Advising

Advising for Pre-Majors

At William & Mary, you typically don't declare your major until the spring semester of your sophomore year. If you are considering a degree in Global Studies, you should take a few courses to get started. This will give you an idea of what it's like to study in our department as well as get some of the prerequisite and core courses out of the way. Work with your pre-major advisor to choose courses that will fulfill W&M's COLL requirements and take care of any prerequisite courses.

Advising for Majors

When you declare your major in Global Studies, you choose one of four regions to focus your studies and take courses in that Area Studies program (AMES, APIA, EURS, LAS or RPSS). You will choose a major advisor from the professors who teach in that program. You will work with your major advisor to select courses that fulfill all degree requirements and meet your academic and professional goals. Your major advisor can also help steer you to research and other opportunities that can enhance your coursework.

If you find a course that is in your field of study, but isn't on the Undergraduate Catalog list of options for your degree, it may be possible to take that course and have it apply towards the requirements, especially for an elective. Talk to your major advisor to make sure the course will meet your needs. Then, fill out the Course Substitution Request form [pdf], have it signed by the professor teaching the course, and turn it in for approval.

Minors

Minors in the Global Studies programs do not need to have an advisor. To declare your minor, complete the Declaration of Academic Minor [pdf] form and have it signed by the Director of your regional program before you return it to the Registrar's Office. If you have questions, ask one of your professors or the Director of the Program for advice.