Academic Advising Frequently Asked Questions

University Advising Center

How do I know who my Academic Advisor is?

Students are assigned an academic advisor within 24 hours of being admitted to UT Tyler.  Students can view their academic advisor at any time by logging into myUTTyler, clicking on the Academic Progress Tile, and then clicking on the View My Advisor tab on the left-side navigation menu.  

How do I schedule an appointment with my Academic Advisor?

Students can visit the EAB-Navigate platform to schedule an appointment with their academic advisor.  Once you have logged into the platform with your myUTTyler login and password you will be able to see your advisor's appointment availability and schedule the time that works best for you.  Students are encouraged to download the EAB-Navigate App on their smart-phone 

Where can I find my degree plan?

Students can view their degree plan, known as the Patriot Advisement Report (PAR), in myUTTyler at any time.  The PAR is considered your official degree plan at UT Tyler.  Check out the myUTTyler Advising Instructions page to find out how to view your PAR and how to read it.  If you think there is a mistake in your PAR, please contact your Academic Advisor and they will investigate.  

How long will it take me to graduate?

The time to graduation is unique for every student depending on your major and the coursework you may have already completed. Students are encouraged to use the Patriot Planner in myUTTYler which allows you to create a multi-semester/multi-year plan based on the courses you need to complete based on your specific major.  The Patriot Planner uses the Patriot Advisement Report (PAR) to determine which courses a you have left to complete and allows you to plan those courses in specific semesters which allows you to see how long completing your degree requirements will take.  Check out our myUTTyler Advising Instructions page to view our Accessing and Understanding Your Patriot Planner for more information about the Patriot Planner feature.

I have an Academic Advising hold on my myUTTYler account, what does that mean and how can I get it removed?

If you have an Academic Advising Hold on your account it means you need to talk with your academic advisor before you register for classes for the upcoming semester. 

If you are a returning student and know the classes you want to register for, please add the courses to your shopping cart and notify your advisor via email that would like to register for the courses in your shopping cart.  Your advisor will review your course selections and if they are appropriate, will remove your advising hold so you can complete your registration.  

If you do not know which classes to register for in the upcoming semester please visit the EAB-Navigate platform to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.  Prior to your advising appointment please review your Patriot Advisement Report (PAR) to see which courses you have left to complete and make a list of potential course options you can discuss with your advisor.  

What is TSI? How do I know if I need to take it?

Unless a student is exempt, the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requires all undergraduate students entering a public college or university in Texas to be assessed for readiness to enroll in freshman-level academic coursework. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has only approved the TSI testing instrument to determine a student's readiness to enroll in college-level courses.

If you have questions regarding your TSI status, talk with a TSI Specialist.

Who do I contact for more information about some of the special programs such as CAP and Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction information can be found on their website. CAP students will need to speak with their UT Tyler advisor assigned to them based on their intended major at UT Austin.  CAP students may also contact Veronica Viesca who serves as the CAP liaison with UT Austin.  

What does the four-digit course code on every course mean?

Example: ENGL 1301

The first digit indicates the level of the course.

(1 = Freshman, 2 = Sophomore, 3 = Junior, 4 = Senior, 5 = graduate)

The second digit indicates the credit hour value of the course.

(1 = 1-credit hour class, 3 = 3-credit hour class, 4 = 4-credit hour class)

The last two digits may indicate sequence.

(For example, students take ENGL 1301 prior to ENGL 1302.)

ENGL 1301 is a freshman level course worth three credit hours.  

How many hours do I need to take in order to be considered a full-time student?

A student who is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours is considered a full-time student; however, to stay on track for graduation and depending on dual credit, AP, or IB credits, you might be able to enroll in more credit hours. 

What is 15 to Finish or 30 in 3?

Most undergraduate degrees require 120 credit hours in order to graduate.  To ensure students stay on track for a four-year graduation it is important that students complete 30 credit hours every academic year.  Students can complete this 30 credit hours by either taking 15 credit hours every fall and spring semester, or by taking 12 credit hours every fall and spring semester and 6 credit hours over the summer for a total of 30 hours in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

How many classes should I take if I’m working a part-time job?

Of course, all students are different. However, most full-time students who work part-time find that taking 12 credit hours is the maximum course load they can successfully complete.

How long do classes last?

Classes which are held three days per week such as MWF (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) meet for 55 minutes each day.

Classes which are held two days per week such as TR (Tuesday, Thursday) meet for 1 hour, 20 minutes each day.

Classes which are held once a week, meet for 2 hours, 45 minutes.

Lab classes generally meet once a week for an extended period, for example, biology labs meet for 2 hours, 50 minutes, while Chemistry labs typically meet for 3 or 4 hours depending on the course.

Is it a good idea to schedule all my classes on the same day?

This sounds like a good idea – several days off per week, more free time, more hours to work, etc. However, this is probably not the best idea – especially not in your first semester. If you are like most students, you will probably not look at your homework on your days off. This leads to extra work on school days and more stress in the long run. Also, when test time rolls around, you will have all your exams on one or two days (more stress) rather than spread throughout the week.

What happens if one of the classes I need is closed when I meet with my advisor?

If this happens, you have two options. First, talk with your advisor to see if there is another course you can take instead. If there are no other suitable options, then you can contact the professor and department chair of the closed course to see if space can be made available for you.

I’m going to be participating in intercollegiate athletics. How do I know when to schedule classes so they don’t interfere with practice?

Before you meet with your advisor and attempt to register, talk with your coach to find out when practices and games are scheduled. Also, you may find it helpful to let your professors know that you are a student-athlete. This is especially important if you have to miss a class in order to participate in an athletic event.

I’m having trouble deciding between two majors. What can I do that might help me decide?

First, don’t let this stress you out. This is not uncommon. Many students are undecided or still deciding between two or more majors. UT Tyler Student Services offers an interest inventory assessment that can help students choose a career and the appropriate major for that career. You can contact them at 903.566.7079. You may also want to talk with an advisor in each of the departments in which you are interested. They may be able to answer questions and provide you with the additional information you need in order to make a decision.

How often should I contact my advisor throughout each semester?

As a general rule of thumb, students are encouraged to talk with their advisors on a monthly basis or at least twice a semester. This keeps you up-to-date on degree requirements and ensures you are on the right track for graduation. Feel free to visit with you advisor as often as you like.