Undergraduate Advising

Academic Advisors

Campus with the Minneapolis skyline in the background and river

Every College of Design student is assigned a professional academic advisor who will work with you from New Student Orientation through graduation. If you are a prospective student please reach out to the Office of Admissions, which provides advising to students who are not yet enrolled in the College of Design.

Make an Appointment

Academic advisors are available to help you via email and appointments, which are offered online, by phone, and in person. Online appointments are the most flexible in terms of meeting student scheduling needs, so we encourage you to take advantage of them. Quick questions are most easily responded to via email, so don't hesitate to email your advisor.

To schedule an appointment, click on the "Make an Appointment" button below your advisor's name to utilize online scheduling. Each appointment will specify the meeting modality (online, phone, in-person) of that particular time slot.

If you have difficulties, please contact us via email at [email protected] or via phone at 612-624-1717 or 612-626-3690.

Meet the Advisors

Apparel Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Retail Merchandising

Advisors for these majors are located in 12 McNeal Hall on the St. Paul Campus.

Architecture, Landscape Design & Planning, and Product Design

Advisors for these majors are located in 107 Rapson Hall on the East Bank.

Advising: Frequently Asked Questions

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Who can newly admitted students contact for advising help?

Newly admitted freshmen and transfer students from outside of the U of M-Twin Cities campus
You will meet your academic advisor at New Student Orientation. If you have questions regarding New Student Orientation, please contact the College of Design at 612-626-3690 or [email protected].

Newly admitted transfer students from within the U of M-Twin Cities campus
Within one week after receiving your admissions email, your APAS will be updated to reflect the name of your academic advisor. To schedule an advising appointment after that point, please use our online scheduling tool. Simply visit our advising page and click on "Make an appointment" under your advisor's name. (Please note that advisors do not schedule their own appointments.)

Who can prospective College of Design students contact for advising help?

Prospective students should reach out to our admissions counselors. Prospective freshmen should contact Dom Johnson at [email protected] while prospective transfer students should reach out to [email protected].

What topics can my academic advisor help me with?

You can expect to meet your advisor during New Student Orientation. Advisors serve as a student’s first point of contact for questions, concerns, ideas, and issues.

  • Engagement opportunities, such as undergraduate research, leadership, service learning, and student organizations
  • Progressing to full-major status
  • Internship information and process
  • International and domestic study away advising
  • Referrals to other University resources and services
  • Selecting a minor or second major
  • Changes in your academic status, e.g., reduced credit load, leave of absence
  • Petition process
  • Academic probation advising
  • Registration hold releases
  • Change of major and undeclared student advising
  • Preparation for graduation

How should I prepare for an appointment?

When meeting with an advisor, it’s your responsibility to:

  • Read and understand your Academic Progress Audit System (APAS) and your program's four-year plan, and ask your advisor if you have questions on either
  • Schedule appointments early and arrive on time
  • Stay current on collegiate and University policies, deadlines, and resources
  • Make satisfactory academic progress toward timely graduation
  • Make and be accountable for your own decisions about your academic life
  • Treat your advisor in a respectful, professional manner (which includes turning off your cell phone during appointments)

It’s your advisor’s responsibility to:

  • Advise you in a knowledgeable, professional, and respectful manner
  • Communicate to you pertinent collegiate and University information, including changes to your degree program
  • Allow you to make your own decisions about your academic life
  • Keep appropriate information about you confidential

How do I apply for a minor within the College of Design?

The College of Design offers nine undergraduate minors, which are available to any U of M Twin Cities student. To apply to a minor, visit its page and click on the “apply online” button. To ask an advising question, email the advisor at [email protected].

Architecture
Fashion Studies
Interdisciplinary Design
Interior Environments
Landscape Design and Planning
Lighting Design
Product Design
Public Interest Design
Retail Merchandising
User Experience (UX)