Roo Advising partners with undergraduate students to support their success through proactive, personalized, and strengths-focused academic advising. Our team helps students build confidence in navigating their academic journey by providing clear information about degree requirements, pathways to graduation, and opportunities to connect with faculty, career resources, and other campus support. We believe students are capable, resilient, and central to shaping their own success. Through our advising approach, students gain the tools, knowledge, and encouragement to make informed decisions, pursue their goals, and prepare for their next steps—whether that means launching a career, attending graduate or professional school, or contributing to their communities.

Contact us: (816) 235-1148 or rooadvising@umkc.edu

Major Academic Paths (MAPs)

Roo Advising is comprised of seven Major Academic Paths (MAPs):

Arts & Cultural Studies

This MAP houses the areas of study at UMKC which focus on creativity, performance, and scholarship across the arts. Arts & Cultural Studies is comprised of Art and Art History, Dance, English, Film and Media, Languages and Literatures, Music, and Theatre. Faculty and alumni in this area have been internationally recognized for their creative works, performances, and scholarship. This MAP includes the following undergraduate majors:

• Art History
• Dance
• English
• Film & Media Arts
• Jazz Studies
• Languages & Literatures (Classical, French, International Studies, Spanish)
• Media, Art & Design
• Music
• Music Composition
• Music Education
• Music Performance
• Music Therapy
• Music Theory
• Studio Art
• Theatre

Business & Management

This MAP houses the areas of study at UMKC which focus on the data driven understanding of business and the financial world. Students who select these majors seek to understand and engage real-world issues in every sector of industry and commerce related to management, marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, and economics. This MAP includes the following undergraduate majors:

• Accounting
• Business Administration

Exploratory

This MAP is comprised of specialized advisors that will be available to support and encourage students who are exploring majors or transitioning between programs. Students are able to explore options, confirm fit, and transition to a declared major with confidence in their academic plan and future career aspirations.

Human Behavior, Education, & Justice

This MAP houses the areas of study at UMKC which focus on people across the lifespan, individually and in groups. Students who select these majors are curious to understand and impact people’s thoughts, actions, emotions, learning, relationships, and communication, all from various perspectives. This MAP includes the following undergraduate majors:

• Applied Sciences
• Communication and Journalism
• Criminal Justice & Criminology
• Early Childhood Education
• Economics
• Elementary Education
• History
• Liberal Arts
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology (Anthropology)

Natural & Health Sciences

This MAP has a foundation in physiological, chemical, and biological processes. Students in this MAP appreciate scientific inquiry and the creation and application of knowledge. Majors in this MAP prepare students for careers in healthcare, health administration, health promotion, disease prevention, biological and chemical research, and other employment opportunities in scientific industries. This MAP includes the following undergraduate majors:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Dental Hygiene
• Health Sciences
• Nursing

Numbers, Engineering, Technology, & the Cosmos

This MAP houses the areas of study at UMKC which focus on physical, structural, and mathematical understanding. Students who select these majors desire to understand and engage in fields related to technology, geosciences, engineering, and physics. This MAP includes the following undergraduate majors:

• Architecture
• Biomedical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth & Environmental Sciences
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Environmental Studies
• Information Technology
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics (Astronomy)
• Urban Planning & Design
• Urban Studies

In addition to the MAPs, Roo Advising is supported by a FLEX team and Success Coaches.

Flex Team - FLEX team advisors support visiting and non-degree seeking students with any questions, issues, or concerns that might arise as a student at UMKC.

Success Coaches – Success Coaches partner with students to support academic progress, persistence and overall success at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Through proactive outreach and individualized support, Success Coaches work with students at key transition points and during periods of academic challenge, including those on Academic Alert, Notice or Warning, as well as students identified through early alert systems.

Success Coaches take a strengths-based, student-centered approach to help students identify goals, navigate barriers and develop personalized success plans. They provide guidance on academic recovery, time management, study strategies and effective use of campus resources, empowering students to make informed decisions and build confidence in their academic journey.

In addition, Success Coaches support students returning to UMKC after time away, including those re-enrolling following a leave of absence or academic dismissal. They assist students in reconnecting to the campus community, understanding academic expectations and establishing a clear path forward.

Working collaboratively with academic advisors, faculty and campus partners, Success Coaches contribute to a coordinated network of support that promotes retention, belonging and long-term student success.”

Academic Advising

All students new to UMKC are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for classes. New freshmen are required to complete an Orientation module and Pre-Enrollment Orientation Survey in addition to attending Orientation. Students academic advisors will enroll students for their first term courses. Transfer students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their assigned academic advisors soon after they confirm their admission to UMKC to discuss their transfer work and develop an enrollment plan.  Transfer students are encouraged to attend Orientation to learn more about UMKC, our campus, and essential resources. Transfer students must complete the Orientation module before they will be allowed to register for classes.

Every undergraduate student at UMKC is assigned an academic advisor. Our professional advisors are part of an entire success team that will be surrounding students to help ensure their success. A student’s assigned academic advisor should be their primary contact for questions, issues and concerns. If you have a question and don't know who to ask, contact your academic advisor or Roo Advising at 816-235-1148 or rooadvising@umkc.edu.

Advising is a Partnership

Advising is a partnership between a student and their assigned academic advisor.  This means that both partners have responsibilities to ensure a students success. 

The UMKC academic advisor role includes, but is not limited to:

• Supporting students in planning for course selection and registration.
• Helping students learn how AP, IB, and/or transfer credit may count towards their degree.
• Guiding students as they explore majors, minors, and certificates.
• Assisting students to understand policies, rules, and regulations important to their degree program and to the institution.
• Helping students with academic problems.
• Collaborating with UMKC faculty and staff to monitor student performance, following up if a student needs additional help.
• Informing students of resources they can utilize throughout their academic and career planning.
• Directing students to appropriate campus, system, and community resources to assist them to be successful.

The UMKC student role includes:

• Making time to explore, clarify, and confirm your goals for both your major and future career
• Meet regularly with your assigned academic advisor, especially when questions, concerns or issues arise
• Become familiar with the requirements for your major and degree program
• Know where to find essentials resources and technology on the UMKC website
• Plan ahead and come to advising appointments prepared with questions and topics for discussion
• Be open honest and willing to listen to your advisor, hear their recommendations, and be prepared to act on them

Pre-Professional Health & Law

Many students at UMKC are interested in career paths in healthcare and law. For students who plan to enter professional schools after finishing their undergraduate degree, we offer a variety of workshops, seminars, and pre-professional advising. Students with declared pre-professional programs have a Pre-Professional Advisor in addition to their assigned Academic Advisor. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors select a major that aligns with their interests and has the prerequisite foundation necessary for success in their professional curriculum.

Students interested in the following areas are encouraged to connect with their Pre-Professional Advisor early and often:

• Anesthesiology
• Dental Hygiene
• Dentistry
• Law
• Medicine/Physician Assistant
• Nursing/Nurse Practitioner
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Physical Therapy
• Podiatry
• Public Health
• Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
• Veterinary Medicine