Open Option

Welcome to K-State's Open Option program! With Open Option, you get personalized support as you discover your major. Whether you’re a current student, new to college, or transferring to K-State, our advisors work one-on-one with you as you make your transition. Students generally spend between one semester and two years working with their advisor to find the right path.

Open Option may be right for you if you:

are interested in more than one specific major or career path.
have many interests to explore.
want to change majors.
are preparing to apply for a specific major or program, such as engineering, architecture or interior design.
want a supportive relationship with an advisor who can help you stay on track while exploring programs.

Open Option helps you choose a major as you:

select an interest-based Open Option Track to discover majors in any of K-State's colleges.
work with an advisor who is knowledgeable about all colleges, majors and programs at K-State.
receive one-on-one advising sessions during enrollment periods and whenever needed.
navigate university structures and policies with individual support from your advisor.
explore all your major and career interests without changing advisors.

Current advisees may schedule an appointment through the Student Success Center or email your academic advisor if the Navigate portal does not work.

Open Option Tracks

Courage to Explore | Power to Choose

Who is your advisor?

Be sure to check your KSIS account for information about which advisor is assigned to you.*

We look forward to meeting you!

Elli Archer
Email: earcher@ksu.edu

Angelia Perry
Email: angelia@k-state.edu

Tami Duch
Email: tduch@k-state.edu

Catherine Caffera
Email: caffera@k-state.edu

*If you are not currently an Open Option student, please contact the Arts and Sciences Deans' Office at 785-532-6904 or artsci@ksu.edu to be connected with an advisor.

How to make an appointment

FAQ's for Pre-Enrollment

How to Declare Open Option

If your current major is within the College of Arts & Sciences, you will need to email the Arts and Sciences Deans' Office, artsci@ksu.edu, with your Wildcat ID number and your request.

If you are currently in a program outside the College of Arts & Sciences and wish to declare Open Option, contact your college's Dean's office with your Wildcat ID number and ask to change majors.

Can I schedule an appointment by emailing my advisor?

No. Due to COVID we will only be scheduling appointments through an online portal

Scheduling website: k-state.campus.eab.com

If the website does not work, then you can email your advisor and ask for assistance in scheduling an appointment.

Should I wait until my enrollment time to schedule?

No. The appointment calendar fills quickly during pre-enrollment, so it's best to schedule a meeting with your advisor in advance.

Do I need to know what classes I want to enroll in before I schedule my appointment?

You might get more out of your advising appointment if you take some time to first review interesting possibilities or visit the Career Center, but you do not need to have a list. It our job to help you figure it out.

Do I have to meet with my advisor in order to enroll?

Yes. Every student at K-State has an advising flag that must be lifted prior to enrollment. This policy is in place to ensure that students have an opportunity to receive professional guidance.

Can I enroll as soon as I meet with my advisor and have my flag lifted?

You need to wait until your designated enrollment date. You will find this date in your KSIS Student Center on the middle right side of the screen. If you are in class or at work during your enrollment time, you will want to enroll at your earliest opportunity after this time.

What do I do if any of my classes close before it is my designated enrollment date?

Wait list the class and choose an alternate. The wait list works very well and many students have success using it, but you do want to have a backup class in place. The list of courses we form together during your advising appointment will have a few alternate classes toward the bottom of the list.

If I am ready to declare my major do I meet with my Open Option advisor?

It depends. You first need to determine if your cumulative GPA is at or above the minimum level required by your intended major. You should then think about how confident you are in choosing this major at this time. If your GPA is high enough and you feel fairly certain it is the path you want to declare, feel free to declare the major and meet with your new departmental advisor. (First request to have your curriculum changed at the front desk in 107 Calvin.) If you are unsure and feel that you might benefit from having a little more time to make the decision, it is best to schedule an appointment with your Open Option advisor. Open Option advisors have knowledge about all majors and can help you choose appropriate classes.

What if I am unsure if I will return to K-State in the spring? Or I am failing current classes?

It is best to schedule an appointment to form a good action plan with appropriate next steps.

How long do I have to change my mind about courses I enroll in?

You can change classes up to the beginning of the semester. You can even change a class during the first week of the semester if you determine it's not a good fit.

Does my advisor truly care what I want to do or if I am doing well now?

YES! Your unique interests and concerns matter and my hope is that you leave your appointment feeling both heard and prepared for the next steps on your journey to becoming a K-State grad!