Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Advising

Sophomore year is your first in your selected major. During this year you will work with two assigned advisors—one in your major and the other from Liberal Arts.

Your primary advisor will be assigned from the full-time faculty of your chosen department. This advisor may change as you progress through the program.

Your assigned Liberal Arts advisor is also a member of the division’s full-time faculty. If you elect a Liberal Arts concentration, your concentration coordinator will also be your Liberal Arts advisor. In order to complete your Liberal Arts requirements before graduation, plan to take 2–4 Liberal Arts courses each year.

Advising in your major runs from sophomore year through the end of your degree program. Your second and third years are especially important for ensuring steady progress toward meeting graduation requirements.

Stay in contact with your academic advisors to ensure that you are:

• completing studio major requirements in a timely manner.
• selecting meaningful electives.
• exploring non-major studio disciplines.
• making good progress on your Liberal Arts requirements.
• growing your awareness of academic possibilities and support resources outside the classroom. These include internships, Liberal Arts and interdisciplinary concentrations, RISD Global learning opportunities, and independent and collaborative study projects (ISPs and CSPs).

Now well into your major, it is time to explore relevant internships and Wintersession global travel courses. Also make sure you stay on track with your Liberal Arts and non-major studio elective requirements. If you have any questions about Liberal Arts requirements, please contact the Liberal Arts senior academic specialist for operations and administration.

During your junior year, you and your advisor should:

• consider pursuing a Liberal Arts or interdisciplinary concentration—there’s still time.
• continue to explore academic options and support resources outside the classroom. These include RISD Global offerings and independent and collaborative study projects (ISPs and CSPs).
• conduct an early degree audit to make sure you’re on track to graduate.

Your senior year at RISD marks a major milestone. You are about to complete coursework and final projects, toward receiving a BFA diploma at Commencement.

To stay on track to graduate, keep informed and in regular contact with your advisor about your academic progress, outstanding requirements and post-graduation planning. If you have any questions about Liberal Arts requirements, please contact the Liberal Arts senior academic specialist for operations and administration.

Highlights of this year include:

• completion of all degree requirements, including Liberal Arts and non-major studio electives. If you do not complete all requirements you will not graduate.
• discussions about post-RISD steps and goals with your advisor, faculty members and other support offices, including RISD Careers.
• taking part in RISD Careers-hosted portfolio reviews.

Note: Architecture students and students in the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program should also consult RISD guidelines for fifth-year academic advising.

Students typically enroll in 4–5 classes per semester. Sophomore year is the first time qualifying students may opt out of Wintersession. If you do plan to register for an on-campus Wintersession course, please notify your advisor during Advising Days.

Please note that any changes you make to your course/credit load during the academic year may impact financial aid, or visa status for international students.

Consult the academic calendar or click timeline links for dates and details.

To find your academic advisor, log into Workday with your RISD credentials and follow these steps.