Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students
Academic Departments (Advising for Majors and Minors)
Major and minor advising is offered by faculty members in each department. Some departments assign advisors; others provide lists of advisors and permit students to choose their own advisor. Contact the department for referral to an advisor.
Undergraduate Advising Center
The Undergraduate Advising Center is staffed by counselors and peer advisors committed to providing guidance and information to help undergraduate students have a successful college experience. Information regarding advising programs is available on the University website, www.sfsu.edu/~advising. Along with general academic advising information, the Undergraduate Advising Center provides the following services:
Academic Advising. Academic advisors help students understand general education and graduation requirements and assist them in selecting appropriate courses that fit with their academic goals.
Undeclared Majors. Academic advisors in the Undergraduate Advising Center help students make informed and satisfying decisions about academic goals that are best suited to their interests and needs. Workshops, resource materials, and appointments are available.
Orientation. Orientation is a must for all incoming students. Orientations are scheduled during the summer and winter prior to each semester. Information materials regarding Orientation are sent to all newly admitted students. Advisors in the Undergraduate Advising Center participate in the orientations and assist students with selecting and registering for classes for their first semester.
Readmit Students. Students who attended SF State in the past (readmit students) may make an appointment in the Undergraduate Advising Center to discuss the possibility of readmission.
Advising Services
Faculty and staff throughout the University provide academic advising. The goal of advising is threefold:
- to facilitate intellectual and personal development,
- to enhance academic performance, and
- to ensure progress toward graduation.
Regular advising means academic success. All students are expected to make use of available advising services located in the academic departments, the Advising Center, Student Resource Centers and in special advising and support programs.
Undergraduate Student Advising. Advising for majors and minors is available from faculty members in each department. It is the student's responsibility to seek out a faculty member to serve as an advisor. Some departments assign advisors; others have students choose from a list. Contact the department for referral to an advisor.
Graduate Student Advising. Advising for graduate students is available from faculty members in each department. In addition the Division of Graduate Studies provides general advising for prospective and continuing students about all graduate program policies and procedures. Contact the department for referral to an advisor.
Additional Advising and Retention Programs
San Francisco State University offers other advising services and support programs to assist students. Consult the Index in the printed version of this Bulletin or click on any of the following programs.
Academic Fellowships and Awards (below)
College Based Resource Programs
- Disability Programs and Resource Center
- Educational Outreach Programs
- Alternative Learning Programs
- International Student Services
- Learning Assistance Center and Related Tutorial Services (LAC)
- Community Access and Retention Program (CARP)
Nationally Competitive and CSU Fellowships and Awards
San Francisco State’s Fellowships Office is available to assist undergraduate and graduate students in applying for nationally competitive scholarships, fellowships, and grants as well as CSU system-wide scholarships and awards. These awards include generous funding for graduate studies, as well as research experience and prestigious internships in the U.S. and abroad. Competitive applicants are passionate, engaged students with strong records of academic achievement, leadership and public service activities. Preparing for these wonderful opportunities requires work well in advance of submission deadlines to find fellowships that match your interests and experience, to plan your academic and extracurricular life to develop your qualifications, and to perfect your application essays. To explore the possibility of pursuing a nationally competitive fellowship, search the Fellowships Office website for opportunities in your field or area of professional interest http://www.sfsu.edu/~fellows1/, then make an appointment with Dr. Joy Viveros, fellows1@sfsu.edu.
Undergraduate Education continues in Planning Your Studies at SF State.
