FAQs
General ACE Coaching Questions
What is academic coaching?
Academic Coaching provides students with academic support in areas that include but are not limited to: goal setting, organization, study structure, study techniques, time management, test-taking strategies, and identifying obstacles. Academic and Career Exploration (ACE) Coaches work with students individually to assess their strengths and needs, identify additional academic and personal resources, and develop an individualized plan of action for academic success. More information about our academic coaching philosophy can be found on our About ACE page.
What's the difference between coaching and tutoring?
What's the difference between coaching and counseling?
Academic coaching focuses on practical application of student success skills. The University Counseling Center can provide ongoing in-depth help for mental health obstacles (ie: anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief and loss, etc.). ACE Coaches may refer students to the Counseling Center when necessary.
Who are ACE Coaches?
Will my ACE Coach be my new advisor?
Can my ACE Coach remove my registration hold?
How often can I meet with my ACE Coach?
Will my ACE Coach discuss anything we talk about with my parents?
Do I need an appointment to meet with an ACE Coach?
How long are academic and career exploration appointments?
How should I prepare for the first meeting?
Do I have to be failing to receive academic coaching?
Will my GPA improve if I meet with an ACE Coach?
Is academic coaching available in the summer?
Can graduate students receive academic and career exploration coaching?
Major and Career Exploration Questions
When do I have to decide on my major?
It depends very much on the courses you take and the curriculum requirements of the major you end up choosing. Delaying the decision may give you more time to decide, but it may also mean that more time will be needed to complete the courses required for graduation.
Once a student is no longer served by their Freshman Advisor, they won’t have an assigned advisor if the student does not have a declared major. This means they won’t be able to have their advising hold removed to register for classes. Academic Coaches can assist these students in major exploration and narrowing interest areas so that a major can be declared (even if that major is only one of many parallel plans for the student).
I'm still trying to figure out what I want to major in - any suggestions?
It's important to keep in mind that there isn't just one pathway to a specific career. One good resource to help you make your decision is an Academic and Career Exploration (ACE) Coach. They have a variety of tools to assist you when exploring majors.
Other ways to explore include talking to people who do what you are interested in - How did they get to where they are? Also, think about the classes that are most interesting to you. Could you take this type of coursework to another level? You can volunteer or do an internship. Another avenue of exploration is to look at the various majors and their required classes.
You are always welcome to set up an appointment through our Schedule an Appointment Form.
Do I just need to pass my classes and keep a GPA of 2.0 in order to progress in my major and graduate?
Not likely. Although these are some of the minimum requirements for graduation, all majors require Cs or higher for their “major courses” or a specified “major grade point average” for select classes. Some majors have an additional application or status process for progression in the major (ex: Nursing, Social Work, Education) or other required criteria for their beginning level courses.
All of these requirements are listed and available to students in the catalog so that students can plan accordingly with their Advisors. However, ACE Coaches can provide some preliminary orientation and discussion.
What if I am not accepted into the program of my choice? Do I have to change my major?
When a student is denied entry into the program of their choice, they will first need to know and discuss with their Advisor the nature of the denial and what option (if any) the student may have to make changes/improvements and re-apply.
If the option to re-apply for an improved chance of entry isn’t feasible, the student is then faced with the decision to change their major at Southeastern or, if they want to keep their original plan, explore other schools with the same program that may have different admission requirements. Southeastern cannot speak on behalf of other schools’ requirements, so it would be the student’s responsibility to contact them and determine their plans to transfer.
For students opting to stay at Southeastern and change their major, ACE Coaches can provide assistance with finding related majors that share many qualities of the previous major or aid students in widening their focus to explore majors not originally considered.
Is there a test I can take that tells me what career I should seek?
How do I get started looking for a job or internship?
Where do I go for help with resumes, cover letters, or help with interviewing?
What should I major in if I want to be a dental hygienist?
Southeastern does not offer a degree in dental hygiene. However, the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies recently launched a new degree in Health Sciences for students interested in health care related programs. The BS in Health Sciences includes coursework in Medical Terminology, Health Research, Health Coaching/Counseling, Epidemiology, and the Health Care System. This flexible curriculum includes 22 hours of Health Science electives that allows students to meet all (or most) of the prerequisites for Dental Hygiene as well as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Athletic Training programs.
Students are responsible for researching the requirements of other schools/programs to ensure they are adequately preparing themselves while at Southeastern. Please schedule an appointment with an ACE Coach to further discuss your plans and possible options to reaching your career goals as a Southeastern student.
What should I major in if I want to be a doctor/dentist?
What is the difference between an Engineering degree and an Engineering Technology degree?
Southeastern currently offers students the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. This program combines the application of scientific and engineering knowledge with engineering methods and technical skills to prepare the graduates for a variety of industrial and government workforce needs.
An Engineering Technology program differs from a classic Engineering program in that it is more applied and focused on applications of technology, emphasizing hands-on application and implementation. It is about 50 percent theory and 50 percent focused on the practical application of engineering principles (ensuring the quality of implementation).
An Engineering program is focused more on theoretical fundamentals and advanced concepts that can lead to the development of new technology and has higher-level math and theoretical science in the curricula. It's more focused on innovation and design and less hands-on application.
What should I major in if I want to be an FBI agent?
What should I major in if I want to help people with talk therapy?
What should I major in if I want to be a lawyer?
While the American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any specific undergraduate major for law school hopefuls, it does encourage students to work on critical thinking, public speaking, and reading comprehension regardless of which major they choose. A few subjects considered "traditional preparation" for law school include criminal justice, communication, history, English, political science, biology, accounting, and/or management.
Students are responsible for researching the requirements of their next step at the other schools/programs to ensure they are adequately preparing themselves while at Southeastern.
What should I major in if I want to be a physical or occupational therapist?
It can be helpful to review the requirements of graduate programs in physical and occupational therapy as you prepare to select your undergraduate major. Although Southeastern does not have graduate programs in physical or occupational therapy, many students will prepare themselves by majoring in kinesiology, health sciences, or biology.
Students are responsible for researching the requirements of their next step at the other schools/programs to ensure they are adequately preparing themselves while at Southeastern.
What is the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapist?
What should I major in to become a radiologic technologist or an ultrasound technician?
What should I major in if I want to be a veterinarian?