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Academic Advising

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Mission and Purpose

Research has indicated that a strong academic advising system is an essential ingredient of undergraduate student success in higher education.

A shared responsibility between adviser and student, academic advising serves to assist students in identifying and assessing academic alternatives and the directions in which they lead. Its purpose is to help students take ultimate responsibility for identifying and making decisions about life goals and making meaningful educational plans that are compatible with those goals. Through academic advising the University provides an environment that is welcoming and supportive.

Why Academic Advising Is Important

Completing the requirements for your degree in a timely manner requires PLANNING. Academic advisers can help you develop your academic plan. Don't wait until you have a problem to see an adviser. Let the adviser help you prevent any problems! Planning saves time, money, and aggravation. The sooner you make the decision about what your major will be, the better you can plan your academic program. There are many program choices available at SDSU, an adviser can assist you with this decision process. Choosing the major that is right for you and compatible with your life goals will enhance your academic success. Requirements, policies, and procedures may change from year to year. Advisers can clarify which changes may affect you and which will not.

Advising Is Available to Help Students

• Understand graduation requirements
• Develop an academic plan
• Evaluate transfer credit
• Choose or change a major
• Plan your next semester's schedule
• Clear mathematics and writing competencies
• Remove probationary status to avoid disqualification
• File for graduation
• Investigate job market opportunities

What Are the Students' Responsibilities Regarding Advising?

Purchase a General Catalog. Know your catalog year (or years) for your General Education requirements and for your major requirements and be sure you have a copy of this catalog. Provided you maintain your enrollment at SDSU, this catalog or these catalogs establish the requirements you must complete for graduation. Details regarding catalog rights are listed under Graduation Requirements in this section of the catalog.

See your adviser regularly. Don't wait until you encounter a problem before seeing an adviser. Check your degree progress regularly.

Keep an advising file. Advisers DO NOT have copies of your records. Keep a personal copy of transcripts (official or unofficial) from each college or university you have attended in a file and bring it to your advising session. You can obtain an unofficial copy of your SDSU record for a fee from Admissions and Records. SDSU does not release copies of other schools' records. Evaluations, test scores, and other important academic information should also be kept in your advising file.

Plan your advising sessions during non-peak times. Advisers and advising centers are busiest during registration periods and the first weeks of classes. If you can avoid these busy advising times with a little planning, you will save yourself time and aggravation. Faculty advisers (major advisers) are not always available during the summer months or between semesters.

Order an official degree evaluation as soon as you are eligible. An enrolled and registered undergraduate student with 56 or more earned units, who has a declared major, and has all official transcripts on file, is eligible for an official degree evaluation. Students may submit a request for an evaluation to the Office of Admissions and Records or by calling (619) 594-7800. The evaluation will be mailed to the student in two to six months. An early official evaluation will help assure that you have no surprises at graduation time.

File for graduation. Graduation is not automatic, you must file a graduation application during the stated graduation application periods. Filing early will assure a final graduation evaluation before your last semester of enrollment.

Where To Go For Academic Advising

For general undergraduate advising regarding graduation requirements, General Education, competency requirements, probation and disqualification, and university policies and procedures; if you are undecided about a major; or if you are a Liberal Studies (elementary education) major; go to the University Advising Center, Student Services, Room 1641, (619) 594-6668.

For advising in your major, undergraduate and graduate students should contact the adviser or advising center assigned to your major and class level. A more detailed listing follows.

For advising for students in the Educational Opportunity Program, go to the Office of Educational Opportunity/Ethnic Affairs, Student Services, Room 2209, (619) 594-6298.

For general requirements for the master's or doctoral degrees (except for the major), students should contact the Graduate Division, Centennial Hall, Room 3320, (619) 594-5213.

For teaching credential advising, you should contact the adviser assigned to your specific area. A more detailed listing follows. Teachers holding preliminary California credentials issued on the basis of programs completed at other universities or in other states, may secure program advising from the Center for Careers in Education, Education, Room 100, (619) 594-5964.

For specialized advising such as preprofessional advising (premedical, prelaw, etc.), you should contact the adviser assigned to your preprofessional area. A more detailed listing follows.

Academic Orientation is conducted by the Student Resource Center, Student Services, Room 1602, (619) 594-5521, for new students (freshmen and transfers) and provides important pre-registration group advising. New students will be sent information through the mail.

The following chart lists more specific information regarding the location and telephone numbers of SDSU academic advisers. A more complete directory of academic advisers at SDSU is available on the World Wide Web at http:libweb.sdsu.edu/advising/advserv.html or via the printed Directory of Advising Services at SDSU available in the University Advising Center.

Advising Centers

PREPROFESSIONAL ADVISING

It is recommended that students contact their preprofessional adviser in their first semester at SDSU. Advisement for students planning to attend professional schools is available for the following programs:

* Advisers in prelaw are not available during the summer months.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
(Degrees and Credential Programs)

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES AND FINE ARTS

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES

DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

GRADUATE DIVISION

IMPERIAL VALLEY CAMPUS ADVISING

Catalogs and Bulletins

The General Catalog is published annually in May and can be purchased at The Campus Store. The catalog carries information on admissions, fees and tuition, programs and degrees, courses, scholarships, residence halls, student services and activities, and a faculty directory.

The Graduate Bulletin is published annually in May and can be purchased at The Campus Store.

The Summer Sessions Bulletin , issued each April, includes an application form, information on admissions and registration, fees, living accommodations, courses, institutes, workshops, and study tours. It may be obtained free upon request to the Summer Sessions Office.

The Class Schedule with instructions for registration is published prior to the opening of each semester and may be purchased at The Campus Store.

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