Create your path. Stay on track.
Academic advising is essential to your success as an undergraduate student. Your advisor will help you understand policies and procedures, assist you in selecting majors and courses, and encourage you to engage in campus and community activities. These experiences enrich your college experience, while also helping you realize your dreams and reach your goals.
Academic Advising Center
Advising at the University of Iowa is designed to grow with you academically. Your advising team will change as your needs change. First-semester students and those with fewer than 30 semester hours are advised in the campus-wide Academic Advising Center, where the center’s advisors specialize in transitioning students to academic and student life at Iowa.
Departmental advising
As a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences student with a declared major and 30+ semester hours of credit, you will transition to a departmental advisor. CLAS advisors are located within departments and specialize in providing expert guidance tailored to the majors they serve.
Students with multiple programs of study may have multiple advisors. You’ll visit your primary advisor for registration, but we all work together to help you meet your academic and career goals. Find and schedule with your advisor(s) using MyUI.
Advising in political science
Students in the Department of Political Science have the advantage of a two-tiered advising system. All students are assigned a professional academic advisor, an expert in degree requirements, the university system, and experiential learning opportunities, while faculty serve as mentors in the discipline, guiding students in career, research, and advanced study opportunities.
Additionally, pre-law students in our department have the advantage of working with an advisor to help them prepare for the LSAT and law school applications. Students can schedule advising appointments through MyUI.
Honors advising
Students interested in graduating with honors are encouraged to consult with the Department of Political Science Faculty Honors Advisor. Professors Brian Lai or Nicholas Martini are available to discuss ways in which honors students may enhance their undergraduate education through research and other high impact academic activities.
“My advisors have been valuable resources in helping me make informed decisions about my education, working with me to solve issues, and connecting me with resources for law school. Thanks to their guidance, I’ve been able to make the most of my education and feel prepared for what comes next.”
Meet political science academic advisors
Ignacio Álvarez
Andy Tinkham
Schedule an appointment
Connect with your professional advisor through MyUI. To contact faculty advisors, email them directly to make an appointment.
Getting started with Academic Advising
Verify your advisor and program
Your advisor may change. Verify your primary advisor and their office location. Your program(s) of study are listed in MyUI and include your majors, minors, certificates, or pre-professional programs. If any of this needs to be updated, contact your advisor.
Review your degree audit
Check your degree audit regularly to ensure you understand your program requirements and how courses will count. Contact your advisor if you have questions.
Prepare for registration
Visit your advisor each semester to discuss courses and registration. Your primary advisor can also assist with schedule changes, including adding and dropping.
Seek academic support
Your advisor can help you work to improve your academic performance whether you are on academic probation or want to improve your GPA. Ask about support for your academic success.
Next steps
Plan for graduation
Collaborate with your advisor to create a plan for graduation that incorporates all your programs. Review this plan with your advisor(s) regularly and ask questions about your progress toward degree completion.
Find student resources
The University of Iowa provides resources for social, health, well-being, financial, and academic support. Your advisor can help you navigate campus services.
Explore engagement opportunities
Learn about student organizations, study abroad, service, research, internships, and honors in your major.
Set your goals
Discuss your interests and future educational and career goals. Your advisor can help you plan for graduate and professional study and can connect you to the Pomerantz Career Center.
More about Academic Advising in CLAS
For more information, or to find an advisor in another department, visit the CLAS Advising Network.