Advising

The Psychology Department strongly recommends that all psychology majors schedule regular advising appointments. Regular advising will ensure that you are meeting your major and general education requirements. Advising can also help you to graduate in a timely fashion. For example, advising can ensure that you don’t miss an opportunity to take a key class that may not be offered every semester. Advising is important to your post-baccalaureate plans as well. Advisors will inform you of (master’s) programs that match your career interests and they will provide you with key guidance in preparing for, and applying to, these programs.

You are encouraged to use multiple advising services to have a fulfilling and successful university experience.  Below is a list of advising services offered by the department and college:

Psychology Advising Center (PAC) – The PAC is a student-led center dedicated to supplementing the student services provided by the Psychology Department in academic advising. The PAC advisors can help you with general curriculum questions, read your PAWS report, direct you to other university services, and discuss course selections that fulfill the major and overall degree progress.  The PAC is the best place to discuss your schedule of classes.  Students are encouraged to meet with PAC advisors a minimum of once a year.  The PAC provides service on a walk-in basis as well as by appointment. Open hours are posted on the door of SB-426 at the beginning of each semester and are also available below.

PAC Hours of Operation

PAC appointments can be scheduled through your My Coyote Portal.  

1. Log into your MyCoyote account 
2. Select the My Academics tile 
3. Select the Navigate tile 
4. Select "Peer Support" from the Care Unit drop-down menu 
5. Select "Peer Advising" from the Service drop menu
6. Select "Psychology Advising Center" from the Location drop menu
7. Choose an appointment time that fits your schedule

Students interested in serving as a Psychology Peer Advisor, should complete the PAC Application and submit it to Dr. Shultz via email at ken.shultz@csusb.edu.

Department Advising Coordinator (Dr. Janelle Gilbert) – The department advisor can assist you with questions that go beyond the services of the PAC including complex questions about unit transfers, questions about course substitutions, and questions about finding the right area of interest for you within psychology. 

• Dr. Janelle Gilbert
• Email: janelle@csusb.edu
• Phone: (909) 537-5587
• Office: SB-539

Faculty (other than the Department Advising Coordinators) - Faculty in the department play a very specific role in the advising process. Their role is to answer questions about particular content areas or fields of psychology. They can also talk with you about graduate school and how best to prepare for it, as well as professional careers in psychology and related fields. It is our goal to match you with a faculty member who works in an area related to your interests, and who can answer these kinds of questions for you.

Psychology Department Chair – (Dr. Ken Shultz) - – The department chair can assist you with questions that go beyond the services of the PAC including complex questions about unit transfers, questions about course substitutions, and questions about finding the right area of interest within psychology.  The department chair can assist you with questions regarding schedule overloads, SAP appeals, and petitions. The chair is also equipped to answer questions about graduate school and professional careers related to your interests and he can help match you up with a faculty member who is knowledgeable in your area of interest. Dr. Shultz schedules his own appointments. To schedule a meeting, please email him at the address below. He will get back to you promptly.

• Dr. Ken Shultz 
• Email: ken.shultz@csusb.edu
• Phone: (909) 537-5484
• Office: SB-425B

ASUA Advising – The University also offers advising through academic advisors and peer mentoring through Academic Success and Undergraduate Advising (ASUA).  You are encouraged to use all of the services at the university and department levels. ASUA advisors can assist you with advising forms related to the 4-year pledge, employer advising forms, financial aid appeals, and academic notice forms.  Additionally, these advisors can help create myCaps (roadmapping) and can answer academic-related questions regarding university policy, procedures, and resources. Appointments can be made with an ASUA Advisor by sending an email to advising@csusb.edu or calling (909) 537-7345.