1. What's the difference between a general advisor and a concentration advisor?
  2. I'm still undecided. When do I need to declare a concentration? (When is the last date upon which I must declare my concentration?)
  3. I listed a possible concentration on my application to the University of Michigan, does that mean I have already declared that concentration?
  4. How should I choose a concentration?
  5. How do I declare a concentration?
  6. How do I change my concentration?
  7. Does my academic record show that I've declared or changed my concentration?
  8. Can I talk to a concentration advisor even if I'm not ready to declare yet?
  9. Can I use transfer credits to count towards my concentration?
  10. How can I do a double concentration?
  11. Can I do a minor?
  12. What is the Individual Concentration Program (ICP)?
  13. I have no clue about my interests. Can I take a test to help me out?
  14. What is a cognate?
  15. May I use a cognate course for distribution?
  16. May I take concentration courses Pass/Fail?
  17. Can I take as many "extra" courses in my concentration department as I want?

 

  1. What's the difference between a general advisor and a concentration advisor?

    A general advisor deals with general LSA degree requirements (those that don't depend on your choice of concentration) while a concentration advisor deals with the requirements specific to a given concentration. Thus, if you have questions about your distribution or Race & Ethnicity courses, you should see a general advisor, but if you are concerned about your cognates, required courses or allowable substitutes in your concentration, you'll need to see a concentration advisor.

    All of the regular staff advisors in the Advising Center are general advisors. Some concentration advisors also keep a few hours a week in the Advising Center, but they mostly work from their own offices in their department.

  2. I'm still undecided. When do I need to declare a concentration? (When is the last date upon which I must declare my concentration?)

    We strongly recommend that you declare a concentration by the end of your sophomore year or early in your junior year. Once you have earned 55+ credits, you will likely receive a message from the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center if you have not declared. We want you to think ahead, pace yourself, and plan intelligently so you can graduate in a reasonable amount of time. Though students are allowed to change concentrations or add a concentration as late as they wish, these late declarations may delay graduation. Work with a General Advisor and Concentration Advisor to ensure healthy progress towards your degree!

  3. I listed a possible concentration on my application to the University of Michigan, does that mean I have already declared that concentration?

    No, the areas of interest you listed on your application are simply that, possible interests. You are not actually an official concentrator until you meet with the concentration advisor from the department and sign the declaration form.

  4. How should I choose a concentration?

    You should choose a concentration carefully, based on your individual interests, aptitudes, and career goals. Before choosing, you may want to discuss your options with a general advisor, with a Career Center counselor, or with one or more faculty members in the departments you are considering.

    One important piece of advice is to try not to be over-influenced by today's job market. Your college career is more than just a vehicle for economic security, it is also your path to a more educated and fulfilling life. If you choose a career without considering your personal needs, desires and interests, you may find yourself dissatisfied once you have entered it. Besides, in our rapidly changing society, the job market will undoubtedly look much different four, eight, or ten years from now. You are likely to change jobs many times, but your education must last a lifetime.
  5. How do I declare a concentration?

    To declare a concentration you simply       make an appointment with a concentration advisor in that department, and the two of you fill out and sign a  Declaration Form. Department staff will enter the declaration onto your record.

    Note that in some concentrations (e.g., Computer Science) you are expected to have completed all of the prerequisites to the concentration before you may declare. In others (e.g., Biology) you may declare before having completed all of the prerequisites. It is best to check with a concentration advisor if you are unsure. You can find the prerequisites listed along with the other requirements in the LSA Bulletin, or under the concentration itself. (Common Questions)

  6. How do I change my concentration?

    Many students change their minds about their concentration during their first couple of years, so don't feel constrained to stick with your original decision if you discover that a different option will better meet your needs.  Changing your concentration is as easy as declaring your concentration. You can change a concentration simply by officially declaring a different one with the Declaration Form.  Whether or not you're using the form to declare a new concentration, you will see a section on the form to delete an existing concentration. Either the department staff or the Academic Auditors in G255 Angell Hall will process this "delete" for you, and you do not need a concentration advisor's signature to complete this action.

  7. Does my Advising Report show that I've declared or changed my concentration?

    Yes, in the Program Action History at the end of your listed terms and elections and grades. This History shows all declarations and program matriculations. This entire History is NOT on your official transcript.

  8. Can I talk to a concentration advisor even if I'm not ready to declare yet?

    Certainly. You may make an appointment at any time to discuss the concentration or the coursework required. This is a great idea if you are still undecided about a concentration, or trying to choose between two or three concentrations. A concentration advisor is often the best person to tell you about further opportunities for concentrators in that field, or about what types of jobs and careers recent graduates of that program have gone into.


    9.
  9. Can I use transfer credits to count towards my concentration?

    In general it is possible to take prerequisites and some concentration course work at another campus. You will need to check, however, with your concentration advisor about what is acceptable. If you are transferring credits from another institution, and you want any of those credits to count towards your concentration requirements, they must be evaluated and approved by a concentration advisor. Neither the admissions office nor a general advisor can grant this approval. Each department will set its own standards for the acceptance of transfer credits; there are no general rules that govern the process. Courses that you have taken at another school that are in the department of your concentration but are not accepted by your concentration advisor may only be used as elective credit.


    10.
  10. Can I have more than one concentration?

    Yes, you may declare several concentrations. You need to declare the additional concentration, making sure that both concentrations are listed on the same Declaration Form.

    You must complete all the requirements of each concentration. Some of these may overlap, especially in the cases of prerequisites and cognates, in which case you would only have to complete those courses once. It is also possible to have courses in one concentration double-count as cognate requirements in another, and vice-versa. If you successfully complete two concentrations, only one of them is excluded from your distribution plan, at your option. Thus you may choose one concentration to double-count with your distribution requirements.

    To declare a double concentration, simply fill out a single concentration declaration form, with both concentrations listed on it. It must be signed by both concentration advisors. If you have already declared one concentration and are adding a second, you needn't get a new signature from the first advisor. Simply write "signature on file" in that space on the form.


    11.
  11. Can I do a minor?
    AB/BS students who have at least one concentration declared can also choose to declare a minor as part of the degree program. Departments have the opportunity of offering a minor option and, although some departments will not offer any minor, others may develop several. As departmental minors are created and approved, students may choose to add a minor to their academic plan.


    12.
  12. What is the Individual Concentration Program (ICP)?

    The  Individual Concentration Program (ICP) is an option for innovative students who wish to undertake a rigorous program of study within the College of LS&A that is not available either in an existing departmental concentration or interdepartmental program. ICPs are interdisciplinary and reflect the liberal arts perspective of LS&A. The ICP encourages diversity and flexibility, but all ICPs must have an identifiable academic focus and unifying theme. As with other concentrations, ICPs must stress development of skills to think critically, to understand and evaluate knowledge, and to develop ideas.  [ICP  FAQs]



  13. I have no clue about my interests. Can I take a test to help me out?

    Yes. The Career Center has several resources to help you focus your interests. Visit them at 3200 Student Activities Building, and check out their web site at  http://careercenter.umich.edu/.

  14. What is a cognate?

    A cognate is a required concentration course taken in a department outside your concentration department but whose subject relates closely to your concentration.


    15.
  15. May I use a cognate course for distribution?

    No.

  16. May I take concentration courses Pass/Fail?

    No, you cannot take any courses Pass/Fail which are used for your concentration (including cognates) and you cannot take any other courses offered by your department Pass/Fail even if you do not need those courses for the concentration. If you take a course Pass/Fail and then later decide to concentrate in that department, talk to the concentration advisor about having that course accepted for your program.

  17. Can I take as many "extra" courses in my concentration department as I want?

    There is a generous limit on the number of credits you may take from a single department. You may take up to 60 credits of course work in a single department and have them count toward graduation. If you exceed 60 credits in a department, you may not use any credits above the 60-credit limit toward the 120 required for a degree.