EIU Department of Political Science

Academic Advising in Political Science

After their first year, Political Science majors at Eastern Illinois University work with our 3 academic advisors, Dr. Jeff Ashley, Mr. John Morris, and Dr. Melinda Mueller on course selection, career planning, and degree options, including General Education requirements, transfer credit, and study plans.

• Who’s my advisor?
  • Most students begin meeting with Political Science advisers once they earn 15 credits. Before that, you will meet with your advisor in the Academic Advising Center in McAfee.
  • You must meet with your advisor before registration each term. You can sign up on their office door (or sometimes online) usually beginning in mid-September and February. At your advising meetings, you will get the pin number required for registration.
• Academic advisors can connect you to other department advisers and mentors.

Preparing for Advising and Registering for Political Science Classes:

• How do I check my degree status and progress in Degree Works?
• How can I keep track of major and minor requirements?
• How do I use Schedule Planner to register?
• When can I register?
• How do I complete Department Honors in the Political Science Major?
• How do I submit papers for my Electronic Writing Portfolio?
• How do I fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement?
  • Students in the PLS major with the International Studies option must complete a 2^nd language through the intermediate level.

Special Registration Requests:

• How do I register for PLS 4600/Capstone Course if I have 75 hours but PAWs won't let me?
• How do I request registration in an Undergraduate Independent Study?
• How do I enroll in the Accelerated Graduate Program?
  • Apply for the AG Program: Meet with Dr. Ryan Burge
  • Graduate School Course Request Form
  • AG PLS Course Registration Request
• How do I enroll in Department Honors in Political Science?
  • Apply for DH: Meet with Dr. Kevin Anderson
  • Request a Waiver to Register in a Graduate Courses as an Undergraduate
  • Request PLS Department Honors Course Registration
• How do I add myself to a course waitlist?
  • Log into PAWs, click the Student Tab, and find the CRN for the class you want to waitlist.
  • Click on the Student Tab again and click on “Add or Drop Classes.” In the “Add Classes Worksheet,” enter the CRN in the first box. On the dropdown menu, select “Waitlist.” Click “Submit Changes” twice.
  • If a seat opens, you will receive an email from the Registrar letting you know that you have 72 hours to add the course in PAWs. If you still want to enroll in the course, be sure to add it immediately.

How Do I Apply for Graduation?

Apply for graduation at least 1 year before you graduate

• Sign into PAWS, click on the "Student" tab, then "Apply for Graduation." On the Applications and Degrees page, click "New Application" and carefully check the listed curriculum information. If your major(s) or minor(s) are missing or incorrect, contact the CLAS Certification Officer, Angie Rhoads at amrhoads@eiu.edu. If the curriculum is correct, click "Begin Application." Follow the directions and click "Submit Application" when finished. After submitting the application, an email will be sent to your EIU account with an initial degree audit.
• Graduation application deadlines
• Request to participate in Commencement by Exceptionality

Other Issues:

• How do I fix account holds?
  • Check PAWS for holds; meet with your advisor even if you have a hold so you can register once you address the hold. Meet with the Department Chair, Dr. Melinda Mueller (mamueller@eiu.edu) for guidance on addressing holds.
• How do I withdraw from a class after the deadline?
• How do I withdraw from classes through the Health Clinic?
• How do I withdraw from classes through the Counseling Center?
• How do I appeal a grade?
• How do I change or add a major or minor?