Academic Advising
Connect with FVCC academic advisors to help plan your college experience.
FVCC advisors will help you navigate college including selecting classes, registering, planning to transfer, graduation planning, exploring programs of study and connecting you with campus resources.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an on campus, phone or virtual appointment, contact our advisors at fvccadvisor@fvcc.edu or 406.756.3880.
Walk In Appointments
Twenty-minute walk in appointments are available with an academic advisor.
- In Person: Visit the Learning Resource Center, Monday- Friday 10am-2pm
- Virtual appointments: Virtual Walk-In
Advising Information
Academic advising is critical to student success, and FVCC is committed to providing every student with meaningful academic advising. FVCC employs a mixed advising model with full-time faculty advisors and professional academic advisors.
All degree-seeking students (including transfer students) are required to meet with an academic advisor for course schedule approval each semester. Non-degree students taking courses with prerequisites need to meet with a professional academic advisor. Degree students are blocked from registration until they meet with their advisors.
Students with a declared major are generally assigned to a faculty advisor most closely aligned to their field of study.
New students must meet with an academic advisor to plan and register for their first semester.
Returning students must work with their faculty advisor to plan subsequent semesters.
Visit our Registration section for more information.
New students are assigned a faculty advisor when they meet for advising and registration.
Returning students can find their faculty advisor by:
- Logging onto your Student Portal homepage
- Visit the Faculty & Staff Directory for contact information and reach out to your advisor
The role of the advisor:
- Assist students with defining and developing realistic educational and career plans.
- Make available pertinent and accurate information about FVCC programs and professional requirements.
- Approve designated educational transactions (e.g. registration, drop-adds, directed study, graduation applications, other forms).
- Assist students in the evaluation of progress toward established goals.
- Provide accurate information about resources.
- Assist students in identifying career opportunities.
- Refer students when attitudinal, educational, or personal problems require intervention.
- Reinforce student responsibility for academic decisions and behaviors.
- Encourage program completion.
The role of the student:
- Spend time and effort to identify and clarify personal values, abilities, interests, and goals.
- Communicate and share ideas in the academic planning process.
- Become knowledgeable about and adhere to institutional procedures, policies, and requirements. This means reading, understanding, and utilizing the catalog.
- Contact and make appointments with advisors when required and as needed. The online campus directory has phone numbers, email addresses, and office locations.
- Notify the advisor about changes in appointments, career or major plans, or course schedules.
- Plan in advance for advising sessions: bring necessary materials such as transcripts, placement scores, proposed class schedule, and questions.
- Follow through on actions identified in each academic advising session.
- Request a change in major/degree online via the Student Portal. Program changes submitted after 30 business days from the start of the fall or spring semester will be applied to the next semester. See the Academic Calendar for specific dates for fall, spring, and summer semesters.
- Accept final responsibility for all decisions.
Important Steps for New Students
Read through our 'To Do List' for new students on our Current Students page.