Frequently Asked Questions
Majors
I have a major but it says "Academic Focus" on my transcript. What is that?
How do I choose a major that is right for me?
How do I declare my major?
Do I have to declare my major right away?
When should I declare a major?
Where do I go for more information about my major?
What should I do if I want to change my major?
Advisors
Who is my advisor?
When should I see my advisor?
How do I make an appointment with my advisor?
Can I be advised if I have a hold on my record?
General Questions
What are my responsibilities?
Why do I have to take General Education courses?
Which students are seen in the Academic Advising Center?
I tried to register and it says I need an Alternate PIN from my advisor. What does
this mean?
What if I have a question that wasn't answered here?
Learning support
What is Learning Support?
How are students placed into prescribed courses?
Can anyone enroll in a prescribed course?
Can I audit the course?
Where can I find the prescribed Reading and English courses in myMemphis?
What is an "enhanced course"?
If I realize I am doing poorly in a prescribed course, where should I go for help?
What is ACCUPLACER and how do I register for the test?
How are ACCUPLACER scores used?
I have a major but it says "Academic Focus" on my transcript. What is that? 
All students that are seen in the AAC belong to an academic focus area based on their intended major. The various academic focus areas are: Arts, Business, Education, Health Professions, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, and General Education. Your focus area may change as your intended major changes.
Make sure your counselor is aware of your choice of major to ensure that you are taking the appropriate courses.
How do I choose a major that is right for me?
- Stay aware of and use University resources including:
- Your Academic Advisor
- Career Counseling Center, 214 Wilder Tower
- Focus2, a career and personality assessment
- Four Year degree plans
- Choosing a satisfying major involves matching your interests with your aptitude and
skills.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What do you most like to do?
- What is your personality style or major personality characteristics?
- What subjects do you enjoy and earn good grades?
- When reflecting on your past, who have you met or observed and then thought that the work they did or described seemed interesting to you?
- Consider taking the Career Development course, COUN 1661 (3 credit hours).
- Ask your advisor about introductory classes that may be available to explore areas that interest you.
- Attend information sessions on campus about career or major interests, i.e., Pre-Law and Allied Health Info Sessions.
- Participate in the annual “Discover Your Major Day” to meet and talk to leading instructors and advisors from various academic departments.
Remember that choosing a major will not guarantee a lifelong career. The average person changes careers several times in a lifetime. A college degree can open doors.
See your advisor. Students will remain assigned to the AAC as long as they are unsure of their major, are taking any pre-major coursework, or have a GPA lower than a 2.0. If they no longer meet any of the previous criteria, then they, working with their advisor, formally declare a major. At that time, the student will be directed to the advising location of the declared major.
Do I have to declare my major right away?
It is normal for most beginning college students to be unsure about their major. In fact, it is common for students to remain undeclared through the first academic year. AAC advisors encourage students to keep an open mind when choosing a major and will often refer them to Career Counseling or to the Focus2 resource for interest tests. Waiting to declare a major is not a problem since UofM curriculum requires students to take certain basic courses (General Education) regardless of one’s major. Students’ experiences in and out of the classroom during the first year will help them decide a major.
When should I declare a major?
To ensure graduating with the minimum hours required, students are expected to choose a major by the end of their sophomore year.
Where do I go for more information about my major?
There are several sources of information for your major including:
- The Undergraduate Catalog includes course descriptions, 4-year Plans, and other useful pieces of information
- UMDegree
- Departmental websites
- Faculty Members
- Advisors
What should I do if I want to change my major?
As an AAC student, you should contact your advisor. You can discuss how your classes may change according to your new major.
If you are advised in the AAC and are unsure of who your advisor is, check our "AAC Staff" link to see if you recognize your advisor. If not, you can check this link https://memphis.campus.eab.com or call our office (901.678.2062) and they will give you the name of your advisor.
If you are advised outside of the AAC, you can look up your advisor in the directory.
Students must see their advisor each semester before they register.
Advising for the spring semester typically starts in late September and advising for the fall semester starts in late February. Advisor calendars fill up quickly, sometimes weeks in advance, so you make your appointment early so you can register on time.
However, advising is not the only time you can contact us. If you have any questions,
problems, or need information, give us a call or, send us an email. We're here to
help!
How do I make an appointment with my advisor?
You can schedule an appointment with your assigned advisor by clicking this link https://memphis.guide.eab.com/. If you do not have an advisor assigned in the system and cannot make an appointment online, you can call the ACC front desk (901.678.2062).
Can I be advised if I have a hold on my record?
Yes. You can meet with your advisor to pick out your courses even if you have a hold on your record. However, certain holds may stop you from registering, even if you have met with your advisor. Make sure to check your holds before registration begins to ensure that you can register for classes on time.
- Know your Academic Advisor’s name and location
- Consult with your Academic Advisor if problems arise
- Call early to schedule appointments
- Keep current on academic requirements, policies and procedures
- Have a list of classes for the upcoming semester
- Accept responsibility for academic choices
Why do I have to take General Education courses?
“The purpose of the general education core is to ensure that college students have
the broad knowledge and skills to become life-long learners in a global community
that will continue to change. Because courses in general education should emphasize
breadth, they should not be reduced in design to the skills, techniques, or procedures
associated with a specific occupation or profession.
General education provides critical thinking skills for analysis to continue to seek
truths, to discover answers to questions, and to solve problems. Specifically, educated
people practice and are literate in the various methods of communication. They recognize
their place in the history, culture, and diverse heritages of Tennessee, the United
States, and the world. They appreciate the web of commonality of all humans in a multicultural
world and are prepared for the responsibilities of an engaged citizenship. They recognize
the ethical demands of our common lives. They demonstrate the skills and knowledge
of the social and behavioral sciences to analyze their contemporary world. They are
familiar with the history and aesthetics of the fine arts. They understand and practice
the scientific and mathematical view of the world.
Finally, the general education core provides for its citizens the means to make a
better living. Above all, it enables its citizens to make a better life.”
Which students are seen in the Academic Advising Center?
The AAC is here for those students who are undeclared, are pre-nursing, are taking
pre-major coursework, or are in transition (i.e., changing their major).
I tried to register and it says I need an Alternate PIN from my advisor. What does
this mean?
This is an advising hold; it means you have not met with your advisor to discuss your classes for the upcoming semester. You need to schedule an appointment with your advisor by clicking this link https://memphis.campus.eab.com.
If you have already met with your advisor and this message still appears, contact them as soon as possible so the hold can be removed.
What if I have a question that wasn't answered here?
You can send an e-mail to AAC@memphis.edu to have general questions answered.
Learning Support at the University of Memphis permits students to enroll in prescribed courses to develop the academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Major components of the program included testing and placement in appropriate level courses.
How are students placed into prescribed courses?
Students admitted to The University of Memphis as beginning freshmen will be placed in appropriate English, math, and reading courses based on ACT subscores that are less than 5 years old.
- Students with ACT reading subscores below 19 are required to enroll in ACAD 1100.
- Students with ACT English subscores below 18 are required to enroll in prescribed English courses.
If students feel they have been misplaced by their ACT subscores in English and reading or do not have valid ACT scores, they may take the ACCUPLACER test to place into a course.
ACCUPLACER testing is required of students whose ACT (SAT) scores are more than 5 years old, transfer students with no college level credit in English, non-degree seeking students before enrollment in English, and students with no valid ACT/SAT scores.
Can anyone enroll in a prescribed course?
Enrollment in any prescribed course is restricted to students who have been placed by their ACT subscores or who have taken the appropriate placement test. Self-placement without testing is not permitted.
Audits into prescribed courses are not permitted.
Where can I find the prescribed Reading and English courses in myMemphis?
Students required to enroll in prescribed reading courses may take ACAD 1100 to fulfill these requirements.
Students with ACT English subscores below 18 are required to enroll in prescribed ENGL 1010 courses that meet 4 days a week for 5 hours. Students must check with their advisor to determine which English course is appropriate for them.
An "enhanced course" is another term for a prescribed course and usually meets 4 days a week for 5 hours.
If I realize I am doing poorly in a prescribed course, where should I go for help?
Students requiring prescribed courses should be advised in the Academic Advising Center, 212 Wilder Tower. The academic advisors are trained professionals who can refer you to campus resources to help with whatever academic or personal problems you are having.
What is ACCUPLACER and how do I register for the test?
ACCUPLACER is an untimed, computerized test that helps your advisor evaluate your skills and place you into appropriate courses. ACCUPLACER offers tests in reading and writing. You will receive your ACCUPLACER test results immediately upon completion of testing, and your score report will include placement messages informing you what courses you should take.
Registration information can be obtained by visiting our ACCUPLACER web page.
How are ACCUPLACER scores used?
ACCUPLACER is not used like a traditional test. There is generally no "passing score." Rather, ACCUPLACER scores indicate areas in which you are strong and areas in which you may need help. Thus, ACCUPLACER can identify problems in major subject areas before they disrupt your educational progress, giving you the opportunity to prepare more effectively for needed courses.