Academic Advising

The Advising Program

All students are assigned an academic advisor when they enroll at PUC. You can locate advisors by department in the Academic Start Guide.

Academic advising is a process of working through the challenges of academic life as a team. Your advisor will give counsel, offer insights, and provide encouragement, all the while respecting your right to make the academic decisions you feel are in your own best interest.

Academic Advising is not handholding; it's not spoon-feeding; it's not the mere approval of class schedules. It's not an arrangement whereby one member of the team carries the load. Each individual has responsibilities.

To reinforce the mutual commitment to academic advising, all students are advised to meet with their academic advisor at least once every quarter. Students should especially make sure to meet with their advisor every spring quarter before registering for the next academic year. A "hold" will be placed on all students' registration until they have consulted their academic advisor, who will lift the hold.

Students can view their personalized program evaluation at any time on Flashlight. This evaluation will show completed courses for a program as well as remaining requirements, making it an excellent tool to track student progress and plan curriculum for upcoming terms.

Students looking to earn their bachelor's degree in the recommended four-year time frame will want to make sure they stay on track by planning ahead. The "Finish in Four" checklist on page 20 of the Academic Start Guide provides helpful advice for you to go over with your advisor to ensure you graduate when you plan to.

Undeclared Students

Students who are not ready to declare a major are assigned to an advisor who will help them structure their course schedules in a way that provides an appropriate foundation for their future major course work. The advisor also helps students to look at course options that will be helpful in making a decision about the major. For a sample one-year schedule, see the Information for Undeclared Majors guidesheet.

Teaching Credential Advising

If you have chosen a career in teaching, you should consult with the Chair of the Education department as early as possible in your curriculum planning. You should discuss requirements for both Seventh-day Adventist and California State teaching credentials. Early identification with the elementary or secondary teaching profession as a career is essential for structuring an orderly academic program. If you are a candidate for elementary teaching, you should register your intention after one quarter in residence. If you are a transfer student, you should register your intention upon enrollment. You will be admitted to the teacher education program after your application has been approved by the Education department. Further information is available at the Education department office or on their web page.

Counseling Services

The Career & Counseling Center provides career counselors who can administer and interpret interest and personality inventories. These professionals can advise about appropriate majors to pursue in preparation for certain careers. It is crucial, however, to meet with your academic advisor for specific career and degree requirements.

Academic Start Guide

The Academic Start Guide provides a complete look at programs, requirements, policies and academic resources at PUC.

Academic Start Guide

Placement

ACT or SAT

Pacific Union College participates in the American College Testing program as an essential element in academic advising. Each first-year applicant, and each transfer applicant with fewer than 45 quarter credits, must provide ACT or SAT scores.

Basic Algebra Proficiency Requirement and Mathematics Course Placement

Students who did not complete a full year of Algebra II with semester grades of C- or better at an accredited secondary institution will be required to take Basic Algebra (MATH 095 + 096) at Pacific Union College in order to meet the algebra proficiency requirement. This general education requirement in algebra should be completed by the end of the freshman year and must be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Students who believe their algebra skills to be at least at this level, even though they didn’t pass Algebra II in high school, may demonstrate their proficiency on a departmentally administered waiver test. Arrangements for this test should be made through the the Mathematics Department at (math@puc.edu).

Additional mathematics course descriptions and placement information beyond MATH 096 are provided below:

College Algebra (MATH 106)
This course is required for many business and science programs. Students should be ready for this course if they have done well in high school Algebra II (with grades B or better) or have finished MATH 096 Basic Algebra II (with grade C or better). A readiness test for College Algebra may be given the first or second day of class to give further guidance on the advisability of first taking MATH 096.

Precalculus (MATH 130)
This course is intended for students preparing for MATH 131 Calculus or seeking further experience in mathematics. Students should be ready for this course if they have done exceptionally well in high school Algebra II, done unexceptional but passing work in high school Precalculus, or have finished MATH 106 College Algebra (with grade C or better).

Calculus (MATH 131 + 132)
This course is required for many science programs. Students should be ready for this course if they have done well in high school Precalculus (with grades B or better) or have finished MATH 130 Precalculus (with grade C or better).

Introduction to Statistics (STAT 222)
This course is a General Education requirement. Students should be ready for this course once they have satisfied the General Education requirement in Algebra (see above) and completed ENGL 101.

Biology Department Course Placement

Biological Foundations (BIOL 121 + 122 + 123) 
As prerequisites, a student planning to enroll in the first section of Biological Foundations (BIOL 111) must have completed either

• A full year of high-school biology with minimum semester grades of C-
• Introduction to Biology (BIOL 105)

Additional requirements for BIOL 122 include completion of either

• A full year of high-school chemistry with minimum semester grades of C-
• Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 101)
• General Chemistry (CHEM 111)

Human Anatomy (BIOL 101) 
A student planning to enroll in Human Anatomy should meet at least one of the following prerequisites:

• Completion of Introduction to Human Biology (BIOL 100) with minimum grade of C-
• Achieved minimum score of 22 on the ACT
• Achieved minimum score of 1100 on the SAT
• Minimum college-level GPA of 3.0 (for transfer and continuing students)

Incoming students who do not qualify for BIOL 101 should be registered for BIOL 100 for the fall. Any incoming student may self-select into BIOL 100 if they are concerned about their readiness for rigorous science courses.

Human Physiology (BIOL 102)
A student planning to enroll in Human Physiology should meet at least one of the following prerequisites:

• Completion of Human Anatomy (BIOL 101) with minimum grade of C-
• A full year of high-school chemistry with minimum semester grades of C-
• Introductory Chemistry (CHEM 101) or General Chemistry (CHEM 111) with minimum grade of C-

General Microbiology (MICR 134) 
A student planning to enroll in General Microbiology should meet at least one of the following prerequisites:

• Completion of the BIOL 101 + 102 sequence (strongly recommended for student success)
• Completion of BIOL 100 with minimum grade of C-
• Achieved minimum score of 22 on the ACT
• Achieved minimum score of 1100 on the SAT
• Minimum college-level GPA of 3.0 (for transfer and continuing students)

English Requirements and Course Placement

College English (ENGL 101 and 102)
These courses are required of all students seeking a Bachelor's degree. Students who successfully complete 101 (with a grade of C- or better) are then eligible for 102.

General Chemistry Course Placement

A solid preparation in mathematics is critical for success in General Chemistry (CHEM 111 + 112 + 113). Therefore, students planning to register for the first course in the sequence (CHEM 111) should meet the following prerequisites:

• Completion of high-school Algebra II or Basic Algebra (MATH 095 + 096)
• Achieved a minimum score of 500 on the mathematics subsection of the SAT or a minimum score of 19 on the mathematics subsection of the ACT

While meeting the above guidelines suggests that a student is adequately prepared to succeed in General Chemistry, a student's chances of getting a B or better will increase with the following achievements:

• A math score of at least 23 on the ACT or at least 580 on the SAT
• Passed high-school physics
• Passed high-school chemistry

Religion Course Placement and Requirements

Students must complete a total of at least 18 hours of religion coursework from subjects RELB, RELG, RELH, RELP, and/or RELT:

1. Complete sections A & B during the first year (either through coursework or through waivers) prior to enrolling in any other GE religion courses.
2. Complete sections C, D, E, & F in any order.
3. Include at least 6 upper-division hours (300 level and above).

Section A: Prerequisite:
One of the following options:

• Two full years of Christian religion courses with semester grades of C- or better at an accredited secondary institution
• Or Successful completion of an approved waiver exam
• Or RELG 105 Biblical Foundations (3).
  Must be completed within the first two quarters at PUC.

Section B: Holistic Living:
RELG 125 Holistic Living (3) 
Must be completed within the first year at PUC.
Requirement waived for transfer students with 32+ units.

Section C: Studying Scripture:
One approved religion course that explores and critically analyzes biblical texts and themes. Approved courses are designated with “C” in the schedule. 
Current approved courses include the following:

            RELB 220                     Kings and Conquest (3)
            RELB 225                     Books of Moses (3)
            RELB 230                     Psalms and Wisdom Literature (3)
            RELB 235                     Prophets of Israel (3)
            RELB 240                     Letters of the Apostles (3)
            RELB 245                     Encountering Jesus (3)
            RELB 250                     Parables of Jesus (3)
            RELB 290                     Letters of Paul (3)
            RELB 300                     Biblical Interpretation (3)
            RELB 328                     Jesus & the Gospels (3)
            RELB 342                     Biblical Books (3)
            RELB 350                     Topics in Biblical Studies (3)
            RELT 205                      Christian Beliefs (3)

BSN Students (Specialized Option)
            RELB 341*                   Jesus as Healer (2-3)

Section D: Exploring Seventh-day Adventist Life and Thought:
One approved religion course that explores and critically analyzes Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and values.
Approved courses are designated with “D” in the schedule.
Current approved courses include the following:

            RELB 370*                   Studies in Daniel (3)
            RELB 371*                   Studies in Revelation (3)
            RELB 375*                   Advanced Studies in Apocalyptic (3)
            RELH 120                     Intro to Seventh-day Adventism (3)
            RELH 235                     Life and Ministry of Ellen White (3)
            RELH 360                     Adventist Heritage (4)
            RELT 220                     Seventh - day Adventist Beliefs (3)
            RELT 336                     Curr Issues in Seventh-day Adventism (3)
            RELT 337                     Last Day Events (3)

Section E: Integrating Faith and Life:
One approved religion course that integrates transformative faith perspectives with life in the contemporary world.
Approved courses are designated with “E” in the schedule.
Current approved courses include the following:

            RELB 315                    Biblical Ethics (3)
            RELP 235                     Sharing Your Faith (3)
            RELP 300                     Christian Spirituality (3)
            RELP 319*                   Church Missions/Modern World (3)
            RELP 320*                   Methods of Mission (3)
            RELP 335                     Christian Publishing (3)
            RELP 350                     Topics in Applied Theology (3)
            RELT 216                     Introduction to Christian Ethics (3)
            RELT 240                     Eco-Theology (3)
            RELT 320                     Philosophy of Religion (3)
            RELT 350                     Topics in Theological Studies (3)
            RELT 355                     Christian Ethics in Society (3)
            RELT 390                     Christian Bioethics (3)

            BSN Students (Specialized Option)
            RELP 346*                   Spiritual Care for Patients (2-3)
            RELT 345*                   Christian Ethics/Patient Care (2-3)

            Psychology & Social Work Students (Specialized Option)
            PSYC/SOWK 490*       Religion, Ethics, & Human Sciences (4)

*Course has additional prerequisite or registration requirements; see the course description for details.

Section F: Electives:
Take additional hours from RELB, RELG, RELH, RELP and/or RELT courses to meet the total religion requirement. When selecting religion electives, please note that course designated with MAJ in the class schedule are Theology Department major courses that are not open to GE students.
Students who complete the Foundations of Faith requirement will be able to explain the historical and salvific meaning of Jesus, explore and critically analyze biblical texts and themes as well as Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and values, and integrate transformative faith perspectives with life in the contemporary world.

Note: Requirement in Religion for Transfer Students:
As a Seventh-day Adventist Christian institution of higher education, religion coursework is a foundational part of the College curriculum. However, students who transfer from non-Adventist colleges or universities may not have had required religion coursework as part of their previous curriculum at the previous institutions. These students may elect to waive a portion of the requirement in proportion to the total number of hours transferred from non-Adventist institutions.

The remaining religion requirement must be completed at Pacific Union College as described in the following chart.

World Languages & Cultures Course Placement

Pacific Union College currently offers language courses in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.

One-quarter beginning-level language and culture courses (L&C) include:

• Beginning Chinese I (L&C; CHIN 111)
• Beginning Japanese I (L&C; JAPN 111)

Three-quarter beginning-level language and culture courses (L&C) include:

• Beginning French I (L&C) + II + III (FREN 111 + 112 + 113)
• Beginning German I (L&C) + II + III (GRMN 111 + 112 +113)
• Beginning Italian I (L&C) + II + III (ITAL 111 + 112 + 113)
• Beginning Spanish I (L&C) + II + III (SPAN 111 + 112 + 113)

Each sequence begins during fall quarter, and courses must be taken in sequence. Joining three-quarter sequence courses after the first quarter is not recommended.

The Department of World Languages and Cultures also offers an intermediate Spanish sequence (SPAN 151+ 152 + 153), upper-division courses in Spanish (SPAN 440, 480), and upper-division courses for department majors delivered in English with significant content in the foreign language of emphasis (LANG 300, 450, 470).

No placement exam is currently required. When placement is not clear, a face-to-face interview or other similar consultation will give a good idea of appropriate placement. For advice, please consult Sylvia Rasi Gregorutti, department chair (srasi@puc.edu).

Beginning-level language courses are not designed for students with two or more years of secondary school experience in that language. For additional language course placement information, please consult the following chart:

Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese

French, German, Italian

Spanish

Proficiency levels are measured according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACFTL).

Non-U.S. educated native speakers, heritage language (semi-native) speakers, students who have taken courses in languages not listed above, and those who seek examination for waiver or credit should consult with Sylvia Rasi Gregorutti, department chair (srasi@puc.edu).

Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA)

Pacific Union College is a member of Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA), a consortium of colleges and universities operated by the Board of Higher Education of the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This consortium offers qualified students the opportunity to participate in language and culture study abroad courses for the summer (typically, 6 weeks) or the academic year (9 months). Visit the Adventist Colleges Abroad website for locations and more information.

To be eligible for a year of study abroad in Argentina or Spain, most students will need to complete a full sequence of college-level Spanish (or 2 years of high school level), earning at least a 2.5 GPA in the language and a 2.0 overall GPA. There is no language prerequisite for programs in Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy or Lebanon. However, taking the full sequence of French, German or Italian prior to participation is strongly recommended for maximizing the experience abroad at those campuses.

Questions regarding the ACA program can be directed to Sylvia Rasi Gregorutti, department chair (srasi@puc.edu).

Questionnaires

At the end of every spring quarter, the Academic Administration provides students with the opportunity to evaluate each of their academic advisors using a system called EvaluationKIT that is integrated with Canvas. The questionnaire is available on the Wednesday before finals week through the Sunday following the last day of final exams.

Below is a copy of the survey questions for your reference.

Academic Advising Questionnaire

All submitted questionnaires are completely anonymous. It is impossible to connect an individual response with a student’s name—even for the administrators. Advisors may only access the statistical results at the end of the concurrent student course evaluation period, after final grades are posted.

To further protect student anonymity, only advisors with five or more students on their roster are qualified for the evaluation process.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Office of the Associate Academic Dean at 707-965-6612 or email the survey administrator at academicadministration@puc.edu.