Ag Advising
Notes
Volume 1 –
November 6, 2006
Return to Ag
Advising Notes page
What IS
Specialty Support?
Degree
programs in the
The
idea is that the student and advisor will work together to build a cadre of
courses which complement the students area of interest. It should reflect a cohesive group of courses
which enhance the career interests of the student; a logical extension of the
major program. Technically the SS area
must consist of “a core of specialty or
professional support courses outside the major department totaling at least 18
hours at the 200 level or above.” (UK 2006-07 Bulletin).
In
some cases, the student will get a minor in an area outside of their
major. Most minors require about 21
hours, so this works well. Others will
define one or more areas of interest and build a program from there. In any case, this should not just be more
courses in the major, although on occasion those are approved (it is not
automatic).
One common
error we
see in the building of specialty support is the use of a wide variety of
electives simply thrown into the category.
For example, one could envision a student with a degree in Agricultural
Economics and the SS proposal shows the following:
MUS 203, ENG 234, CHE 226,
ECO 391, PLS 330, and PSY 215.
Now,
these are all fine classes, but what is the commonality? How do these courses focus the student’s
program? One could argue that a coherent
focus on humanities, on chemistry, business or plant sciences would benefit the
program, but as this is devised it is little more than a random assemblage of
courses. So, talk with your advisee
about their goals and plan a SS that helps them achieve those goals.
A second error we often see is the
approval of a group of classes by the advisor for SS which includes one or more
100 level courses. We often see requests
for GEO 160, PSY 110, etc… By definition of the College rule, these do not fit
in SS. And, it only defers the decision
to the Office of Academic Programs, where the student then leaves unhappy
because we changed the program the advisor said was ok.
One
final thought. Remember, when a student
transfers in from another degree program, it is the student’s responsibility to
meet the requirements for the new degree.
Just because a student has hours earned doesn’t mean they should
automatically become part of the SS area in that student’s new degree program.
Our goal is not to get the student out as quickly as possible, but to make sure
the student earns the degree by satisfying the requirements for that degree.