Advisement and Academic Planning for Interdisciplinary Studies Scholars

Southern’s Interdisciplinary Studies program offers scholars a unique opportunity to create their own major, allowing each scholar to pursue their personal and professional interests as part of their degree program. This ultimate flexibility also requires thoughtful and careful academic planning, in partnership with IDS advisors and faculty. The following resources can assist Interdisciplinary Studies scholars with their academic planning, advisement and ultimately their academic success including preparing for advisement appointments and course registration.

• Scholar Advising Responsibilities
• Advisor Advising Responsibilities
• Academic and Course Planning
• Advising Appointments
• Who is my advisor?

Scholar Advising Responsibilities

Interdisciplinary Studies Scholars are empowered by their advisors to make informed academic decisions and are ultimately responsible for their own academic progress and success. Academic advisors assist and guide scholars in navigating their academic journey, it is incumbent on scholars to be informed and knowledgeable about their academic requirements and to be proactive participants in their academic success. To do this, scholars must:

• Review and work towards understanding their unique academic program requirements; 
• Utilize available resources to monitor academic progress, find available courses and review program requirements (including their Degree Evaluation and Schedule Planner); 
• Be familiar with how to connect with discipline/concentration departments and understand how to connect with course faculty/instructors; 
• Take responsibility for actions and decisions that impact their academic progress; 
• Seek advisement from their academic advisor when necessary; and 
• Be prepared for advisement appointments with a planned schedule of classes, questions about the program(s) and requirements, as well as an open mind for exploration and mentorship. 

Academic Advisor Responsibilities

Academic Advisors assist Interdisciplinary Studies scholars as they navigate their academic journey, by providing individual advisement in the promotion of each scholar’s academic success. An academic advisor shares knowledge, experience, and insight to benefit IDS scholars in their decision making and academic planning. Additionally, the advisor provides information about university policies and procedures related to academic programs. To do this, advisors will: 

• Assist scholars in understanding their Interdisciplinary Studies program requirements and provide clarification of requirements, policies and procedures; 
• Connect scholars to appropriate university academic and success resources, as needed;
• Meet as needed to address scholar questions and provide consultation on upcoming planned course of study, including immediate and long-range academic planning;
• Provide mentorship and assist scholars with post-graduation preparation; and
• Review scholar’s progress toward academic goals, facilitate connections to cocurricular and experiential learning opportunities, and monitor academic progress. 

Academic and Course Planning

The Degree Evaluation provides Interdisciplinary Studies scholars with a comprehensive and up-to-date guide of program requirements towards graduation. Working with their advisor, IDS scholars will map out their personalized academic plan towards graduation. Additionally, scholars can utilize their Degree Plans as a guide,  which can be updated or changed based on a scholar's personal goals and individual concentrations within their personalized program.

Interdisciplinary Studies Scholar Resources:

• Course Planning & Registration for IDS Scholars
• Course Planning Worksheet for IDS Scholars
• Schedule Planner for IDS Scholars

Helpful Resources

• Interdisciplinary Studies Program (Requirements)
• Schedule Planner Information
• Degree Evaluation

• Degree Plans

Advising Appointments

The Interdisciplinary Studies team offers scholars the option to schedule both in-person and virtual advisement appointments. When scheduling appointments, students can specify which meeting method they would like to schedule. Once your appointment is scheduled you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions on your appointment location or how to access your virtual appointment (including a meeting link).

Virtual appointments are held via WebEx, which is available for free to Southern scholars. Additionally, the IDS team can also connect with scholars via Microsoft Teams, which is also available for free to Southern scholars. No downloads are required to access meetings via either application, however both have apps available for scholars’ convenience.

Our Interdisciplinary Studies team is available to provide you with support, including your assigned advisor. Your advisor is listed in Navigate (which you can access via MyApps) under "Your Success Team." Click Make an Appointment in Navigate to schedule an appointment with your advisor.

If you need additional assistance, you can contact your advisor or email IDSinfo@SouthernCT.edu or call 203-392-8113. 

If you are looking to change your major to Interdisciplinary Studies, please schedule an introduction meeting with us.

Who is my advisor?

Interdisciplinary Studies scholars are assigned a faculty or professional advisor who specializes in interdisciplinary advising. Your assigned advisor's name is listed on the top of your degree evaluation (available in Banner Student). Additionally, your advisor is listed in Navigate (which you can access via MyApps) under "Your Success Team." You can also email and Make an Appointment with your advisor using Navigate.

If you have additional questions about your advisor assignment or if you need assistance scheduling an appointment with your advisor, please contact idsinfo@SouthernCT.edu or call 203-392-8113 for assistance.