Academic Advising and Support
Partner with us on your academic journey
Academic advising is a key part of your AAD experience. Our dedicated academic advisors are here to collaborate with you — on planning your courses, discovering opportunities, and navigating challenges along the way.
Meet with your advisor early and often. Whether you have a quick question or a serious concern, we’re here to listen, guide, and support you every step of the way.
Find and submit the form you need
How to submit a form electronically
All forms require a FERPA passcode. If you do not have your own FERPA passcode, you will need to create one using the step-by-step guide. Please note that you will only need to create your passcode one time; you can use it throughout your academic career at Virginia Tech.
Please note that all forms require basic student information such as your full name, ID number, name of academic advisor, major, anticipated graduation year, etc. Certain forms may also require additional information that you may not know or may not have close at hand, so you may want to review the entire form before starting to complete it so you can gather what’s needed.
DocuSign forms
Most forms can be submitted online through DocuSign. Students can initiate a form by clicking on the link for the appropriate form and then entering their name and email where prompted. Once a form is completed and signed, the form will use the information supplied to route it to the appropriate individuals via email for electronic signatures.
Other forms
Forms not currently available through DocuSign are available as fillable PDFs that can then be emailed. Please follow these instructions when submitting PDF forms:
- Open the form you wish to complete; download and save the form before typing your responses.
- Complete and save the form.
- Open a new message in your Virginia Tech email account.
- You must include your FERPA passcode in the body of your email.
- Do not include your student ID number in the form or in the subject line or body of the email. Your advisor will add your ID number upon receipt.
- Digital signatures will be accepted, as will scanned signatures and/or email confirmation statements from Virginia Tech email addresses (e.g., “I agree to the terms in the attached form; please accept this email as a signature.”).
- Send your completed form as an email attachment from your Virginia Tech email account per the instructions on the form.
Forms you may need
- Academic Relief (online portal)
- Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere in the U.S. (Please refer to the transfer guide before submitting this request via DocuSign.)
- Course Substitution Request for Majors (DocuSign)
- Course Substitution Request for Minors (DocuSign)
- Course Withdrawal Request (DocuSign)
- Credit Decline and Reinstatement (online submission)
- Credit Overload Request (DocuSign)
- Global Credit Approval (PDF)
- Late Force Add Request (DocuSign)
- Obsolete Credit Rule Evaluation (PDF)
- Request to Change a Course to P/F or A-F (DocuSign)
- Request to Change Final Exam Time (DocuSign)
- Request to Change Minor (DocuSign)
- Request to Change Option/Concentration (DocuSign)
- Request to Change Second Major (DocuSign)
- Student Semester Withdrawal/Resignation Form (online portal)
- Undergraduate Research and Independent Study Request (DocuSign)
When should you see your advisor?
Put simply, regularly. Your advisor is your academic success partner, so they need to know your accomplishments and challenges and how you’re doing so they can offer assistance with things like:
- Completing a form
- Exploring majors and minors
- Developing a personalized academic plan that supports your career goals
- Registering for classes
- Connecting with experiential learning opportunities: study abroad, internships, and research
- Understanding degree requirements
- Managing academic bumps in the road
- Finding additional resources and support
Our academic resources are at your fingertips
Explore AAD and university-wide online resources. You’ll often find what you need or a great starting point. If you have questions or trouble locating what you are looking for, contact Susanna Rinehart, associate dean for academic and faculty affairs.
Online academic resources
You’ll find a variety of tools and resources on the Student Academic Advising site. It’s a great place to get answers to your questions or figure out your next steps when it comes to advising.
Visit the Undergraduate Academic Catalog for information about academic policies and procedures, as well as degree requirements and course descriptions.
You can use the GPA calculator to determine what GPA you need to earn for a semester to maintain a certain overall GPA. You can also use the GPA calculation formula to explore “What if” scenarios. The calculator is available through HokieSpa on the Grades Menu, under “Grades and Transcript.”
University academic support centers
The Student Success Center empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness necessary to achieve success in college and life. They offer programs and services for undergraduate students that include tutoring, academic coaching, workshops on topics related to academic skills and behaviors, and college success strategies courses.
The Student Success Center tutoring program offers individual and small group tutoring for select 1000 and 2000 level courses. This service is free to all full-time undergraduate students during the regular academic year when classes are in session.
Career and Professional Development provides services, programs, and resources that empower Virginia Tech students to discover and pursue meaningful opportunities that lead to fulfilling careers. Services include one-on-one coaching, events such as workshops and career fairs, and resources to support job searches and decision-making.
The Writing Center is a free service for all students, faculty, and staff, offering assistance with writing and reading assignments for any university course, as well as other writing projects.
Services for Students with Disabilities assists students with disabilities and helps solve problems related to personal and environmental issues that may interfere with full access to academics and/or hinder academic performance.
University wellness and other support services
Cook Counseling Center provides counseling services to Virginia Tech students to assist with any challenge, including individual counseling, group counseling, couples therapy, career counseling, and more. Their website also provides emergency information.
Schiffert Health Center assists students with a variety of medical health concerns. With a travel clinic, gynecology clinic, nutrition clinic, and allergy and immunization clinic, as well as a radiology department, laboratory, and pharmacy, Schiffert Health Center can easily address student health care needs.
The Hokie Wellness team strives to educate and empower every student to take an active and engaging day-to-day approach to their wellness in order to enjoy a long, healthful, and purpose-filled life. They provide informational programming like classes and workshops, peer education, coaching, and more.
If you need help as a student at Virginia Teach and don’t know where to start, begin with the Dean of Students office. Staff can get you connected with the resources you need to be safe, supported, and successful. This office also supplies absence verifications.
University Scholarships and Financial Aid provides helpful information on the financial aid process and scholarship programs.
Cranwell International Center serves as the primary support service for the university’s international community. The center promotes intercultural exchange, fosters a welcoming environment, and enhances the experience of all members of the university community. Cranwell also supports the university’s focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement through quality programming, advocacy, collaboration, and a dedicated facility and support services.
University policies, handbooks, and catalogs
The university has many important policies that are critical to your safety and success. You can find them in:
- The Hokie Handbook, which summarizes University Policies for Student Life and the Student Code of Conduct.
- The Undergraduate Catalog, which sets forth the policies, procedures, and requirements related to undergraduate study at Virginia Tech.
- The Graduate Catalog, which details policies, procedures, and requirements related to graduate study at Virginia Tech.
While you should be aware of all these policies and the code of conduct, make sure you pay particular attention to the academic eligibility standards.
For more information about academic eligibility, please consult the undergraduate catalog.
Just for first-generation students and their families
If you're the first in your family to attend a four-year college or university, you're considered a first-generation college student — and that’s something to be proud of. Your hard work and determination have brought you here, and we’re excited to support you on this journey.
In the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, you’ll find a community that wants you to succeed. Faculty, academic advisors, and your classmates are here to help you navigate college life, overcome challenges, and feel a true sense of belonging.
Be sure to meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester. They’ll help you stay on track with your degree and connect you to resources across campus.
College is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially for first-generation students adjusting to a completely new environment. They’re managing classes, learning new subjects, meeting new people, and figuring out how everything on campus works — all while being away from home.
Through it all, your student is doing their best to grow and succeed. What they need most from you is support, encouragement, and patience. Knowing you believe in them, even when things get tough, gives them strength, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Your support truly matters. You're an important part of their college journey.
- Know what campus resources and services are available to your student, but they do need to be an advocate for themselves and ask for help.
- Remind your student to write down contact information, the date, and any notes when they speak with campus staff to streamline follow-up communications.
- Consider that your student may not have the same amount of time to devote to family responsibilities as they did before starting college.
- Remember that pursuing higher education does not mean that students will lose their family and personal values.
- Starting college is a major transition for both students and their families, so be sure to allow ample time and extra patience as you settle into this brand new experience together.
Info for all parents and families
As your student begins their journey in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, your support continues to matter more than ever. College brings big changes: new routines, greater independence, and more demanding academics.
For many students, it’s their first time managing daily responsibilities on their own and their first time living away from home. They’re meeting new people, adjusting to a new environment, and learning how to make important decisions for themselves.
This transition takes time, and your understanding, encouragement, and steady support help them find their footing and thrive. We’ll be here to offer that support, and we know you will too.
- Learn more about Virginia Tech and keep up with campus happenings. Take time to learn about college processes and resources in order understand what your student is experiencing.
- Bookmark AAD News and visit frequently to stay up-to-date and see the latest news stories and videos about academic life in the college.
- Follow us on social media. We recommend Facebook for parents and families, but we have a variety of active and engaging platforms. Find them at the bottom of our AAD homepage.
- Communicate with your student regularly in a way that works for them, whether it’s text, phone, or email.
- Encourage your student to visit their advisor regularly, at least once per semester.
- Encourage your student to take responsibility for academic and other decisions and support their accountability.
- Encourage your student to discuss any confusing policies or procedures with their advisor.
- Consult the university calendar before planning family activities. Pay particular attention to the final exam schedule. You can Access Dates and Deadlines published by the University Registrar.
- Encourage your student to visit faculty during their office hours.
- Encourage your student to utilize campus resources. These are services covered by your tuition and fees.
- Bookmark the Undergraduate Catalog so you can easily reference academic policies and procedures.