Academic Advisement

Upon admission to the university, students will be assigned academic advisors in their major fields of study. In most academic departments or programs, the advisors are regular faculty members. Students should contact their major departments or program offices to ascertain the names of available advisors as soon as possible after admission. Students must meet with their academic advisors at least once each term for advisement prior to registration. Students will not be permitted to register if their course schedule request forms have not been signed by their advisors. In addition to registration advisement, academic advisors help students clarify career goals, keep records of progress toward graduation, and serve as resources for information about programs relevant to the major and to students’ personal growth.

Evaluation of Credit

After admission, students with previous college credit will receive an evaluation of credits in the major. Official evaluations will not be prepared from unofficial documents. Delay in submitting official transcripts may adversely affect financial aid, acceptance of transfer credit, and advising.

The University accepts all credit from regionally accredited institutions for college-level classes that are baccalaureate-oriented and are similar in content to CSU courses. Transfer courses will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine how credit meets Chicago State University’s graduation requirements and the requirements of the respective college, department, and program option. No grades below a C will be accepted in transfer. A maximum of 66 hours will be accepted in transfer from a two-year colleges. Developmental, remedial, vocational, study skills, college survival practicum, ESL, and other similar courses do not transfer. Academic advisors in each major field can explain the content of this evaluation during the student’s regular visit for advisement.

Chicago State University will award college credit to adult learners enrolled in non-traditional studies programs based on the ACE Credit Recommendation’s National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs. This credit is subject to the general policies governing transfer credits and departmental policies. Students offering ACE approved credits enrolled in traditional programs will also be considered on an individual basis following departmental and university guidelines and policies governing acceptance of transfer credits.

Any additional transfer credits submitted after a student’s acceptance to CSU will be automatically applied to the student’s permanent record. All course work can be viewed on CSU X-Press approximately two weeks after submission of official transcripts.

Illinois Articulation Initiative

Chicago State University is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed . Illinois General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Completion of the transferable General Education Core Curriculum, or completion of the A.A. or A.S. degree, at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that University general education requirements for the bachelor’s degree have been satisfied. Students who have completed 75 or more hours from a combination of 2 two-year and four-year institutions, who have completed the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum are considered to have completed their general education requirements.

Students in specific majors that require mathematics beyond the general education requirement must take the mathematics placement examination and take the course indicated by the examination results. All Chicago State University students must pass the English Qualifying Examination before graduating.

The Illinois Articulation Initiative also includes recommended freshman and sophomore-level courses for specific majors. Major courses are identified for disciplines in art, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, criminal justice, early childhood education, elementary education, English, history, mathematics, music, nursing, political science, psychology, secondary education, sociology, and speech. Always consult with an academic advisor when planning to transfer and read about the Illinois Articulation Initiative at www.itransfer.org.

Graduate Admission

For information regarding graduate admission requirements and graduate course listings, see the Graduate Catalog or call the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at 773/995-2404, or visit the office in room 338, Douglas Library.