Navigating Your Academic Journey: A Guide to SFSU Undergraduate Advising Resources

San Francisco State University (SFSU) is committed to supporting its undergraduate students on their path to graduation and exploration of potential career options. To facilitate this, SFSU offers a comprehensive network of advising resources designed to guide students through their academic journey. This article explores the various advising resources available to undergraduate students at SFSU, highlighting their specific roles and how students can effectively utilize them.

Understanding the Advising Landscape at SFSU

Advising at SF State aims to support students' successful path to graduation as they explore potential career paths. The advising structure includes different types of advisors, each with a specialized focus:

Academic Advisors: These are professional staff members trained to assist students with completing the academic requirements for degree completion. They provide guidance on academic planning, registration and course selection, educational guidance, and referrals to support services.
Faculty Advisors: Faculty members advise students on components specific to a major, minor, or certificate program. They can assist with course substitutions and exceptions, connect students with internship/research opportunities, and support graduate/career preparation related to major-related professional aspirations. As experts in their field, they can help students understand industry nuances that professionals outside of their discipline may not be familiar with.
Career Counselors: These professional staff members are trained to help with career exploration, resume/cover letter development, interview skills, career assessment, and overall professional development.

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The Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC): Your Central Hub

The Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) serves as the primary location for all undergraduate students seeking academic advising. The UAC is committed to supporting students and meeting their advising needs, encouraging students to meet with them to support their overall transition, wellness, and success at SF State. The center offers a wide range of services, including:

Degree planning
Choosing/registering for classes
Major exploration
Academic success strategies
Policy clarification and appeals

The UAC supports students both virtually and in person through advising appointments and drop-in advising. Drop-ins are for "quick questions" that can be answered in 15 minutes or less. Note that the 1st/2nd Year and Undeclared Team do not offer virtual (Zoom) drop-ins.

Specialized Advising Programs and Resources

In addition to the UAC, SFSU offers several specialized advising programs and resources to cater to the diverse needs of its student population:

Educational Opportunity and Pathways Programs (EOPP): The Educational Opportunity and Pathways Programs (EOPP) supports historically underserved students by facilitating their matriculation to SF State and by providing a support system for their success. EOPP students are assigned to an academic advisor and receive ongoing, regular advising services. EOPP students are encouraged to meet with their advisor twice per semester.
Metro College Success Program (Metro): The Metro College Success Program (Metro) is a two-year learning community of two courses each semester that share themes such as social justice, education equity, community health, or ethnic studies. Metro courses satisfy general education requirements for all majors at SF State, so you can go on to complete your bachelor’s degree in any major. Metro students receive individualized tutoring, advising, and support. Metro students also develop strong academic skills. Adjusting to college can be challenging. Learning in a small, supportive community of students and faculty can help you thrive throughout your first two years and through to graduation.

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Advising for Specific Colleges: The College of Ethnic Studies and the Graduate College of Education advising teams do not offer drop-in advising, but they may take same-day appointments upon availability.

Leveraging Faculty Expertise

Faculty advisors provide valuable information and mentorship regarding internships, research, and professional/career opportunities. Faculty also offer advising for more complex questions related to majors, minors, and certificates. Students should contact their major department for more information about how to meet with a faculty advisor. In addition, School of the Environment faculty serve as major advisors for each of the degrees we offer. You can find advisers listed under your degree below and can find faculty office hours here. You should see one of these advisors when you have questions about course substitutions, course selections, progress in the major or career planning.

Navigator: Connecting Students to Resources

Navigator is a student success platform used at over 200 US higher education institutions and implemented throughout the CSU. Navigator is the primary student success platform for faculty, staff, and campus resources, and it empowers students with the ability to schedule appointments across campus for advising and tutoring support. Navigator uses innovation and strategy to enhance coordinated care systems and proactive outreach efforts through data analytics. Navigator is a student success platform being used at over 200 US higher education institutions and being implemented throughout the CSU. Navigator is an online tool to connect undergraduate students to faculty, staff and campus resources. To request access for the Navigator platform, please schedule an appointment the Navigator & E-Advising Coordinator to discuss what role would best suit your position at San Francisco State University.

Resources for Specific Student Populations

SFSU provides tailored advising resources for specific student populations to address their unique needs:

New Students: At New Student Orientation incoming students get assistance from professional academic advisors so that they may register for their first semester’s coursework. Orientations are scheduled during the summer and winter prior to each fall and spring semester. When students enter SF State as a first-time freshmen, they are assigned to an academic counselor/advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC) or in the Educational Opportunity and Pathway Programs (EOPP). This person supports them for their first two years and advises them regarding course selection and degree planning for all areas of the degree.

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Transfer Students: Transfer students and students in their third year through graduation are advised by a team of academic counselors/advisors located in the Undergraduate Advising Center. Additionally, students who are in the Educational Opportunity and Pathway Programs (EOPP) are assigned to an academic advisor in EOPP.
Undeclared Students: Undeclared students are assigned to an academic counselor in the Undergraduate Advising Center or in the Educational Opportunity and Pathway Programs who helps them choose a program of study that is best suited to their values, interests and goals.
Readmit Students: Readmit students are those who are returning to SF State after being gone for two or more semesters. As a first step to returning, it is a good idea to make an appointment with an advisor.
Graduate Students: Advising for graduate students is available from faculty members in each department. Contact the department for a referral to an advisor.

Additional Support and Opportunities

SFSU offers a variety of additional support services and opportunities to enhance the student experience:

The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and NSSLHA: The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and the SF State Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) provide workshops and Continuing Education events throughout the academic year for students, members of the community, speech-language pathologists, and other professionals. The SFSU chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is a highly active student-run service organization in the Bay Area and an indispensible partner to the SLHS department. Participation in NSSLHA offers many experiences that are important for job readiness and preparation for graduate school.
Scholarships: View our scholarships page for a full listing of available opportunities. Students are encouraged to apply.

Maximizing Your Advising Experience

To make the most of the advising resources available at SFSU, consider the following tips:

Meet with advisors regularly: Meeting regularly with advisors enables students to stay on track for graduation.
Prepare for your advising sessions: Come prepared with specific questions and goals for each meeting.
Utilize both academic and faculty advisors: Seek guidance from both academic advisors for general degree planning and faculty advisors for major-specific advice and career mentorship.
Explore the Navigator platform: Use Navigator to connect with advisors, schedule appointments, and access other campus resources.
Take advantage of specialized programs: If eligible, participate in programs like EOPP or Metro for additional support and advising services.

Addressing Concerns and Complaints

SFSU is committed to providing a positive and supportive learning environment. If students have concerns about their advising experience, they are encouraged to address them through the appropriate channels. A complaint may be made to the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) about any accredited program or program in candidacy status may be submitted by any student, instructional staff member, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and/or member of the public.Criteria for Complaints Against Graduate Education Programs. The complaint must clearly describe the specific nature of the complaint and the relationship of the complaint to the accreditation standards, and provide supporting data for the charge. The burden of proof rests with the complainant. All complaints must be signed and submitted in writing to the Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

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