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Home > Student Life > MSI Academic Advising > FAQ
Student Life: MSI Academic Advising FAQ
Can I change my faculty advisor? How do I do it?
The "Orientation Advisor" is not a permanent assignment. Students may seek advising from the faculty members of their choice at any time. There is no paper work involved.
Special Note: K-12 School Media program students MUST see Professor Karen Markey each term.
How do I get an override (permission of instructor)?
Send an e-mail to the instructor to request permission to register for her class. In your e-mail, remind the faculty member to forward her permission, should she grant it, to si.override@umich.edu. Once your override is processed, you will receive an e-mail prompting you to register online. For an SI 690 or SI 681 internship, contact Joanna Kroll (jckroll@umich.edu) for approval.
How does the course wait list work?
Add yourself to the online wait list if a course is full. Once you are approved for an override to add the class, you must first drop yourself from the wait list before you can add yourself to the class. Your override holds your space in the class.
How do I process transfer credits?
Students who are planning to transfer credit from another institution cannot do so until they have completed at least eight credit hours toward the MSI with at least a "B" average. The transfer courses
- must have been taken within the last five years, and you must have received a grade of at least a B;
- must be graduate level and not have been applied toward another degree or certificate; and
- must be from an ALA-accredited school if they are courses in library and information services.
Please see Xiao-wen Zou (SI academic advisor) for more details about transfer credit.
How do I handle drop/add?
You can drop and add courses online through Wolverine Access up to three weeks after the term begins without a "W" (withdrawal) appearing on your transcript. After the third week, you need to obtain a drop/add form from the SI Academic and Career Services Office, have it completed and signed by the instructor and the SI Academic Advisor (Xiao-wen Zou), and hand deliver it to the Registrar's Office. You must drop classes before the last day of class. Retroactive drops are rare and require a petition.
How are cognate courses counted?
As an SI master's student, you are required to earn at least three credit hours from cognate courses taken at another school or unit at U-M. You must earn a grade of B- or better in a cognate course to have it count toward your degree. The requirements for each specialization are on the TAPS forms available online or in 403B West Hall.
You need to get approval from your faculty advisor before signing up for a cognate class. Send approval to Xiao-wen Zou for your future graduation audit (an e-mail approval will be fine). Make sure that your external course is at a graduate level (check a course's status in Rackham's online bulletin). Some SI cross-listed courses count as a cognate as long as the home department is not SI and the instructor is not an SI faculty member.
How do I change my specialization?
You may request a change of specialization via an e-mail to Eric Herbert at eherb@umich.edu with a subject heading "Specialization change request."
In the e-mail you need to include your name, ID number, current specialization, new specialization requested, and expected term of graduation.
How do I add a second specialization?
Students will be required to meet with Xiao-Wen Zou ( SI academic advisor) for an advising session to pursue a second specialization and will be encouraged to meet with relevant faculty for advising on their decision as well.
How do I process a Disenroll/Withdrawal?
If you register but then decide before the start of the term not to take any classes, you will need to disenroll from that term through Wolverine Access →. After the term begins, though, you will need to complete a withdrawal form. (See Judy Lawson or Xiao-wen Zou to discuss your situation.)
If you decide to take a term off and have not registered for any courses, you do not need to submit any paperwork, but you should notify Judy Lawson or Xiao-wen Zou of your intentions. Students not enrolling within a one year (12 month) period will have to apply for readmission. Once you are pre-registered, a withdrawal requires an official withdrawal form.
How do I "double count" dual-degree credit hours?
The maximum number of credits that may be double-counted is the sum of credits required in both fields divided by six. For example:
Credits required in field A = 30
Credits required in field B = 48
Sum = 78
Sum divided by 6 = 78/6 = 13, so thirteen credits are the maximum number that may be double-counted.
Please see Xiao-wen if you would like more information regarding dual degree programs.
How do I handle the TAPS (Tracking and Planning Sheets)?
The TAPS are designed to help you track the courses you have taken and plan to take. Ideally, you should fill out a TAPS form each term. If you entered the MSI program in fall term, use the TAPS labeled for the term you entered. If you entered in winter term, you may use either the TAPS labeled for the fall term before you entered or the one for the fall term after you entered. Your TAPS should be filled out and up-to-date before you go for faculty advising and should be completed when you go for graduation advising.
What is the Tailored Program Statement?
If you plan to complete the Tailored MSI program, write a statement (two to three pages, double-spaced) outlining your academic and professional career goals and submit it via e-mail to the Tailored Program coordinator, Professor Michael Cohen (mdc@umich.edu) for final approval (cc Xiao-wen Zou: zxwen@umich.edu). You will need to update this plan each term with your faculty advisor during the preregistration advising period. This statement will become part of the graduation audit record.
How do I arrange an independent study?
You may take up to three credits as independent study with a professor who has agreed to supervise your work. You may propose a topic or project to a faculty member and seek his input and approval. If the independent study is more than three credits, you will need to get an approval from the dean' office. The professor will need to sign the override form and the form will be processed by Eric Herbert (eherb@umich.edu).
How many PEP credits do I need to graduate?
You must earn at least six PEP (Practical Engagement Program) credits in order to graduate. You can earn these PEP credits in a designated course or through an internship. Please review the PEP area of the Web site or contact Joanna Kroll at jckroll@umich.edu to learn more. For additional information, see the MSI handbook (PDF).
For additional information and services related to academic advising, please follow the links on the right side of this page.
Last updated: May 20, 2008
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