Academic Advising

Your program’s degree requirements are listed in Self-Service in the Student Planning section. Self-Service can be accessed through the MyLaurentian Portal. The My Progress section in Student Planning displays the courses and the number of credits you need to complete to obtain your degree. Your progress and degree requirements automatically update as you complete your courses. For more help with program requirements, book a meeting with an academic advisor.

The best way to track your progress is to use the My Progress section in Self-Service. You can view your academic record, see which courses you’ve completed, and check what’s still required for your program. Want to make sure you're on track to graduate? Meet with an academic advisor to review your course plan.

To declare your major, email registration@laurentian.ca.

If you'd like to change your major, we recommend meeting with an academic advisor to discuss your options. Email academicadvising@laurentian.ca to book an appointment.

If you’d like to add a minor or certificate to your degree, we recommend meeting with an academic advisor to develop a course plan. This ensures the credits you take will count towards your chosen minor or certificate. Email academicadvising@laurentian.ca to book an appointment.

You can plan your schedule and register for courses in Self-Service in the Student Planning section. 

Note: Planning a course is not the same as registering for the course. Planning a course creates a sample schedule for you to get an idea of what your semester could be like; registering for a course finalizes that schedule. Planned courses appear on your schedule in yellow, registered courses appear in green. You’re required to pay for any courses you register for. 

For more information and help with course registration, see the registration guide. 

You can withdraw from a course on Self-Service, and may be eligible for a full or partial refund of the course costs. Check the important dates calendar to see when your final dates are to drop a course without academic penalty, and to receive full or partial refunds. 

Notes: 

• If you withdraw from a course, you will not earn the credits for it.
• Withdrawing from a course past the midterm of the semester means you will not be eligible for a refund, and may receive an F on your academic record for incompletion of the course. To learn more about refunds, see the Refund Schedule page.

If you fail a course that is required for your program, you will need to retake it at another time to fulfill the requirements of your program. To learn more about the consequences of failing a course, see the academic regulations for your degree.

Note: If you fail a course, you will not earn the credits for it. You can attempt a course two times without approval from the program. To attempt a course 3 or more times, you will require written approval from the program or you’ll have to submit an appeal. In some cases, failure to complete a required course will prevent you from progressing in your program (i.e. Nursing). You cannot attempt a course more than two times without written approval from their program (or by submitting an appeal).

If you are experiencing difficulties with your studies, we’re here to help. Academic support is available for you through our peer academic program and tutoring services.

Course registration opens in June for the Fall/Winter term and in February for the Spring/Summer term. You will receive an email from the Registration Office letting you know in advance, giving you time to plan your schedule. Check the important dates calendar for the final date to register for classes. 

For a full schedule of courses, a full-time student will typically take 5 courses (15 credits) per term. A full-time course load totals 18 or more credits between the Fall and Winter terms. A part-time course load totals below 18 credits between the Fall and Winter terms.

For OSAP purposes, a full-time course load is 9 credits per term (for a total of 18 credits over the Fall and Winter terms). A part-time course load for OSAP purposes is less than 9 credits per term (for a total of less than 18 credits over the Fall and Winter terms).

Students registered in the Spring term may take a maximum of 15 credits.

A prerequisite is a course that must be successfully completed before enrolling in another course or a program. For example, Algebra I is the prerequisite for Algebra II — you cannot take Algebra II without having completed Algebra I first.

An antirequisite is a course in which the content overlaps substantially with the content of another course, so only one of them should be completed. If you were to successfully complete both a course and its antirequisite, only one of them would count for credits toward your degree.

Yes, you are required to complete certain elective credits to obtain your degree. Check your program requirements to see exactly what is required of you. 

Assignment Grades
Your assignment grades for each course will be posted on D2L throughout the term. To find assignment grades, go to the course page and check the Grades tab.

Final Course Grades
Once you complete a term, your final grades for the term are posted in Self-Service. To view your grades for each course, check the Grades section.

All Laurentian students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at Laurentian and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 60% to be eligible for graduation. Note that your required GPA may vary depending on your program of study.

Learn more about how Laurentian University calculates grade point averages.

Academic probation occurs if your academic performance falls below the threshold for good academic standing. It serves as a warning that unless you are able to improve your academic performance, you may be at risk of further consequences, such as needing to withdraw from your program or the university.