The arts and sciences curriculum builds on an exploration of a variety of academic disciplines supplemented with in-depth study in a major field, and often a minor field. Sound academic advising is an essential tool for cultivating a full menu of opportunities with which to enhance individual degree plans. 
 
Students are responsible for understanding the academic regulations and for ensuring completion of the coursework necessary for fulfillment of the degree requirements, and detailed explanations of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) policies and degree requirements can be found on the SAS Office of Advising and Academic Services website. However, students are not alone in developing these understandings. All undergraduates are encouraged to build a network of support across general advisors, departmental advisors, faculty advisors, and specific program advisors. 

Students have access to a number of advising and support resources throughout their undergraduate career: 
 
General Advising. All first-year students admitted to the SAS receive academic advising and select their first-semester courses during special academic advising programs. Students who are transferring from another institution will receive a curriculum summary that shows the courses accepted for transfer credit. For students transferring from New Jersey Community Colleges, the transfer of credit is codified by law. For those transferring from outside the New Jersey Community College system, the awarded credit will be indicated, but additional steps may be needed to determine the specific Rutgers SAS equivalency by the appropriate academic department. 
 
During the first year, students are urged to select their course registration in consultation with an academic advisor based on interest and the results of required English and  mathematics placement exams. Students are advised by members of the university staff and by faculty members from various disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and science/mathematics areas. The deans and advisors in the Office of Advising and Academic Services serve all students on a range of topics including major and minor identification and declaration, questions regarding the SAS Core Curriculum, cocurricular opportunities, and planning for graduation. See sasundergrad.rutgers.edu for further information. 
 
Major Advising. Students should develop an academic plan and are ordinarily expected to declare their major and minor by the end of their fourth college semester. Students should seek advice from their major department on a regular basis to obtain guidance for research and internship opportunities, special awards, career goals, graduate school applications, and other professional matters. 
 
Specialty Advising. Students may seek specialty advice from a variety of sources, including the Health Professions Office, Career Exploration and Success, Pre-Law Advising, a variety of certificate programs, and others. Students accepted into the SAS Honors and/or Educational Opportunity Fund Programs, or enrolled in the Honors College, will also have access to programmatic advisors in those areas. 
 
Degree Navigator. Students should routinely consult the degree audit system (Degree Navigator: nbdn.rutgers.edu) throughout their course of study at SAS. This online tool provides useful information for monitoring progress in the major, the minor, and the SAS core curriculum. It is meant only to be a guide and not a substitute for consultation with academic advisors.