Academic Advising & Planning Center

The Academic Advising and Planning Center (AAPC) prepares undergraduate students to navigate all aspects of academic planning by promoting an atmosphere that encourages self-exploration and resource utilization in support of academic success, as well as the timely and informed pursuit of an academic major.

Meet with Academic Advising

Schedule an Appointment

If you are assigned to an academic advisor in the Academic Advising and Planning Center, you can schedule an online appointment with Appointment Manager. 

Quick Question Drop-In Advising (QQDI)

Drop in for quick answers to your advising questions Monday - Friday from 2-4 PM throughout the fall and spring semesters. QQDI is staffed by our Peer Advisors with a professional Advisor available on call.

Advise Me - Mobile advising texting platform

Text "adviseme" to us at 85511 with your advising questions on the fly. The line is most actively monitored between the last day of Drop/Add through Reading Day in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Schedule with Appointment Manager

Advising at the College of Charleston

Newly Admitted, First-Year Students
As a first-year incoming student, your advising and planning experience begins at New Student Orientation. At orientation, you'll meet with an academic advisor and register for your first semester classes. Once you begin classes, you'll need to meet with your advisor at least once a semester.

New Transfer Students
New transfer students meet with an academic advisor at New Student Orientation. If you are an undeclared transfer student, you must attend Mandatory Advising with our office during your first semester.

Transfer students with a declared academic major will be advised by their academic department.

Current Students
As a current student continuing at the College of Charleston, you will continue working with an advisor in the Academic Advising and Planning Center until you declare a major.

Once you officially declare your academic major,  the academic department will assign a faculty advisor to the student. Faculty advisors are positioned to provide information about the majors and minors within that department as well as career options, internships and volunteer opportunities.

Must-Know Info

Information and resources to help keep you on track toward your degree.
  • Find Your Advisor

    How to locate and contact your advisor

    • Newly admitted students: You will be assigned an academic advisor after attending New Student Orientation.

    • Students who have not year declared a major: If you have not yet declared a major, you should have an advisor in the Academic Advising and Planning Center (AAPC).

    • Students who have declared a major
      If you have declared your major, you will have a faculty advisor in your major department.

      You can find your advisor's name via the Student Profile tile in MyPortal or by viewing your Degree Works audit.
  • Declaring Your Major
    The Program of Study Management (POSM) system allows you to manage your degree program(s) online. You can declare your major through the POSM system.

    Currently enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete a major declaration in the semester in which they meet the following criteria:
    • The student has earned 45 or more credit hours in residence at the College of Charleston
      OR
    • The student is a transfer student who has a total of 45 or more overall earned credit hours
      AND
      The student is in progress toward junior rank (approaching 60 credit hours) this semester.

    You can access POSM via MyPortal on the Student Profile.

    Access POSM via MyPortal
  • Advising Registration Holds

    Depending on your situation, a registration hold will be placed on your account. You will not be able to register for courses in the following semester until this hold is cleared by successfully attending your mandatory advising session.

    Generally, holds will fall into the following categories:

    • First year students, regardless of major declaration status: receive two holds from the Academic Advising and Planning Center, once per semester- which means the student is actually advised 3 times by the Academic Advising and Planning Center: orientation, semester 1, and semester 2.

      (Honors and Athletes are advised by those programs, not the AAPC.)
    • First-semester transfer students, regardless of major declaration status (except School of Business): receive an Academic Advising & Planning Center hold once, in their first semester- which means the Academic Advising and Planning Center will advise the student twice; orientation and semester 1.

    • Undeclared students after these thresholds will receive a hold from the Academic Advising & Planning Center each semester until they declare their major. 
    Not all registration holds are from academic departments. Some holds may result from past due balances or other administrative reasons. You can always check your registration status by clicking Registration Status on the Registration Tools tile located in MyPortal.
  • Majors & Minors Fair

    Hosted by the Academic Advising and Planning Center, in collaboration with the Office for Student Success, the Majors & Minors Fair provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to explore the various options available at the College of Charleston.

    Held each fall, the Majors & Minors Fair allows all undecided, re-deciding and exploring students the chance to speak with faculty, staff and student representatives from academic programs in one location to learn about majors, minors, and career options.

  • Cougar Core

    Executives and hiring managers are looking for job candidates who have a well-rounded education. The Cougar Core is the College's approach to the general education background that employers favor. All College of Charleston students complete the Cougar Core before they graduate. 

  • Your Academic Community

    Meta-majors are areas of interest that have related courses and career goals. Through your meta-major, you'll meet faculty leaders and staff members who can guide and mentor you throughout your time at the College. You'll also build an academic community to support you throughout your time at the College. 

    About Meta-Majors