Advising and Counseling at SJSU
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If you've been on campus for any length of time, you might have noticed that there are a few different locations on campus that offer advising and/or counseling. You may be asking yourself, "Who do I see for what?" The guide below attempts to answer that question. You may need to see a couple different offices to get your needs met on campus.
- Academic Advisors (General Education)
- Athletic Academic Advising
- Career Counseling
- College Advising Centers
- Counseling (Educational, Personal and Psychiatric/Psychological)
- Disability Resource Center Academic Advising
- Educational Opportunity Program Advising (EOP)
- Graduate Advising
- Major/Minor Advising
- Pre-Admission Counseling
- Pre-Professional Advising (Pre-Health, Pre-Law, etc.)
- Wellness and Health Counseling
Academic Advisors (General Education)
Academic Advisors at Academic Advising & Retention Services provide advising and retention services for progression towards the baccalaureate degree and potential post-baccalaureate work. Academic Advisors can help you choose which classes to take for your required general education, explain policies, address probation and reinstatement issues, help you review your degree progress audit, help you consider whether you are in the appropriate major and provide appropriate referrals to other offices. For more information, please see the Academic Advising & Retention Services website.
Athletic Academic Advisors
Athletic Academic Advisors provide academic and learning support to NCAA student-athletes. In addition to monitoring academic progress, assisting student-athletes in finding the appropriate balance between academics and athletics, and advocating for equal opportunities for student-athletes, these advisors are charged with remaining current on NCAA academic requirements and rules, with understanding the interaction between SJSU policies and NCAA requirements, and with educating student-athletes and the campus on that interaction.
Career Counseling
The Career Center houses Career Consultants to help you in making career-planning decisions and marketing your skills to employers. The staff at the Career Center are able to help you in your quest to find a suitable major and occupation to go into after graduation. They also have tools to help you find a job and/or internship(s) during and after your university career. The Career Center can only help you choose classes in relation to preparation for your career choices and does not provide academic advising.
College Advising Centers
- The Business Student Advising Center (BSAC) provides advising services to undergraduate and second baccalaureate students in Business.
- The Engineering Student Success Center (ESSC) provides advising services to undergraduate students in Engineering.
- The College of Science Student Advising Center (COSAC) provides advising services to Science Majors and Minors.
- The other Colleges do not currently have their own Advising Centers. Some departments have webpages about their advising, which you may find on our Advisor/Counselor Contact Info webpage. If you do not see your major department listed, please call your major/minor department office to find out how to make an appointment with an advisor.
Disability Resource Center Academic Advising
The Disability Resource Center offers General Education advisement to students with disabilities. Medical or appropriate professional verification such as learning disabilities assessments are required before services can be provided. All major advisement must be provided by advisors in the major department (not at the DRC). The DRC interfaces with faculty advisors and acts as a resource as needed. For more information about Advising at the Disability Resource Center, please visit the DRC Academic Advising webpage.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Advisors
EOP Advisors work primarily with students who have been accepted into the Educational Opportunity Program. In Spring 2009, EOP celebrated its 40th anniversary as a California program that provides admission, academic support, and retention services to historically educationally underserved students and first-generation college students who meet certain income restrictions. EOP Advisors work with students to create Educational Plans, monitor student academic progress, advocate for equal access and opportunity with regard to other university services. EOP provides a Summer Bridge program and other transitional services, and they support and celebrate the success of students whose academic profile may not reflect their potential. If you have questions about this program, please visit the EOP website.
EOP also offers:
- Summer Frosh & Transfer Bridge Programs
- Fresh Start for First Time Freshmen
- EOP Learning Communities
- Mentor Program
Educational, Personal and Psychiatric/Psychological Counselors
Counselors at Counseling Services assist students with personal and educational issues that may arise during your SJSU
career.
Educational Counselors can help you with a variety of academic concerns, including but not limited to:
- Adjusting to the university environment and academic expectations.
- Improving study skills.
- Choosing an appropriate major for long-term goals.
- Enhancing individual learning style.
- Overcoming academic difficulties and improving academic performance.
- Utilizing better time management skills to accomplish priorities.
Personal Counselors can assist you with meeting life's challenges in a safe and confidential manner. For example:
- Gaining understanding, knowledge, and possibly a different perspective on various life circumstances.
- Assisting you in figuring out ways to best cope with life problems and find constructive ways to deal with situations that may be beyond your control.
- Dealing with everyday issues (e.g., relationship difficulties, death of a loved one, stress) as well as significant life struggles (e.g., depression, eating disorders, etc.).
Graduate Advisors
Graduate Advisors see students who are enrolled in, or are interested in enrolling in, a graduate program (ie. MA, MS, etc.) at SJSU. They are located in the graduate program department, and can help students decide which classes to take for their graduate program.
Major/Minor Advisors
Major and Minor Advisors can help you choose the classes you need to take to fulfill the requirements necessary to complete a major or minor. Departmental Advisors are also the most knowledgeable people in terms of how to choose classes and use a minor/electives to "steer" your major in a particular direction, prepare for advanced/graduate study, and/or build your strengths for certain careers in your chosen field. You can find your major or minor advisor by visiting your specific program's department office.
College Specific Advising Centers
- The Business Student Advising Center (BSAC) provides advising services to undergraduate and second baccalaureate students in Business.
- The Engineering Student Success Center (ESSC) provides advising services to undergraduate students in Engineering.
- The College of Science Student Advising Center (COSAC) provides advising services to Science Majors and Minors.
- The other Colleges do not currently have their own Advising Centers. Some departments have webpages about their advising, which you may find on our Advisor/Counselor Contact Info webpage. If you do not see your major department listed, please call your major/minor department office to find out how to make an appointment with an advisor.
Pre-Admission Counseling
Pre-Admission Counseling is available to prospective undergraduate students (those who have not yet applied to SJSU) in the Student Services Center. This counseling is offered to assist students with understanding admission requirements to SJSU. An admissions counselor will help with the following topics:
- Review CSU & EOP application process
- Review the online application process
- Review admission requirements for first time freshmen and transfer students
- Review the A-G subject requirements, testing, and GPA requirements for first time freshmen.
- Review the Four Basic Skills requirements for transfer students
Pre-Professional Advising
Students interested in Professional school should consult with the appropriate pre-professional advisor.
- Advising for Pre-Professional Studies (Where to Find)
- Preparation for Health Professions
- Preparation for Law School
Wellness and Health Counseling
Professional health educators in the Wellness and Health Promotion department of the Student Health Center provide free one-on-one counseling on a number of topics, including: nutrition, sexual health and birth control, HIV pre-test counseling, smoking cessation, alcohol and other drugs, stress management, and violence prevention. Many of these topics are also addressed in workshops offered through Wellness and Health Promotion. Students interested in making an appointment should contact the Student Health Center.
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