Advising

Students are not required to obtain their own computer to complete their classwork. The School of Art and Design contains a number of computer labs to accommodate students in completing their assignments. In addition, there are multiple TechSpots (open computer labs) across campus, as well as computer workstations available in Alkek Library. 

However, students are invited to purchase their own laptop, in particular if Communication Design is their intended major, in order to streamline and simplify the process of completing their coursework.

Technical Specification Guidance 

For students planning on using their laptop for creative projects, these are the specifications to verify when purchasing a laptop. These specifications ensure that the computer can handle working with the Adobe Creative Cloud, a suite of art and design applications:

• 4-core CPU (preferably Intel i5, intel i7 or M1)
• 8GB RAM minimum
• 256GB solid-state storage (SSS) minimum
• Dedicated graphics (not from the CPU) highly preferred

Some laptops that meet these minimum specifications include: 

• Macbook Pro 13"
• Dell XPS7390 13"
• HP Envy x360 2-in-1 Flip Laptop 15.6"
• Lenovo Yoga C740 15.6"
• Asus Vivobook 15.6”

Make sure you verify the specifications when purchasing, even in the above examples, as product details can change often. Under no circumstance should an Art and Design student consider buying a Chromebook. They don’t support Adobe Creative Cloud.

Your Time Ticket shows all dates and times when you can register. Access your Time Ticket via Texas State Self Service, found at catsweb.txstate.edu/students. Typically, registration for the upcoming semester begins after midterm: mid-October for spring semester, and late March for summer terms and fall semester.

Always register during your earliest Time Ticket, even if you are not able to see an advisor first, even if you are not 100% sure about what classes to take, and even if you are unsure about financial aid or how to pay tuition. the deadline to pay tuition is several weeks later, giving you time to see an advisor to discuss any concerns you have. 

Academic Advising is recommended at least once a year, or once a semester for more complex degree plans. Plan ahead and book your advising appointments several weeks in advance. Advisor's schedules are often booked several weeks out during the busiest periods.

A course number is composed of a prefix followed by four numbers. 

The prefix can stand for a department, an area within a department, or a major. Within the School of Art and Design there are five prefixes: 

• ART/ARTF = Foundations and General
• ARTC = Communication Design
• ARTH = Art History
• ARTS = Studio Art and Photography
• ARTT = Art Education

The first number following the prefix corresponds to the course level:

• 1 = Freshman
• 2 = Sophomore
• 3 = Junior
• 4 = Senior

The second number following the prefix refers to how many credit hours are earned in that course. The third and fourth numbers do not contain useful information for students.

For example: ARTS1301 is a freshman-level, three-credit studio art class.

A degree audit is one of the most useful of all academic resources, as it:

• Lists all degree and graduation requirements
• Tracks your progress, showing completed, in progress and incomplete requirements
• Includes Plans (academic plans & notes entered by Academic Advisors)

Always check with an Academic Advisor if you don’t understand something on the degree audit, or if you think you see a mistake.

Holds may be placed on your record for a variety of reasons, including unpaid invoices, parking tickets, overdue library materials, etc. You cannot register for classes, drop classes, or make schedule changes while there is a hold on your record.

Holds can take several days to be removed from your record once you have resolved the issue. Check your holds at least one week before registration begins to allow time to resolve any holds that may be on your record

If you are on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension, you have a hold on your record and are required to be advised by an academic advisor. You will receive notice of your academic status via Bobcat Mail with instructions on next steps. Follow those instructions in a timely manner.

If your financial aid is suspended you will receive notice via Bobcat Mail. Follow the instructions in the email in a timely manner, as the appeal process can take several weeks. Do not call an academic advisor to find out why your aid has been suspended; instead, contact Financial Aid and Scholarships with any questions you have about the suspension of aid.

Memorize your Student ID Number (aka A-number). Your Student ID number begins with an uppercase A + 8 numbers (9 digits total). Include your full 9-digit, student ID number in all correspondence with academic advisors.

Pay Attention to the Academic Calendar. This includes the most important dates and deadlines in a semester.

Activate Bobcat Mail and check it every day. You will miss vital information if you do not check Bobcat Mail daily. Use it to contact faculty, academic advisors or other contacts at Texas State.

Stay Organized and be proactive. Familiarize yourself with Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS) used at Texas State; you can find a lot of your course resources here. When in doubt in a course, first consult the course syllabus, then review any other course materials you’ve been given. If you can’t find an answer you’re looking for, reach out to your professor for help; your professor wants to know if you are struggling or need assistance.