Advising

As an LAES student, you are given access to all the resources under the College of Liberal Arts advising services. Feel free to check out College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Advising & Student Services for all online drop-in hours, academic advising, or general services.

 

It is also important to understand your responsibility as a student. If you need additional help afterward, students are encouraged to follow the advising path and seek help. The following are the student's responsibilities:

• Understand LAES curriculum requirements, general education courses, and campus requirements, such as United States Cultural Pluralism (USCP), Graduating Writing Requirement (GWR), residency, and upper-division units.
• Review your Catalog-specific Curriculum Sheet, Degree Flowchart, study abroad options, and global perspectives courses. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and make sufficient progress in the major.
• View your Degree Progress Report (DPR) each quarter. The DPR lists courses that apply towards degree completion and the courses still needed. Utilize the PolyPlanner course planning tool to help map the courses you need to graduate.
• Understand campus policies and procedures, the seriousness of academic probation, unit load requirements, and GPA expectations. 
• Those who wish to complete a minor should contact the department providing the minor as early as possible to receive approval. All academic requirements are detailed in the Cal Poly Catalog. Make sure to reference previous catalogs if necessary. 
• Schedule an appointment with a LAES Advisor or LAES Program Director at least once a year (more frequently if your goals change or if you have time-sensitive questions. 

 

The Program Directors faculty advisors can provide a wealth of curriculum-related guidance to students, such as:

• Developing academic plans within an area of specialization,
• Career advise,
• Internship opportunities,
• How to successfully navigate campus and LAES-specific policies and procedures,
• Appointment scheduling,
• Processing of student forms and expense reimbursements,
• Study abroad choices, or
• Global Perspectives course selection

Program directors can answer brief questions via e-mail or phone anytime; however, more detailed discussions involving past performance, career goals, and future planning may require a face-to-face meeting.

To schedule your meeting with a Program Director, e-mail Luna Larsen. 

 

Appointment Preparation

Bring the following information to your advising meeting--doing this will allow for greater success in answering all your questions within the allotted timeframe:

• Review your Degree Progress Report (DPR). Bring information regarding any RED flags noted on your DPR.
• Review the Curriculum Sheet and note your progress towards completing all required courses.
• Students who are ready to go abroad must review and adhere to the Cal Poly Study Abroad Procedure.

 

LAES-Specific Academic Advisors

To discuss your time to degree academic requirements and Degree Progress Report (DPR) information, speak directly with a LAES-specific Academic Advisor. Schedule an appointment here (NOTE: availability fills up fast so plan ahead):

• Sabrina Canady (LAES Lead Academic Advisor)
• Katie Harris (LAES Academic Advisor)

 

Additional Advising

Additional help is also available from the following:

• Career Services
• Counseling Services
• University Advising Resources
• Office of the Registrar 

 

Incoming LAES Students/New Majors Declaring for the First Time:

1. Review the sample LAES Concentration and Study Abroad Declaration form and discuss concentration choices with Sabrina Canady or Katie Harris.
2. Once you have met with Sabrina or Katie, contact Luna Larsen to schedule a change of major appointment with a Program Director.
3. Before your appointment, submit your request for an official LAES Concentration and Study Abroad Declaration form. Do not fill out or sign your form until after you have begun an ICMA (Individualized Change of Major Agreement) with a Program Director.
4. After you have signed, the form will automatically be forwarded to the Program Director for signature. Once approved, the form will be sent to the Registrar’s office for processing; you will receive an email with a copy of the completed form (please keep a copy of your form for future reference).

Please note that it can take a few months for concentrations and revisions to be updated on your Degree Progress Report (DPR). See processing timeline for more information.

 

Current Students Revising Concentration:

1. Schedule a meeting to discuss revisions to your concentration form with a Program Director or LAES Advisor by contacting Luna Larsen.
2. After receiving approval for your concentration revision, submit your request for a new official LAES Concentration and Study Abroad Declaration form. (NOTE: you will need to re-list all previously approved ICS courses and substitutions.)
3. After you have signed, the form will automatically be forwarded to the Program Director for signature.
4. Once approved, the form will be sent to the Registrar’s office for processing; you will receive an email with a copy of the completed form (please keep a copy of your form for future reference)

Please note that it can take a few months for concentrations and revisions to be updated on your Degree Progress Report (DPR). See processing timeline for more information.

 

NOTE: Registration appointments are based on the % of degree units completed, Therefore, it is imperative that you file your LAES Concentration Form as soon as possible and revise as necessary.

 

If you must change your graduation term, a Change of Degree Completion Term Request must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Meet with our LAES Academic Advisor or email the completed form to Sabrina Canady to obtain the required approval signature.