Advising

Make Every Semester Count

Seek advising regularly. Meeting with an academic advisor at San Francisco State University is essential to staying on track with your academic goals.

Whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, advisors help you navigate course selection, degree requirements, and career planning, ensuring you make informed decisions about your academic path.

Advising Resources

Use the table below to guide you to the best advising resource based on your needs.

Advising NeedAdvisor Recommendation

Undergraduate Students:

  • Choosing courses/degree planning for general education, major, minor, and certificates
  • Understanding transfer credits
  • Graduation check
  • Academic success strategies
  • Academic notice and clearing holds
  • Exploring options for majors, minors, and certificates
  • Petition of study abroad courses for general education
  • Referrals to campus resources
  • Academic policy inquiries and assistance with appeal forms

Academic Advisors at the Undergraduate Advising Center (UAC)

OR

For EOPP Students - Academic Advisors from the Educational Opportunity and Pathway Programs (EOPP)

 

Undergraduate and Second Baccalaureate Students:

  • Selection of appropriate major/minor/certificate courses based on career and professional goals
  • Course substitutions and exceptions for major/minor/certificate
  • Opportunities for research or teaching assistantships
  • Mentorship, careers, internships, and graduate school preparation
  • Approval of study abroad courses for major/minor
  • Requests and approvals for forms requiring major advisor approval

Faculty Advisors (see advisor list and hours below)

 

  • Requests and approvals for forms requiring department chair approval
  • Request meeting with department chair

Department of Philosophy
Email: plsi@sfsu.edu
Location: Humanities 304

 

  • Information about Study Abroad opportunities and application process/timelines

See Study Abroad as the first step

 

Graduate/Second Baccalaureate Students:

  • General advising questions (petitions, policies/procedures, registration, and academic notice)

Division of Graduate Studies & Career Development Advising
Email: gradstudies@sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 338-2234
Location: ADM 254 (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

 

Graduate Students:

  • Graduate student course planning, academic advising, Advancement to Candidacy, and Graduate Student Culminating Experience

See the Graduate Coordinator for your program or contact your Culminating Experience Committee Chair

 

Faculty Advisors

Undergraduate PLSI Major and Minor Advising
Students with last names:AdvisorEmailOffice Hours
Last names: A-BELProf. Aaron Belkinbelkin@sfsu.edu 
Last names: BER-CHAVProf. Rebecca Eisslerreissler@sfsu.edu 
Last names: CHE-EBProf. Marcela García-Castañonmgcs@sfsu.edu 
Last names: EC-GARProf. Katherine Gordykgordy@sfsu.edu 
Last names: GEO-HProf. Sujian Guosguo@sfsu.edu 
Last names: I-LOMProf. Ron Haydukrhayduk@sfsu.edu 
Last names: LON-MEOProf. Joel Kassiolakassiola@sfsu.edu 
Last names: MEY-ORProf. Mark Leinauermarkleinauer@sfsu.edu 
Last names: OS-RAProf. James Marteljmartel@sfsu.edu 
Last names: RE-SANCProf. Jason McDanielmcdaniel@sfsu.edu 
Last names: SAND-TIRProf. Whitney Taylorwktaylor@sfsu.edu 
Last names: TIU-ZProf. Nicole Wattsnfwatts@sfsu.edu 
Graduate Advising
Students with last names:AdvisorEmailOffice hours
Last names: A-ZProf. Amanda Robertiaroberti@sfsu.edu 
Critical Social Thought Minor
Students with last names:Advisor
Last names: A-ZProf. James Martel