Evaluation of the academic advising system at a complex university found that most students were advised, felt general advising needs were met, and were satisfied with help received. Few felt faculty were their primary advisors, many sought help from other sources, and most spent 15 minutes or less per semester with primary advisors. (Author/MSE)

This paper describes an academic assistance program designed to help ethnic minority students adjust to the demands of university life and succeed both academically and personally. The Excel program has three major components: a two-semester, two-credit core seminar; weekly instructional support groups; and peer led tutorial/discussion groups. The…

This handbook translates the findings and recommendations from earlier reports on purposes and practices in selected arts and sciences majors into a practical framework for reviewing the effectiveness of major programs in the arts and sciences as liberal learning. The handbook stresses the value of assessment as a dimension of program review and…

Guidance is offered for reviewing current Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs and for establishing new ones. Typical academic and institutional contexts of Ph.D. programs in the United States and Canada and the standards and quality which lead to successful Ph.D. programs are presented. Part One addresses the nature and purpose of the doctoral…

Each semester in the 136 state-supported community colleges in California, counselors are involved in developing, maintaining, and/or revising hundreds of programs that may or may not result in helping students move efficiently through the system. Developed as a resource for administrators and counselors charged with improving community college…

The way that academic advisers, counselors, faculty, and administrators can help undecided college students set and implement educational and career goals is described. The focus is a developmental advising approach and career development concepts. Origins of indecision, categories of undecided students, and model programs for counseling and…

A framework is offered for institutions to use in identifying and overcoming obstacles to graduate student progress and retention. Seven aspects of graduate education that would have to be altered to reduce student frustration are examined: admissions, graduate curriculum, advising/mentoring, monitoring progress, financial support, institutional…