Academic & Career Planning Center

Located in the Academic Commons, I.D. Weeks, first floor
Steve Ward, Director
605-677-5381
advising@usd.edu  
 

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Academic and Career Planning Center
• School of Business Student Services Center
• School of Education Center for Student and Professional Services
• School of Health Sciences Student Services

Steve Ward, Director
Academic Commons, I.D. Weeks, first floor
605-677-5381
advising@usd.edu 

The Academic and Career Planning Center (ACPC) provides general academic and career advisement for all USD students. In particular, the ACPC’s staff advises new students that have declared a major in the College of Arts & Sciences, most of the majors in the Health Sciences, and individuals who have not declared a major. The Academic and Career Planning Center also acts as a clearinghouse for the declaration or changing of majors.

The Academic and Career Planning Center helps students identify and fulfill their career goals. The ACPC serves as the bridge between the student’s college experience and employment or graduate school by helping students thoughtfully consider career options and prepare for job searches. By providing comprehensive resources, programs, and counseling on career development, internships, employment, and graduate school, the ACPC assists students in making career decisions, connect with employers, and attain their life goals.

The Academic and Career Planning Center is an excellent resource for all students who seek to improve their academic success. A Learning Specialist is employed by the ACPC to help students develop effective study strategies. In addition, advisors offer classes and individual instruction to strengthen test-taking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Finally, the ACPC coordinates Supplemental Instruction and all tutoring offered on campus and is the home to the University’s First Year Experience (FYE) Program.

Mission Statement

Academic and career advising provides an educational experience to help students explore and navigate a path to degree completion and a plan for the immediate future after graduation. The Academic and Career Planning Center welcomes all students regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, class, gender identification, or sexual orientation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students can describe the requirements for graduation in their course of study before they are transferred to their faculty advisor at the 45 credit hour threshold.
    
2. Students will describe the broader context of their graduation requirements through the lens of a liberal education.
    
3. Students will analyze critically their choice of major during their first three semesters.
    
4. Students will analyze critically their career expectations throughout their time at USD.
    
5. Students will be able to describe the help resources available to them on campus.
    
6. Students will connect the benefits of an internship or other experience to their pursuit of a meaningful career.
    

Carly Heard
Director, Student Services Center
Beacom School of Business, Beacom Hall, Room 102
605-658-6530
Carly.Heard@usd.edu

Chad Pinkelman
Academic Advisor
Beacom School of Business, Beacom Hall, Room 106
605-658-6528
Chad.Pinkelman@usd.edu

Kyle Schoenfelder
Academic Advisor
Beacom School of Business, Beacom Hall, Room 111
605-658-6525
Kyle.Schoenfelder@usd.edu

The Beacom School of Business Student Services Center (SSC) assists undergraduate students majoring in the business areas of Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Innovation & Entrepreneurial Studies, Marketing, Health Services Administration, Human Resource Management, Management, and Operational Analytics. The SSC helps students with their informational needs and coordinates all advising for business students through graduation. All students who plan to major in a business field work with the SSC professional advising staff as they complete the liberal learning requirements of the University, the prerequisites for admission to the Beacom School of Business majors, and the major coursework for degree completion. Additional assistance is available relating to transfer credit, study skill development, academic appeals, scheduling issues, and referrals.

Sherrie Bosse, Advisor
Senior Lecturer
School of Education, Delzell 113/114
605-677-5698
sbosse@usd.edu

The School of Education’s Center for Student and Professional Services’ advisors provide a comprehensive program of advisement that supports students from initial teaching career awareness to teacher preparation, assessment, placement, certification, and follow-up. In addition, advisement is provided as to the requirements and assessments necessary to achieve status as a highly qualified teacher. This centralized advisement model is used for all undergraduate students completing a teacher certification program. Students seeking a secondary education or K-12 major may also work with an advisor in their content areas.

Audrey Ticknor, Advisor
Health Sciences Major; Pre-Health Professions
Lee Med Room 207
605-658-6326
Audrey.Ticknor@usd.edu

Travis Ahlers, Advisor
Health Sciences Major; Pre-Health Professions
Lee Med Room 221
605-658-6334
Travis.Ahlers@usd.edu

Students interested in any of the programs in the School of Health Sciences may direct general questions and seek information from the advisor. Health Sciences major students who have completed 48 credit hours will be assigned to one of the department’s advisors to assist them in choosing classes and their other educational needs. In addition, any pre-health occupation student at USD in another major but planning a health care career in a graduate program, either at this university or somewhere else, is encouraged to meet with the advisor to learn the prerequisite classes, additional testing requirements, and application details for your particular area of study. Students seeking a double major should have advisors in both content areas.