Healthcare-related academic advising

In Fall 2005, UW Oshkosh adopted the Total Intake Model for academic advising. In general, any incoming student (new or transfer) is advised by a "new student specialist" working in the Undergraduate Advising Center in Dempsey Hall Room 130.  That person's name will appear on the student's STAR. 

It is not necessary for the incoming student to declare a major or decide upon a Healthcare career until he or she feels ready.  Note that Healthcare professional programs (such as medicine or dentistry) do not care what an applicant's undergraduate major is, so long as certain required coursework is completed.

Students can also get valuable academic advising from someone who has "been there, done that" in two ways:

1. By taking advantage of our Peer Advising Liaison (PAL) program.  Ask to be connected to a pre-Health PAL for best results.
2. By joining the PreHealth Professionals of Oshkosh (PHPO) and getting to know students who are further along in the process, with valuable hindsight to share.

Once a major is declared, the student satisfies further minimum criteria in order to qualify for "graduation" to a faculty or staff academic advisor in his or her chosen college, department, or program.  That person's name will appear on the student's STAR. Each program has its own criteria; check with the main office or program web page to learn what they might be.  In general, a Program Assistant in the main office will assist the student with advisor assignment.

For example, to graduate from a UARC advisor to a Biology faculty advisor, the student declares a BIO or MICRO major and completes BIO 105, CHEM 105, and BIO 111. 

Once a major has been declared, the STAR itself becomes a source of advising information, as it will list required coursework as well as options when choices are to be made, either within Gen Ed or in the major.  Many departments also provide course planning sheets for their majors; check their web pages for more details.

In some programs, a freshman level orientation course exists (and may even be required) to set new majors up for success in the program.  These courses require that a student plan out a degree completion with a specific career objective in mind, under the guidance of student peers and the instructor.  It's only an exercise; you can always change your mind; but this planning assignment lets students hit the ground running and take charge of their educational pathways. 

For example, in Biology, there is either BIO 111 Biology Orientation or BIO 112 Healthcare Orientation.  BIO 112 may be required by departments other than Bio/Micro.

Finally, each semester, Dr. Dana Vaughan of the BIO/MICRO department provides open advising for students, including Healthcare-minded students.  To find out the days and times, check the Healthcare Events Calendar.

Back to main Healthcare Web Page.