Advising Frequently Asked Questions

General

How can I schedule an appointment with my advisor?

You can find and make an appointment with your advisor through usu.edu/advisors.

How can I change my major?

Students will need to schedule an appointment with the advisor of their prospective major in order for their major to be changed. To declare a major in the arts, students will need to schedule an advising appointment and meet the GPA minimum requirement of 2.75. Admission to music programs require a successful audition. Admission to all theatre programs requires a successful application and interview or audition.

What are the math requirements for my degree?

Students can find the requirements for their degree, including math requirements, in the USU Catalog. Music Therapy majors have a statistics course requirement, which must be satisfied by taking either STAT 1040, STAT 1045 or STAT 1080. If the General Education QL requirement has been satisfied by any means other than a statistics course, music therapy majors must take one of the STAT courses listed above.

Can I retake a course to get a better grade?

Yes. Information on how repeated courses will appear on your transcript can be found on Registrar's FAQs page.

What is a pass/fail option for a course?

Information for taking a course pass/fail can be found in the USU Catalog. Remember to speak with your advisor about taking a course pass/fail, as major courses in the Caine College must be taken for a grade.

Will my courses transfer over from another university?

Students can see how courses they have taken at another university will transfer to USU on the USU Registrar transfer page.

Why do I have a hold on my account?

Information about different holds, what they mean, and who to contact to get them removed can be found on the Registrar's website.

Where does differential tuition go?

Information about what differential tuition is and where it goes can be found on the Differential Tuition page.

How do I apply for scholarships?

USU's ScholarshipUniverse can help students apply for university-wide scholarships.

How do I find emotional support at USU?

Students can find general wellness information and, for Logan Campus, mental wellness information. USU's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers a variety of programs that can help students experiencing mental or emotional distress.

Can I complete my degree in a shorter time than 4 years?

A majority of the programs in the arts require a full four years to complete due to the sequencing of classes. Breadth and Depth generals are built into the four-year plans and should be taken concurrently with the major classes.

Art + Design

What does it mean to be a Pre-Program Art student?

New first-year admitted to USU in good standing are initially admitted as a Pre-Program Art student. During the students’ second semester of foundations coursework, they will submit a portfolio to be considered for admission to the art program. This portfolio reviews happen in October and March each year. Transfer students, or students changing their major with 60+ credits must first submit a portfolio to be admitted. During their sophomore year, students may choose an emphasis area and undergo a second portfolio review for admission into the BFA program. These reviews are typically scheduled for Spring semester. Students not admitted to a BFA program in a studio emphasis may complete the BS or BA degree and graduate in Art with no emphasis.

What is the Pre-Program Interior Architecture and Design Program?

Students interested in IAD will spend their first semester at USU taking required pre-program courses designed to prepare them for the portfolio review which takes place in November. Once they pass the portfolio they become BIAD students. Students who do not pass the review may resubmit the following fall semester.

Do I have to submit a portfolio before starting the Art program?

Incoming first-year students begin the Art Pre-Program and will submit a portfolio comprised of work completed in foundations classes (Drawing, 2D and 3D Design) in order to be admitted to the Art BS program. Transfer students with 60 credits or more must submit a portfolio before being admitted to the BS and must then complete the foundations classes if not completed at their previous institution. Art Department portfolio reviews only occur twice a year in March and October. A second portfolio is required for admission to any BFA program.

How do I get into the Interior Architecture and Design program?

Students interested in the Interior Architecture and Design BIAD program need to be admitted or signed into the pre-program IAD major. In a fall semester, they start required preprogram classes and submit a portfolio for a competitive portfolio review. The students that pass the portfolio review are admitted into the BIAD major and move forward into the program starting in spring semester.

Biology

I'm a Biology or Public Health Major, but I'm pursuing Prehealth interests. Who should I meet with?

As a Biology or Public Health Major planning to go on to health professions school, you have two advisors, you major advisor and your Prehealth Advisor.

Major Advisor- Biology Advising Office, BNR 101

Coursework planning to graduate with your biology degree
Getting involved in undergraduate research within the Department of Biology
Biology Scholarships
Advisor holds
Prerequisite or Course overrides
Articulation of biology coursework
Application for graduation
To answer any Department of Biology specific questions

Please call (435) 797-2652 or schedule an appointment online.

Health Professions Advising Office - TSC 302, Exploratory Advising

Coursework planning to prepare for entrance exams and to meet health profession school prerequisites
Getting involved in Prehealth extracurricular activities, such as Prehealth clubs, service, or research
Preparation of applications and for interviews associated with health profession schools
To answer any Prehealth specific questions

Please call (435) 797-3373 or learn more on the Exploratory website.

I'm not a Biology Major, but I would like to add (or drop) a Biology Major or Biology Minor.

To add or drop a Biology Major or Minor, you will need to schedule an appointment online with the advisor assigned to the major you are interested in.

What can you do with a Biology Degree?

You can do a lot with a biology degree! You can do research, management, teaching and more for government, academic, industry or non-profit organizations. Our advising team will be happy to go over career exploration options with you and talk in more detail about what you can do with your biology degree. Please see schedule an appointment online.

We also encourage you to visit Career Services to for more helpful career information.

I need help planning my biology coursework.

Please view the Major Requirements Sheet for your major and emphasis as well as your specific Degreeworks. Schedule an appointment and our advising team is happy to help you you plan a path to gradution and ensure you are on track.

How do I get involved in undergraduate biology research?

The Biology Advising Office strongly encourages all Biology Majors to get involved in undergraduate research. Please visit the Undergraduate Research page to review our recommendations on how to get involved in undergraduate research. If you have more questions, please schedule an appointment.

If you're involved in undergraduate biology research, we encourage you to present your research at our Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium. We have one each fall and spring semester.

I would like to apply for a Department of Biology Scholarship.

We accept scholarship applications from Department of Biology Majors only, each spring semester. Please visit our scholarships page and review the eligibility requirements and available scholarships. If you you have additional questions or would like help with your scholarship application, please schedule an appointment with one of our advisors.

I have an articulation question about whether a course transferred from another university is equivalent to a USU biology course.

Please visit USU's Transfer page and contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Thayne Sweeten.

I would like to take a biology course for pass/ D+, D or F option.

Please fill out the appropriate section of the Registration Option form and see your assigned academic advisor.

Please note the Registrar date for Pass/ Fail. This option will not be available for selection after 60% of the semester has passed.

I am a Biology Major and I have an Advisor Hold on my account.

Please schedule an appointment with your assigned Biology Academic Advisor. Public Health majors should see Carl Farley. Please take care of holds ASAP and DO NOT wait until open registration to try to meet with your advisor, as registration times are very busy times for advisors and there is no guarantee that we'll be able to meet with you prior to registration.

I am a Biology Major and I would like to request approval to take over 18 credits for a semester.

The maximum credits per semester allowed is 21 credits. Over 21 credits cannot be approved. If you would like to take 19-21 credits one semester, please fill out the appropriate section of the Registration Option Form and schedule an appointment with your assigned academic advisor.

I am trying to register for a biology course but Banner is not recognizing that I have the required prerequisite(s).

Please schedule an appointment with your Biology Academic Advisor, with proof of prerequisite (transcript).

I am getting ready to graduate with my biology degree.

We encourage Biology Majors to fill out their Application for Graduation 2-3 semesters prior to the anticipated graduation date, which allows you to incorporate any required but unplanned coursework into your schedule before it's too late. After application, please schedule an appointment with your advisor.

Math

What is Concurrent Enrollment?

Concurrent Enrollment allows eligible high school students to take USU courses and earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

Where can I find Concurrent Enrollment resources?

You can access information about course options, eligibility, and enrollment processes on the Concurrent Enrollment Resources page.

What is the ALEKS Math Placement Exam?

The ALEKS Math Placement Exam is used to assess your current math knowledge and ensure you’re placed into the correct course at USU. It’s required for students who do not have ACT/SAT scores or transfer math credit.

How do I schedule the ALEKS Math Placement Exam?

To schedule an appointment, contact the USU Testing Center at (435) 797-3617.

What is the last day to take the ALEKS exam for Summer 2025?

The last day to test for the Summer 2025 semester is Friday, May 2nd.

Is there a period when ALEKS testing is not available?

Yes. After the Friday before classes begin, there is a short “no testing” period until after the last day to add classes for that semester. Testing for future semesters begins after that point.

Where can I learn more about the ALEKS Math Placement Exam?

Visit the Math Placement Exam information page for full details on exam format, prep resources, and placement scores.

Music

What is the Pre-Music program?

Pre-music majors are those students who have passed their entrance audition and have been accepted into the music program. As pre-music majors, they will register for 1000 level pre-music individual instruction courses for the first two semesters in the music program. At the end of each semester is a jury. When students have passed two semesters of pre-music individual instruction with a B- or higher grade, and they pass MUSC 1110 Music Theory I with a C or higher grade, they will be moved into declared music status. Pre-music students can see when this has happened in DegreeWorks. Their major code will have the letters BM, BS or BA at the end of their major code instead of PPRU.

What is a Music Program Barrier?

Music Major barriers are a "fail safe" to prevent students continuing in the major whom faculty deem unlikely to achieve the level of proficiency required to be a successful professional musician. All music majors will perform a Barrier Jury after they have passed two semesters of pre-music individual instruction with a B- or higher grade. The barrier jury is typically during the student's third semester of study. During this semester, they will register for the 2000 level pre-barrier level of individual instruction. Music Majors who pass this jury with a B- or higher grade are allowed to continue in their music major program. Music education majors have an additional barrier, in which they must pass MUSC 3100 Motivation and Classroom Management Strategies in Secondary Classroom Music with a C or higher grade and be accepted into the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP).

When are auditions?

Information on Music auditions can be found on Music's application page.

Can I audition for a group even if I'm not a Music major?

Non-music majors are welcome to audition for any ensemble on campus. Choral and band auditions take place the first week of the Fall semester, while orchestral auditions occur during the summer. Some groups on campus do not require an audition.

How do I get into Music Therapy?

Students interested in music therapy need to complete the 2-step process consisting of: (1) a pre-selection audition, and (2) an on-site audition.

The pre-selection audition requires:

A completed music therapy application,
A high school or college transcript,
A video of the auditionee singing a song and accompanying themselves on guitar OR piano,
A 1-2 minute video responding to the questions “What is music therapy?” and “What makes this career well suited for me?”.

Students who are notified that they have passed the pre-selection audition will be invited back for an in-person audition. Auditionees will be asked to perform the following:

A recital-ready (classical) piece on their principal instrument. Please check the music therapy repertoire specified for your instrument's "audition requirements"
A sung popular/contemporary song, accompanying yourself on piano,
A sung folk or children’s song, accompanying yourself on guitar.

Theatre Arts

When are auditions?

Information on Theatre auditions can be found on Theatre's program page.