College of Natural and Social Sciences, Advisement Overview Page

Academic advisement orients students throughout their academic careers and places them in the best position to utilize the personal and institutional resources essential for them to excel and to achieve their academic goals in a timely manner.  Advising at CSULA helps students understand the importance of expanding and deepening an interdisciplinary and general understanding of the world, of enhancing their critical skills, of taking responsibility for a lifetime of learning, and of becoming individuals who engage, enhance, and contribute to democratic society.

Students should seek academic advisement at the beginning of their academic careers and regularly throughout their degree programs.

The University Academic Advisement Center (UAAC) provides students with accurate, up-to-date information on General Education (GE) and University requirements and course selection, university policies and procedures, transfer credit advisement, university general education petitions, and referrals to other University Student Support Services.  The University Tutorial Center helps students to improve their overall knowledge and understanding, to develop the skills necessary to succeed in college, and to enhance their knowledge, understanding, and skills in a variety of specific undergraduate courses.  While the University Writing Center helps students become better writers.  The Career Development Center empowers students to make enlightened career decisions throughout their lives, to connect them with employers, and to provide the skills necessary to successfully obtain employment in a rapidly changing, complex, and competitive world.

For advisement regarding a specific academic program or major, students should consult individual academic departments:

• Anthropology
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Chicano Studies
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Latin American Studies
• Mathematics
• Pan African Studies
• Physics and Astronomy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

All on-duty faculty members are available during their faculty office hours for general advisement regarding academic requirements, course selection, and career opportunities.  For graduation checks and reinstatements, students should make an appointment with a department’s Principal Undergraduate or Graduate Advisor.  You can make an appointment in person or over the phone with faculty advisors through the departmental office.

Remember, however:  None of this information is a substitute for direct contact with a faculty member!