and GSOE students. GSASS requires and GSOE strongly urges each student, upon acceptance into a program of study, to initiate contact with his or her assistant director to begin the process of academic advising and program planning. Assistant directors can answer questions regarding university policies, registration procedures, course sequencing, choice of electives, and Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) requirements for education licensure programs. They also serve as liaisons between students and university support offices on the Lesley campus.

When students are accepted into a Lesley program, they are assigned a faculty advisor, who will work with them on career and professional issues and will offer academic support and guidance to help them meet their goals. Students are required to schedule an appointment with their faculty advisor early in the program and to keep in contact on a regular basis.

Names and contact information for faculty advisors and assistant directors are available through the Lesley Online Information Service (LOIS). Students should initiate contact with assistant directors and faculty advisors on a regular basis and make use of the supports and resources the University offers.

Although advisors offer advice and counsel, students should read carefully through all materials regarding grading, academic integrity, and related policies. It's important that they keep a constant check on their programmatic requirements and academic progress, and that they make use of all the supports and resources the University has to offer.