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 you with general academic problem-solving, and give you appropriate referrals. We are also available to explain university policies and procedures. Below is a list of some of our specialized services:
DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation at Fresno State
Undeclared Major Advising
General Education Advising
Academic Petitions
Special Major Advising
Four-Year Degree Guarantee Program
Reentry Advising
Sixty Plus Fee Waiver Program
Probation and Disqualification Advising
Campus Advisors Network
DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation
All new freshmen and transfer students are expected to attend DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation at Fresno State. This program introduces and connects students to the essential elements that have proven to be critical to student's well being and launches students on a successful journey toward their personal and academic goals. This one-day orientation helps students to feel a connection to the campus, gives them an opportunity to meet with campus advisors, and provides assistance with on-line class registration. Attendees will receive an earlier registration date. For more information, contact the DOG DAYS Office at 559.278.4885.
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Undeclared Major Advising
The Office of Advising Services provides assistance to students who have not yet declared a major or who are in the process of changing their major. We encourage students to explore their options through making an appointment with an academic counselor in our office and also by attending a COMPASS ( Combining Opportunities to Meet Personal, Academic and Student Success) Workshop. Call 559.278.1787 or stop by the Joyal Administration Building, Room 224 to sign up for a COMPASS Workshop.
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General Education Advising
We also provide General Education advising to students who are not in a specialized program or major (e.g., Business Administration, Educational Opportunity Program [EOP], Engineering and Computer Science, 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 during DOG DAYS: New Student Orientation at Fresno State. If you are a continuing student, we can help you make sure you are taking correct G.E. classes. We will also assist students in understanding other Graduation Requirements for completion of a baccalaureate degree.
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Academic Petitions
The Office of Advising Services facilitates the completion of academic petitions regarding substitutions or exceptions to the General Education and the Upper-Division Writing Skills requirement. For example, students may petition coursework taken from an out-of-state institution or through a Study Abroad program to count for general education. Students are required to schedule an appointment with an academic counselor in our office for assistance in completing an academic petition.
Note: The Office of Advising Services does NOT complete petitions pertaining to substitutions for undergraduate or graduate major requirements . Such requests are initiated through the student's department .
Grade Substitution Petitions and Record Adjustment Petitions are also not facilitated through the Office of Advising Services, though academic counselors in our office may assist students in completing the forms correctly. Grade Substitution forms for repeating a class and substituting the new grade are obtained in the Joyal Administration Customer Service Windows, North Lobby. Record Adjustment Petition forms to request a retroactive withdrawal are obtained in Joyal Administration, Room 106.
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Special Major Advising
The Special Major for a Bachelor of Arts degree provides an opportunity for students to engage in an individualized course of study leading to a degree when legitimate academic and professional goals are not accommodated by standard degree majors. Students who wish to design an academic program not currently offered by the university may petition to design a special major. Make an appointment with an academic counselor in our office for more information.
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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 for this program, see an academic counselor in our office for more details.
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Reentry Services
The Office of Advising Services also specializes 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 a reentry student has been admitted to the university, our counselors can help address complex academic, life, and career issues and provide the appropriate referrals.
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Sixty Plus Fee Waiver Program
The 60+ Fee Waiver Program is a fee-reduction program for Fresno State students who have reach the age of 60. Only students who have been admitted and are pursuing a degree may participate in the 60+ Fee Waiver program. Criteria for this program are as follows:
- Must be 60 years of age of older
- Must meet all regular admissions requirements
- Must apply and be admitted to California State University, Fresno in an undergraduate or post baccalaureate status.
- Must have a declared major and be pursuing a degree
- Must be a California resident
- Must have access to a computer
Once admitted into California State University, Fresno and accepted into the 60+ Fee Waiver program, registration is permitted beginning the first day of instruction each semester. Registration fees are $5.00 per semester. Students are responsible for books, supplies, and any miscellaneous class material fees.
The 60+ Fee Waiver Program does not cover fees for Extended Education courses, summer sessions, Open University or Joint Doctoral Program courses. Parking passes and Health Services fee are optional. To obtain additional program information contact Kathleen Molina, Academic Counselor in the Office of Advising, at 559-278-1787.
Probation and Disqualification Advising
The Office of Advising Services specializes in assisting student who are on academic probation or academic disqualification. We encourage students to register and attend a MAP (Maximizing Academic Potential) Workshop. The MAP Workshop is an interactive workshop developed to assist probationary and disqualified students evaluate past academic performance, and discover the skills and resources necessary to achieve success. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with an academic counselor in the Office of Advising Services to create a plan for academic success.
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Campus Advisors Network
The Office of Advising Services created the Campus Advisors Network to serve as an advising resource for faculty and staff advisors. The purpose of the Campus Advisors Network (CAN) is to establish monthly connections with our advising community, develop camaraderie, and share "hot topic" information to enhance the services we provide for students
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