Declaring your Major/Minor

Students first coming to ODU are often advised by college advisors or by Advising Services in the Webb.  Once students have earned 26 or more credit hours and a grade of C or above in English 110 and English 111, though, they are ready to seek advising from their major/minor department.

The first step to getting advising in your major/minor is to declare your major/minor.

For majors in Sociology or Criminal Justice, students must:

• Fill out and sign a Program Declaration Form.  These forms can be found on the bulletin board outside BAL 6000. 
• Turn the form in at BAL 6000.

You will now be assigned a Faculty Advisor.

Why is it important to declare your major/minor?  Declaring your major/minor is how students get a departmental advisor.  This is important because in order to ensure that students move smoothly toward the completion of their degrees, all degree-seeking students have advising blocks on their ability to register.  The block is removed once students have met with their advisor.

Who needs advising? Everyone could benefit from advising.  Once you have declared your major, your department will assign you a faculty advisor.  To find out who that is, contact the appropriate department.  If you are majoring in Sociology or Criminal Justice, you can find out who has been assigned to be your advisor by calling 683-3794 and speaking with Mrs. Stewart or checking on the list of students and advisors posted outside BAL 6000.

When should you get advising? Check with the appropriate department for your particular major.  In the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Faculty Advisors post sign up sheets outside their office doors two weeks prior to the start of registration.  If you want to be able to register on time, with as few problems as possible, go to your advisor, get signed up for an appointment and get advised early.