Importance of Academic Advising
Completing the requirements for your degree in a timely manner requires planning. Academic advisors can help you develop meaningful academic goals. Advisors provide you with educational guidance and connect you to important campus resources and services for your academic plan. Don’t wait until you have a problem to see an advisor. Let the advisor help you prevent any problems. Requirements, policies, and procedures may change from year to year. Advisors can clarify which changes may affect you and which will not. Most of this section considers undergraduate student advising. Specific coverage for graduate students is provided at the bottom of this page.
Undergraduate Advising Services
- Understand advising tools and graduation requirements
- Develop an academic plan
- Evaluate transfer credit
- Choose or change a major
- File for graduation
- Prepare to enter a professional school (medical, dental, legal, teaching credentials, etc.)
- Plan your next semester’s schedule
- Identify and connect with campus resources and support services
Advising Tools
my.SDSU
my.SDSU is the official online portal for student admissions, student records, access to the Degree Evaluation, course registration, financial aid, tuition and fee payment, and more. Training guides are available online at the my.SDSU website.
Degree Evaluation
The Degree Evaluation is a personalized academic advising tool to help you track your progress toward graduation. Your online degree evaluation, available at my.SDSU is a personalized document that provides a status report on your progress toward completing your graduation requirements. The degree evaluation outlines how your courses fulfill your General Education, major preparation, major, and other graduation requirements and shows which classes you can select to fulfill these requirements. You can review your unofficial degree evaluation in my.SDSU to ensure that you are on track to graduate within your desired time frame. Don’t risk a delay in graduation due to a missing graduation requirement.
Roadmaps
Roadmaps provide a recommended four-year sequence to complete general education, major, and graduation requirements. The roadmaps in this catalog were created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and complete degree requirements in a timely manner. The roadmaps created for each major are not meant to encompass every major-specific requirement or a required sequencing of courses. Refer to appropriate sections of this catalog for a complete description of requirements, including: course prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, unit limitations, and General Education approved courses and distribution requirements.
The roadmaps will help you identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement. They will also suggest sequencing to ensure you complete prerequisites prior to taking the higher-level course. This is a recommended guide; however, you are strongly urged to meet with an advisor for appropriate planning.
SDSU Navigate-EAB
SDSU Navigate-EAB is an online student success management platform critical to connect undergraduate students with faculty and staff. Students can schedule appointments with advisors, email their advisor or course instructor, view their success team and view their course schedule.
my.SDSU Student Registration
Students log into my.SDSU to register for their courses. The my.SDSU Student Registration Guide provides you with the information you need to plan your schedule, register for classes, and pay your tuition and fees.
Student Responsibilities Regarding Undergraduate Advising
University Catalog. Know your catalog year (or years) for your General Education requirements and for your major requirements and be sure to access the online SDSU University Catalog. Provided you maintain your enrollment at SDSU, this catalog or these catalogs establish the requirements you must complete for graduation. Details regarding catalog rights are listed under Graduation Requirements.
Use your academic advising tools. Your degree evaluation, MAP and university catalog are important advising tools that you should review regularly. These advising tools will help you understand your graduation requirements.
See your advisor regularly. Don’t wait until you encounter a problem before seeing an advisor. Check your degree progress regularly. Log into SDSU Navigate to review advisor notes and other communications.
Keep an advising file. SDSU does not release copies of other schools’ records. Evaluations, test scores, and other important academic information should also be kept in your personal advising file.
File for graduation. SDSU officially graduates students at the end of the fall, spring, and summer terms. Students apply to graduate for the term in which they plan to complete all requirements for the degree. Graduation is not automatic; you must apply to graduate during the stated graduation application periods. Filing early will assure a final graduation evaluation before your last semester of enrollment. It is recommended you file for graduation once you have passed 90 units. Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/applytograduate.
Seeing an Advisor
There are many types of advisors at SDSU to support undergraduate students. The Student Success Help Desk can help you find an advisor or connect you with a campus resource.
Coordinated Care Advising
Each first year undergraduate student will be assigned a Coordinated Care Advisor when they begin at SDSU. This advisor will ensure that all first year students have the navigational and developmental support to succeed at the university and serve as students’ primary point of contact within their first and sophomore year. First year and sophomore students can find their assigned coordinated care advisor in SDSU Navigate (EAB).
College Academic Advising
Major/faculty advisors for each major and minor are available to help you plan your course schedule, and provide you with advice about career options and graduate school. For advising in your undergraduate or graduate major, contact the advisor or advising center assigned to your major and class level. A more detailed listing follows. View the SDSU undergraduate academic advisor directory online.
Major Advising
The Major Advisor is a professional staff or faculty advisor who:
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Provides guidance specific to your major of record and graduation requirements, including: Academic plan/map; General Education, Course, schedule and elective planning; Academic/personal challenges (see for referral); Course substitution process; Degree Evaluation review; Graduation process; Letter of support; Planning for graduate studies
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Guides you in selecting courses, planning and scheduling your major preparation and upper division major courses, and provides assistance with creating an academic plan to support your progress towards graduation. Only Major Advisors are authorized to provide advice on classes to take to satisfy major requirements.
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Answers questions regarding career opportunities and graduate studies in your major field; Academic plan/map; Course/schedule/elective planning; Academic/personal challenges (see for referral); Course substitution process; Degree Evaluation review; Graduation process; Letter of support; Planning for graduate studies.
Students can locate a major advisor at the major advisor directory.
NOTE: Not all major advisors are available during the summer months. If your major advisor is unavailable during the summer months, email studentsuccess@sdsu.edu for the proper advising referral.
Each of the academic colleges can also provide advising support to connect undergraduate students with an academic advisor.
College of Arts and Letters
College of Education
College of Engineering
College of Health and Human Services
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
College of Sciences
Division of Faculty Advancement and Student Success
Fowler College of Business
SDSU Imperial Valley
The Office of the Registrar
Student Services West, Room 1551
The Office of the Registrar works with the university community to encourage and promote student learning in a welcoming and supportive environment. They support student success through records evaluation. Evaluation Specialists in the Office of the Registrar are available to assist with transfer credit evaluation and graduation evaluations once a student is an active graduation candidate.
Student Services East, Room 2109, 619-594-6298
Students who are Compact Scholars, EOP Scholars, Guardian Scholars and Price Community Scholars needing personal, social, career or academic support can make an appointment with an EOP Counselor or Compact Scholars Counselor by coming into the EOP, Outreach and Success Office, calling the front desk or scheduling an appointment on EAB Navigate.
EOP, Outreach and Success also offers academic support/tutoring and Wellness Coaching.
College of Graduate Studies
For general requirements for master’s or doctoral degrees (except for the major), contact the College of Graduate Studies, Student Services East, Room 1410, 619-594-5213.
For teaching credential advising, contact the College of Education, Office of Student Success (LH-259). Teachers holding preliminary California credentials issued on the basis of programs completed at other universities or in other states, may secure program advising from the Office of Student Success, Lamden Hall, Room 259, 619-594-6320.
New Student Orientation is conducted by the Office of New Student and Parent Programs, 619-594-1509, for new students (freshmen and transfers) and provides important pre-registration advising and campus resources. Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/orientation.
Preprofessional Advising
For specialized advising such as preprofessional advising (premedical, prelaw, etc.), contact the advisor assigned to your pre professional area. See the detailed listing of preprofessional advisors. It is recommended that students contact their pre professional advisor in their first semester at SDSU. Advisement for students planning to attend professional schools is available for the following programs:
Predental
Prelaw
Premedical
Pre Occupational Therapy
Pre Optometry
Pre Pharmacy
Pre Physical Therapy
Pre Physician Assistant
Pre Podiatric Medicine
Pre Social Work
Pre Veterinary Medicine
* Advisors in pre law are not available during the summer months.
For additional information, visit preprofessional advising.
College of Arts and Letters
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Aileen Taylor-Grant, Ph.D.
Student Success Center
Arts and Letters, Room 172
(619) 594-6270
caladvising@sdsu.edu
https://cal.sdsu.edu/academics/advising
Programs
- Africana Studies
- American Indian Studies
- Anthropology
- Asian American Studies
- Asian Studies
- Big Data Analytics
- Brazilian Studies
- Chicana and Chicano Studies
- Classics and Humanities
- Comparative International Studies
- Economics
- English and Creative Writing
- European Studies (French, German, Italian, Russian)
- Food Studies
- Geography
- History
- International Business
- International Security and Conflict Resolution
- Islamic and Arabic Studies
- Jewish Studies
- Language, Culture, and Society
- Latin American Studies
- LGBTQ+ Studies
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (MALAS)
- Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Religious Studies
- Rhetoric and Writing Studies
- Science, Technology, and Society Studies
- Social Science
- Sociology
- Spanish and Portuguese
- Sports and Society
- Sustainability
- Urban Studies
- Women’s Studies
Fowler College of Business
Assistant Dean
- Lamden Hall, Room 419, 619-594-5828
Center for Student Success
- Lamden Hall, Room 419, 619-594-5828
Undergraduate: https://business.sdsu.edu/undergrad/advising
- Accounting
- Finance
- Financial Services
- General Business
- Information Systems
- International Business (See College of Arts and Letters)
- Management
- Marketing
- Real Estate
Graduate Business Programs
- Lamden Hall, Room 448, 619-594-8073
Graduate website: https://business.sdsu.edu/grad/office
- MBA (various specializations)
- MS in Accountancy
- MS in Business Administration (various concentrations)
- MS in Cybersecurity Management
- MS in Finance
- MS in Global Business Development
- MS in Information Systems
- MBA/MA in Latin American Studies
- MBA/Juris Doctorate
College of Education
(Degrees, Credentials, and Certificate Programs)
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs:
https://education.sdsu.edu/current-students/common-academic-concern
- Lamden Hall, Room 346L, 619-594-1426
Office for Student Success
- Lamden Hall, Room 259, 619-594-6320
Administrative, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education
- Lamden Hall, Room 246, 619-594-6115
Certificate Programs
- Cognitive Disabilities
- Community College Teaching
- Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation Administration
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Workforce Education and Lifelong Learning
- Supported Employment and Transition Specialist
*Child and Family Development
- Lamden Hall, Room 259F (Undergraduate), 619-594-7035
- Lamden Hall, Room 403 (Graduate), 619-594-5380
Certificate Program
- Early Childhood, Transdisciplinary Education and Mental Health (EC-TEaMH)
Counseling and School Psychology
- North Education, Room 187, 619-594-6109
Service Credentials
Pupil Personnel Services
- School Counseling
- School Psychology
Dual Language and English Learner Education
- Lamden Hall, Room 332, 619-594-5155
Credential Programs
- *Bilingual Multiple and Single Subject credentials
- Bilingual (Spanish) Special Education
Educational Leadership
- North Education, Room 166, 619-594-4063
Credential Programs
- Administrative Services Credential
*Liberal Studies
- Lamden Hall, Room 255, 619-594-6131
Master’s Programs
- See individual department listings
Doctoral Programs
- See individual department listings
Nursing (Health Services)
- Adams Humanities, Room 3133, 619-594-5117
Social Work
- Hepner Hall, Room 119, 619-594-0780
Pupil Personnel Services
- Child Welfare and Attendance
- School Social Work
Special Education
- North Education, Room 70, 619-594-6665
Specialist Credentials
- Early Childhood Special Education Added Authorization
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Mild/Moderate Support Needs
- Extensive Support Needs
North Education, Room 70, 619-594-6665
Certificate Programs
- Behavior Analysis
- Developing Gifted Potential
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
- Speech, Language, and Hearing, Room 244, 619-594-4787
- Bilingual (Spanish) Special Education Clinical-Rehabilitative Services
Teacher Education
- Lamden Hall, Room 255, 619-594-6131
Credential Programs
- Reading and Literacy Added Authorization
- Multiple Subject and Single Subject
- Reading and Literacy Added Authorization
- Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist
Lamden Hall, Room 255, 619-594-6131
College of Engineering
Assistant Dean
- Engineering, Room 200B, 619-594-5807
Aerospace Engineering
- Engineering, Room 308, 619-594-6074
Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering, Room 426, 619-594-0967
Mechanical Engineering (and emphasis in BioEngineering)
- Engineering, Room 326, 619-594-6067
Master’s Programs
Doctoral Programs
College of Health and Human Services
Assistant Dean
- Education, Room 154, 619-594-6151
CHHS Advising Center
CHHS Advising Website:
https://chhs.sdsu.edu/academics/advising
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Exercise and Nutritional Sciences
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Gerontology
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Nursing
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Public Health
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Social Work
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Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
Assistant Dean*
- Professional Studies and Fine Arts, Room 212, 619-594-6928
Aerospace Studies (Minor)
- Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Room 385, 619-594-5550
Art and Design
- Art South, Room 559, art.advising@sdsu.edu
Communication and Health Communication
- Communication, Room 235, ncartercurtis@sdsu.edu, 619-594-4948
Dance
Hospitality and Tourism Management and Recreation and Tourism Management
- Adams Humanities 4158, 619-594-4964
International Studies (Minor)
Journalism and Media Studies
Adams Humanities 4200, azdiaz@sdsu.edu 619-594-5145
Learning Design and Technology ldt@sdsu.edu
- Distance Education Certificate
- Instructional Design Certificate
- Instructional Technology Certificate
- Adams Humanities 4200, 619-594-5145
Military Science (Minor)
- Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Room 451, 619-594-2561
Music
- Music, Room 224, skitelinger@sdsu.edu 619-594-1779
- Minors
- Music Education
- Professional Studies
- Music, Room 241, tmaril@sdsu.edu 619-594-6031
- Bachelor of Arts in Music
- Entrepreneurship and Business
- Global Composition
- Jazz Studies
- Music Recording Technology and Audio Design
- Performance
- Professional Studies
Naval Science (Minor)
Public Affairs (Criminal Justice, Public Administration)*
Theatre, Television, and Film
College of Sciences
Assistant Dean
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 321
Director of Advising
- Geology/ Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 429, 619-594-1116
Astronomy
- Physics, Room 241, 619-594-7118
Biology
- Life Sciences, Room 102, 619-594-6442
- Cellular and Molecular
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Biology
- Microbiology
- Zoology
Chemistry and Biochemistry (Chemical Physics)
- Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Room 332, 619-594-5582
Computer Science
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 531, 619-594-6837
Environmental Sciences
- Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Room 339, 619-594-2063
Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 117, 619-594-1395
- General Geology
- Engineering Geology
- Environmental Geosciences
- Geophysics
- Hydrogeology
- Paleontology
- Oceanography (Minor)
Health Professions Advising
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 323, 619-594-3030
International Security and Conflict Resolution
- Storm Hall, Room 223B, 619-594-3768
Mathematics and Statistics
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 589, 619-594-7240
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 513 619-594-4170
Oceanography (Minor)
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 117, 619-594-1395
Physics (Chemical Physics)
- Physics, Room 133, 619-594-2051
Psychology Advising Center
- Life Sciences, Room 105, 619-594-5412
Student Success Center
- Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science, Room 429, 619-594-1116
Faculty Advancement and Student Success
Senior Assistant Dean, Administration, Room 220, 619-594-5842
Advising:
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Three Departments, 619-594-7715
- Undeclared Students, 619-594-5842
- Weber Honors College, 619-594-2872
Students who have general questions and unsure where to start may also contact the Student Success Help Desk for phone, zoom or email support. Visit: https://studentsuccess.sdsu.edu/help_desk or email studentsuccess@sdsu.edu
It is recommended that SDSU Imperial Valley students see an advisor prior to registration each semester. Visit the SDSU Imperial Valley Academic Advising website or call 760-768-5502 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
College of Graduate Studies
Tracy Love-Geffen, Dean of Graduate Studies, Andrew J. Bohonak, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Steve Gill, Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies
- Student Services East, Room 1410, 619-594-5213
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The College of Graduate Studies advises graduate students concerning general graduate degree requirements (not specific program advising) and administers the Interdisciplinary Studies master’s degree. Each graduate degree has an advisor (referred to as director in doctoral programs), and their contact information can be found here: https://grad.sdsu.edu/advisors. Credential students should contact their individual departments for credential advising, please see: https://education.sdsu.edu/oss/advising/credential-advising.
Graduate Student Advising
Graduate advising is a crucial aspect of a graduate student’s academic journey, providing guidance, mentorship, and support throughout a graduate student’s academic progress. Graduate advisors and Doctoral Program Directors advise students by providing guidance on course selection, research topics, and program requirements and ensures that students are meeting program milestones and making good progress toward their degree.
San Diego State University and graduate programs have complex policies and procedures. Graduate Advisors help students understand these policies, such as the formal sequence of steps needed to progress through the degree, meeting requirements to clear admission conditions, requirements for advancement to candidacy, thesis or dissertation submissions, or program deadlines. By working with graduate advisors and program directors, programs can ensure that students have the information they need to meet all necessary requirements and avoid unnecessary delays.
Because every student’s path is unique, graduate advising offers individualized guidance. Graduate Advisors and Doctoral Program Directors provide advice that aligns with the student’s academic and professional goals, helping them navigate the specifics of their chosen discipline, research interests, or career aspirations.
Studying at the graduate level can be challenging and stressful. Working with a Graduate Advisor or Doctoral Program Director, to discuss academic, and/or professional concerns can make a significant difference in a student’s well-being and not delay graduation.
In addition to the contact information provided by each college above, a list of Graduate Advisors, Doctoral Program Directors, and Advanced Certificate Advisors can be found here: https://grad.sdsu.edu/advisors
Credential students should contact their individual departments for credential advising https://education.sdsu.edu/oss/advising/credential-advising.
Graduate Student Advising Tools
my.SDSU
my.SDSU is the official online portal for student admissions, student records, access to the Degree Evaluation, course registration, financial aid, tuition and fee payment, applying for graduation, and more. Graduate Students can launch E-Forms through the academic Records tile and their Degree Evaluation through the Degree Evaluation tile. Training guides are available online at the my.SDSU website.
my.SDSU Student Registration
Students log into my.SDSU to register for their courses. The my.SDSU Student Registration Guide provides you with the information you need to plan your schedule, register for classes, and pay your tuition and fees.
Degree Evaluation
The Degree Evaluation is a personalized academic advising tool to help master’s students and independent doctoral students monitor their progress toward graduation. The degree evaluation can be accessed from the my.SDSU home page, and it summarizes completed (noted by a green checkmark), in-progress (noted by a blue square), and missing degree requirements (noted by a red ‘x’).
Graduate Student Forms
Electronic Forms (E-Forms) are available for students in master’s, doctoral, and advanced certificate programs. Online forms make it easy for students to submit and reduce processing time. If you have any questions about any form, please contact your graduate advisor, or Graduate Studies at gra@sdsu.edu or 619-594-5213.
The Registrar’s office maintains forms for Late Schedule Adjustment, and Retroactive Course Changes.
For assistance with Electronic Graduate E-Forms, please refer to the Student Forms User Guide.
Graduate Student Canvas Homeroom
The Graduate Student Canvas Homeroom is designed to provide important announcements and updates that are relevant to graduate students at San Diego State University. Graduate students are added to the Canvas Homeroom automatically. Inquiries regarding access can be sent to gra@sdsu.edu.
Link to the Graduate Student Canvas Homeroom: https://sdsu.instructure.com/courses/141290
The Office of the Registrar
Student Services West, Room 1551, 619-594-6871, FAX 619-594-4902
The Office of the Registrar works with the university community to encourage and promote student learning in a welcoming and supportive environment. They support student success through records evaluation. Evaluation Specialists in the Office of the Registrar are available to assist with transfer credit evaluation and graduation evaluations once a student is an active graduation candidate.
University Catalog. Know your catalog year for your program requirements. Provided you maintain your enrollment at SDSU, this catalog establishes the requirements you must complete for graduation. The university will make every effort to preserve the requirements for students subject to this catalog. All other parts of the catalog are subject to change from year to year as university rules, policies, and curricula change. It is your responsibility to keep informed of such changes; failure to do so will not exempt you from whatever penalties you may incur.
Use your academic advising tools. Your degree evaluation and university catalog are important advising tools that you should review regularly. These advising tools will help you understand your graduation requirements.
See your advisor regularly. It is recommended that you have regular meetings with your graduate advisor/program director to ensure good progress to degree completion.
File for graduation. SDSU officially graduates students three times a yearL at the end of the fall, spring, and summer terms. Students apply to graduate for the term in which they plan to complete all requirements for the degree. Graduation is not automatic; you must apply to graduate during the stated graduation application periods. Filing early will assure a final graduation evaluation before your last semester of enrollment. Visit https://grad.sdsu.edu/current-students/graduation-information.
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