Undergraduate Advising 

Please review the advising FAQs below before seeking advising

• Is advising required?
  As a department, we do not require advising for English or Comparative Literature majors or English, Creative Writing, or Comparative Literature minors. We strongly encourage you to seek advising though. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences may require advising; if they do they will reach out to you directly.
• When and why should I get advising?
  You can get faculty advising during scheduled advising hours during the regular semester. Advising hours are posted on the department website, and all faculty advising hours are walk-in only. You can get advising for a number of reasons, including help with registration, questions about requirements, issues with your TDA, advice on what to do with your degree, and more.
• Who are the advisors?
  Faculty advisors are professors in the department. The advising committee changes every year, so you may have a different advisor from year to year. The advising committee includes three members plus the Director of Undergraduate Studies. For any complicated questions, it may be best to ask the Director of Undergraduate Studies (currently Dr. Stephen Mexal: smexal@fullerton.edu)
• How do I get advising?
  Walk-in faculty advising office hours for each semester will be posted on the department webpage (english.fullerton.edu) as well as in the department office in GH 322. Please note that advising hours change every semester.
• Can my major advisor give me advice on GE courses?
  

  Faculty advisors typically only advise on the majors and minors offered by the department. If you need help with GE requirements, you should contact the Academic Advising Center. 

• When should I apply for graduation?
  It is best to apply for graduation at least one semester prior to your graduation date. You can apply for graduation as soon as you have completed 85 units.  
• What if I need to change my grad date?
  You can contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for assistance or follow these instructions to do it yourself.
• Do I need to meet with an advisor for a grad check?
  Unlike some other departments, we do not require that you meet with an advisor for your grad check. Typically, the Director of Undergraduate Studies will complete your grad check by the middle of the semester in which you are going to graduate. You can tell if your grad check has been completed if you look at your TDA and it says “Candidate.” If your TDA says “Department Review” then your grad check is still being processed. You will only hear from the Director of Undergraduate Studies about your grad check if there is an issue, such as a missing course or not enough units.
• What is the SMPP or SSPP?
  SMPP stands for Subject Matter Preparation Program and SSPP stands for Single Subject Preparation Program. The two terms are used interchangeably. This program was once the main way to demonstrate the subject matter competency (SMC) required for a teaching credential. However, as of 2022, the state of California no longer requires the SMPP to demonstrate subject matter competency. Students seeking a teaching credential can now demonstrate that competency by completing a Bachelor’s degree that aligns with their desired credential. In other words, if you’re seeking a teaching credential in English, you’ll demonstrate your subject matter competency simply by completing your B.A. in English.
• What is the difference between ENGL 302: Composition and Rhetoric for Teachers and ENGL 307: Advanced Writing for English Studies?
  ENGL 302: Composition and Rhetoric for Teachers is recommended for students whose ultimate goal is to earn a teaching credential. English 307: Advanced Writing for English Studies is the correct course for most English majors. Both of the courses fulfill the Upper-Division Writing Requirement for the English major. You should not take both ENGL 302 and ENGL 307.  
• How do I declare /change my major/minor?
  Students seeking to declare or change a major or minor are encouraged to meet with an adviser and submit a “Change of Major/Minor” form to the Office of the Registrar. The form can be found on the Registrar's website.. 
• Can I major in English and minor in Creative Writing or Comparative Literature?
  Yes. All minors require 12 “distinct units,” meaning units that apply only to the minor and not to any other program. But other than those 12 units, all other units required by the minor can be double-counted with the English major. In practice, that means an English major can earn a Creative Writing or Comparative Literature minor with only four additional classes.