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What is Graduate Advising?

Your academic advisor is a key partner in your graduate journey. Advisors help you choose courses, meet deadlines, navigate university policies, and graduate on time. This page focuses on how to build a strong advising relationship and use it to stay on track.

For details about required academic milestones (like the Application for Admission to Candidacy and the Application for Graduation), see the Graduate Student Milestones page.

What Your Academic Advisor Does

Graduate advisors at Boise State may be faculty or professional staff, depending on your program. Regardless of their role, your advisor is here to:

  • Help you plan and register for courses
  • Make sure you are meeting program requirements
  • Review your Application for Admission to Candidacy
  • Guide you through graduation planning and timelines
  • Discuss course substitutions, electives, and culminating experiences
  • Refer you to other campus resources when needed

In some programs, your advisor may also serve as your thesis or dissertation advisor. In others, these roles may be separate.

In some cases, your advisor may also serve as a mentor, but this is not always the case. You are encouraged to build mentoring relationships in addition to working with your academic advisor.

Tip: You can find your academic advisor in your student center or by contacting your program coordinator.

How Advisors Support You Through Milestones

While details about required milestones live on the Graduate Student Milestones page, your advisor plays an important role in helping you prepare for and complete them:

  • Candidacy: Advisors confirm your program of study on your Application for Admission to Candidacy.
  • Graduation: Advisors remind you about deadlines and ensure you are on track to finish your degree.
  • Program-specific requirements: Advisors explain any additional requirements in your program (such as exams, capstones, or portfolios).

Thesis/Dissertation students: If your program requires a thesis or dissertation, your advisor or committee chair will also guide you through those additional research and defense milestones.

Meeting with Your Advisor: When and How to Prepare

Your advisor is here to help you plan, reflect, and stay on track. Regular check-ins, especially before each semester and major milestone, can help you avoid surprises.

When to Meet

  • Early in your first semester
  • Before course registration each semester
  • Before submitting your application for admission to candidacy form 
  • Anytime you have questions or feel unsure about your progress

If you’re unsure when to schedule a meeting, email your advisor and ask about their availability. In some programs, advisors will reach out to you. If not, you are always welcome to take the first step.

How to Prepare

  • Review your Academic Advisement Report (AAR)
  • Bring your program handbook or course plan
  • Make a list of questions about course selection, electives, research, or deadlines
  • Ask how to prepare for comprehensive exams, thesis/project work, or any culminating activity
  • Follow up with a short thank-you email or summary of your meeting to confirm next steps

Tip: Use your AAR and transcript to track your own progress before each advising conversation.

Setting Goals with Your Advisor

Advisors can help you with more than academic planning. They can support your personal and professional growth. You might talk about:

  • Career goals and the kind of work you hope to do 
  • Certificates or electives aligned with your interests
  • Opportunities for teaching, research, or internships
  • Managing your schedule and staying on track

Some students use Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to organize their goals.

Tools to Explore:

You can also look at examples compiled by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER): CIMER IDP Library

Preparing for Future Advising Meetings

Keep your advising relationship strong by preparing before each meeting. You might:

  • Review your Academic Advisement Report (AAR) and program requirements
  • Bring a list of potential courses or scheduling questions (browse course descriptions and offerings in the Online Graduate Course Catalog)
  • Ask about approaching deadlines, milestone forms, or program-specific requirements
  • Discuss any academic challenges or areas where you need support
  • Revisit and refine your academic or career goals

Helpful questions to ask in advising meetings:

  • Am I meeting expectations for progress in my program?
  • What deadlines or forms should I be preparing for?
  • Are there department or campus opportunities I should explore?
  • How can I prepare for my culminating experience (project, thesis, defense)?

What to Do If You Have Questions or Concerns

If you’re unsure about a requirement or facing challenges, you have several options:

  • Talk with your academic advisor
  • Reach out to your graduate program coordinator for clarification
  • Contact the Graduate College at graduatecollege@boisestate.edu for questions about forms, policies, or timelines
  • Contact the Graduate Student Success Center at success@boisestate.edu for thesis/dissertation help, professional development, or writing support
  • If your advising relationship is not working well, talk with a trusted faculty or staff member
  • Visit When Advising or Mentoring Isn’t Working for more support

Helpful Resources

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