Academic Advising
Each student at Michigan Tech is assigned an academic advisor. One of the most important steps your student can take toward academic success is communicating regularly with their academic advisor. An academic advisor knows detailed information about the curriculum for each degree program in their department; they can provide information about particular courses and proper course sequence. Regular advising meetings will ensure that your student is on track to meet their academic and career goals. Students should make an appointment at least once a semester to discuss degree requirements, prerequisite courses, and upcoming course registration, as well as career choices. Academic advisors can also help to guide students who are considering participating in programs such as Study Abroad or Enterprise, or who wish to complete an internship or co-op.
Learning Centers
Michigan Tech’s campus has eleven Learning Centers, which provide students with extra academic support in a particular subject. Upperclassmen serve as learning center coaches and provide assistance through weekly scheduled appointments or during walk-in hours. Learning Centers are free for students to use, and are open a variety of hours so that even students with a hectic schedule can make time to stop in.
Disability Services
Michigan Tech Student Disability Services is dedicated to assuring and enhancing opportunities for students with disabilities. Disability Services partners with students, supporting them in the development of life skills necessary for self-advocacy. Once documentation of a disability has been provided, a student will receive individualized accommodations, which may include extended time for testing, quiet test environments, and note takers. Michigan Tech also has the Kurzweil reader program installed on library computers for easy access.
Faculty Office Hours
All Michigan Tech professors and instructors hold weekly office hours, which are designated times for students to receive walk-in assistance. Students may also contact instructors to schedule an appointment outside of office hours. Michigan Tech faculty are dedicated to assisting students whenever possible, but students are responsible for outreaching to their instructors if they have any questions or concerns about course material, assignments, policies, or examinations.
COMPASS
The Center for Orientation, Mentoring, Parents, and Academic Student Success (COMPASS) is a great resource for students. COMPASS offers two courses, Frameworks for Success and Creating Your Success, that teach students time-management skills, effective study habits, self-responsibility, and other important lessons that will aid students in their transition to college.
After midterm grades are released for first-year students, the COMPASS staff meets with students who have several unsatisfactory grades to help them develop strategies to improve their academic performance. COMPASS staff members are also available to meet with students one-on-one at any time if they wish to discuss academic or personal issues.
ExSEL
Excelling the Student Experience of Learning (ExSEL) is a COMPASS program designed to promote student success. ExSEL provides peer mentoring, study groups, campus resource referrals, campus and community events, and career and personal development seminars to students who are members.
Learning Communities
Learning Communities are residential living options designed for like-minded students with a commonality or shared interest. The communities exist within the residence halls and help to foster a sense of belonging, create common purpose among students, and complement a student's academic studies. Currently Michigan Tech offers seven learning communities: Computer Science, First-Year Experience, Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Summit House, International House, Leadership, and Visual and Performing Arts.