UMass Boston

Academic & Career Engagement & Success Center

Stay on Track

Our academic advisors are experienced in helping you identify your unique academic path and stay on track. They answer your questions about academic policies; advise you on course selection, including meeting general education requirements; make referrals to other departments if necessary; and coach you in using the degree audit as a planning tool.

Moving Along

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FAQs

  • How do I check my Early Alerts? Click on the GRADES icon in mobile view; make sure you are in the correct semester; go to OFFICIAL and pull down the choices; select PROGRESS REPORTS. Professors submit early alerts mid-semester: March and October.
  • What should I do if I received a green Early Alert? Keep up the good work!
  • What should I do if I received a yellow or red Early Alert? Know that you are not alone; we are here to help! Read your course syllabus carefully to be sure you understand the grading rubric and course expectations. Talk to your professor during office hours and learn what you can do to recover and improve your grade. Meet with your advisor to reevaluate your success plan, connect with resources such as tutoring or supplemental instruction, or discuss if withdrawing or taking the course pass-fail is the right choice.
  • If I didn't receive Early Alerts in every class, does that mean that I'm doing fine? Early Alerts are only being submitted in some classes, so it's always important to check with your professors if you have questions about how you re doing in your courses.

Meeting With Your Advisor:
You will need to meet with an advisor each semester to make sure you're on track with your degree requirements and to have your advising hold removed.  Check your WISER Student Center page to see the name of your advisor or visit the UAC homepage for a list of all college advising offices.  You will have an advisor in the University Advising Center if you're undecided in the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Mathematics or if you have fewer than 60 credits in the College of Management.  Once all your holds have been removed, you will be eligible to register on the WISER system.  A typical advising session is scheduled by appointment and lasts about 30 minutes.  At other times, when you have a quick question or urgent need, feel free to drop in; we offer frequent  drop–in advising. You can also call your advisor, or send email.

Your Responsibilities:
Together, let's explore ways to reach your full and true potential.  Take some time before your advising session to read your degree audit and to make a list of questions to ask.  If you're experiencing any bumps in road, please let us know so we can help you problem-solve.  Also, be sure to tell us what's working well!  Which courses do you enjoy the most?  What extra-curricular activities have you engaged in?  Are you getting to know your professors and your classmates?  What are you learning about yourself?   Tell us all of that!  

Are you returning to the University after an absence?  If so, welcome back!  Here is what you need to know:

  • You may need to complete a quick Re-Enrollment Application in order to be an active student again. 
  • If you have been away from the university for four or more consecutive semesters, you may be required to observe academic requirements in effect upon your return.
  • Students who have been suspended or dismissed from the University and wish to resume their education should follow the instructions on the re-enrollment form which include writing a letter of appeal addressed to the Standards and Credits Committee of their college.
  • If you have completed courses at another institution, send those transcripts to the UMass Boston Registrar's Office at, registrar@umb.edu
  • Learn about University dates and deadlines by visiting the Academic Calendar or Advising Matters
  • Visit the University Advising Center home page to learn how to connect with your assigned advisor so that you can get your advising hold removed. 
  • View the Beacon Tech video to learn the basics of the various forms of UMass Boston technology such as UMB Involved, WISER, and Blackboard. 
  • Connect with the One Stop for assistance with any Bursar, Financial Aid, or Registrar's Office matters including how to get administrative holds removed.  
  • Visit the UAC's Toolbox to learn about online and in-person tutoring, success strategies, course search and degree planning tools. 

Thinking About Life After College?  See these helpful links:

Preparing for Advising

Avoid the rush.  For the best course selection, register as soon as your enrollment appointment begins.  The months of November and April are the two busiest times of the year, start earlier and avoid the rush to ensure a more relaxed planning session. Coming in for a last–minute walk–in session to remove your “advising hold” forces a rush mode that doesn’t do justice to the important decisions you have to make.

Do your homework. The better prepared you are, the more you’ll accomplish when you sit down face to face with your advisor.

  • Learn when you’re eligible to register, a time period known as your enrollment appointment, which you will find when you logon to WISER and view your Student Center page
  • See if you have any holds that prevent you from registering, such as advising, immunization, bursar’s,  Writing Proficiency holds, or probationary status.
  • Access your degree progress report, also known as your degree audit; read it carefully and identify any questions you have about your degree requirements. 

Browse and choose. After reading your audit to see where you stand with respect to your general education and major requirements, develop a preliminary list of courses that interest you and meet the requirements you need to fulfill. Visit your WISER Student Center page to begin to search for available courses and add them to your shopping cart.

Questions? Start building a list – and keep adding to it as you go.

Take charge.  Use this checklist to jumpstart a great advising session.  And, be sure to bring these things with you:

  • degree progress report
  • preliminary course selection
  • list of questions


Visit the Toolbox to get started.