The summer before you begin classes, you'll be assigned an academic advisor who will meet with you and discuss your educational goals. 

You are more than a number at SAU, so don't be surprised when your advisor starts asking questions about you – where you're from, what you find interesting, how your transition to college life is going, and how we can help you have a successful first year experience. Your advisor will walk you through general education requirements, suggest a four-year plan of study that leads to graduation, and help you figure out a schedule that works for you.

In addition to working with your advisor, you will take New Student Seminar, an extended orientation course. It's designed to teach you effective time management; note-taking and test taking skills; and inform you about campus resources and academic policies.

Once you declare a major and are accepted into that program, you'll start working with an advisor within that department. Your advisor, who is also a faculty member, works with you for the remainder of your academic career.

Many times, they do so much more. Students and alumni have told us their advisor was more of a personal mentor, and that relationship often continues after graduation.

Our faculty have deep knowledge and experience within their respective fields and willingly share their experiences and guidance with students. At SAU, we want you to succeed.

Questions? Contact the Advising office at Advising@sau.edu or 563-333-6339.

Our Veterans Recruitment and Services office helps veterans and service members with their transition to college as well as understanding benefits for dependents.

We also provide assistance with federal and state benefits and can connect you to various campus and community resources. We advocate for our students and coordinate outreach to local schools, employers, and veteran service organizations.

Veterans, current service members, and their dependents account for more than 5% of our total student body. And according to a recent survey, they are overwhelmingly pleased with the support and welcome they receive when joining the SAU community.

Got a question? Contact Natalie Woodhurst at Veterans@sau.edu. She not only leads this office – she's a veteran and an SAU alumnus, too.

The SAU Academic and Career Planning supports students and alumni in their quest for a fulfilling profession in so many ways.

We help you identify and develop career goals, guide you in résumé writing, provide mock interviews, and connect you with internships and professional mentors. We help you get in touch with SAU alumni who are working in your intended career field and provide networking opportunities throughout the year.

We also offer Handshake, a site where alums or students can post a profile, upload a résumé, sign up for on-campus recruiting, and search for work – full-time, part-time, campus jobs, and internships.

We encourage you to visit the career center early in your academic career, and visit often.

See even more career help in the MySAU Academic and Career Planning Portal.

The St. Ambrose University Counseling Center provides to our students free, one-on-one support; confidential counseling; mental health screenings; and more in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Our licensed, professional counselors can help you sort out issues you are facing. Federal and state laws along with professional ethical standards prohibit the disclosure of any information you provide us unless we have your proper written consent. We uphold your client rights.

To make an appointment, call 563-333-6423. If you prefer to receive professional counseling off campus, we will be happy to refer you to or identify appropriate agencies, centers, or private practitioners.

All undergraduate SAU students have access to free academic support services – tutoring, supplemental instruction, and study groups – through the Student Success Center. The Center also provides tutoring and general study skills for students whose first language is not English.

We make it easy to schedule tutoring on MySAU Portal. All services are provided in a low-pressure setting, which is why our students are quick to take advantage of the extra help. Last year, students made more than 9,000 visits to the Center.

Our peer tutor training program is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association, an international organization of professionals active in the fields of reading, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring, and mentoring at the college/adult level.

At SAU, all students get the chance to demonstrate their academic abilities. Our Accessibility Resource Center does not lower course standards or alter degree requirements. It does offer services and reasonable accommodations intended to reduce the effects a disability may have on your performance in a traditional academic setting.

Services include academic advising, advocacy, alternative exam arrangements, assistive technology, books in alternative formats, assistive listening devices, learning disability specialists, note takers, screening and referrals, sign language interpreters, other accommodations, and staff can serve as a liaison with outside agencies.

SAU's Accessibility Resource Center goes beyond federal law to provide strong programming and support services, and has been nationally recognized. This spring, collegechoice.net ranked SAU as one of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities in the U.S.