Frequently Asked Questions

You will meet with an academic advisor during the afternoon of New Student Registration.  This advisor will be a faculty member from the college or department of your intended major.  He or she may or may not become your official advisor.

During your advising appointment, you and your advisor will discuss which classes are required for your major as well as available options in Butler's Core Curriculum.  Your advisor will assist you in determining the appropriate mix of courses for first semester enrollment.  This may include an introductory class in your major, prerequisite courses or Core Curriculum classes.  Your advisor will enroll you in the courses selected.

Begin by looking at the curriculum guidelines for your major on the department's website.  These guidelines will indicate what courses are required to complete your degree and in some cases offer a suggested sequence.  Next, learn about Butler's Core Curriculum.  These are the classes required of all Butler students no matter the major.  For instance, all students at Butler take a First Year Seminar (FYS) course.  Lastly, explore elective courses and courses that connect to a potential second major or minor.  The first year is a great time to explore new topics of interest.

You must take at least 12 credit hours of classes to be considered a full-time student.  Maintaining full-time status is very important to your financial aid, athletic eligibility, scholarships, and insurance eligibility.  A typical course load at Butler ranges between 14 and 18 credit hours per semester; the average first-year student will enroll in 15-16 credit hours.  For most students, this is about five or six classes.  When meeting with your academic advisor, discuss how many classes will be manageable for you in your first semester, as well as what is appropriate for your major.

First of all, don't feel alone!  Many students enter Butler with an open mind as to what they want to study, and Butler students can even declare an academic major -- Exploratory Studies -- that helps identify interests and possible disciplines to study. Nearly every major offers an introductory class so you may find one that strikes a chord with you.  By exploring a wide range of academic fields and the core curriculum guidelines, you might discover a subject area in which to major, minor, or study as an elective.  To support your decision-making process, you can work with an Exploratory Studies advisor who is familiar with all the majors offered at Butler.

Exploratory students are invited to enroll in a unique 2 credit-hour academic and career exploration class (LC 103).  Decision-making, self-assessment, academic options, and career planning are foundational concepts in this course.

Once you have decided which courses you want to take, use the online course search function to see what time and day specific classes are offered.  Be sure that classes do not overlap or conflict with one another.  Some students find that charting out the times on a spreadsheet can be helpful.  You can also use this enrollment worksheet  to map out a possible schedule.

Be sure to check out Preparing for Your Advising Appointment for additional tips on planning your schedule.

Since Butler University is an institution that values small class sizes, this will occasionally happen.  It is always beneficial to have several course options chosen before you walk into your advising appointment.  Have a list of back-up classes just in case.  And, remember, this is just your first year;  you will have plenty of time over the next few semesters to take your needed courses.

You can contact Butler University's Office of Admission to change your major by submitting a letter in writing or by e-mail.  Letters by mail should be addressed to the Office of Admission at 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.

Butler University does offer course credit to students who have taken the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or College Level Examination Program exams.  If you are registering for Butler classes before you take your AP/IB/CLEP exams, or before they are scored and received by Butler, your advisor will likely enroll you in those classes anyway.  (NOTE:  AP scores typically arrive in July.  Be sure that you have requested that your scores be sent to Butler University.) It is easier to drop a class once the scores arrive than to try to add one later.

Students earning AP/IB credit ordinarily have these credits applied to major requirements, at the discretion of the department or as electives fulfilling Butler degree requirements.  Credit is not awarded for First Year Seminar (FYS).

View more information on AP/IB and CLEP credits at Butler University:

• Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate Credit Awarded
• College Level Examination Program 

If you have studied a foreign language in high school and would like to continue your studies at Butler, even if it is not required by your major program, you are encouraged to do so.  This will enable you to maintain your momentum in the language, and you may even gain a second major or minor by doing so!  If you do have foreign language experience, you will be required to take a placement exam to ensure appropriate course placement.

If you would like to begin a new language while at Butler, please do!  You will not be required to take a placement exam, but you will start at the 101 level.

If you need to make changes to your schedule after New Student Registration, and prior to the start of fall semester, contact the faculty member you met with at registration, the department chair, your college's Dean's office, or the Learning Resource Center.  Changes can be accommodated after June 20.

If you need to make changes to your schedule once the academic semester has begun, the following applies:

• As a first-year student, you must work with your academic advisor during your first semester.  You may complete your own add and drop processes during all subsequent semesters.
• You may drop a course through the first 10 days of classes in fall or spring.  The drop period cuts off at 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day of classes.
• You may add a course through the first 5 days of classes in fall or spring.  The add period cuts off at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day of classes.