Academic Advising
Texas Tech academic advisors serve as university guides for students on their path toward academic progress and graduation. Advisors facilitate student growth and development, guide degree plan implementation, and assist students in navigating the world of higher education. Every major and every department provide academic advisors, either faculty or professional, to work with students during their academic careers. Academic advising is an active process that requires input and investment from the student and the advisor. Students maintain ultimate responsibility for their academic progress; the advisor holds the role of guide, facilitator, mentor.
Academic advising is not simply course selection advising. The goal of academic advising is to provide a means of communication and a consistent point of contact for academic support and progress. To that end, many departments require regular meetings between advisors and students prior to registration for the following term. Students should be aware of the advising requirements from their college and department.
Academic Recovery Process
All students admitted to Texas Tech have the potential to be academically successful. Texas Tech recognizes that many factors can undermine a student’s academic performance. The Office of the Provost provides dedicated academic advisors and the Academic Recovery Process to engage, review, and advise motivated students who, for whatever reason, have found themselves on academic suspension or academic dismissal.
Through intensive academic advising, students will develop a personalized Academic Recovery Plan that will investigate the causes of past academic underperformance, anticipate future challenges, identify and implement strategies for addressing these issues, and construct short- and long-term course selections to speed and support recovery.
This generalized Academic Recovery Process is required for all students in exploratory designations who fall on academic warning, academic probation, and for declared students in some academic colleges. Students who are not in academic good standing should review the policy on academic standing and check with their Associate Academic Dean to determine the best route back to academic success. Students who are denied when applying to return to any specific academic college from academic suspension or academic dismissal may be eligible to return to the university as exploratory students after successfully completing an approved Academic Recovery Plan with University Advising.
Contact: Texas Tech University Advising, 347 Drane Hall, 806.742.2189, advising@ttu.edu, www.advising.ttu.edu/recover
Academic Testing Services
Academic Testing Services provides a wide variety of standardized exams integral to the admissions, enrollment, matriculation, and graduation/certification/licensure requirements of Texas Tech, the state of Texas, and specific employers recruiting Texas Tech graduates. These standardized exams meet specific requirements for undergraduate, graduate, and professional career path programs at Texas Tech. Exams administered include, but are not limited to, the following: GRE, PRAXIS, TEAS, and TSI. To learn more about TSI compliance see www.depts.ttu.edu/tsi/.
ADA Testing Accommodations are available to students registered through Student Disability Services. This program provides an optimal test environment for students needing extended test time, reduced distractions, Kurzweil, CCTV, and assigned readers/scribes, etc. Testing protocol is based on the student’s approved Letter of Accommodation issued by Student Disability Services.
Additional programs include classroom make-up exams, CLEP and other credit-by-exam options, and proctoring for distance-learning exams. All exams are administered by expert staff in an appropriately proctored test environment.
Students may choose to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) rather than the TOEFL. However, IELTS is not administered on the Texas Tech campus. A full list of test centers is available on the IELTS website at www.ielts.org. Information regarding scores accepted at Texas Tech for both the TOEFL and the IELTS can be found in the Admissions and Graduate School sections of this catalog.
Contact: Pat McConnel, Director; 214 West Hall; 806.742.3671; testing@ttu.edu; www.depts.ttu.edu/testing
First-Generation Transition & Mentoring Programs
First-Generation Transition & Mentoring Programs (FGTMP) is dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rates of first-generation college (FGC) students as they pursue a degree at Texas Tech University. Through peer mentorship, social engagement, and success pathways, FGTMP is focused on supporting first-generation students as they navigate each phase of their university experience leading towards graduation and beyond. All first-generation students are matched with a Peer Mentor, who connects them to University resources, expanding their network of support to enhance their personal, social, and academic well-being.
FGTMP is committed to creating an inclusive space for first-generation students so that they feel a greater sense of belonging at Texas Tech. This includes leading the education, outreach, and engagement efforts related to FGC students at Texas Tech and nationally. Texas Tech serves as a First-Gen Scholar Institution through the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success. Other signature experiences include the fall “First-Gen Week,” which aligns with the November 8th National First-Gen College Celebration Day, and the spring “First-Gen Student Summit.”
Contact: 115 Drane Hall, 806.742.7060, FGTMP@ttu.edu
Learning Center (LC)
The Learning Center’s mission is to provide students with the tools needed to obtain academic independence and success while providing a welcoming environment.
The Learning Center provides resources to enhance the academic success of all enrolled Texas Tech undergraduate students by offering the following free services:
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Drop-in peer tutoring for Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Engineering, and other courses.
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Online tutoring available Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (www.lc.soar.ttu.edu)
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Open study area to accommodate individual and group studying.
The Learning Center is open Monday through Thursday (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Friday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for in-person tutoring. Online tutoring is offered from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday). Open varied weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
Contact: www.lc.soar.ttu.edu, 806.742.3664
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Marsha Sharp Center for Student Athletes
The Marsha Sharp Center for Student Athletes (MSC) is a facility to support the academic success, career development, leadership development, community outreach, and personal development of student athletes at Texas Tech. The MSC is home to Academic Services and the J.T. & Margaret Talkington Department of Student-Athlete Development. The 15,500-square-foot facility has a hall of honor to recognize the academic performance of student athletes, one classroom, two computer labs, tutoring rooms, and administrative offices for 16 full time Academic Service professionals and 4 Student-Athlete Development professionals.
Programs for Student Achievement (PSA)
Learn more about Programs for Student Achievement (PSA) .
Raider Success Hub
Raider Success Hub (RSH) (www.success.ttu.edu) is an online platform intentionally geared toward student success and retention. Students can use RSH to connect with their success team, which is comprised of academic advisors, success specialists, career advisors, and many more, through multi-channel communication methods such as SMS and LiveChat.
Students can log in to:
- Make appointments with academic advisors, success specialists, financial aid counselors, and career advisors.
- View academic status, alerts, and deadlines.
- See appointments and class schedules.
- Complete tasks related to success plans.
- Explore majors, minors, and careers.
- Send a text message to your Success Team (TIP: Opt-in to SMS by texting YES to 806.742.1278).
Contact: www.success.ttu.edu, help.success@ttu.edu, 806.742.8687
Student Success Specialists
Student success specialists are focused on supporting student success both in and out of the classroom. The success specialist does not replace the academic advisor—who is there to assist with degree planning and course selection. Instead, the specialist’s role is complementary to the advising process and is focused on helping students get connected to the resources at Texas Tech to help students be academically, professionally, and personally successful. Whether students need assistance with time management, aren’t sure who to reach out to about finding mental health resources, are struggling with finances, are wondering how to get involved on campus, or just need someone to talk with about the stresses of college life, the specialist is there to listen and to connect students with the individuals and offices on campus who can provide whatever help is needed. The success specialists are embedded in and work directly with the academic colleges or units to provide specialized retention outreach and support services. Success specialists are listed on students’ Success Team on Raider Success Hub and can be contacted through the success hub portal.
Supplemental Instruction (SI)
Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides peer-led review sessions for historically difficult courses. SI sessions are free for all undergraduate students who want to improve their understanding of course material, grades, and meet others in their course.
Research shows that students who regularly attend SI sessions achieve an average grade level one-half to one full letter grade higher than students who do not attend. SI Sessions are offered in an in-person and online formats weekly.
SI sessions are led by professor-recommended students, known as SI Leaders, who have shown excellent competency in the subject area. The SI Leaders attend every lecture, create activities and handouts for each session based on the material presented in the most recent lecture, and emphasize ways to be successful in the course. SI review sessions offer guaranteed study time and additional support outside of the classroom. Please refer to www.depts.ttu.edu/soar/si/ for the current schedule of SI sessions.
Contact: www.depts.ttu.edu/soar/si/ , 806.742.3664
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TECHniques Center
The TECHniques Center, a program of Student Disability Services, is a fee-for-service academic enhancement program that is the only one of its kind at a public institution in Texas. The program provides supplemental academic support services to meet the needs and promote the retention of undergraduate students with documented evidence of learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Student participants are undergraduates majoring in degree programs that they have chosen. They are expected to meet the same academic requirements and have the same curricula as other students. Qualified staff members work closely with students enrolled in this program to provide support, assistance, and guidance. Certified tutors provide interactive study skills and content tutoring and are trained to work with each student’s individual learning style.
Contact: 1H1 Weeks Hall, www.techniques.ttu.edu, 806.742.1822, techniques.center@ttu.edu
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
Learn more about the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) .
TTU eXplore Program for Students Exploring Majors
Choosing a major is a big decision, but the decision does not have to be difficult. Students who are exploring majors have access to academic advisors who are trained to work with them through the eXplore process. These advisors direct students toward an amazing university experience, an on-time graduation, and a rewarding and fulfilling future career field.
The eXplore process incorporates an expansive list of exploration activities that students can complete on their own or with the guidance of an academic advisor. Providing students the option to choose their own eXploration elements creates a truly individualized process geared toward meeting students where they are in their educational path. By utilizing interviews, career assessments, real-world research, and other tools provided by campus partners, students can identify their values, interests, skills, and abilities. This process results in the student having a higher confidence in their choice of major and leads to a significantly higher on-time graduation rate.
Contact: Texas Tech University Advising, 347 Drane Hall, 806.742.2189, advising@ttu.edu, www.advising.ttu.edu
Writing Centers of Texas Tech University
At the Writing Centers of Texas Tech University, the Undergraduate Writing Center serves undergraduate students, while the Graduate Writing Center serves graduate students and postdoctoral associates. Both centers strive to create supportive face-to-face and online environments in which writers from all disciplines can develop their written communication skills. In one-to-one consultations, experienced writing consultants work with writers at any stage of the writing process on any writing project. All consultants collaborate with writers to address global writing concerns involving focus, organization, and development as well as sentence-level issues. In addition to consultations, the Undergraduate Writing Center offers writing groups and other programming. The Graduate Writing Center offers workshops, writing groups, and thesis and dissertation boot camps. There are no additional charges for any services.
Contact: Writing Centers of Texas Tech University, Weeks Hall Third Floor, 806.742.2476, writingcenter@ttu.edu
Areas & Program Offerings
Programs for Student Achievement (PSA)
Programs for Student Achievement offers the Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) course, which is designed to provide opportunities for students to acquire and build effective learning strategies and personal management skills to aid them in college and beyond. These courses are open to all students at Texas Tech University. The course meets for 12 weeks, offering students personalized support through classroom interactions and individual coaching opportunities.
The PADR student will learn to develop focus, purpose, and direction to achieve success not only in academia but also on a personal and professional level. PADR courses address factors that limit academic performance and implement strategies to overcome such factors. Students in PADR will also learn to effectively locate and utilize campus resources to aid in building and maintaining academic success.
In addition to classroom interaction, students have the opportunity for individualized plans, which might include one-on-one time with an instructor or university life coach. This time allows for collaboration between student and instructor as they work on specific problems hindering success.
The PSA offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Contact: Box 45020 Lubbock, TX 79409, Room 214 Drane Hall, https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ucsa/, 806.742.3928; padr@ttu.edu
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a developmental education program mandated by the State of Texas to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges and universities possess the necessary academic skills to succeed. State regulations require that all students enrolling in public higher education institutions demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics by earning passing scores on the TSI Assessment Test or providing proof of exempting ACT, SAT, or STAAR test scores; an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited public institution of higher education; honorable discharge from the U.S. military; or active U.S. military service. More information can be found at
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/registrar/tsi/. Students with questions about their status regarding the Texas Success Initiative should contact the TSI Compliance Office at 806.742.3661.
The TSI Assessment Test is available through Academic Testing Services, 214 West Hall, 806.742.3671. Students will need to present their driver’s license or passport for identification purposes. After testing, students must submit their test scores to the TSI Compliance Office, 103A West Hall.
Students who have tested but did not meet the minimum scores in one or more sections of the TSI Assessment are required to talk with the academic advisor about required TSI support courses. The TSI office at Texas Tech University works with the academic advisors to provide customized plans for student development and developmental coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics to ensure each student will be successful in their selected academic majors and beyond.
Contact: www.depts.ttu.edu/tsi, 806.742.3242
