Academic Advising

a RISD student and faculty member talk at a workstation inside the Apparel Design studios

All RISD students receive academic advising from full-time faculty who guide you toward successfully completing your program of study. Throughout your studies, advisors help you cultivate critical thinking, scholarship, innovative practices and a drive for personal growth.

Advising Days — October 21–22, 2025

Beginning Fall 2025, all students must meet in person with their faculty advisors to discuss academic performance, plan upcoming wintersession and spring courses, and review their progress toward graduation. After meeting one-on-one to discuss the student’s registration plans, the primary advisor will approve the registration plan and remove the student’s registration hold (any time between the advising meeting and the student’s registration date and time).

To support this, the Tuesday and Wednesday that fall one week after Indigenous People’s Day are designated as Advising Days. RISD will not hold classes during this two-day period. Academic departments and divisions should also use some of this time for departmental / divisional development activities and faculty meetings.

See this year’s Advising Days schedule

Finding your advisor

RISD students are assigned an academic advisor at the beginning of their studies and, in almost all cases, work with multiple advisors as they progress through their degree program. At all stages of your RISD education, you and your advisors will work together to review curricular options, select courses, discuss professional pathways, and connect with support offices and resources across the college.

To find your advisor, as well as information about your academic plan and progress, log into Workday using your RISD credentials, where you can review your academic record and see your progress toward graduation.

How to find your advisor

Undergraduate advising

Student and faculty expectations

Basic guidelines for advisors and advisees to ensure a positive, productive advising experience.

First year

Meet your first-year advisor, select a degree program, explore Liberal Arts and interdisciplinary concentrations.

Sophomore, junior, and senior year

Move through coursework, Liberal Arts requirements, and electives, on your way to completing your BFA program.

Fifth year

Specific information for Architecture majors and Brown|RISD Dual Degree program students.

Graduate advising

Graduate advising is typically conducted between the student and their department’s graduate program director (GPD). Some programs may assign you a full-time advisor other than or in addition to the GPD. When you reach the thesis stage you will have the opportunity to choose a committee chair who provides guidance specific to the master’s thesis.

Advisors and advisees are expected to follow the student and faculty expectations throughout the student’s academic experience. Our advising FAQ is also a great source of immediate information.

Grad advising