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. 

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. 

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