New students will be assigned a preliminary faculty advisor during their first semester of their course work. In general the preliminary advisor will be a faculty member teaching the introductory core course, PPA 200. The preliminary adviser will guide students in selecting courses during their first year, planning courses for future years, satisfying unmet prerequisites, and addressing other curriculum related issues.

By the end of their first year, each student must select a faculty advisor from the PPA core faculty, which may be his or her original advisor. The advisor will guide the student in further course selection, planning for a policy area specialty, selection of an internship assignment (if appropriate), planning for a thesis project, and other matters. Students should meet with their advisors at least once a semester.