Academic Advising
An experienced guide for your Ivy adventure.
At the Ivy College of Business, all undergraduate students are assigned a professional advisor in the Union Pacific Undergraduate Programs Office. Your academic advisor will help you explore your interests and strengths, map out a graduation plan, and connect with campus resources like tutoring or counseling services. Your advisor cares about your success and well-being, and they are an important partner in your Ivy experience.
Quick Resources
Add or Change a Major
If you are a business student and want to add or change your major or minor, or add a certificate, please contact your advisor for assistance.
You will follow the requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time you initially enter Iowa State University. Catalog requirements are in effect for six years.
If you are currently a non-business student wanting to change your major or declare an additional major within the Ivy College of Business, stop by the Undergraduate Programs Office in 1200 Gerdin, call 515-294-8300, or email undergrad@iastate.edu, and you will be connected with an advisor to assist you.
Meet with an Advisor
Appointments are typically scheduled for 30 minutes and can cover topics such as registration, academic standing, and curriculum. To schedule an appointment with your advisor:
- Go to AccessPlus and click on the Student tab
- Choose ISU Appointments from the menu on the left
- Follow the prompts to schedule a meeting with your advisor. When asked for location, look for 1200 Gerdin in the drop-down menu.
Register for Classes
Students register for classes one semester at a time, in consultation with their academic advisor. The schedule of classes is available online, and students register for classes in AccessPlus, the university’s student records system. For all the details and deadlines, visit the registration page.
Forms and Policies
- Curriculum planning worksheet
- Independent study agreement
- Petition to enroll in graduate coursework (for use by undergraduate students)
- Petition to enroll in undergraduate coursework (for use by graduate student)
- Petition to enroll in more than 9 credits of upper-level courses
- Professional standards and expectations
- Reinstatement policy and deadlines
- Release of information authorization form
- Scholarship thank you letter guidelines
Transfer to the Ivy College of Business
The Ivy College of Business welcomes transfer students and has developed transfer plans for each community college in the state of Iowa. These transfer plans list the courses required for a degree in the Ivy College of Business and show which courses from the community college can be taken to fulfill these requirements.
Transferring from a four-year college or university or a community college outside of Iowa? Check out the Course Equivalency Guide or use the TRANSIT system or Transferology to plan your journey to Iowa State University. Transfer admission requirements are outlined on the Office of Admissions web page.
Support for a Diverse Community
At the Ivy College of Business, we strive to build a welcoming, inclusive community and to prepare students for a diverse, global workplace. The Union Pacific Undergraduate Programs Office is committed to recruiting, retaining, and graduating a diverse student body. Our team includes:
- the director of multicultural student success, who connects students to campus and community resources, coordinates educational and social opportunities, collaborates with the university’s Multicultural Student Affairs Office, and serves as the advisor to the Multicultural Business Network student organization.
- an academic advisor who assists in the recruitment, orientation, and advising of international students.

Undergraduate Student Services
Union Pacific
Undergraduate Programs Office
1200 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011-2027
undergrad@iastate.edu
515-294-8300
Undergraduate
Career Services
Raisbeck Career Services Center
1320 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011-2027
bcs@iastate.edu
515-294-2542
International Programs
International Programs Office
2139 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011-2027
cobintl@iastate.edu
515-294-2652
Graduate Student Services
Dr. Charles B. Handy Graduate Programs Office
1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011-2027
busgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-8118
Graduate Career Services
Dr. Charles B. Handy Graduate Programs Office
1420 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011-2027
gradbuscs@iastate.edu
515-294-5133
Writing and Speaking Center
Ivy College of Business
Writing and Speaking Center
2148 Gerdin Business Building
2167 Union Drive
Ames, IA 50011-2027
commctr@iastate.edu
515-294-9693