Monday | Virtual 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed on university holidays
Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music and theatre.
Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Our mission is to provide quality academic advising in an environment that fosters honesty and respect. We challenge and support students to engage in critical thinking about academic decisions, meaningful discussion about personal values and goals, identification of strengths and challenges, and reflection about academic/social behaviors as they relate to the student’s overall success at the university.
Expected Learning Outcomes of Academic Advising
| Learning Outcome | Year |
|---|---|
| Know your academic advisor and communicate concerns/questions effectively. Value academic advising in relation to successfully completing and navigating educational goals. | Every semester |
| Know how and where to access accurate information about resources, policies, procedures and degree requirements/advising curriculum sheets. Value the benefit of how resources supplement the ability for educational potential and success. | Year 1 |
| Know what support services are available to utilize when appropriate and utilize in a timely fashion. Understand campus technology, including PAWS, Office 365 email, D2L, schedule of classes timetable, registrar’s calendar, SSC Campus and add/drop calendar. | Year 1 |
| Identify and understand artistic field of study which is consistent with goals, interests and abilities. Discover the innate potential for creativity and innovation as an artistic member of the Milwaukee community. | Year 1 |
| Appreciate value of a liberal arts education and understand the importance of the selection of academic components (GER’s) in tandem with the study of the arts. | Year 1 |
| Learn to select and fully engage in academic curricular and extra-curricular activities (beyond the classroom walls) that enhance their educational experience. | Year 2 |
| Develop meaningful positive relationships with faculty, advisors, other staff and fellow students; appreciate the value added to their educational experience as result of their own active and engaged efforts. | Year 2 |
| Seek guidance from campus authorities and other mentors, while simultaneously strengthening personal decision-making capacity to be the “pilot” of one’s own college career, both in regard to academic and social skills. | Year 3 |
| Value the importance of networking and work-related experience prior to graduation. Articulate and reflect upon meaningful collegiate experiences to effectively prepare for the job search after graduation. | Year 3 and Year 4 |
| Respect differences among all students and members of society while learning to identify and develop one’s own personal values. Know how to work collaboratively with diverse populations. | Year 4 |
Student & Advisor Responsibilities
Both UWM and the PSOA set high expectations for each student to act in ways that fulfill their potential as a scholar, artist, performer and innovator, always in the context of a supportive environment. Therefore, the ultimate responsibility for making decisions about life goals and educational plans rests with the individual student.
Here are some suggestions for making the most of each academic advising meeting
- Bring a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss.
- Reflect on your successes and challenges from past semesters.
- Spend time thinking about your current and future goals.
- Be open to your academic advisor’s feedback.
- Be honest and forthright about yourself and your personal expectations.
Student Responsibilities
- Accept responsibility for your academic plans and decisions.
- Schedule and follow through on regular advising appointments.
- Arrive at appointments on-time and ready to share information about progress or obstacles.
- Be aware of pertinent policies, procedures and requirements through use of PSOA website, the university website and/or visits with appropriate offices on campus.
- Develop positive relationships with faculty, staff and fellow students.
- Regularly read and respond in a timely manner to all university correspondence sent to you via mail or e-mail.
- Take advantage of all resources that may improve and enhance your educational experience.
- Challenge yourself by exploring new academic experiences to further articulate values, goals and interests.
- Actively engage yourself in university activities to become a part of the UWM community.
- Take time to reflect on both positive and challenging academic experiences to think about ways to better enhance your educational career.
Advisor Responsibilities
- Provide accurate information about policies, procedures and requirements.
- Appreciate and respect your uniqueness, demonstrated through positive and open dialogue.
- Ask questions and seek information to glean information about your academic progress.
- Engage you in conversation to find deeper meaning in your college experiences.
- Support your decision-making process to guide you towards an academic path that enhances your overall capabilities for success.
- Challenge you to find new ways of thinking about knowledge and how your personal goals and values align with your academic experiences.
- Encourage you to find methods to become involved with the university beyond the classroom walls.
- Assist you in understanding the purpose and potential of higher education.
- Assist you in developing academic/career plans consistent with your goals, interests and abilities.
- Refer you to additional resources when necessary or appropriate.
Meet with an Academic Advisor
Our advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist them with degree requirements, majors, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.
Plan to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Spring semester registration begins in November and fall/summer registration begins in April.
- Current and returning students should schedule an appointment online or fill out our contact form.
- Prospective students and new freshmen should connect with Lori Sieckert at arts@uwm.edu or fill out our contact form.
Peck School of the Arts Academic Advisors
- lmolina@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4763
- Theatre, Room 120
- sbednar@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4763
- Theatre, Room 120
- avplatt@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4763
- Theatre, Room 120
Advising Resources
Academic Renewal
Students who previously attended UWM, earned a GPA of less than a 2.0, and took a period of at least 3 years or more away from school may appeal for academic renewal (formerly known as academic forgiveness).
For minimum eligibility requirements and implications please reference the academic renewal section on the One Stop Student Services page.
Art Ed Methods Application
Art Education students who plan to enter the required Methods courses in any given fall semester must apply no later than April of each academic year. Methods cannot begin sooner than a student’s fourth-to-last semester. If you are entering either your fourth-to-last or third-to-last semester and meet the following requirements, please submit this form online to be reviewed by your academic advisor and the Art Education department.
Requirements
- Art Ed 227 (B or higher)
- Math & English Part A requirements (C or higher)
- First Year Program courses
- Comm 101 or 103 (C or higher)
- 30 credits of Art Studios
- Act 31 requirement (attend workshop or one of the following courses: AIS 203, Anthro 213, Hist 263)
- 2.75 Cumulative GPA
Arts Elective Requirement in PSOA
The PSOA Arts Elective requirement is different than the university GER-Arts requirement. Although there is some overlap between both lists, there are also differences and exclusions. Courses must be from outside your home department and come from different departments. If you are a PSOA major and need to fulfill your PSOA Arts Elective requirement, please refer to the arts elective courses for permitted courses.
Change of Major, Minor or Certificate
Students who desire a change of major, minor or certificate must be in good standing and schedule a meeting with an Academic Advisor. You may only declare a minor from outside your home department. You may declare any certificate for which you are eligible.
- Current PSOA majors seeking to declare a major within PSOA: Schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor.
- Current PSOA majors seeking to declare a major outside PSOA: See the following list of advising offices to schedule an appointment in the school/college of the desired major.
- Current students outside of PSOA: please complete our contact form and we’ll be in touch soon!
Film Courses & Descriptions
If you are a Film, Video, Animation & New Genres BFA student, refer to the PDFs below to understand which course topics fulfill each required elective area and to learn details about each of these courses.
Grievance & Appeal Procedures
If you have concerns about a class or a grade, follow the grievance procedures below. Pay close attention to required timeframes in which you need to contact faculty members.
You may consider scheduling an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the issue, especially if a grade may affect required courses. However, please note that your advisor may ultimately refer you to this document to address your concerns, and cannot influence decisions made by faculty.
Late Drop or Withdrawal Appeal
Students can drop a course up until the fourth week of class without record on the transcript. After that, an official withdrawal (W) notation is added to the permanent record. Students may freely withdraw from a course up until the 10th week of classes. After the 10th week of classes, requests require approval through an appeal process. The information below in no way guarantees approval of appeal, nor does it count as an endorsement.
Acceptable Conditions
- Significant/extraordinary or unanticipated circumstances not present throughout the term.
- Significant/extraordinary circumstances that have changed dramatically after the 10th week of classes.
Unacceptable Conditions
- Conditions or factors of which a student has been aware prior to the 10th week of classes (such as work responsibilities or outside commitments).
- Poor performance, dissatisfaction with the subject matter, or inadequate evaluation prior to the ninth week of classes.
Appeals Process
- Attend and remain in all courses during the appeals process.
- Contact your advisor to discuss your specific situation. Strict confidentiality is applied to personal and sensitive issues.
- Gather and submit all necessary documentation outlined by your advisor.
- Receive final decision from your advisor.
Re-Entry to UWM
If you were previously a UWM student but haven’t been enrolled for 2 or more semesters, or you were academically dropped and want to return to UWM, you will need to complete UWM’s re-entry steps.
Registration Change Form
Any student who needs assistance enrolling in a course must use the registration change form below. PSOA majors who are confident they meet the prerequisites for a PSOA course offering may email their advisor for assistance.
Requirements & Action Items
- Instructor permission required – If you are a PSOA major who does not meet the prerequisites for a course, if the course requires instructor consent or if the course is full, and you are seeking permission to enroll.
- Obtain instructor’s signature and deliver the form to the Registrar’s Office in Mellencamp 274.
- Instructor and advisor permission required – If you are a PSOA major requesting to take a non-PSOA course for a third time after two prior failed grades. Or if you are seeking to add a course after the university add deadline.
- Obtain instructor’s signature.
- Obtain advisor’s signature by taking the form to the PSOA Student Services office. The staff will request you to come back to pick up at a later time, typically within 24-48 hours.
- Pick up the form and take it to Registrar’s Office in Mellencamp 274.
- If adding a course late, monitor PAWS for applicable fees due from the additional course fees charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Go Behind the Scenes with Us
As an arts school, we take campus tours one step further by offering on-the-go information sessions designed for creative minds. Go behind the scenes with one of our arts ambassadors and learn about our programs along the way.