For Students

According to San Francisco State University policy, students need to seek out major and minor advising on a regular basis, especially at these key points:

• When the student starts the major or minor program requirements
• When the student becomes a junior
• When the student is ready to graduate

Advising is also necessary when a student experiences academic difficulty, including probation and possible disqualification.

• Knowing and completing all degree requirements
• Purchasing and reading a SFSU Bulletin once upon entering the University and a Class Schedule every semester; obtaining department/major brochures, handbooks, and info as needed
• Attending a new student orientation program
• Declaring a major in a timely manner (freshmen by end of sophomore year; junior transfers by end of second semester)
• Maintaining a personal academic advising folder and bringing it to every appointment
  • Grade reports or unofficial copies of prior college/university transcripts;
  • Evaluations of transfer credit [Advanced Standing Evaluation or DARS]
  • DARS, G.E. and Graduation check lists;
  • Semester grade reports; and
  • Tentative schedules and other forms and notes from formal advising sessions [e.g. Incomplete Grade Form, Academic Probation Form, Course Withdrawal Form, etc.]
• Seeking advising at appropriate times (entering the university; starting major/minor; academic difficulty; becoming a junior; preparing to graduate)
• Seeking advising from appropriate sources
  • Declared majors/minors will receive their primary academic advising from their major/minor department;
  • Students with declared majors/minors who are also in special academic support programs, such as EOP, need to maintain regular contact with the faculty advisor in their major/minor.

Academic advising supports educational achievement by guiding students toward timely completion of academic goals, facilitating intellectual and personal development, enhancing academic performance, and ensuring progress toward graduation.

The goals include helping students:

• clarify life and career goals
• develop suitable educational plans
• select appropriate courses and complementary experiences
• interpret institutional requirements
• increase awareness of resources (internships, honors, tutoring)
• evaluate progress toward goals
• complete degree requirements in a timely manner
• develop decision-making skills
• reinforce self-direction
• seek out and use support services on campus and in the community
• collect and distribute data on student needs/preferences/performance for institutional decisions and policy

Already part of the Gator community? Learn more about declaring AAS as your minor!
You can now declare a minor or major online!
Learn more (Registrar): https://registrar.sfsu.edu/change_major_minor

The Registrar’s Office has created a guide for dropping and withdrawing from a course.
Learn more: https://cms.sfsu.edu/withdrawal

Your degree progress report has the most accurate information that advisors also check.

Steps:

1. Log into your Student Center Open SF State Gateway
2. Navigate to the LaunchPad
3. Select the Student Center tile
4. Under Academics, use the drop-down menu and select “degree progress report”Hit the blue button and wait for the report to load GEs that need to be completed will be marked with red boxes
5. Log into Gateway: https://gateway.sfsu.edu/

Your DPR can also show what you need for your major and minor in the College of Ethnic Studies. The DPR does not replace advising, but it can help with quick questions while you wait to meet with someone. Make an appointment with an advisor, faculty advisor, or department chair if you would like transferred units or courses outside of the bulletin considered for your major.
DPR FAQ & Guide: https://registrar.sfsu.edu/dprguide

Explore your Degree Planner and learn how to use its tools.
Degree Planner Guide & FAQ: https://registrar.sfsu.edu/degreeplanner
Degree Planning Tools & Resources: https://advisinghub.sfsu.edu/degree-planning-tools-resources

Yes, the registrar's office has guides and instructions for students.
Visit Registrar's Guides: https://registrar.sfsu.edu/guides