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for California State University, Fresno.
Advising Services
Advising Services
Student Affairs
Joyal Administration, Room 224
559.278.1787 · 559.278.1895 FAX
www.csufresno.edu/advising
DEAN CHRISTENSEN, Director
Advising Services
The Office of Advising Services provides a variety of services designed to help you achieve your educational goals and effectively use the resources of the university.
We can assist you in undeclared major advising, General Education advising, and academic petition procedures. We can also help you decide upon your major, assist with general academic problem-solving, and give appropriate referrals. You may call on us for initial advice regarding special majors. We are also available to explain university policies and procedures.
Undeclared Major Advising
We advise undeclared majors until a major is declared. We can suggest faculty contacts in the academic departments who will be of help to you. Also, experienced career counselors are available in the Career Services office. There you will be assisted on an individual basis with the appropriate use of vocational testing.
We encourage freshmen, especially undeclared majors, to enroll in University 1 (Introduction to the University) to ensure smooth transition into the university.
General Education Advising
We provide General Education advising if you are not in a specialized
program or major (e.g., Educational Opportunity Program [EOP], Business
Administration, Engineering, Liberal Studies). If you are an incoming student,
we will help you plan a schedule that incorporates G.E. with major and elective
coursework as appropriate. If you are a continuing student, we can help
make sure you are taking correct G.E. classes.
Academic Petitions
Petitions regarding substitutions or exceptions to the General Education and Upper-Division Writing Skills requirements are completed in our office. Normally, an appointment with one of our academic counselors is required. Petition forms for repeating a class and substituting the new grade are obtained in the Joyal North Lobby (see Grade Substitution by Repetition of Courses). Petition forms to request a retroactive withdrawal are obtained in Joyal Administration, Room 106. Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities for additional assistance.
Major Advising
The various academic departments provide advising in specific requirements for a major, minor, or teaching credential. You should meet with your faculty adviser at least once each semester before registering for classes.
The ultimate responsibility for knowing and meeting all graduation requirements is yours. Therefore, we recommend that you check each semester's grades and your Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report for correctness (see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements).
Special Major Advising
If you are an undergraduate student interested in designing a special major, you initiate the process with an appointment in our office to receive appropriate information and to obtain an application form.
A Four-Year Graduation Plan
To facilitate graduation goals, a qualified first-time freshman may enter the Degree Guarantee Program to attain a baccalaureate degree in four years. The Degree Guarantee Program is a formal partnership initiated by a student before the end of the fourth week of his or her first semester. Certain provisions and regulations must be met.
(See A Four-Year Graduation Plan.)
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Reentry
We specialize in the changing needs of adult learners and transfer students. Older students tend to have strong motivation, coupled with an eagerness to learn. At the same time, students returning to school - especially transfer students - often face complicated circumstances. Once you have been admitted to the university and have attended DOG DAYS, we can help you address these complex academic/life/career issues and provide the appropriate referrals if needed.
DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation
DOG DAYS is required for all new first-time freshmen and highly recommended for transfer students. The excitement that comes with starting university life can be tempered by fears that come with starting a new experience.
DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation offers students ways to overcome fears, attain their educational goals, and feel more at home at Fresno State. DOG DAYS will help students feel a connection to the campus. It provides an opportunity to meet with an academic dean, with faculty, and with an academic advisor. It also helps students select courses compatible with university requirements, their goals, interests, and abilities. DOG DAYS familiarizes new students with campus services and highlights opportunities to get involved; it also provides assistance with on-line class registration and affords attendees an earlier registration date.
Parents are invited to attend special orientation sessions that will provide answers to questions about academic, financial, and co-curricular opportunities. Specific topics for parents include parent transition/letting go, academic requirements, University 1; student rights and responsibilities; housing, health, and public safety; parent association; financing education; and classroom activities. Also available are campus, library, and housing tours; the resource information fair; and an opportunity to meet academic deans.
DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation introduces and connects students to the essential elements that have proven to be critical to student success and launches students on a successful journey toward their personal and academic goals.
For more information, contact the DOG DAYS Office at (559) 278.4885.
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