Welcome to the Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) 

Students in Franklin College are supported by a coordinated advising team dedicated to meeting their needs at each stage of their academic journey at UGA. Advising is more than course selection—it’s a partnership focused on helping students explore options, make informed decisions, and move confidently toward academic and professional goals. 

How Academic Advising Works in Franklin College

Franklin College uses a matriculation-based advising model that provides developmental support from orientation through the first year and then delves deeper into disciplinary support as students' progress to graduation. This structure is intentional: it allows students to build a strong foundation in their first year and then transition smoothly to advisors who specialize in their academic area. 

Most students are advised in the First Year Advising Office and then in their disciplinary area. Students in the Fine Arts Division will receive dedicated advising from orientation through graduation. 

First-Year Advising: Building a Foundation 

During the first year, advisors will help students: 

• Understand UGA and Franklin College degree requirements, 

• Explore majors, minors, and certificates across the liberal arts and sciences, 

• Learn how to plan a balanced academic schedule, 

• Reflect on interests, strengths, and goals, and  

• Develop key skills critical for decision-making and self-advocacy. 

First-year advising focuses on helping students adjust to the university, build momentum, and identify academic pathways that align with identified goals. Advisors in this office are cross trained across Franklin majors and work closely with college and campus partners to ensure consistent, holistic support. 

Divisional Advising: Major Programs Connections and Exploration 

After the first year, students will transition to a divisional advising team aligned with their academic program. New Transfer Students will be immediately assigned to a divisional advising team aligned with their academic programs. 

Divisional advisors work closely with faculty and departments and provide more in-depth guidance as students move into upper-division coursework, experiential learning, and post-graduate planning. 

Franklin College Divisions 

Students are advised within one of the following divisional areas: 

• Biological Sciences 

• Fine Arts (four-year advising model) 

• Humanities 

• Physical & Mathematical Sciences 

• Social & Behavioral Sciences 

Within divisional advising, advisors will help students: 

• Plan upper-division coursework 

• Understand departmental policies and expectations 

• Connect with research, internship, and experiential learning opportunities 

• Explore and apply for scholarships 

• Prepare for graduation, careers, or graduate/professional school 

A Team-Based Advising Experience 

The advising experience may involve working together with more than one academic professional. Depending on a student’s path, each student will have an advising support team that may include: 

• First-Year Advisor 

• Divisional Advisor 

• Faculty Mentor or Undergraduate Coordinator 

• Internship or Career Partners 

• Graduation Certification Advisor 

This team-based approach allows advising to offer students flexibility, continuity, and specialized expertise at each stage of the academic journey. 

What Students Can Expect from Advising 

Advising in Franklin College is: 

• Required appointments in fall and spring semesters 

• Developmental advising focusing on growth over time 

• Collaborative partnership centering student responsibility and advisor guidance 

• Transparent and clear expectations and transitions 

Students are encouraged to actively participate by preparing questions, reviewing degree progress, and engaging in ongoing conversations with their advisors. 

Advising is a partnership, and OSAS is here to support students from orientation through graduation.