Navigating Success: Comprehensive Counseling Services at Citrus College

Citrus College is dedicated to supporting its students' academic, career, and personal growth through a wide array of counseling services and resources. These services are designed to enhance the educational experience and assist students in identifying and accomplishing their educational and career goals. Located primarily on the second floor of the Student Services Building, the Counseling and Advisement Center, along with various specialized programs, offers support both in person and remotely.

Academic Advising and Student Education Plans (SEPs)

Counselors are available to provide assistance with academic advising, including selecting classes and creating a student education plan (SEP). Students can schedule appointments or utilize drop-in services to meet with a counselor in person, via Zoom, or by telephone. The Counseling and Advisement Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Building. Students may view their SEP online at any time.

Drop-In Services

Counselors are available to assist students on a first-come, first-served basis. Drop-in hours and availability are subject to change. Students can inquire about waitlist availability by calling the Counseling and Advisement Center at (626) 914-8530. Students may choose to meet with a counselor in-person, via Zoom, or a telephone call. In-person drop-in services are available at the Short-Stop (SS 103) on the first floor and the Counseling and Advisement Center (SS 279) on the second floor of the Student Services Building.

Support Programs

Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS)

Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) provides a wide range of reasonable accommodations for qualified students with verifiable disabilities. New students may submit a DSPS application and disability documentation online. Continuing DSPS students may also schedule an appointment with a DSPS counselor if they have not updated their file to obtain their current year academic accommodation plan (AAP).

CalWORKs

The CalWORKs program at Citrus College serves student-parents who are receiving cash-aid with a variety of services, including completion of county paperwork, ancillary requests, and work-study job placement. The CalWORKs office is located on the second floor of the Student Services Building.

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EOPS/CARE/NextUp

EOPS/CARE/NextUp is a counseling program at Citrus College that serves a variety of students, including first-generation students, foster youth, high school AVID participants, and parents receiving cash-aid who are eligible for the California College Promise Grant. Many services are provided to students, including priority registration, funding to purchase textbooks, tutoring, grants, and high-level counseling support. The EOPS/CARE/NextUp office is located on the second floor of the Student Services Building.

Counseling Courses

Citrus College offers a variety of counseling courses designed to support students' academic, career, and personal development. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including career exploration, success strategies, and personal well-being.

Career Exploration and Planning

Several courses focus on career exploration and planning, helping students identify their interests, skills, and values, and develop a career path that aligns with their goals.

Career/Life Planning

In this course, students will learn to appraise their self-esteem, values, skills, and personality, and understand the implication of these factors in the selection of a vocational/educational goal. Students will create a job search plan and develop tools for tracking job applications and monitoring social media accounts.

College Success for Student-Parents

This course is designed to help students who are parents navigate through college. Students will learn to create healthy habits for success by learning how to create nurturing relationships, form a parent alliance, and explore self-development topics. This course is also designed to help student parents gain success skills such as time management, goal setting, and educational planning. College and career resources will be viewed through the perspective of a student-parent.

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Introduction to Online Learning

This course is designed to assist future or current students interested in taking online classes. Students in this course will learn concepts, tools, and techniques for online learning. Self-motivation theories will be examined. Through self-assessment, online interaction, and exploration of online learning strategies, students will develop an understanding of the skills needed to be successful when engaging in online instruction. Students will also learn an in-depth overview on how to navigate the course management system Canvas. Digital literacy skills will be covered in this class to help students develop the necessary strategies needed to evaluate effective and appropriate use of technology.

Stress and Anxiety Management

This course is designed to increase awareness of the effects of stress and anxiety on academic performance and emotional well-being as it relates to college student success. Using a positive psychology perspective, students will explore and develop a variety of practical coping skills and techniques that they can apply in daily life. This includes how to recognize signs of burnout in order to make healthier lifestyle choices, manage emotions, and utilize campus resources for stress reduction and management. Other topics include prevention and management of stressors that are unique to the college experience such as time management, test anxiety, finances, work/life balance, motivation, perfectionism, social stressors, major/career exploration, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationship/family dynamics.

Latina/o Student Success in Higher Education

This course examines the experiences of Latina/o students in higher education, focusing on empowerment, overcoming barriers, and achieving success. Counseling theories such as Sociocultural Theory, will be used to develop approaches for navigating challenges, building leadership skills, and fostering a strong sense of community and advocacy within the context of higher education. This course will encourage meaningful dialogue, inspire change, and explore methods to close the achievement gap for Latina/o students. Other topics include an examination of the educational experience of the Latina/o community in the United States. The course will assess how the Latina/o cultural experiences can affect collegiate success. Emphasis on understanding the background of Latina/o students in relation to current educational conditions and trends will be examined.

College Success for Student-Athletes

This course is designed to introduce current or future student-athletes to a successful college and transfer experience. Students in this course will learn how to balance academics and athletics. Athletic regulations including the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) transfer requirements will be covered. Time management strategies and goal-setting strategies will be examined to help student-athletes learn how to honor their responsibilities. Students will acquire college success skills, including college expectations, resources, policies, the student-athlete experience, and life after sports. Learning strategies, career information, and awareness of personal development and techniques on improving interpersonal communication will be explored. Definitions and requirements for certificates and degrees, and higher education in California, including transfer process are covered. Student-athletes will learn how to create a preliminary educational plan.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies

This course offers an exploration of the psychological, sociological, and physical causes and effects of alcohol and drug use and abuse. It provides an overview of the nature of addiction, including theories of substance abuse and identification of signs and symptoms. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the impact addiction has on families, children, and society. The course also delves into public policies and societal attitudes toward alcohol and drug abuse, as well as mental health and drugs. Additionally, it covers the history of alcohol and drug abuse. The course identifies treatment resources, dispels myths about abuse, and discusses the addiction counseling profession.

Exploring Careers in Nursing

This course is designed for students interested in exploring diverse career paths within the nursing profession, including those achievable through an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It provides an in-depth overview of various nursing roles, from certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to advanced practice nurses, and highlights the skills, educational requirements, and career trajectories associated with each pathway. Through guest speakers, case studies, and self-assessments, students will gain insights into the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of different nursing specialties. By the end of the course, students will develop a personalized career plan aligned with their strengths, interests, and long-term career goals. This course is ideal for anyone considering a career in nursing.

Exploring Careers in Teaching

Designed for students considering teaching as a career or for those interested in a class that focuses on issues facing teachers and students in today's schools. Course examines career job searching opportunities, requirements, responsibilities, and rewards in teaching as well as skills needed and problems often encountered in the classroom. Additional focus on educational philosophies and the sociology of education. The course will address the qualities of an effective teacher, components and purposes of an effective professional portfolio, and critical issues in diverse contemporary classrooms. Students will initiate the development of an electronic professional portfolio, and learn about their own learning needs and styles. The course will further require students to complete a field-based assignment requiring observation or an interview with a current educator and or assistance in a school or community agency.

Career Exploration

Through personal exploration, occupational research and the study of contemporary work issues, students will increase their understanding of the relationship of the individual to the economic community and develop individual career plans.

Transfer Support

Citrus College provides extensive support for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Transfer Success

An in-depth examination of the transfer process from a California Community College to a four-year college or university. The course is designed specifically for students interested in learning about transfer admission requirements, general education patterns, major preparation, transfer application deadlines and financial aid resources available at four-year institutions. Students will be introduced to public, private and out-of-state colleges and universities, including the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems of higher education. Strategies to cope with transfer shock and anxiety will be explored.

General Success Skills

Several courses focus on developing general success skills that can benefit students in all areas of their lives.

College Success

A course designed to give students the opportunity to create and change their habits and vision in order to have a rich, full, and rewarding scholastic life through adoption of positive attitude and critical thinking techniques. The course integrates the intellectual, physiological, social, and psychological aspects of being a college student. Learning strategies will be introduced that can be immediately and continuously applied so that students leave the course with confidence, enthusiasm, and a passion to succeed.

College Success for Veterans

A course designed to assist veterans in reintegrating to civilian life using physiological, social and psychological aspects of being a student. This course is also designed to give the veteran student the opportunity to create and change their habits and vision in order to have a rich, full, and rewarding scholastic life through adoption of positive attitude and critical thinking techniques. The course will introduce strategies to increase self-awareness, build confidence, develop leadership and gain informational tools to help achieve successful habits and implement study skills addressing the veteran studentâs needs. It will provide an essential opportunity to acquire skills applicable to the studentâs academic program, family life, and employability which will support transition.

Transformative Mentoring

This is an experiential course where students explore the altruistic principles and techniques of transformative mentoring. Emphasis is placed on objective problem solving and the development of effective attending skills. Students evaluate mentoring, first year experience, and student development theories with the goal of promoting the academic and psycho-social factors that contribute to college and life success. Campus and community resources will be discussed and explored.

College and Career Success

This course is designed to introduce students to a successful college and transfer experience. Students will develop a comprehensive Student Educational Plan (SEP) based on individual educational goals and discuss strategies for selecting a major. DegreeWorks will be utilized to create the comprehensive plan. Students will learn about DegreeWorks, an online web-based degree-auditing and tracking tool that enables students to evaluate their academic progress towards completion of the CSUGE, IGETC, Associates Degree's, Certificates, or Skills Award.

Grit, Resilience and Mindset

This course will explore how grit, resilience, and mindset contribute to success in college, life and in career planning and goal setting. Students will design a learning and career plan through self-assessment and case studies, leading to changing mindset and enabling life-long learning and growth.

Major-Specific Counseling

Citrus College offers courses tailored to specific academic disciplines, providing students with insights into career options and transfer requirements in those fields.

Introduction to Social and Behavioral Sciences

This course will familiarize students with the Social and Behavioral Sciences associate degrees at Citrus and will also cover requirements for transfer into baccalaureate level majors. Important aspects of Social and Behavioral Science majors as an occupational choice will be covered as well as specific study strategies and resources available to promote student success.

Exploring Careers in Allied Health and Medicine

This course explores various careers in allied health and medicine and is organized into five career pathways: Biotechnology research and development, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and therapeutic services. This course focuses on assessment, information gathering, and career research in the development of a health care career action plan. Careers include, but are not limited to: EMT, Paramedic/Fire Science, Biotechnology, Medical Lab Technician, Nursing, Pharmacology Technology, Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, Respiratory Therapy and Radiologic Technology/Diagnostic Medical Sonography. A separate module will be dedicated to exploring graduate level health care careers such as Medicine (M.D. vs. DO), Optometry, Pharmacy, Chiropractic, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Audiology/Speech and Language Pathology, Physician Assistant, and Nurse Practitioner. Emphasis is on values clarification, career information, research skills, individual skills assessment, decision making, communication, teamwork, inter-professional education and goal setting specifically in the health care field. The course also covers health care job trends, demand, salary, and education and licensure requirements.

STEM Success Strategies

This is an introduction to college course dedicated to presenting tips and techniques that will help increase and maximize performance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses. This course will also expose students to various STEM subjects and careers and will delve into the transfer process.

Exploring Careers in Business/Information Technology

This course will introduce students to the main components of identifying a major in business/information technology. Career fields include, but are not limited to, management, marketing, sales, real estate, banking, finance, human resources, database administration, and computer support for business organizations. Through self-assessment students will explore their work interests, personality, skills, values, strengths, and life goals in order to find purpose in their academic curriculum. This course will include career planning, occupational research, and decision-making to formulate a real-world perspective on the local and national opportunities in these fields and the requirements needed to achieve them. Students also gain job search, networking, and interview skills in preparation for an internship search, as well as how to research job trends, salary, employment projections, and educational requirements.

Career and Technical Education Programs

A survey of Citrus College career and technical education programs and post-secondary education in California. A survey of career and education programs which will explore career opportunities and discuss career evaluation. The course explores the options and techniques for creating a unique resume, discusses interview strategies, and includes development of a personal education plan. Other topics include self-evaluation, decision-making, goal setting, time and financial management.

Introduction to Communication, Literature, and Language Programs

This course will familiarize students with the Communication, Literature, and Language programs at Citrus College and will also cover requirements for transfer into baccalaureate level majors. Important aspects of Communication, Literature and Language majors as an occupational choice will be covered as well as specific study strategies and resources available to promote student success.

Social and Cultural Awareness

Psycho-Social Issues in American Communities of Color

This course examines psycho-social issues and the development of individual identities within American communities of color, using race, culture, and education as frameworks to explore issues of inequality and societal challenges. Students will explore diversity characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, and ability through the lenses of foundational theories, including Social Identity Theory, and Intersectionality. The course emphasizes the influence of these factors on personal development, learning, and agency. Additionally, it fosters critical thinking skills to analyze the causes and consequences of inequity, encouraging creative solutions to address these disparities within society.

Human Relations

This course explores human relationships using insights from psychology, sociology, counseling, and communication theory. It covers various types of relationships, including family, friends, romance, and professional. Students will gain self-awareness, interpersonal skills, practica…

Career/Transfer Center

The Career/Transfer Center offers a variety of services, resources, and activities designed to support students with their transfer and career development needs. These services are designed to enhance the educational experience at Citrus College and assist students in identifying and accomplishing their educational and career goals. Students can meet with a Career/Transfer Center counselor to explore major and career choices that match their interests, personality, values, and abilities. Counselors can provide helpful resources and tools to help students plan and best prepare to transfer to a four-year university. The Career/Transfer Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services (SS) Building.

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