Departments assign students their advisers. Students are encouraged to contact their department for identification of the assigned adviser and for advising prior to registration. All students should meet or talk with the adviser before registering for classes. The Graduate School strongly recommends that students meet regularly with their advisers; an adviser plays an important role in graduate students' course of study. An adviser’s signature is required on most forms submitted to the Graduate School and students' programs of study are not valid until it has been approved by both the adviser and the Graduate School. Students who want to change advisers should check with their department for additional information and instructions.

Non-degree and temporary graduate students are normally not assigned academic advisers. Students in these categories who need assistance should contact the department in which they are focusing their course of study.