Academic & Career Planning Center

Located in the Academic Commons, I.D. Weeks, first floor
Steve Ward, Director
605-658-3600
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
605-658-3600
advising@usd.edu 

The Academic and Career Planning Center (ACPC) provides general academic and career advisement for USD students on-campus and online. 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

Bryson Irwin
Academic Advisor
Beacom School of Business, Beacom Hall, Room 110
605-658-6528
Bryson.Irwin@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, Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, Innovation & Entrepreneurial Studies, Marketing, Health Services Administration, Human Resource Management, Management, and Supply Chain Management. 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, course scheduling issues, and referrals.

Jill Paulson
Academic Advisor Teacher Education
School of Education, Delzell 114
605-658-6613
jill.paulson@usd.edu

Brandon Hoefert
Academic Advisor Teacher Education
School of Education, Delzell 114
605-658-6611
brandon.hoefert@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. Specialized advising is also provided in CSPS to undergraduate kinesiology or sport management majors after completing their first 45 credit hours. This centralized advisement model is used for all undergraduate students completing a teacher certification program and kinesiology or sport management program. 

Brittany Schultz, Advisor 
Health Sciences Major; Pre-Health Professions
School of Health Sciences Building, Room 219
605-658-6334
Brittany.Schultz@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. Bacehlor in Health Sciences students who have completed 45 credit hours will be assigned to a professional advisor to assist them in choosing classes and with their other educational needs. In addition, pre-health occupation student planning a health care career in a graduate program, either at this university or somewhere else, are encouraged to meet with their advisor to learn the prerequisite classes, additional testing requirements, and application details for their particular area of study. Students seeking a double major should have advisors in both content areas.