Advisement Questions

Appointments with an advisor are not required to answer every question. Many questions can be answered on this page or on other pages within the sociology website. The department has instituted new procedures for advisement. there will now be several different advisors handling various tasks. Students should look at the list below to identify their advisement issue and the appropriate advisor.

Graduate Advisement (M.A. students) – Dr. Terry Kandal (KH-A1027)

Undergraduate Advisement

Major Program Advisement:

General Option – Dr. Larry Hong
Law and Society Option – Dr. Elaine Draper (KH-A3047)

Minor Program Advisement:

General Option – Dr. Cristina Bodinger-deUriarte (KH-A3051)
Social Gerontology Option – Dr. Cristina Bodinger-deUriarte (KH-A3051)
Law and Society Option – Dr. Elaine Draper (KH-A3047)

Internships/Cooperative Education (SOC 398) – Dr. Cristina Bodinger-deUriarte (KH-A3051)

Graduation Applications – Dr. Larry Hong

Problems with graduation check forms – Dr. Gretchen Peterson (graduation check forms are mailed to students after they have applied for graduation and indicate any remaining requirements)

GE-related issues – NSS Advisement Center (KH-D1044)

Other Advisement Issues – Dr. Larry Hong

2. How often should I see a sociology advisor?

Due to budget constraints, there are only a limited number of advisement appointments available. Whenever possible, students should use the materials here on the sociology website to answer their questions. If you absolutely cannot find the answer to your question on the web, then make an appointment.

3. Who are the sociology advisors?

Undergraduate advisement has now been split among several faculty. refer to question #1 above to see which advisor you should see based on your particular advisement need.

The graduate advisor for the sociology department is Prof. Terry Kandal.

4. How do I make an appointment with a sociology advisor?

To make an appointment with Dr. Hong, simply call (323-343-2200) or stop by the Sociology Office (King Hall C3093) and ask to make an appointment for advisement. To make an appointment with any of the other advisors, you need to contact that particular advisor. You can look up their office hours and contact information on the department's office hours page.

5. When do I apply for graduation?

Undergraduate students need to apply for graduation 2 quarters ahead of when they will be done. The minimum number of units that a student must have completed in order to apply is 135 units. Graduation applications can only be accepted during certain filing periods. these filing periods are listed in the Schedule of classes every quarter and are also posted outside of the Sociology Main Office.

6. How do I apply for graduation?

Students must obtain a graduation application form (available in the Sociology Office). Fill out the top portion of the form (name, address, CIN #). Do not fill out the blue sheet, simply bring that with you to the advisor for assistance in completing that form. If the student is completing a minor, he/she should go to the minor department first to obtain a copy of a signed minor program. The minor program then needs to be brought to the graduation application appointment with the sociology advisor. After completing the paperwork with the sociology advisor, the student will then need to take the application form over to the Cashier's Office and pay the $30 graduation application fee. The cashier will hand the form back to you with a receipt printed on it, which should then be walked back over to the Sociology Department. Once the paperwork is completed and the paid application form is returned, the sociology advisors can then submit your graduation application to the graduation office. This all must be completed within the filing period.

7. I am a new transfer student, what courses should I take during my first quarter?

Until your transcripts have been evaluated by the university, there are several things you can take which will not overlap with courses transferred in from community college. First, all transfer students need to take NSS 301 (Transition to Cal State LA). This is a 2-unit class and it is a university requirement. Second, transfer students can work on their upper-division GE Theme. The themes are described in every schedule of classes. Students pick one of the themes by letter and then select 3 courses within that letter to complete. One course from the natural science area of that theme, one from the social science area, and one from the humanities area. All 3 courses must fall within the same theme. Sociology students may not use a sociology class to satisfy their theme requirement. When picking theme classes, students may choose to select those classes which are designated as diversity classes [indicated by a (d) next to the class where it is listed in the theme section of the catalog]. This enables students to fulfill theme and diversity requirements simultaneously. Third, as long as students have taken an Introductory Sociology course, you can go ahead and work on your upper division electives. The sociology major requires 40 units of upper-division electives. Refer to question 9 on this page for more information about eligible electives. Once you receive notification from the university that your transcripts have been evaluated, then make an appointment with the advisor.

8. What courses can I transfer from community college?

The only lower-division required courses on the Sociology major Program are SOC 201 (Principles of Sociology) and SOC 210A and SOC 210B (Elementary Statistics). Any introductory sociology course taken at an accredited college or university can be substituted for SOC 201. The department also accepts some statistics courses for transfer. Students who take a 3-unit course at a quarter or semester school may be eligible to substitute for SOC 210A only. Students who take a 4-unit course at a semester school may be eligible to substitute for both Soc 210A and 210B. It is necessary to consult with a sociology advisor to find out whether such transfer courses can be approved.

Transfer courses meeting Sociology requirements

9. What are the prerequisites for the required upper-division courses?

SOC 301 (Writing for Sociology): Students must take and pass UNIV 400 (Writing Proficiency Exam) before taking this course. Students need to take ENGL 102 or its equivalent before taking the WPE.

SOC 390 (Research Methods): Students must complete SOC 210A and SOC 210B (or their equivalent) before taking this class.

SOC 412 (Classical Sociological Theory): It is recommended that students take at least 3 upper-division electives in sociology before taking this course. Also, this course should NOT be taken in the same quarter as SOC 414.

SOC 414 (Contemporary Sociological Theory): It is recommended that students take at least 3 upper-division electives in sociology before taking this course. Also, this course should NOT be taken in the same quarter as SOC 412.

10. What if I cannot fit the REQUIRED upper-division courses into my schedule?

It is important that students begin to look to take the required courses as soon as they have met any prerequisites. It is incumbent upon the student to find a way to take these classes before they graduate. The required classes are offered during the day in some quarters and at night in other quarters. It is important to note that the required classes are not offered during the summer. Students should thus plan their schedules accordingly.

11. Which upper-division sociology courses can be used as Upper-Division Electives on the major program?

Students are required to take 40 units of upper-division electives for the major program. Any 400-level sociology course can be used as an elective. In addition, students may choose from among the following 300-level courses for their electives: SOC 300, SOC 322, SOC 323, SOC 331, SOC 348, or SOC 383.

12. Can I take courses in other disciplines for some of my upper-division electives in sociology?

Students may take up to 8 units of electives outside the Department, in related fields, with the permission of the undergraduate advisor. Some work outside the Department is thought appropriate, because of the intimate intellectual ties between Sociology and other disciplines such as History, Political Science, Anthropology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and minority studies programs (e.g., Chicano Studies, Pan-African Studies, and Latin American Studies). A list of approved courses from the ethnic studies, area studies, and women's studies departments can be found by clicking here.

13. Can I take SOC 398 and SOC 499 for my upper-division electives on my major program?

Students may also include up to 8 units of internship experience (SOC 398) or directed study (SOC 499) as electives in their programs. Internship units are job related and sociologically relevant. Students wishing to take SOC 398 need to consult with Prof. Bodinger-deUriarte or for permission to enroll. Students wishing to take SOC 499 need to consult with particular professors to find out if they are available to supervise a directed study course.

14. What are the General Education requirements for sociology majors?

Department advisors can assist students in tracking their progress in General Education as well as in the major. Whenever possible, students should use the NSS Advisement Center in King Hall D1044 to answer their GE questions. For students wishing to track their own progress towards the BA, we have provided a tracking sheet online.

General Education degree progress sheet

One of the university requirements for graduation is that students take 2 diversity courses. A number of lower-division GE courses as well as upper-division GE Theme courses can be used to satisfy diversity requirements. For students transferring to CSULA, certain community college courses can count towards this diversity requirement.

Transferable Diversity Courses

15. Can courses used to satisfy the diversity requirement also be used for other requirements simultaneously?

Courses being used to satisfy the diversity requirement can also satisfy lower-division GE courses or upper-division GE Theme courses at the same time. In particular, transfer students should try to select theme courses with a (d) next to them since this is often the easiest way to fulfill both the theme and diversity requirements.

Students minoring in sociology can use a theme course in sociology (which may also be a diversity course) on their minor program. Students majoring in sociology cannot use a sociology course for their theme. In addition, courses used on the major program cannot be counted towards the diversity requirement.

16. If I receive a C- or lower in a course, can it still be used to meet a requirement?

The only courses in which a student must have a C or better are the basic subjects GE courses (Block A). Beyond those 4 courses, students only need to maintain a C average (2.0) overall, a C average for courses taken at CSULA, a C average for all GE courses (all blocks and theme), and C average in courses for the major. So even if a student receives a grade lower than a C (even as low as a D-), the course still can count towards fulfilling requirements as long as the C average is maintained. This means that a student who receives a D in one course would need to receive a B in another course in order to maintain the C average.

17. As an incoming freshman, what should my academic plan look like for my B.A. program?

The department has created a "roadmap" to completing a sociology degree for students who plan to complete all their coursework here at CSULA. Using these roadmaps, students can plan their coursework during their entire undergraduate career. For a full-time student coming in as a freshman, the roadmap provides a plan which will enable a student to complete their degree in 4 years. Click on the appropriate link below to view the roadmap.

18. The financial aid office has told me that I need to meet with my advisor and prepare an academic plan. How do I do this?

Come to the counter at the sociology office (KH C3093) and ask for the academic plan form. Using the advisement materials on the web and the bulletin boards, complete the form yourself. Once the form is filled out, you will then leave it for the Advisor or Department Chair to sign. You will be able to pick up the form usually later that day or the following day and can then take the form to the financial aid office. You do not need to make an appointment.

19. My NSS 101/301 class requires me to complete an academic plan and meet with an advisor. How do I do this?

Come to the counter at the sociology office (KH C3093) and ask for an academic plan form. Using the advisement materials on the web and the bulletin boards, complete the form yourself. Once the form is filled out, you will then leave it for the Advisor or Department Chair to sign. You will be able to pick up the form usually later that day or the following day. You do not need to make an appointment.

20. How can I get advice on careers or graduate school?

Any professor in the department can advise you on career or grad school matters. You do not need to make an appointment with your major advisor. Simply go to any professor's office during their office hours, visit the Career Center on campus, and check the information on careers here on our website at: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/soc/careerOptions.htm.

21. How do I petition a substitution for a GE Theme course?

Come to the sociology counter and ask for a general petition form. Fill out the form and carefully explain why you cannot take the required course. Leave the form for the Department Chair or Advisor to review. Come pick up the form later that day or the next day and take it to the appropriate Theme Coordinator. The Theme Coordinators are listed in the Schedule of Classes next to each theme description. You do not need an appointment with the major advisor to do this.

22. How do I petition to use a transfer course to satisfy a lower division GE requirement?

Come to the sociology counter and ask for a general petition form. Fill out the form and carefully explain why the course should count for our requirement here. Obtain a copy of the catalog description of the course (many college catalogs can be found online unless it has been several years since you took the course) and attach it to the petition. Leave the form for the Department Chair or Advisor to review. Come pick up the form later that day or the next day and take it to the appropriate place (someone in the office can tell you where). You do not need an appointment with the major advisor to do this.

Advisement Links:

Additional advisement questions may be answered with the following links which explain rules for majors and minors:

Sociology BA Advisement Flier

Rules Reminders for Sociology Majors

Rules Reminders for Sociology Minors

The following links may also be useful in answering your advisement questions:

Submitting an AP grade report

CSLA Advisement Bulletin Board

Transfer Student Services