UMass Boston

CSM Student Success Center

Need academic advising? The most efficient way to meet with an advisor is by visiting us during drop-ins where we will give you the time you need to fully address your advising situation. We're glad to also set up a 30 minute advising session as well! Click below to view our fixed & expanded drop-in sessions (including the Sign-In Form), and links for making an advising appointment.

Advising Meeting Options: Drop-in hours, and appointment scheduling links  

Email Your Advisor

Our Mission ~ The staff at the CSM Student Success Center are dedicated to providing strengths-based advising, inspiring students to realize their true academic & vocational purpose. Additionally, we:

  • Energize students to engage in deep learning, and to acquire relevant knowledge & work-place competencies.  
  • Transition new students to the academic rigors of university life.
  • Provide enrichment opportunities via the First Year Stem Communities, and college-wide events.
  • Guide students to pursue purposeful pathways that are aligned with their academic/professional interests, talents, and values.
  • Help students start and stay on track by empowering them to carefully plan their degree requirements each semester.
  • Connect students to key campus resources supporting their overall well-being, social development, and career planning needs.
  • Provide opportunities for students to develop into productive citizens and apply their knowledge, talents, and skills for the betterment of society at large.

Meet the CSM Student Success Advising Team!

New Student Checklist ~ High priority tasks for you to complete before your orientation session. Without these tasks completed, your registration will likely be delayed.

Registration Checklist

Welcome to the College of Science & Mathematics at UMass Boston! All new students are asked to do the following to best prepare for their New Student Orientation Advising & Registration session.  These same activities are helpful for after you enroll, and to give you a strong start to the semester. 

  1. Claim your umb.edu email and set up the multi-factor authenticator app before your orientation session. You will need both to register!
  2. Log into WISER and get familiar with its layout and features. 
  3. Questions about waitlists, permission numbers, family member access to your records:?   Visit this Registrar's Webpage for the answers. 
  4. Complete the ALEKS Math Placement. Unless you are transferring in the equivalent of Calculus I, you need to take ALEKS, at least once, if not twice. Skipping this step will likely delay your enrollment. A strong math foundation is particularly important for STEM students. Make smart decisions about your choice of a math course, and learn how to take the ALEKS Math Placement Test.
  5. Understand that college level math is more advanced than high school level math courses.  Make every effort to prepare for your upcoming math course for your first semester by reviewing the Math Department's Course Syllabi and Measurable Outcomes:
  6. Read your Audit in advance. Watch this helpful video to become more familiar with your degree requirements, and to which requirements you still need to complete, given any transfer credits accepted.  In the future, your will work with your SSC Advisor to develop a realistic academic plan for graduation. 
  7. Learn how to search and enroll in your first semester courses. Please watch this video to help guide you.  Put your desired courses in your WISER Shopping Cart, and be sure to include many alternates as back-ups to your first choice courses. 
  8. Review sample graduation plans to learn how you can start and stay on track. Select your sample graduation plan here.
  9. Please refer to our Advanced Placement Credit Policy Chart to determine the equivalent UMass Boston courses. In many cases, students choose to forfeit their STEM AP course credits and thus take the equivalent course at UMass Boston. By doing this, students solidify and master the foundational knowledge needed for future major courses. This is especially necessary if a course is serving as a prerequisite for the next course in the sequence such as; Calculus I preparing students for Calculus II, or Biology 111 preparing students for Biology 112. Please speak to your SSC advisor to explore the option of forfeiting your AP credit, or to assess if keeping the AP course credit is a better option for you. 
  10. Get a strong start to upcoming semester by thoughtfully completing the CSM Student Success Planner.  Follow up with your advisor for personalized guidance. 

Resources That Really Make a Difference ~

Guidance for Returning Students ~ If you have been away for more than one semester, meet with a Student Success Advisor.  From there, we will provide you with initial guidance which may include a referral to your faculty advisor.

Students who wish to return to the university and resume their studies must complete the appropriate re-enrollment application. If you are not sure what Re-Enrollment Application you should submit, please email reg.forms@umb.edu include your full name & Student ID number. 

Important Considerations: 

  • 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 includes writing a letter of appeal addressed to the Standards and Credits Committee of their college. Include dates
  • 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 Registrar's Academic Calendar. 

What is Academic Advising (and why it matters)? ~

Academic Advising is an opportunity to design your educational and career goals, and to create an academic plan and a timeline for graduation.  While degree planning is a shared partnership between you and an advisor; ultimately however, it is your responsibility to fulfill the University's graduation requirements through the use of advising tools, such as the degree audit, WISER pre-requisite information, plans to graduation, and the undergraduate course catalog.

Your Potential & Purpose.  Together, let's explore ways to reach your potential and to realize your academic & vocational purpose.  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!  

Your advising responsibilities.  Read your degree audit frequently and carefully.  The degree audit helps you plan and track your progress toward your degree as it connects with the information in WISER to keep track of university, general education, and major/minor requirements. 

Register early. 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. 

    • Learn when you’re eligible to register, a time period known as your enrollment appointment, which you will find when you log-on 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, or Writing Proficiency holds. 

Prepare.  The better prepared you are for your advising session, the more you’ll accomplish when you sit down face to face with your advisor.  Read your audit in advance, make a tentative course schedule, have questions ready, and be prepared to take notes.  

Contact us & save your advisor's contact info on your phone. Wheatley Hall, 4th floor, suite 151 Email: studentsuccess@umb.edu Phone: 617-287-4846 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am -5:00pm

 

Advisors' Contact List


Click here to view advisors' contact information.  Or, using your phone, scan the QR code to download your advisor's contact information to your contact list.