University Academic Advisement Center
for G.E. and undeclared majors

Office Location: Library South, Palmer Wing
Room 1040A
Phone: (323) 343:3150

Office Hours: M -Th 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Who should Get Academic Advisement?
Academic Advisement is required for all new students prior to their first quarter in attendance at Cal State L.A. Continuing Students should also seek advisement as required by the department or college.

When Should Students Get Academic Advisement?
Before registering for classes, you must consult an adviser in your major department, school, division, or College-Based Advisement Center to plan a program of study. After your initial advisement session, you should consult an academic adviser at least annually, or more often as necessary, to enhance academic success. Undergraduate students who, upon admission to the University, are unable to select a specific major must consult an academic adviser in the University Academic Advisement Center for undeclared students.

Where Do Students Obtain Academic Advisement?Undergraduate Students can obtain Academic Advisement from Principal Program Department Advisers in their Major colleges, Faculty advisers in their Major and Minor Departments, and College-Based Advisement Centers. Department Principal Advisers and Pre-professional Principal Advisers should be one of the first stops for new students. Their office locations and extensions are listed in each Quarter's Schedule of Classes.

Graduate (Post-Baccalaureate Students) should obtain advisement from the Department or Division offering the Post Baccalaureate Degree Program (except for those declared in the College of Business and Economics, whose students should seek advisement through the Business & Economics Advisement Center). Graduate Students who do not have a declared degree objective should contact the Graduate Studies and Research Office at (323) 343-3820.

How Do Students Make Appointments for Academic Advisement?
Most advisement offices have some provisions for "Walk-in" advisement appointments. However, it is best to schedule appointments with your academic adviser by phone or in person to ensure sufficient time to cover all of your advisement issues and needs, and to give the adviser an opportunity to prepare for the advisement session.

Be sure to bring with you to the Advisement session any pertinent information that will help your adviser provide you with complete, accurate, and up-to-date advisement information, such as Placement Test Scores (ELM, EPT), SAT/ACT Scores, TOEFL Scores, AP (Advanced Placement Test Scores), Transfer Credit, and Collegiate Transcripts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What courses should I take first?

2. What are the Basic Subjects in the General Education Program?

3. How do I declare a Major?   

4. What is a minor?

5. How do I declare a Dual Major?   

6. Do I need to take English 102? 

7. When do I take the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE)? 

8. What determines my undergraduate class level?  

9. What is the difference between Upper and Lower Division classes? 

10. What is the Upper Division Theme?

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Students should first take their BASIC SUBJECTS (BLOCK A) in the General    Education Lower Division Requirements.

2. The BASIC SUBJECTS in the General Education Lower Division Requirements are the written communication, oral communication, critical thinking and mathematical/quantitative reasoning requirements, these classes are Block A in the General Education Lower Division Requirements. 

3. Students may declare a major at anytime if they have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students first fill out a "Request for New Undergraduate Major" form. This form should be approved by the appropriate major department and is then submitted to Enrollment Services 146.

4. A minor is a formal aggregate of courses totaling 18 or more quarter units, of which at least 12 units must be upper division and taken in residence at Cal State L.A.

5. Students planning to dual major should fill out a "Request for New Undergraduate Major" form. These students should fill out section 1 and section 2 and must have their form approved by the appropriate major departments and the Graduation Office.

6. Yes. English 102 is a graduation requirement and all students are required to complete it.

7. Students should plan to take the Writing Proficiency Exam or WPE after completing English 102. Students are required to complete the WPE requirement before they reach 135 quarter units.

8. Undergraduate class levels at the university are based on the number of units completed. Freshmen (0-44 units completed), Sophomores (45-89 units completed)Juniors (90-134 units completed), Seniors (135+ units completed).

9. Lower Division courses are numbered 100-299 (Freshmen and Sophomore level) and Upper Division courses are numbered 300-499 (Junior and Senior level). Note some 400 level courses may earn graduate credit for graduate students.

10. The Upper Division Theme is a university requirement. A theme consists of three interrelated courses on the same topic, designed to help students acquire knowledge of topics that are current, enduring and of significant importance for humanity.

Why is Academic Advisement Important?
Academic Advisement is an essential component for a positive student experience and your success at Cal State L.A. Obtaining Academic Advisement in a timely way and on a regular basis, increases your opportunity to succeed academically, to successfully progress toward your degree objective, and to graduate in a timely manner. In addition, because the approved degree program becomes the basis for determining your eligibility for a degree, changes in your program must have your adviser's approval. By seeing an academic adviser quarterly or at least semi-annually, your academic records can be entered on-line into the computer during advisement sessions. When the time comes for filing a "Graduation Check," it can be forwarded to the Graduation Office by your adviser in an accurate and speedy manner.

General Education Advisement
Undergraduate Degrees are comprised of General Education courses, courses required by the Major, and Electives. Seventy-two units of General Education courses are required for graduation, and include sixty units of Lower Division courses and twelve units of Upper Division Theme courses. As of Fall 1998, Cal State L.A. has a revised General Education Program. Students whose G.E. Catalog Date is Fall 1998 or later, will find the G.E. Program described in the Quarterly Schedule of Classes. Students who have an earlier G.E. Catalog Date should refer to the University General Catalog for a complete description of the G.E. Program.

Students in the General Education Honors Program are required to complete a minimum of six General Education courses as Honors to have "Graduated With G.E. Honors" noted on their Transcript at the time of graduation. Advisement for the G.E. Honors Program is available in the G.E. Honors Program Office, Library South 1040A.

Course Selection and Scheduling for Major
Timely completion of the Basic Subjects portion of the G.E. Program is of utmost importance for ensuring on-going academic success. These four courses (English, Speech, Critical Thinking, and Math), are indeed basic to success in all other courses and are required to be completed within the first 45 units of course work in residence at Cal State L.A. 

Students should consult their Academic Advisers for help with Program Planning and course selection. Degree Major Program Planning sheets are available in Departmental / School / Degree and College Advisement Offices (see the Quarterly Class Schedule for locations). 

Students should check course pre-requisites and co-requisites in the University General Catalog prior to registration. The GET (Website) and STAR (Telephone-Assisted) registration information is found in the Quarterly Schedule of Classes. Information and Registration Dates for New Students, Program Adjustment and Late Registration are also detailed there.

Tips

• 100 and 200 level courses are for Freshmen and Lower Division Students
• 300 and 400 level courses are for Juniors, Seniors and Graduate Students
• Some courses are designed to be taken in sequence and/or are prerequisite to another courses such as BIOL 200A prior to BIOL 200B, CHDV 140 prior to CHDV 200
• Some majors require Math 100 while others require Math 102
• Cal State L.A. Course Credit for AP (Advanced Placement) Test Scores can be found on Page 68 of the University General Catalog
• The scheduling of courses not offered this quarter can be found under Future Course Offerings in the Quarterly Schedule of Classes
• Many majors have Double Counted Courses. These are courses that count for both the G.E. Program requirements and the Major or Credential Program requirement
• An Introduction to Higher Education Course is required of all First Time Freshmen within their first two quarters in residence at Cal State L.A.
• A Transition to CSULA Course is required of all transfer students within their first two quarters of residence at Cal State L.A.

To avoid taking unnecessary courses See Your Academic Adviser!

Selection of a Minor or Certificate Program
A variety of Degree Minors and Certificates are available at Cal State L.A. A list of these may be found in the University General Catalog.

Degree Minors are not required and may not be taken in the same subject as the Degree Major. A Minor consists of a formal group of courses totaling 18 or more Quarter Units. Requirements for the Minor must be completed prior to or at the same time as the requirements for the Degree Major. The Minor will be noted on the student's Transcript at the time of Graduation. Student's should consult an Adviser in the Department or Division offering the Minor of their choice for additional information and requirements.

Some Certificate Programs are offered within Degree Majors and can be applied toward a Baccalaureate or Master's Degree while others are offered through Continuing Education with the Certificate being the main goal. Certificate Programs have specific requirements, including the amount of course work required to be completed at Cal State L.A., the number of units required, the GPA, and the need for an Internship. Individual Certificate Program requirements and required courses appear in the Program listings of the Academic Departments, Divisions, Schools, and Colleges that offer them.

Writing and Processing of University Petitions
Formal written petitions are required to request approval for academic related issues such as: Repeating courses for Academic Renewal, Leaves of Absence, G.E. and Major Course Substitutions, Extension of Incomplete Grades, Change of Major, Immediate Reinstatement and Readmission, Graduate Credit for Work Taken in Undergraduate Status, and the like. Information and Petition forms are available in Admin 146, College Based Advisement Centers, and Department / Division / School offices. Information about Petitions and filing deadlines, restrictions, and required signatures is summarized in the Quarterly Schedule of Classes.

Academic Intervention Techniques
Students encountering academic difficulty are encouraged to reach out to the variety of support services and resources which are available to them on campus. One of the most important things the student can do is to realize that early intervention is the key to re-establishing good academic standing. Students are frequently surprised not only at the differences between college and high school, but at the ramifications of being on the Quarter System. Students encountering academic difficulty need to realistically look at the underlying causes for their difficulties and contemplate possible solutions. 

Factors such as Unit Load, Study Hours, Time Management Skills, Employment Hours, Family Responsibilities, Study Skills, Extracurricular Activities, and Basic Skills Competencies should be evaluated. A good way to start this process is to make an appointment with your Academic Adviser. 

Definitions of Good Academic Standing, Academic Probation and Disqualification Status are discussed in Instructionally Speaking: Advising Students at Academic Risk. Also included in this essay are the formulas for Calculation of GPA and determination of GPBD Points. References are made to the use of the Repeat Course Petition and to the process for Academic Renewal.

• Good Academic Standing Defined
• Academic Probation Defined
• Academic Disqualification
• Calculation of GPA

Setting Degree Goals and Objectives
Some students come to the University with a specific Major and Career goal in mind, while many others are uncertain of their Major and Career objectives at their time of admission. Cal State L.A. requires that all Undergraduate students declare a Degree Major within the First Four Calendar Quarters in Residence or 45 units, which ever come first, at Cal State L.A. Specific resources are available to help students with Undergraduate Undeclared Majors at the Academic Advisement Center for Undeclared Majors.

Students who have a Declared Major but are uncertain as to their choice, should consult a Counselor at the University Career Center for information on Career and Degree Major opportunities and special interest testing, and an Adviser in the appropriate College Based Advisement Center. Majors may be changed more than once. However, repeatedly changing Degree requirements may delay graduation.

Change of Major Forms for Undergraduate Students are available in the Admissions Office, College Based Advisement Centers, Major Department / Division / School Advisement Offices, and the Academic Advisement Center.

Undeclared/Unclassified Post Baccalaureate Graduate Students wishing to change their Degree/Major objective should consult the Office of Graduate Studies.

Transfer Credit Advisement
Advising Transfer Students requires maximum collaboration between the student and the Adviser. In order to accurately determine which requirements the student has completed prior to transferring to CSLA, the Adviser needs to have access to a complete set of the student's transcripts from all of the previous higher education institutions attended. Students who have had transcripts submitted to the University early in the Application process, and who have returned their completed SIR Form (Student Intent to Register), will have their records available on-line for their Adviser. It is best to bring personal copies of all transcripts to the initial advisement session. An evaluation of Transfer Credits will be available on GET to students once the University completes its' evaluation.

There are a variety of ways in which students may receive credit for Transfer Courses, some of these are:

• Automatically Articulated courses by CSLA (i.e., are pre-approved and designated equivalent to the course(s) at CSLA),
• Probably equivalent courses, which lack formal inter-institutional approval agreements, and require filing petitions for Course Substitutions to have them articulate as CSLA equivalent. See your major adviser for assistance.
• Courses eligible for Community College Lower Division G.E. Certification allowing "Full" or "Partial" CSLA Lower Division G.E. credit.

Transfer course work and CSLA Degree requirements are also affected by such factors as G.E. Catalog Date and the maintaining of Continuing Student Status.

The listing and locations of additional resources and student support services such as for Teacher Placement, Veterans Services, Multi-Cultural Resource Centers, etc. may be found in the Quarterly Schedule of Classes.

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