Counseling & Advising

About the Counseling Department

The Counseling Department is committed to providing quality, comprehensive academic, career, and personal counseling services in a supportive environment to assist students in achieving their educational and vocational goals and empowering them to make informed choices and decisions.

Not sure where to start or how to reach your academic or career goals? Need help developing your educational plan? Just need to talk to someone? The SJCC Counseling Department is here to help! Meeting with a counselor is one of the most important things you can do during your college career at San José City College.

Our Mission Statement

The Counseling Department’s mission is to provide comprehensive counseling services in a safe, supportive environment to guide, motivate, and empower students to achieve their educational, vocational, and personal goals.

4 Easy Steps to Meet with a Counselor

  1. Submit an Application — New & Returning Students
  2. Complete the Self-Guided Placement — New & Returning Students
  3. Complete the Online College Orientation — New Students Only (opens in new tab)
  4. Schedule an Appointment with a Counselor

Department Contact

  • Fall/Spring Office Hours

  • Monday – Thursday:
  • 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday:
  • 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

  • Summer Office Hours

  • Monday – Thursday:
  • 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday:
  • 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Prerequisite Clearance Form

Need a prerequisite cleared?

Submit the Prerequisite Clearance Form (opens in new tab)

Please allow 5 to 7 business days to process your request.

Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid any delays.

Do not send multiple email requests, as this will delay processing.

Submit complete, unofficial transcripts only. Screenshots, photos, or partial images of transcripts will not be accepted.

Questions or Concerns?

Use one of the appropriate forms below to contact us. San José City College is here to support you on your journey to success!

Drop-In Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Last drop-in taken at 2:45 p.m.)

Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
(Last drop-in taken at 11:15 a.m.)

Please note: If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, we may need to reschedule.

To avoid rescheduling your appointment, follow these tips:

  • Please log on to your Zoom link at least 5 to 10 minutes early to ensure there are no technical issues and that you have enough time to get all your questions answered.
  • If you requested a phone call appointment, please be available at the scheduled time. Make sure your email address and phone number are current in the system.

Remember to answer unknown or private numbers during your appointment time, and remove any call-blocking features from your phone, to avoid missing the counselor’s call.

Appointments are scheduled sessions of 30–60 minutes with a counselor for the following:

  • Career Counseling
  • Educational Planning
  • Graduation Petition (degree and/or certificate)
  • General Education & Transfer Requirements
  • Transcript Evaluation
  • Academic Counseling for Probation/Dismissal
  • Financial Aid Petition
  • Personal Counseling

Request a Counseling Appointment (opens in new tab)

Drop-ins are 10–15 minute sessions for the following:

  • Assessment Results/Review — To understand your assessment results and to get help with English/ESL and Math class selection.
  • Brief Questions
  • Course Repeat — To repeat a class in which you received a W, D, F, or NP, you must obtain a Course Repeat Form from a counselor and register with Admissions & Records. A course repeat form is only required if you are repeating the course for the second time. Note: Per current policy, students may only repeat a course two times (3rd attempt).
  • Excess Unit Form — To register for more than 18 units during the Fall or Spring semester, or more than 7 units during the summer session, you must meet with a counselor to obtain an approved Excess Unit Form before registering with Admissions & Records.
  • Prerequisites and/or Co-requisite Overrides — If you wish to enroll in a class for which you have already met the prerequisite(s) at another college or through other means, you must provide documentation (e.g., transcripts) to a counselor. You may drop in or submit a Prerequisite Clearance Form (opens in new tab) to complete the process.

Students must provide proof of completion of the required coursework (official or unofficial transcripts or equivalent documentation).

Drop-In Request Form — Use during drop-in hours only to avoid delays (opens in new tab)

Please Note

  • Dual enrollment students must submit a prerequisite form along with supporting documentation showing a passing grade, AP test scores from the College Board, or SAT scores.
  • Students wanting to clear prerequisites from another college or university must submit their complete, continuous transcripts showing a passing grade before any request can be reviewed. Use the link above.
  • If you have not yet completed your prerequisite or do not yet have your AP scores, we cannot clear any prerequisites until the grade is finalized on your transcript or your AP test scores have been received from the College Board.

Services

These services are critical to your academic success. We are here to assist you with academic-related matters and issues.

It is important that you make an appointment to see a counselor during your first semester to discuss your educational and career objectives and develop a customized educational plan. In addition, meet with a counselor at least once a semester to ensure you are on the right track toward your educational and career goals.

Academic Counseling Services:

  • Assist you with academic-related matters and issues.
  • Help you clarify your educational objectives and develop an educational plan specific to your goals.
  • Help you understand the requirements of certificate programs, associate degrees, general education, majors, and transfer, as well as the College’s policies and procedures.
  • Provide transcript evaluation and class selection.
  • Provide academic probation/dismissal counseling for students who are struggling academically and need strategies to improve their academic performance and standing.
  • Assist with graduation and financial petitions and other academic and registration-related forms.
  • Additional transfer information and resources can be found in the Career/Transfer Center (opens in new tab).

Sometimes personal issues or concerns can affect your academic performance or success. If you are experiencing this, we can listen and connect you with the appropriate resources.

Personal matters discussed with a counselor are held in strict confidence. Talking to a counselor may be the most effective way to get back on track academically.

It is not uncommon for students to encounter personal issues while in college. Stress, depression, loss and grief, substance use, anger, eating concerns, anxiety, and relationship difficulties can interfere with your ability to do your best academically.

Our counselors are experienced in helping you address and manage personal issues that may be affecting your academic success and performance.

When appropriate, you may be referred to professional services on campus, such as Student Health Services, or to community resources.

Good mental health increases the likelihood of academic success — just as good physical health is essential for peak performance. When personal challenges arise, it is important to seek healthy support.

The following resources are a good place to start:

Whether you meet with a counselor or a trained professional in Health Services, your personal information will be held in complete confidence.

Orientation is designed to help you become more familiar with San José City College. Participating in orientation is critical to your success.

Orientation provides students with information about San José City College’s educational programs, support services, the registration process, college facilities, student life, academic expectations and procedures, and students’ rights and responsibilities. Online orientations are currently the only format available.

Complete the Online College Orientation (opens in new tab)