What to Expect From a Northern Arizona University Advising Appointment

What happens at a NAU advising appointment

A Northern Arizona University advising appointment is a one-on-one meeting with an academic advisor who knows your major, your degree requirements, and the courses NAU offers. The advisor helps you plan which classes to take next semester, understand what you need to graduate, and troubleshoot problems like a failed course or a change of major. Most appointments run 20 to 30 minutes and happen either in person at the Flagstaff campus or online via Zoom.

What you actually do in the appointment depends on why you booked it. If you're planning your next semester, you'll walk through your degree audit together—a document that shows which requirements you've finished and which ones remain. If you're stuck on a prerequisite or a registration problem, the advisor can often fix it on the spot or tell you exactly who to contact. If you're thinking about changing majors, the advisor can show you how that affects your graduation timeline and what new requirements you'd face.

Advisors at NAU are not counselors or therapists. They don't handle mental health concerns, financial aid disputes, or disciplinary matters. If your appointment uncovers one of those issues, the advisor will point you to the right office—Student Health Services, the Financial Aid office, or the Dean of Students—but the advising appointment itself is about your academic path.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment through your NAU student portal or by calling your college's advising office directly; walk-ins are not may provide to be seen.
• Bring your student ID, your degree audit (found in your student portal), and a list of courses you're considering or questions you have.
• Advisors can register you for courses, override prerequisites, and explain degree requirements, but they cannot change grades or handle financial aid disputes.
• If your appointment reveals a mental health concern, a financial problem, or an academic integrity issue, the advisor will refer you to the appropriate office rather than handle it themselves.
• Most appointments take 20 to 30 minutes; plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early if you're meeting in person.

How to book a NAU advising appointment

NAU uses an online scheduling system called Starfish, which you access through your student portal. Log in with your NAU credentials, find the Advising tab, and select the time slot that works for you. The system shows you which advisors are available and whether they're meeting in person or online. You can book up to two weeks in advance in most cases, though some advisors open their calendars further out during peak registration periods.

If you can't find an open slot or prefer to call, contact your college's advising office directly. Each college at NAU has its own advising center—the College of Engineering, the College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, and so on. The phone number for your college is listed on the NAU website under "Advising" or in your student portal. When you call, tell them what you need the appointment for (course planning, major change, prerequisite override, etc.) so they can match you with the right advisor.

If you're a new student or haven't declared a major yet, you may be assigned to the University College advising office first. They handle general education requirements and help you explore majors before you commit to one. Once you declare, you'll move to your major's advising center.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your student ID and have your degree audit open on your phone or laptop before the appointment starts. Your degree audit is the single most useful document—it shows every requirement for your degree, which ones you've completed, which ones are in progress, and which ones you still need. You can find it in your student portal under "Degree Audit" or ask your advisor to pull it up if you can't locate it.

Write down the courses you're thinking about taking, or the specific problem you need help with. If you're changing majors, write down the major you're switching to. If you failed a course and need to retake it, have the course number and your grade ready. If you're trying to override a prerequisite, know which course you want to take and why you think you're ready for it. The more specific you are, the faster the advisor can help you.

If you're meeting in person at the Flagstaff campus, arrive 5 to 10 minutes early so you can find the advising office and check in. If you're meeting online, test your internet connection and have Zoom open a few minutes before the appointment time. If you're running late, call the advising office right away—advisors often have back-to-back appointments and may not be able to extend your time.

What advisors can and cannot do

Academic advisors at NAU can register you for courses, override prerequisites if you meet certain conditions, explain degree requirements, help you understand your progress toward graduation, and discuss major changes. They can also write you a letter of good standing if you need one for a scholarship or a job application. If you're stuck on a registration problem—a course won't let you register, a prerequisite is blocking you, or a seat is full—the advisor can often fix it or escalate it to the registrar's office on your behalf.

Advisors cannot change your grades, remove a failing mark from your transcript, or override a grade-based requirement like a GPA threshold for your major. They cannot handle financial aid questions, loan issues, or scholarship disputes—those go to the Financial Aid office. They cannot address mental health concerns, substance use, or thoughts of self-harm—those go to Student Health Services or the Counseling Center. They cannot handle academic integrity violations (plagiarism, cheating) or student conduct issues—those go to the Dean of Students.

If your appointment touches on any of those topics, the advisor will recognize it and refer you to the right place. That referral is part of their job, and it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong—it just means the issue needs a different kind of support.

Common reasons to schedule an advising appointment

Course planning for next semester: You meet with your advisor to pick courses that fulfill your degree requirements, fit your schedule, and build on what you've already learned. This is the most common reason for an appointment, especially before registration opens.

Changing majors: You want to know how switching majors affects your graduation date, which new requirements you'll face, and whether any of your completed courses count toward the new major. Your advisor can show you a side-by-side comparison of the two degree plans.

Prerequisite override: You want to take a course but haven't completed the prerequisite. Your advisor can explain why the prerequisite exists, help you decide if you're ready anyway, and submit an override request if appropriate.

Retaking a failed course: You failed a course and need to retake it. Your advisor can tell you when it's offered again, whether you need to wait a semester, and how retaking it affects your GPA and financial aid.

Understanding your degree audit: Your degree audit is confusing, or you're not sure which requirements you still need. Your advisor walks you through it line by line and explains what each requirement means.

Graduation planning: You're close to finishing your degree and want to make sure you're on track to graduate on time. Your advisor reviews your remaining requirements and helps you plan your final semesters.

What to do if you miss your appointment

If you can't make your appointment, cancel it in Starfish as soon as you know. This frees up the slot for another student and shows respect for your advisor's time. If you cancel with at least 24 hours' notice, you can usually rebook without penalty. If you miss an appointment without canceling, some advisors may require you to call the office to reschedule rather than letting you book online again.

If something unexpected comes up and you miss your appointment, contact the advising office as soon as possible. Explain what happened and ask to reschedule. Most advisors are understanding about genuine emergencies, and they'd rather help you get back on track than hold a no-show against you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see any advisor or do I have to see my assigned advisor?

You can usually see any advisor in your college's advising center, though some colleges assign you a primary advisor and encourage you to stick with them for continuity. If your assigned advisor isn't available when you need an appointment, you can book with someone else. If you have a personality conflict with your assigned advisor, ask the advising office if you can switch.

What if I need an appointment but all the slots are full?

Call the advising office directly and ask if they have walk-in hours or if they can squeeze you in. Many offices keep a few slots open for urgent situations—a registration deadline coming up, a course you need to drop, a major change you need to finalize. If you're not in a rush, ask when the next batch of appointments opens and set a reminder to book early.

Do I have to meet in person or can I do it online?

Most NAU advising offices offer both in-person and online appointments. When you book in Starfish, you'll see which format each advisor is offering. If you prefer one format and your advisor only offers the other, call the office and ask if they can make an exception or if another advisor offers what you need.

What happens if I change my major after I've already met with my advisor?

You'll need to meet with an advisor from your new major's college. They'll pull up your degree audit under the new major's requirements and show you how your completed courses count toward it. Some courses may transfer over; others may not. The new advisor will help you plan the rest of your degree from there.

Can my advisor help me if I'm on academic probation?

Yes. Your advisor can help you understand what put you on probation, plan courses that will help you raise your GPA, and discuss whether you need additional support like tutoring or a reduced course load. If your probation is tied to a specific incident (like an academic integrity violation), your advisor may refer you to the Dean of Students as well, but they can still help with the academic planning part.