Academic Advising

Currently matriculated students may meet and/or speak one-on-one with a Liberal Studies Academic Advisor in a scheduled academic advising appointment via Zoom, Phone, or In-Person. Matriculated students seeking academic advising with an academic advisor may use Beach Connect. During the meeting, the student and advisor generally review the Academic Requirements Report, along with other E-Advising tools, and discuss overall progress, deadlines and tasks, and graduation goals. These appointments are suitable for students who have questions or problems requiring more in-depth discussion (longer than 20 minutes), or who would just prefer to meet individually with an advisor at a scheduled time frame.​ This service is available to current CSULB students only.

The Department of Liberal Studies recommends students to contact and/or meet with an academic advisor at least once per year.

• Length of Appointment: Individual appointments are limited to 30 minutes.

• Modality of Appointment: Students select the modality they prefer for their appointment - by Zoom, Phone, or In-Person. 

• Scheduling an Appointment: Advising appointments are scheduled online through Single-Sign-On under 'Beach Connect' during Fall and Spring terms. Advising appointments are scheduled through email at Ced-LibSt@csulb.edu during Summer and Winter terms. Liberal Studies Academic Advisors provide appointments year-round, with the exception of the first week of Fall/Spring semesters and first two weeks of Fall/Spring registration. 

• Confirmation: A follow-up confirmation email will be sent to the student's CSULB email address prior to the appointment.

For directions on how to schedule an online 30-minute advising appointment through Beach Connect, refer to the Scheduling Appointments Guide (PDF). 

Any and all individuals are welcome to utilize Drop-in Advising Services for immediate, brief academic advising with a Liberal Studies Advisor in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center. During these meetings, individuals may inquire about academic requirements and/or university policies and procedures, and/or plan for the following semester. These appointments are suitable for students who have questions or concerns requiring less in-depth discussion (less than 20 minutes), or who have immediate academic concerns to address.

Please note that all of the Academic Advisors rotate for drop-in advising hours, in order to provide availability most days of the year. Students can't generally request a specific advisor they wish to meet with due to pre-determined scheduling and workloads. We appreciate our students' understanding. For specific advisor requests, try email and/or scheduling an appointment with the preferred advisor.  The Advisors operate out of the Teacher Preparation Advising Center. 

Zoom Advising

Zoom Drop In advising is no longer available.

Phone-in Advising

Academic advising for the Liberal Studies and Teacher Credentialing programs are currently available for phone-in services on a weekly basis during select times & days. This service is available to all students, current or prospective.

• For hours of availability M-F and directions to call for drop-in advising via Phone, refer to the Liberal Studies Homepage and scroll down to "Phone & Drop-in Assistance".

In-Person Advising

Academic advising for the Liberal Studies and Teacher Credentialing programs are currently available for in-person drop-in services on a weekly basis during select times & days.  This is not a 30-minute, thorough discussion meeting with degree planning; this is for a brief, one-on-one meeting or conversation for approximately 10-15 minutes. This service is available to all students, current or prospective.

• For hours of availability M-F to stop by for drop-in advising in-person within the Teacher Preparation Advising Center, refer to the Liberal Studies Homepage and scroll down to "Drop in Advising"

Academic Advisors can assist students by email. Please keep in mind that any overtly personal or confidential information cannot be disclosed in order to ensure student privacy and FERPA regulation, unless special permissions are granted. This service is available to all students, current or prospective.

• Liberal Studies Advisors can be reached at CED-LibSt@csulb.edu.

• Email replies can take up to 2-3 business days.

First-Time/First-Year Students are required to attend Mandatory Advising in their first and second semester at CSULB. Enrollment Services places a registration hold on all first-year freshmen and sends email notifications of this requirement. To have this hold removed, students must complete their college advising requirement.

Focus Points of First-Year Advising, include:

• Program Overview for Liberal Studies & Declaring a Major (MSDR)

• Campus Resources & Navigation

• Academic Online Resources (E-Advising Tools)

• University Policies and Procedures

• Class Recommendations for Upcoming Terms

Upcoming Workshops can be found on the Liberal Studies Events Calendar. These are scheduled during Fall and Spring terms only.

Questions? Email Nancy.DeHaro@csulb.edu.

First-Semester transfers are required to attend "Transfer Advising" in their first semester at CSULB. Enrollment Services places a registration hold on all first-semester Liberal Studies Transfers and sends email notifications of this requirement. To have this hold removed, students must complete their college advising requirement.

Focus Points of First-Semester Advising Workshops include:

• Program Overview for Liberal Studies & Graduation Pathways

• Details on Credential Programs

• Academic Online Resources (E-Advising Tools)

• Campus Resources & Navigation

• University Policies and Procedures

• Class Recommendations

Upcoming Workshops can be found on the Liberal Studies Events Calendar. These are scheduled during Fall and Spring terms only.

Questions? Email Gabriel.Rodriguez@csulb.edu.

These workshops are provided to inform or refresh students on the differences and similarities in the ITEP/BA pathways for the Liberal Studies program, and how to apply to an ITEP pathway (for those interested). 

Focus Points of the ITEP/BA Webinars include:

• Program Overview for Liberal Studies & Graduation Pathways

• Details on Credential Programs

• How to Apply to the Credential Programs

Upcoming ITEP/BA Pathway Information Sessions can be found on the Liberal Studies Events Calendar. These are scheduled during Fall and Spring terms only.

Questions? Email Ced-LibSt@csulb.edu. 

These information sessions are for Liberal Studies Sophomores, to review upcoming information to be mindful of as one progresses through the program and gets closer to Junior & Senior standing. 

Focus Points of the Sophomore Planning Webinars include:

• Pre- Major Requirements and Major Declaration
• GWAR/GPE
• Basic Skills Requirement
• Fieldwork
• Overview of the ITEP Pathways & Timeline for Applying

Upcoming Sophomore Year Information Sessions can be found on the Liberal Studies Events Calendar. These are scheduled during Fall and Spring terms only.

Questions? Email Nancy.DeHaro@csulb.edu.