Advising
Sociology Advisors can assist with registration issues, career/graduate school planning, University policies and procedures, and locating resources. Students are seen on a walk-in basis year-round, and appointments can also be scheduled except during the busy registration and add/drop periods.
Advising Audits
One of the best tools for advising is an advising audit. This is a computer-generated list of all of a student's classes, as they apply to their degree plan. They are available anytime with a 24-hour advance notice.
Students may also create and view audits online using IDA, the Interactive Degree Audit. This option is available at all UT Austin computers which have utACCESS.
Advising Bars
As Sociology majors, students will have an advising bar placed on their record when one of the following conditions exists:
- They are new to the major
- They are on scholastic probation
- They have more than one major (the other major may place the bar)
Advising bars are not disciplinary measures. They are simply a tool to ensure students who can best benefit from advising actually take the time to come to get advised.
Advising bars are placed on students' records just before registration. To get an advising bar removed, they must come in person for advising in the office (bars will not be removed over the phone).
Other Advising Issues
Adding a closed class
Sociology uses the online Wait List System to manage enrollments. It is recommend that all students add themselves to wait list whenever possible and periodically check to make sure that there is a clear path to add the wait list courses if their turn comes up. For students who have extraordinary circumstances or who wish to add a class beginning on the 5th class day, there is a petition process. All petitions are reviewed by advisors and faculty.
Restricted courses
Certain SOC courses are restricted to SOC majors ONLY; students must have officially declared the major to add any of these courses. These include SOC 317M and SOC 379M at all times, as well as some upper division courses during the early registration periods. For these courses students MUST have SOC listed as their major, or as a simultaneous major if they have more than one. Other courses, including independent studies and honors courses, require departmental approval to add. If students are officially declared as a SOC major and have difficulties adding restricted SOC courses, they need to see a SOC advisor.
How do students declare Sociology as their major or add a second major?
Students must meet with a Sociology advisor to change or add Sociology as a major.
Academic difficulties
Students in academic distress should see an academic advisor immediately. There are more options to resolve any academic concerns early in the semester rather than near the end. Students should also talk to their instructor and/or TA if the problem involves a particular course. Students on scholastic probation should plan to visit an advisor regularly to ensure sufficient academic progress. Students must see an advisor if on scholastic probation and are enrolled in less than 12 hours in fall or spring semester (or drop below 12 hours during the semester).
