Academic Advising Programs will help you to develop and achieve your educational goals and encourage you to use the diverse resources available at California State University, Chico. Our staff will guide you to understand the opportunities and the policies and procedures related to your academic progress. We welcome all of your questions, so plan to drop in regularly.

Advisors can help you understand how to meet General Education and other graduation requirements, choose courses of interest, and select majors, minors, and other educational offerings (certificates, exchange programs, and internships). We can assist in addressing concerns about academic notice and resolve issues related to policies and procedures.

Visit Academic Advising Programs for the best year-round contact information.

Undeclared Advising

Academic Advising Programs is the advising home for undergraduate students exploring their major options and/or other potential courses of study.

If you are an undeclared student, a dedicated advisor from our office will provide focused advising to plan each semester’s courses while you explore how your interests can lead to choosing a major. You will also discover ways to create an educational experience that is uniquely yours by combining a major with a minor, a certificate program, electives, and/or a variety of co-curricular learning experiences.

As an undeclared student, you are expected to meet with your dedicated advisor once per semester.

Major Advising

Chico State offers various advising resources to help guide you through your undergraduate career. While Academic Advising Programs can assist you with understanding and planning General Education and graduation requirements, advising for your major is provided by the academic department of your major and/or by your college's Success Center. Students should consult with their major advisor(s) regularly. Major advisors work with you to monitor and guide your progress toward meeting major requirements. We encourage you to develop close advising relationships with your advisors and faculty in your major department.

Whether you meet with an academic or major advisor, it is important to plan for your meeting. Review your Degree Progress Report in the Student Center within your Portal account. Make a list of your questions and concerns to make the most of your time with your advisor.

General Education Planning

While your major course of study provides deep learning and leads to expertise in a particular discipline, General Education (GE) is what creates a common intellectual experience for students in all majors, connecting knowledge across multiple academic fields, fostering an appreciation of the natural world and diverse expressions of human imagination, and developing the skills needed to build more just societies. Distinctively, the Chico State GE program offers students not only an integrated learning experience but also the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary minor in one of 10 subjects.

Courses that satisfy General Education can vary based on your catalog year. Academic advisors can help with GE planning and course selection.

Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements

Please refer to Writing and Math Requirements. If you are concerned about your ability to progress through these requirements, Academic Advising Programs is available to assist you. 

Associate Degree for Transfer & The California Promise Programs 

All CSUs have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in 60 units after transferring. The California State University system and the California Community College system collaborated on the creation of the Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and the Associate of Science for Transfer (AS-T) degree programs, made possible by the passage of Senate Bill 1440. For more information, visit the Associate Degree for Transfer website. 

The California Promise Program enables a specific number of CSUs to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in four years. Students who commit to enter either the four-year or two-year pledge are given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. To remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan, and complete 30 semester units or the quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating CSUs may stipulate other requirements as well. Interested students entering Chico State should visit the California Promise Program website.

Withdrawing from the University

If you find it necessary to withdraw from all your classes, initiate the process with an appropriate advisor. Academic advisors can discuss alternatives with you and explain how to apply for a Leave of Absence from the University. For information on the withdrawal process see the University's official withdrawal procedures.

Academic Notice Advising

If your Chico State or cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 you will be placed on academic notice. In this case, you should meet with your major advisor and an advisor in Academic Advising Programs to make changes to your academic schedule or program. You may be able to take advantage of helpful university policies, such as repeating courses with academic forgiveness. The GPA Calculator can help you compute your grade point average and project future averages based on projected grades for the current semester.

While on academic notice, you should restrict your course load to 14 units or less each semester until you achieve clear academic standing (a minimum GPA of 2.0).

Disqualified Student Advising

If you have been academically disqualified, we encourage you to seek advice in Academic Advising Programs. We will review your academic record, explain the appeal process necessary for reinstatement to the University, and help you develop a strategy to maximize your chances of academic recovery. Academically disqualified students desiring reinstatement must file an Appeal for Reinstatement by the published deadline.