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Advising Fact Sheet & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

The undergraduate advising program is part of CTAHR's Academic & Student Affairs Office (ASAO). The advisors can be reached at the general advising email address, ctahradv@hawaii.edu and their offices are located on the first floor of Gilmore Hall.

 

Advisors meet with new and current College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) undergraduate students. New students are encouraged to complete the New Student Advising Online Workshop prior to having their first appointment with our office.

 

Students can meet with advisors through express advising or by appointment. Appointments are required for graduation checks, mandatory advising, and any time in-depth discussion is needed. Students can book appointments online through STAR Balance.

 

Express advising is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. HST (except holidays). Express advising is meant for quick questions and assistance like signing off on academic forms, clarifying requirements, registration info, and quick referrals. Students can sign up for express advising on the days and times indicated through the STAR Balance Express Appointments kiosk.

 

Our advisors complete a variety of duties related to student advising and services. Some examples follow:

  • New and current CTAHR student advising (undergraduates only)
  • Degree and major advising (for current undergraduates)
  • Academic degree planning and scheduling
  • Registration assistance
  • Graduation paperwork
  • Signing of academic related forms (e.g. add/drop forms, complete withdrawals, leave of absence, VA forms, financial aid forms, etc.)
  • Provide information about scholarships, co-curricular, student service opportunities

 

Our advising team relies on our academic department faculty to assist our students with the following:

  • Career mentorship
  • Internship information
  • Research opportunities
  • Departmental student jobs
  • Graduate school information/advising
  • Post-baccalaureate experience
  • Articulation of transfer credits within department
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Selection and approval of courses within the major/specialization area

CTAHR Majors

Students can be accepted into the CTAHR as freshmen, for all majors except Dietetics. Students graduating from CTAHR receive a bachelor of science degree. They follow one of nine degree programs in six academic departments:

  • Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS):
    • Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM)
    • Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)
  • Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences (HNFAS):
    • Animal Sciences (ANSC)
    • Dietetics (DTCS)
    • Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN)
  • Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE):
    • Biological Engineering (BE)
    • Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (MBB)
  • Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM):
    • Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM)
  • Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS) in conjunction with
    Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PEPS):
    • Tropical Agriculture and the Environment (TAE)

Transfer Procedure Within UHM

Students from other colleges at UHM who wish to transfer to CTAHR must send an email request to ctahradv@hawaii.edu to proceed with the transfer. The advisor will verify the minimum requirements for transfer:

Transfer Procedure within UHM
 Major  Requirements
 NREM  2.5 or higher GPA
 DTCS

 3.0 or higher GPS. 60+ earned credits

 B or better in FSHN 185, C or better in CHEM 161/161L, CHEM 162/162L, PHYL 141/141L, PHYL 142/142L, and MATH 140 (or higher)

 All other majors  2.0 or higher GPA

 


Frequently Asked Questions

 

General questions related to advising

 

Q: Where are the CTAHR advisors located?

A: We are located on the first floor of Gilmore Hall on the UH Mānoa campus.

 

Q: How do I schedule an advising appointment?

A: Visit the advising website to schedule an appointment: https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ugadvising

 

Q: Are same day advising appointments available?

A: No, we require students to book an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. We offer express or drop-in advising on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. HST. These appointments are for quick questions and assistance. If your situation requires more attention, you will be asked to schedule an appointment

 

Q: How do I declare a major in CTAHR?

A: Students from other colleges at UHM who wish to transfer to CTAHR must send an email request to ctahradv@hawaii.edu to proceed with the transfer. The advisor will verify the minimum requirements for transfer. If you want to declare a CTAHR major as your second major, then please refer to our multiple major policy for specific information on the requirements needed. 

 

Q: How do I change my major to one that is in a different college (Not a CTAHR major)

A: If you wish to change your major to one that is in another college, you will need to contact that college's advising office. We suggest that you make an appointment with one of their advisors so they can provide you with a Major Declaration form with the criteria needed in order to switch your major.

You can find the list of college advising offices here: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/advising/

 

Questions related to admissions, transfer credits, and registration

 

Q: What are the admissions requirements for CTAHR majors?

A: Most majors in CTAHR require that you minimally meet UH Mānoa’s general admission requirements as indicated on the Office of Admissions website. For internal transfers, you are required to have at least a 2.0 cumulative Manoa GPA (with the exception of NREM and DTCS).

To declare your major in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, you must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

To declare your major in Dietetics, you must have all of the following:

  • 60 earned credits (Junior standing)
  • A minimum total GPA of 3.0
  • Completed FSHN 185 with a grade of B (not B-) or better
  • Completed the following courses with a grade of C (not C-) or better
    • MATH 140 (or higher)
    • PHYL 141 & 141 Lab
    • PHYL 142 & 142 Lab
    • CHEM 161 & 161 Lab
    • CHEM 162 & 162 Lab

 

Q: How do I know if my credits transfer to UH Manoa and my major?

A: Official transfer credit evaluations are completed by the Office of Admissions only after a student has been admitted to a program leading to a degree and has confirmed their intention to enroll.

You can use the Transfer Credit Database to view a searchable library of previously evaluated courses. The equivalencies displayed are intended to serve as a guide and are not guaranteed until a formal evaluation is completed. Course equivalencies are based on the unique characteristics of each college and university, and may differ from one UH institution to another.

 

Q: Where do I find my registration start time and how do I register?

A: You will register using STAR GPS. Once assigned, your registration start time–in Hawaii Standard Time(HST), will be posted at the bottom of the semester you will be registering for on STAR GPS. Another option is to check the registration timetable website: https://www.hawaii.edu/myuhinfo/uh-manoa/

 

Q: Do I have to take placement exams?

A: Yes, you will need to take a math and chemistry placement exam if you have to take CHEM 161 or MATH 140 or higher for your major and did not transfer in with a prerequisite course. Information on taking placement exams is at this link: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/registrar/registration/placement-exams/.

Language placement tests are optional and not all CTAHR majors require a language. Check with an advisor if a placement exam is recommended for you.

 

Q: I took AP Examinations and/or IB Higher Level Examinations. How do I know what kind of college credit I can receive?

A: Please visit the Admission Policies website to view this information: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/policies.html. Click on the Advanced Placement Examinations or International Baccalaureate tabs to view specific details. If you have questions about your scores, please contact the Office of Admissions at manoa.admissions@hawaii.edu. Your test scores will need to be sent to the Office of Admissions for evaluation.

 

Q: I enrolled in early college courses while I was in high school. How can I get these college courses evaluated for credit at UH Mānoa?

A: Please contact the Office of Admissions at manoa.admissions@hawaii.edu for assistance. Your college level transcript will need to be sent to the Office of Admissions for evaluation.

 

Q: I keep getting a prerequisite error when trying to register for Biology, Math, and/or Chemistry. What’s going on?

A: Have you taken your chemistry or math placement exam? If not, you will need to do so before registering for the appropriate chemistry and math.

 

Q: I took my placement exam already but am still receiving the prerequisite errors. Now what?

A: For most students starting in a life or environmental science major (ANSC, BE, FSHN, MBB, NREM, TAE) you will be registering for a chemistry course (CHEM 131, CHEM 161, or CHEM 171) with an introductory biology course (BIOL 171 or BIOL 172) with the laboratory associated with that biology course (BIOL 171L or BIOL 172L). You will need to add all three courses together because they are prerequisites! Please make sure that if you are registering for BIOL 171 that you also select a BIOL 171L.


Q: When is the last day to add / drop courses?

A: You can find deadlines for registration on the Academic Calendar, on the Office of the Registrar's website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/registrar/academic-calendar/

 

Questions related to CTAHR Majors

 

Q: My major is Food Science and Human Nutrition, but I applied for the Dietetics major. Why did this happen and how can I enter Dietetics?

A: At the time of your application, you did not meet all the admissions requirements for the Dietetics major, therefore you were accepted to the Food Science and Human Nutrition major until you complete the necessary admissions requirements for Dietetics. The Food Science and Human Nutrition major shares many of the same classes as the Dietetics major. You will be able to update your major with an advisor to Dietetics after you complete the following admissions requirements: 60 earned credits (Junior standing)

  • A minimum total GPA of 3.0
  • Completed FSHN 185 with a grade of B (not B-) or better
  • Completed the following courses with a grade of C (not C-) or better
    • MATH 140 (or higher)
    • PHYL 141 & 141 Lab
    • PHYL 142 & 142 Lab
    • CHEM 161 & 161 Lab
    • CHEM 162 & 162 Lab

 

Q: Do I need to submit a portfolio to the Fashion Design and Merchandising program to apply?

A: No, a portfolio submission is not required to apply to the Fashion Design and Merchandising program.

 

Q: Where do I find information about the NREM tracks and specialization options?

A: You can find information about the NREM tracks and specialization areas at this link: https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nrem/Undergraduate/CONTINUING-STUDENTS#path

 

Questions related to VA Benefits and Financial Aid

 

Q: How do I get started using VA benefits at UH Mānoa?

A: Please reach out to the Office of Veteran Student Services to learn about using your VA benefits at UH Mānoa. Here is their website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/veterans/. Other information related to using VA Benefits while at UH Mānoa can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/registrar/veteran-benefits/.

 

Q: I’m on financial aid and taking courses at a UH Mānoa and a UH community college. Who do I send my Concurrent Enrollment form to?

A: You can email your concurrent enrollment form to the advisor you met with to discuss registration or any one of our advisors' personal hawaii.edu accounts. Here is our contact page: https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ugstudies/Advising/Contact

 

Q: How do I find information about scholarships?

A: You can find information about scholarships by visiting the Scholarships page on the Financial Aid Services website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/fas/types-of-aid/scholarships/. CTAHR specific scholarship information can be found at this website: https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/Students/Scholarships.

 

Q: Who can I speak to about my financial aid?

A: Please connect with the Financial Aid Services office: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/fas/.


Q: I am taking a course that is NOT IN PLAN for my major and was told my financial aid would be affected. What is this about?

A: Your financial aid is based on the assumption that you will enroll in coursework that is required for your degree program. The Course Program of Study (CPoS) is a process to stay in compliance with federal regulations on financial aid. If you enroll in courses not applicable towards your degree, your aid may not pay for those courses. Your financial aid may be prorated or canceled based on only the applicable coursework. If you see a course labeled as NOT IN PLAN or Non-Applicable, we encourage you to email or make an appointment with your an academic advisor as soon as possible to determine the best course of action. Please see the CPoS FAQs for more information.

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