Advising Resources

The 4 Year Academic Plan is used to help students plan for their academic progression throughout their coursework at Mercer. The plan allows students to outline their transfer credit, general education requirements, major and minor coursework, and pre-professional goals while recognizing what should be achieved each semester as they work toward graduation requirements. Review the step-by-step Academic Planning Guide and Resources>>.

Exploring Academic Options

Ask your advisees about their academic interests:

• What majors are within their areas of academic interest?
• Would they benefit from talking more with the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) to explore their academic options (especially if they are still deciding upon their major)?
• Have they completed a CCPD self-assessment to assess interests, skills, talents, and abilities and further explore and analyze occupational paths?
• Are they available to attend Majors in Minutes>> to learn about Mercer's major options from peers currently completing coursework in those areas.  

Declaring a Major, Minor, or Specialization

Read more about the major, minor, or specialization declaration process>> when your advisees are ready to fully declare their area of academic study.

Completing the Declaration Form

Refer your students to their appropriate advising point of contact per their new area of study, as outlined on the Departmental Chairpeople and Advising Points of Contact chart>>.

Creating an Individualized Major

Students may propose a major or minor curriculum tailored to their individualized needs. In order to be eligible for an individualized major or minor, a student must have completed at least 30 semester hours and no more than 80 semester hours of college level work with a GPA of a 2.0, with at least 15 semester hours completed at Mercer University. Read more about the individualized major and minor curriculum committee requirements in the University Catalog>>.

Changing Majors

Talk with your advisees about their change of academic interest and:

• Work together to outline a new 4 Year Academic Plan with their new area of study.
• Talk about the credit hour and curriculum implications, especially if this change requires a change in college/school or dictates a need for summer school or additional time at Mercer to fulfill degree requirements. 
• Assist any students in completing the Major/Minor/Specialization Declaration Form>>. Note: This form encompasses changes in minors, concentrations, and pre-professional tracks as well.

Taking Classes as a Transient Student

An undergraduate student who wishes to take academic course(s) elsewhere and apply those credits toward a Mercer degree is considered a transient student. The student must have been enrolled and attended classes at Mercer for at least one semester prior to requesting permission to study elsewhere. Transient Request Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office website>>.

To complete a Transient Request Form, students must:

• Indicate the course number, title, and credit hours of the transient course.
• Anticipate the equivalent Mercer course.
• Earn the signatures of their academic advisor, College or School Dean, and the Registrar's Office.
• Hand in the completed form to the Registrar's Office to 1) verify the Mercer equivalent of the transient course, 2) verify good academic standing at Mercer, and 3) send the form to the transient institution.

It is the students' responsibility to apply and be accepted to the transient institution, enroll in the course, and send final transcripts back to Mercer's Registrar's Office for transient credit to be earned.

Transient Student Reminders: 

• If pursuing a Special Consideration Program, students needs to check their program's track-specific student handbook for any program restrictions before making plans to take transient coursework.
• Only grades of "C" or better in courses equivalent to Mercer credit can be accepted.
• Transient grades/quality points have no effect on the cumulative Mercer GPA; however, all grades are calculated for possible graduation honors.
• Transient courses cannot be used to replace grades earned in Mercer courses.
• Students can take no more than two consecutive terms as transient.

Additional Advising and Registration Resources

The following campus offices and resources can provide additional assistance in the advising and registration process:

Resource/Office	Purpose	Phone 478.301.	Website	Location & Notes
ACCESS and Accommodation Katie Johnson, Director and ADA/504 Coordinator	Documents and advocates for students’ academic accommodations due to a disability	2778	access.mercer.edu	CSC, Third Floor
Bursar's Office	Oversees online payment plans, tuition bills, and any holds due to outstanding balance	1111	bursar.mercer.edu	Stembridge Center for Student Success
Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD)	Assists with exploring majors and pursuing internship and future employment	2863	career.mercer.edu & mercer.joinhandshake.com/login	CSC, Third Floor
Financial Planning Students can locate their Financial Aid Advisor’s name and contact info via MyMercer homepage in the ‘advisor’ tile.	Serves as students' point of contact as it relates to financial aid in attending Mercer	2670	financialaid.mercer.edu	Stembridge Center for Student Success
Information Technology (IT) Helpdesk	Provides tech support (with the MyMercer system itself or student login) during registration	7000	it.mercer.edu/student/ contact_us.htm	Tarver, Second Floor
Registrar’s Office	Enrolls students in classes and keeps academic records	2680	registrar.mercer.edu	Stembridge Center for Student Success
Student-Athlete Support Services Matt Brownback, Director of Student-Athlete Support	Provides academic support to all new student-athletes and returning students, if needed	2963	arc.mercer.edu/ student-athlete-affairs/	CSC, Breezeway within the Academic Resource Center (ARC)
Office of Student Success (OSS) Emily Halstead, Director of Student Success	Assists with registration hold removal process and follow-up support post-registration	2657	studentsuccess.mercer.edu	Stembridge Center for Student Success
Study Abroad August Armbrister, Study Abroad Advisor	Helps in exploring study abroad options	5964	mercerabroad.com	RYL, Third Floor within the Office of International Programs