Common topics of interest  ~  Academic requirements & programs of study

Welcome parents!

As the parents of a new Duke student, you may have many questions about the opportunities, requirements and challenges facing your son or daughter as he or she begins a stimulating and rewarding undergraduate career. We hope that the information provided here will answer some of these questions and introduce you to the many academic resources and services that are available to your student as (s)he makes the transition to Duke.

The role of the Academic Advising Center

Your son or daughter’s academic progress during their first semesters at Duke will be overseen by the academic deans in the Academic Advising Center, located on Duke’s East Campus (map). The deans ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward their degree, completing curriculum requirements and adhering to Trinity College academic regulations, such as declaring a major by the middle of the fourth semester. The deans are also an important resource to students who are struggling with their course work, unsure of curriculum and other program requirements or experiencing personal problems that are adversely affecting their academic work.  

Academic advising in Trinity College

All first-year students also are assigned to an academic advisor whom they will meet during new student Orientation, and who will work with them until they declare their major. Once students declare, they will be assigned to a new academic advisor, who will be a faculty member in the department or program of their first major. The academic advisor is just one of many advising resources available to students. To learn more about academic advising at Duke please click here.

Detecting academic problems early

Many parents of new college students want to know how their son or daughter will receive help when they experience problems in their courses. At Duke, all instructors are required to submit midterm grades in both the fall and spring semesters for first-year students and for any sophomores who have a D or worse at midterm. The academic deans use this midterm grade information as an early-alert system to identify students at risk. These students are asked to meet with their academic advisors, discuss possible problems that are contributing to underperformance in the course and figure out some strategies for improvement. Students may then be referred to the Academic Resource Center, peer tutoring, the Writing Studio or to their academic dean for further assistance. If students are active participants in this process of identifying problems and taking steps to remedy them, they not only should see a positive effect on their grades but will also develop self-assessment and strategic help-seeking skills that will serve them well throughout their Duke careers.

Contact us

If you cannot find the information you need on this site or if you have concerns and questions about your son's or daughter’s academic progress at Duke, you can call, e-mail or schedule an appointment with his or her academic dean. We will be happy to talk with you.