Counseling Services
- General Appointment
- Drop-in Appointment
- Career Counseling
- Career/Transfer Center
- Personal Counseling
- Veterans Counseling
- Foreign Student Admission Counseling
- Transfer Alliance/Honors Program (TAP)
- Puente
- Service Learning
- Career Technical Education (CTE) Counseling
- Academic Athletic Counseling and Support Program
General Appointment
Typically scheduled one week in advance, this is an in-depth counseling session, scheduled in half-hour increments. Academic advisement discussions of transfer requirements , Plan A , Plan B Associate degrees, or occupational certificate requirements, academic probation, academic dismissal, or other concerns requiring significant attention, personal counseling, and other areas are also available. Transcript evaluation appointments from outside the LACCD are scheduled for one hour. To make a counseling appointment click here.
Drop-in Appointment
Drop-in appointments are brief 10 minute sessions to ask quick questions and to obtain general information. (Drop-in is not appropriate for completing Financial Aid forms or to complete a Student Educational Plan.)
Drop-in appointments are scheduled beginning at 8 a.m. each day for same day service. Hours of availability (subject to change) are: Mon- Fri: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (last appt. at 1:40) and Mon – Thurs: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (last appt. at 6:40.)
Career Counseling
This is a special-purpose series of one hour appointments that is specifically geared toward helping students decide on a career or major. These appointments are only available to enrolled LAVC students. Make sure to ask for a career specialist counselor. Visit the Career Transfer Center (SSA) and/or enroll in a Personal Development (http://www.lavc.edu/counseling/orient.html) 4 or 20 class for additional resources.
Career/Transfer Center
Assists students seeking to explore careers and/or continue their studies at either a four-year college or university, and/or obtain an AA degree, or enroll in one of many certificate programs. Has a library of information on careers and colleges as well as computer access to the world wide web. Provides opportunities to meet with college representatives. Conducts workshops on such topics as "How to Transfer", "Deciding on a Major", and "Transfer Admissions Applications" workshops. Offers career counseling, career assessments, and information and registration materials for the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, CBEST, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT and CSET.
Personal Counseling
In situations where personal concerns are having an adverse impact on your ability to do well in your classes, you may obtain personal counseling as part of a regular 30-minute appointment. Referrals are available for more in-depth counseling as needed.
Veterans Counseling
The Los Angeles Valley College Veterans Program provides services to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for V.A. benefits. The program also offers counseling about LAVC's certificate, associate degree, and transfer programs. To be eligible for benefits, the veteran should select a degree objective and choose courses from those listed in the catalog. Included in the counseling is the development of a student educational plan after completion of two semesters.
Previous military courses or military transcripts will be evaluated for students who have completed 12 units at LAVC and are currently enrolled. Veterans who have served 181 days or more of active duty are eligible to receive 6 units of elective credit and one unit of physical education credit toward their degree upon submitting their discharge papers (DD214) to the Graduation Office in Admissions and Records.
Students who wish to receive V.A. benefits should fill out the appropriate paperwork prior to the beginning of each semester. Please contact the Veterans Office at the Student Services Center (SSC) 1st floor. Trish González, VA Coordinator (818) 778-5627.
Foreign Student Admission Counseling
Los Angeles Valley College issues I-20's to those foreign students who wish to study on an F-1 visa. The college works in close cooperation with the U.S. Office of Immigration and Naturalization. Foreign students are urged to acquaint themselves with the rules of the Immigration Service prior to applying for admission. Since the college does not offer special programs for foreign students, primary requirement for issuance of the I-20 is mastery of the English language.
All foreign students will be required to pay the non-resident tuition fee. Tuition and fees must be paid at the time of registration in accordance with the number of units in which the student enrolls. Summer session is optional. There is a $35 application processing fee that is due when the student turns in the Foreign Student Application. Foreign student applications are accepted each semester; direct inquiry should be made to the Foreign Student Advisor. The Foreign Student Advisor (Margaret Sarkisyan, sarkism@lavc.edu) is located in the Counseling Office in the Student Services Annex at (818) 947-2648. The advisor will also inform any applicant of the qualifications of students eligible to receive I-20's.
Transfer Alliance/Honors Program (TAP)
The Los Angeles Valley College Transfer Alliance/Honors Program (TAP) is designed primarily for students who plan on transferring to a four-year college or university. It consists of academically enriched general education courses in which both written expression and the critical analysis of ideas are stressed. The TAP sections will provide academically motivated students the opportunity to learn in a challenging and stimulating learning environment. More than 80% of our TAP applicants have been accepted by UCLA for the last several years. (Only about 30% percent of non-TAP applicants to UCLA have been admitted to UCLA over this same period). Our TAP transfers at UCLA have a better academic performance than non-TAP transfers and native UCLA students. Contact Dr. Michael Gold (818) 947-2630, goldmc@lavc.edu, or Ann Gee (818) 947-2631, geeah@lavc.edu.
Puente
The Puente Program, which is co-sponsored by the University of California and the California Community College system, and is open to all, has been very successful in meeting its goal of changing the lives of thousands of California students. Since Puente's founding in 1981, over four thousand men and women have participated in the Puente Project. More than two-thirds of the students who complete the program transfer to four-year colleges and universities, as compared with seven percent for all community college students. Puente mentors have been especially instrumental in helping Puentistas develop the confidence and knowledge they need to succeed in school and in their careers. The Puente counselor (Sylvia Rodriquez, rodrigsh@lavc.edu) is in the Counseling Department in the Student Services Annex and can be reached at (818) 947-2440.
Service Learning
Los Angeles Valley College's Service Learning Program links students as volunteers with nonprofit agencies. Through volunteer service, students gain valuable practical experience that can be related to any class.
Many Valley College instructors incorporate Service Learning into their courses by offering extra credit for volunteer work with community non-profit agencies. Most requirements are about 15 to 20 hours of volunteer service per semester. Students must also maintain a "reflection journal," challenging them to think, write, and talk critically about (and thereby learn from) their experiences. For more information about service learning, call (818) 947-2642.
Career Technical Education (CTE) Counseling
CTE counseling assists students in three instructional programs:
CTE programs leading to an occupational certificate. These certificates are designed for those students who have a limited time to pursue their formal education and who wish to specialize in a particular area that is employment oriented.
An Associate degree program leading to an A.A. or A.S. Degree. Students desiring an A.A. Degree must complete major and appropriate graduation requirements including general education.
Transfer programs leading to the transfer to a four-year college or university with upper division junior standing in some particular majors.
Academic Athletic Counseling and Support Program
The philosophy of the counseling and support program is to empower student athletes to make logical and critical decisions for themselves by giving them timely and accurate information. The program is committed to providing support services to all students. To help them achieve excellence in the classroom. The program also strives to keep a balance between academics and athletics while appreciating the value of both. For further information please contact Reggie Reed (818) 947-2643. His office is located at the South Gym Rm. 107.
Counselors are also available in satellite offices: SSD (CC100), EOPS (CC216), TRiO (SSC228), STEM, and Cal Works (B53).