Advising

Note: In the event of a discrepancy between the Middle Georgia State University Catalog and any departmental materials (including Advising Worksheets), the Middle Georgia State Catalog prevails.

All students must meet with their advisor at least once every year to assist with course selection and academic planning. Many academic programs require specific sequencing in order to reach degree completion in a timely manner. Also, students frequently benefit from guidance in exploring potential majors and coordinating career goals with education opportunities or study abroad programs.

For political science and interdisciplinary studies (B.S.) majors, the primary advisor is shown in SWORDS and is the first advisor listed on your MyDegree report. For most students, this will be Madison Bridges.

Students in the bachelor of arts (B.A.) interdisciplinary studies major should contact the Department of Media, Culture, and the Arts in the School of Arts and Letters for advising information.

Degree Planning Resources

Below are some resources that should be helpful in planning your schedules for upcoming terms.

Political Science Course Guides

• Courses of Interest Poster for Fall 2024.
• Tentative Schedule Rotation for Required Courses.

Political Science Degree Recommended Four-Year Degree Plans

The recommended degree plan that applies to you will usually depend on the catalog in effect when you first enrolled at MGA. For more details on which catalog(s) you may use to meet graduation requirements, please refer to the MGA catalog or contact your advisor.

• 2018–19 and 2019–20 catalogs:
  • Cochran campus.
• 2020–21 catalog:
  • Cochran campus.
  • Macon campus.
• 2021–22 catalog:
  • Cochran campus.
  • Macon campus.
• 2022–23 catalog and beyond:
  • Coming soon!

Checklists

The checklist that applies to you will usually depend on the catalog in effect when you first enrolled at MGA. For more details on which catalog(s) you may use to meet graduation requirements, please refer to the MGA undergraduate catalog.

• Bachelor of Science in Political Science:
  • Checklist for 2018–19 and 2019–20 catalogs.
  • Checklist for 2020–21 catalog.
  • Checklist for 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2022–24 catalogs.
  • Checklist for 2024–25 catalog and later: coming soon!
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies:
  • Checklist for 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2022–23 catalogs.
  • Checklist for 2023–24 catalog.
• Minor in African and African Diaspora Studies.
• Minor in Environmental Policy Studies (formerly Sustainability Policy Studies):
  • Checklist for 2020–21 catalog and prior.
  • Checklist for 2021–22 catalog and later.
• Minor in Global Studies.
• Minor in Local Government Administration: coming soon!
• Minor in Political Science:
  • Checklist for 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2020–21 catalogs.
  • Checklist for 2021–22 catalog and later.
• Minor in Pre-Law:
  • Checklist for 2020–21 catalog.
  • Checklist for 2021–22 catalog and later.
• Certificate in European Union Studies .

Degree checklists are also available using MyDegree. Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the degree checklists above and in MyDegree are accurate, in the event of an error the MGA catalog prevails.

How to Register for Classes Using SWORDS

• How to access SWORDS (including access to MyDegree).
• Using MyDegree for degree planning and class selection.
• Online course schedules, including campus locations.
• Instructions for self-registration and add/drop using CRNs.

Self-registration and online class changes are not available for students with certain holds on their student records; any holds in effect can be viewed in SWORDS and MyDegree. The most common holds affecting registration are the Advising hold, which typically applies to dual-enrollment students; the Academic Standing hold, which generally applies to students on academic probation or returning from academic suspension; and the LS Advising hold, which applies to students with unsatisfied learning support requirements.

In some cases, students with holds can be registered for classes by their advisors, and advisors can approve drops, adds, and withdrawals using the appropriate form. However, students may need to resolve certain holds with the appropriate campus office(s) prior to registration.

Advisors are expected to…

• Comply with requirements of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act and other college regulations.
• Understand Middle Georgia State University program/degree requirements and effectively communicate them.
• Assist advisee in making course selections and long-term plans.
• Be a point source for resources and referrals.
• Be available throughout the academic year, including prior to and during early registration.

Advisees are expected to…

• Respect the advisor.
• Make, keep, and be on time for appointments.
• Read and apply the information in the Academic Catalog.
• Be prepared for appointments.
• Be familiar with program of study/degree requirements/curriculum (learn about prerequisites, etc.)