{"id":4784,"date":"2026-03-20T15:33:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/?page_id=4784"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:39:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:39:32","slug":"papm-academic-advising-frequently-asked-questions-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/papm-academic-advising-frequently-asked-questions-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"PAPM Academic Advising &#8211; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        PAPM Academic Advising &#8211; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s be honest: navigating degree requirements, credit hours, and university policies can sometimes feel like trying to solve a maze without a map. Whether you\u2019re a <strong>first-year student<\/strong> trying to decode your first course registration or a <strong>senior<\/strong> double-checking that you\u2019ve crossed every &#8220;t&#8221; before graduation, we know it\u2019s a lot to manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This FAQ page is your go-to guide for those &#8220;wait, how does this work?&#8221; moments. We\u2019ve rounded up the most common questions to help you clear the fog and get back to what actually matters &#8211; your learning and your future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    \n    <dl class=\"cu-description cu-component-updated\">\n        \n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-courses-do-i-need-to-take-during-my-first-year\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">What courses do I need to take during my first-year?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-courses-do-i-need-to-take-during-my-first-year\">\n            \n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may find this page helpful <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/first-year-course-selection-guide\/\">First-year course selection guide <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-can-you-lead-me-through-the-first-year-registration-process-step-by-step\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong>Can you lead me through the first-year registration process step by step?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-can-you-lead-me-through-the-first-year-registration-process-step-by-step\">\n            \n\n<p>Here is the form that will guide you through the process <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/first-year-registration-self-check\/\">https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/first-year-registration-self-check\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-what-courses-i-need-to-be-taking-for-my-specialization-each-year\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">What courses I need to be taking for my specialization each year?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-what-courses-i-need-to-be-taking-for-my-specialization-each-year\">\n            \n\n<p>The PAPM Year-by-year guide is updated each year before the registration opens. Please find the latest copy here <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/182\/2025-Year-by-Year-P1A-to-P4D-.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/182\/2025-Year-by-Year-P1A-to-P4D-.pdf\">PAPM Year-by-Year Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-i-am-looking-for-specialization-or-stream-elective-courses-but-they-are-either-not-offered-this-year-or-are-full-is-there-a-way-to-take-other-courses-as-a-replacement\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">I am looking for specialization or stream elective courses, but they are either not offered this year or are full. Is there a way to take other courses as a replacement?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-i-am-looking-for-specialization-or-stream-elective-courses-but-they-are-either-not-offered-this-year-or-are-full-is-there-a-way-to-take-other-courses-as-a-replacement\">\n            \n\n<p>Taking courses as replacements for your specialization or stream <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">electives<\/strong> is sometimes allowed if the required options are not available. You can select a course at the same level as the required elective courses (usually 3000 or 4000 level), the course has to be relevant to your specialization or stream. Check if you meet the prerequisites for the course and if it works with your timetable. Once this is done, fill out this <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/academic-advising\/course-exception-request-form\/\">form<\/a>. The PAPM Program Director will review the form and you will receive your response within a couple of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: even though the course is approved as a replacement by PAPM, the department offering the course makes the final decision, whether to allow you to register for the course.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-is-there-a-list-of-courses-that-were-approved-as-replacements-for-this-term-already\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong>Is there a list of courses that were approved as replacements for this term already?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-is-there-a-list-of-courses-that-were-approved-as-replacements-for-this-term-already\">\n            \n\n<p>This answer is coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-i-am-having-trouble-navigating-my-language-requirement-can-you-map-this-process-for-me-please\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">I am having trouble navigating my language requirement. Can you map this process for me, please?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-i-am-having-trouble-navigating-my-language-requirement-can-you-map-this-process-for-me-please\">\n            \n\n<p>This answer is coming soon. In the meantime please fill out this <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/papm-language-requirement\/\">form<\/a> to help us know where you stand.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-i-am-a-fourth-year-student-planning-to-graduate-how-can-i-make-sure-that-i-have-fulfilled-all-the-program-requirements\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">I am a fourth-year student planning to graduate. How can I make sure that I have fulfilled all the program requirements?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-i-am-a-fourth-year-student-planning-to-graduate-how-can-i-make-sure-that-i-have-fulfilled-all-the-program-requirements\">\n            \n\n<p>If you are planning to graduate this year, please check your audit. There are several things you need to pay attention to:<br>If you are registered for all the necessary courses to fulfill the program requirements, your audit will state ALL REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED<br><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/182\/2026\/03\/image.jpg\" alt=\"All requirements completed\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it doesn\u2019t state this, but you know that you have fulfilled the requirements, your audit may need adjustment. Please reach out to <a href=\"mailto:bpapm@carleton.ca\">bpapm@carleton.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One other reason why your audit may not display this note is that you have not fulfilled the co-op requirement. In this case, please reach out to your co-op advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Please also look at the bottom of your audit, there may be some courses set aside there<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"456\" height=\"102\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/182\/2026\/03\/image-1.jpg\" alt=\"Courses set aside\" class=\"wp-image-4786\" style=\"width:997px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/182\/2026\/03\/image-1.jpg 456w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/182\/2026\/03\/image-1-320x72.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some courses are set aside because you have repeated them, some because of the failing grade. However, if you see some courses set aside as excess, you may need to discuss this with the PAPM Academic Advising.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-i-have-not-found-my-question-here-how-can-i-reach-the-papm-academic-advising\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    <strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">I have not found my question here. How can I reach the PAPM Academic Advising?<\/strong>\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-i-have-not-found-my-question-here-how-can-i-reach-the-papm-academic-advising\">\n            \n\n<p>Please fill out this form <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/academic-advising\/\">https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/academic-advising\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s be honest: navigating degree requirements, credit hours, and university policies can sometimes feel like trying to solve a maze without a map. Whether you\u2019re a first-year student trying to decode your first course registration or a senior double-checking that you\u2019ve crossed every &#8220;t&#8221; before graduation, we know it\u2019s a lot to manage. This FAQ [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":480,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[],"class_list":["post-4784","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4784","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/480"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4784"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4784\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4819,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4784\/revisions\/4819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4784"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/bpapm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=4784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}