Advising Information

Transient Permission

Are you interested in taking a class at another institution while you are still seeking a degree at UWG? That is called transient permission.

Transient Permission Forms can take 5-10 business days to complete. You can get transient permission by completing the following steps:

  1. Complete a Transient Permission Form for each course you would like to take at the other school. Each course must be on a separate form.
  2. Contact your advisor to set up an appointment to have them review your form and sign it.
  3. Take the form signed by your advisor to the department of the course you want to take at the other school. For example, if you want to take ENGL 1102 at a school closer to home over the summer, you would take the form to the English Program at UWG. You will need to have the chair of the department sign the form. This may mean that you leave the form with the Departmental Assistant and come back and pick it up at a later time.
  4. Once you have signatures from your advisor and the department chair, you need one final signature. You must take the form to your major college or school and get the Dean's signature as well. For example, if you are a Biology major, you would need to get the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics signature to complete your form.
  5. Make 3 copies of the completed form. Take a copy to each of the following places:
    • Registrar's Office
    • Financial Aid Office
    • Keep a copy for yourself!
  6. Take the signed original form(s) to the school where you wish to take the class(es) along with any other paperwork they require to process your transient application."

Major Exploration

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACADEMIC ADVISORS AND CAREER COUNSELORS

Academic advisors provide academic advice about degree programs, procedures and academic practices. We help students map out their academic plans, select courses and adhere to academic regulations. We can tell you the types of courses you'll take in pursuit of a degree and help you decide if those course requirements fit your skills based on previous academic performance. If you want to discuss the contents of an academic program of study, you want to see an advisor.

Career Counselors use a variety of tools to help clients clarify their knowledge about their values, interests, personality and skills. They also help clients identify options and information about their career path, which equips students to make informed decisions and transition into their ideal career. If you want to explore how your personality matches different careers, you want to see a Career Counselor.

UNDECLARED OR UNDECIDED?

Undeclared students are those who really don't know what major they want or who cannot decide from among a handful of choice. If you cannot decide between a major in history or a major in anthropology, then you are undeclared.

Undecided students are those who know a professional field they want to pursue but aren't sure of the specific major yet. If you know you want to get your degree in education but are not sure which major you want, you are undecided. Likewise, if you know you want a business degree but don't know which business major you want, you are undecided.

MAJOR EXPLORATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA

UWG students have a number of options to explore the undergraduate majors available on campus:

1. Visit an Undeclared or Undecided Advisor

The Advising Center, the College of Education Advisement Center, and the Richards College of Business all have advisors dedicated to students who are undeclared or undecided. Advisors will help you learn about the path to graduation in a major and see if that fits what you like to do in the classroom.

2. Visit a Career Counselor

Career Counselors will ask just the right questions to find out what motivates you to work hard and what kinds of jobs will be rewarding for you. Career Counselors will help you identify your priorities in a career and see how your personality matches careers that meet your priorities. Once you have a career (or two) in mind, Career Counselors will refer you to an advisor to learn about the degree(s) that help you enter your chosen career field.

3. Attend Major Things: An Advising Center Original Series

Starting Fall 2017, the Advising Center will host this series of events highlighting various interests and exploring unexpected careers that can come from unexpected majors! You will see advisors, faculty, and alumni at these events to help you realize that many times, you don't have to major in X to pursue a career in X! We'll help demystify the process of finding the major that aligns with your skills and interests!

Focus Areas Defined

FOCUS AREA ARTS

In this focus area, you’ll take core curriculum classes especially targeted for the arts, including a special interdisciplinary XIDS 2100 pathways course that will help you think critically about arts related career options.

FOCUS AREA HEALTH PROFESSIONS

This focus area would be of interest to those seeking a career in healthcare with a focus on nursing and employment within the field of nursing. Nursing encompasses a wide range of opportunities for employment outside the traditional hospital setting.

FOCUS AREA BUSINESS

At the Richards College of Business, we are in the business of transforming lives through education, engagement, and experiences, and we mean that. Through our business majors, students are introduced to various theories and concepts that will guide them far beyond the academic walls to become global leaders in business and industry. Our students acquire more than knowledge during their time with us and leave us prepared to not only lead, but to make an impact on the business world.

FOCUS AREA EDUCATION

The Education focus area provides students with opportunities to explore careers in teaching in a variety of educational settings. Foundational courses engage students in observations and interactive experiences with children from diverse backgrounds. Completion of the majors in Elementary Education, Special Education and Physical Education prepares students for initial teacher licensure in the state of Georgia.

FOCUS AREA SPORT AND WELLNESS

The Sport and Wellness focus area fosters a transformative learning environment where students can engage in research, service, and experiential activities that empower them for success in a dynamic, diverse, and global environment. Through this focus area students will have options that lead to careers in athletics, recreation, fitness, speech language pathology, health and human services, wellness education and promotion, public health, coaching, sport business operations, and other related fields.

FOCUS AREA STEM

The STEM focus areas are designed for students who are considering academic studies related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields.

Focus Area Stem A Science

This encompasses studies that focus on understanding physical, natural or mathematical systems. The STEM A focus area prepares students for programs of study in biology, chemistry, geography, geology, mathematics or physics.

Focus Area Stem B Technology

This encompasses studies that focus on the applications of science and mathematics. The STEM B focus area prepares students for programs of study in computer science, chemistry, geography, geology, mathematics or physics.

FOCUS AREA HUMANITIES

This focus area provides immediate access to the foreign language and other core curriculum courses that you’ll need to graduate, including a special interdisciplinary XIDS 2100 pathways course that will help you think critically about promising careers that might be approached through a humanities degree.

FOCUS AREA SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Social Sciences focus area is the scientific study of human society and social relationships. This includes courses in Anthropology, Criminology, Geography, Mass Communications, Political Science, Psychology, Social and Behavioral Health, and Sociology.