Advisors

Each department/program/division appoints a primary academic advisor to each student. The advisor must have a School faculty appointment. The advisor provides the student with academic guidance, information, and general assistance. At a minimum, the adviser and the student must meet before the start of each term to discuss the student’s proposed course of study and any procedural or personal issues relevant to the student’s academic experience.

After students meet with their adviser and enroll in courses for the term, the adviser approves the student’s course enrollment in my.harvard, Harvard University’s student information system. The adviser’s approval on the student’s record is required and indicates that the courses in which the student has enrolled are appropriate for the successful completion of the student’s degree program in the allotted time. If the student’s adviser is not available to approve the record, the student must check with the department’s academic administrator/program director for assistance.

Students who wish to change their adviser must do so via their home department/program.

In addition to the primary academic adviser, degree-seeking students are also assigned at least one advising committee. The advising committee consists of department/program administrator(s) and faculty member(s) who have access to students’ records as part of their administrative and/or academic roles with the department/program.

Students who experience academic difficulties should contact their academic advisor. If personal problems or disabilities are a factor in a student’s academic difficulty, the student should also consult with appropriate staff in the Office for Student Affairs.