Slide 1: UGS- Office of International Academic Advisement
Online Pre-Enrollment Workshop
California State University, Northridge
Spring 2021
Slide 2: What we'll cover
- Important Contacts
- CSUN Email and MyNorthridge Portal
- Pre-Enrollment Steps
- Post Enrollment Steps
- Student Responsibilities & Expectations
- Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism
- Challenges and Resources
- Future Advisement
Slide 3: Important Contacts
There are 3 international offices who will assist you as you transition to CSUN:
- International Admissions
- International and Exchange Student Center
- UGS- International Academic Advisement
Slide 4: (Located in Bayramian Hall- BH 160) International Admissions
- Issues the Admissions packet
- Issues the initial I-20
- Processes foreign transcripts
- Processes letter request forms
Slide 5: (Located at the University Student Union) International & Exchange Student Center (IESC)
- Enforces immigration requirements
- Helps with visa and immigration issues
- Approves employment & practical training
- Host social & cultural events
Slide 6: (Located in the Extended University Commons- EU 150) International Academic Advisement
- Enrolls you into 1st semester courses
- Provides major advisement
- Provides placement exam information
- Assist with transition into the second semester
Slide 7: CSUN Email and MyNorthridge Portal
Your class schedule will be sent to your CSUN email and will show in your MyNorthridge Portal. Go to the CSUN home page to login to each account.
You should check your CSUN email and "MY Checklist" portion of your portal frequently.
Slide 8: Within your portal under "My Checklist" you will find your holds.
Title 9 hold: All CSUN staff and students are required to complete "Not Anymore" an online, video- based, violence prevention program. You will have a registration hold placed on your account until the "Not Anymore" (Title 9) course is complete.
International Advisement hold: Since an advisor will enroll you for the first semester, in-person advisement is not mandatory and students are NOT required to get this hold removed. This hold will be removed when it is time for you to register for your second semester.
Foreign hold: The foreign hold is placed by IESC for proof of health insurance. Having health insurance is a requirement for all international students studying in the U.S. For more information about the health insurance option offered by CSUN, visit International Health Insurance Requirement.
Slide 9: Pre-Enrollment Steps
All new F-1 undergraduate international students will be enrolled by an advisor for their first semester.
International students do not need to register/ enroll themselves, however they must complete the following Pre-Enrollment Steps.
- Complete your Not Anymore online training.
- Complete this Online Pre-Enrollment workshop.
- Complete your Response Questionnaire.
Slide 10: Why am I pre-enrolled into classes for the first semester?
You will be enrolled by an advisor for the first semester. This is a great benefit because:
- This process is easier for students who are still abroad.
- Advisors make sure you are in at least 12 units as required by your visa.
- Advisors can go around holds that you would not be able to.
- Advisors are familiar with CSUN degree requirements including general education, major courses, exams, auditions, portfolios, and/or course substitutions that you might be unfamiliar with
- This process allows you to focus on other tasks such as exams, finding housing, finalizing immigration requirements, etc.
You will be able to enroll yourself for the 2nd semester.
Slide 11: How are my classes chosen?
Classes are chosen based on:
- Degree requirements and consultation with major departments
- General Education requirements
- Review of transfer course work listed on your Degree Progress Report (DPR)
- Review of exam/placement scores
- Preferences that you provide on the Response Questionnaire
Once an advisor creates your schedule, you will have an opportunity to review it and discuss any questions and/or concerns you may have.
Slide 12: Response Questionnaire
The questionnaire:
- Tells us your schedule preferences.
- Tells us if you have any schedule restrictions.
- Reserves you a seat in classes, but does not obligate you to attend CSUN.
Questionnaire tips:
- Complete your Response Questionnaire within two weeks of receiving your welcome letter.
- Both freshman AND transfer students must select general education (GE) courses.
- If you are not sure what a GE subject is about, review your options on the CSUN Catalog and read the course descriptions.
Slide 13: Where can I find my degree requirements?
Your degree requirements can be found on your Degree Progress Report (DPR). Your DPR is a document that contains all course work evaluated by Admissions and Records and all remaining requirements at CSUN. The DPR includes the following types of courses:
- General Education(GE)- courses meant to help you develop "skills in multiple areas". These areas include Freshmen Composition, GE Math, Critical Thinking, Speech, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Comparative Culture, US Government, and US History.
- Major- courses are specific to your degree, option, and catalog year.
- Lower division- (100-200 level) courses typically taken freshmen/sophomore year
- Upper division- (300-400 level) courses typically taken junior/senior year.
- Additional- electives or other courses, which do not fulfill a GE or major requirement, for example pre/corequisites or non-equivalent transfer coursework.
How to read the DPR:
- “OK” means that the section is complete and the course you took will show with a grade.
- “NO” means one or more requirements are missing. A minus (-) sign will show next to the missing requirement and a list will show the class options available to complete the requirement.
- “IP” means the class is in progress and the plus (+) sign indicates the requirement will be complete once the passing grade comes in.
To download a DPR please review steps 1-6 in the DPR How to Guide.
Slide 14: Can I change my schedule after an advisor has enrolled me?
Schedule changes can be requested through Friday of week 1.
Before the deadline:
You can make a schedule change request by emailing hub.intladvisor@csun.edu. Request should include your name, ID number, and the specific change you would like to make. The request must meet the following requirements:
- The advisor must determine if the course is required for graduation and if you meet the prerequisites. If the course is approved by your advisor they will adjust your schedule for you.
- The class must be open.
- Unless already complete math and freshman composition are mandatory in the first semester and cannot be dropped.
After the Deadline:
We want our students to have a strong, stable start to their first semester. Adding a class late and missing class sessions can cause you to start behind in class, therefore there must be a legitimate reason for schedule changes after the deadline. Additionally any schedule change after Friday of week 1 will require instructor consent. Per the university add/drop deadline no changes after Friday of week 4 will be permitted.
Slide 15: Will my classes be virtual or in person?
In an effort to keep our campus and community safe, CSUN will operate in a primarily virtual format for spring 2021. CSUN currently offers the following types of online classes:
- Fully Online Synchronous (FOS)- classes meet virtually twice a week at a specific time
- Fully Online Intermittent (FOI)- classes meet virtually once per week at a specific time
- Fully Online Asynchronous (FOA)- classes have no regularly scheduled meetings, all assignments are worked on independently
CSUN may offer a small number of On-campus Hybrid courses which may require on campus meeting. These courses are often restricted to certain programs/majors. Enrollment in an on-campus hybrid course is not guaranteed.
In accordance with current SEVP guidelines students enrolled fully online for their first semester may not be able to enter the U.S. and may need to begin their studies abroad. Information is subject to change pending SEVP updates.
Slide 16: Post Enrollment Steps
Important steps to complete after you have been enrolled in classes:
- Review and confirm your class schedule on your MyNorthridge portal. Email an advisor if you have questions/ concerns or attend a zoom advisement session
- Complete your immigration steps with IESC
- Submit final transcripts to International Admissions by the document deadline
- Attend (virtual) International Student Orientation
- Submit proof of immunization to the Klotz Student Health Center
Slide 17: Important Documents
The document deadline for spring 2021 F-1 applicants is November 15th. Official documents should be submitted to International Admissions.
Official documents include:
- Final high school transcripts
- Final transcripts from all institutions attended with final grades. If you turned in transcripts while classes were in progress you may need to turn in a new set once your final grades are in.
- Any AP, Level-A, IB, SAT, ACT, or other test scores
Not having up-to-date documents can result in being placed into classes that you have already taken or delay enrollment in higher level classes that require your transcripts/test scores as prerequisites.
Slide 18: Placement Exams
Placement exams are required for most freshmen and recommend for some transfer students. If you are required or recommended to take a placement exam you will be notified via your CSUN email.
If students are not exempt up entrance to the university they may be required or recommended to take the following placement exams:
- The Math Selection Assessment (MSA) to determine math placement. The MSA is highly recommended for students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) majors.
- There is currently no placement exam for english/writing being offered by CSUN. Students who want higher placement in english/writing are encouraged to take the SAT or ACT exam.
Students may be exempt from placement exams via the following methods:
- SAT or ACT scores
- AP, IB, Level-A, or CLEP scores
- Transfer coursework from an approved college or university
Be aware the TOFEL and IELTS exams are only required for admission purposes, they DO NOT determine your placement level in math or writing.
Slide 19: Additional Exams
Depending on your major or class standing some students may need additional exams, which can be taken through our testing center. Please consult with your advisor before registering for any additional exams. Some of these exams include:
Math Placement Test (MPT)
- The MPT can be used for scoring into college level math up to calculus.
- Students must already be complete or exempt from college prep Math before attempting the MPT.
Chemistry Placement Test (CPT)
- The CPT can be used to place into CHEM 101/L. Students who need CHEM 101/L, but do not pass or take the CPT will need to take and pass CHEM 100 with a "C" or higher at CSUN first.
Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE)
- The UDWPE is a graduation requirement for all students. This exam should be attempted after 56 units, but before 75 units, therefore most transfer students will need to attempt this exam during their first semester.
Note most exams are temporarily suspended during covid-19. For updates visit the Testing Center.
Slide 20: New Student Orientation
Is orientation Mandatory?
- Yes! All students should plan to attend virtual New Student Orientation. Attending orientation is one of your required steps for immigration.
Which Orientation do I go to?
- International students are only required to go to the International Orientation scheduled for the Thursday before school begins. Please disregard notices to attend any other orientation day.
Slide 21: Student Responsibilities and Expectations
- Check your CSUN email frequently.
- Attend all classes and be on time. If you cannot make it to class notify your professor via email. This is especially important in week 1, if you do not receive consent to miss class during the first week, your professors can fail you or ask you to drop the class.
- Notify your advisors before the week 1 deadline if you want to swap or add a course.
- Notify your advisor before the week 4 deadline if you want to drop a course or withdraw from the university. Do not just stop attending.
- Pay your tuition fees on time. Tuition is due by the Friday of the first week of classes.
- Expect to be challenged. CSUN is a new environment therefore it may take time to adjust. Learning virtually can be especially challenging. Just remember your advisors are here to help. Notify your advisor as soon as possible if you need support. CSUN has plenty of mind, body, and academic resources to help you succeed!
- Abide by the Student Code of Conduct. It is unacceptable to engage in behavior that is seen as disorderly, obscene, and/or threatening. It is also unacceptable to engage in behaviors of academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism. Some professors might allow or require students to work together on a project/assignment, however most exams, homework, and written papers should be done by yourself. If you are unsure of how much collaboration or sharing is allowed on an assignment ask your professor. Failure to abide by the Student Code of Conduct can result in receiving failing grades and/or may affect your ability to continue at CSUN. View the Student Code of Conduct policy.
Slide 22: Challenges and Resources
We hope that you have an amazing first semester at CSUN. However, beginning your studies virtually for your first semester may present some unique challenges, in addition to the normal experiences of beginning your education at a new university. Please know that we are here to support you every step of the way and will do all that we can to support your academic success. Below are a list of resources you may find useful in your first semester:
Slide 24: 2nd Semester Advisement
- International students will be able to register themselves for the 2nd semester and on.
- The International Academic Advisement Office will send students an email notification when it is time to make an appointment for the next semester (typically starting week 5).
- We will host workshops to help students prepare to register themselves and get advisement holds such as the "International Advising Mandatory" or "2nd Semester Freshmen" removed.
- Make sure to check your CSUN email regularly to receive these communications. After the semester begins we will no longer use your personal email.
Slide 25: Welcome to the CSUN community!
To finish this workshop, click here Workshop Completion Survey or exit full screen mode, locate the drop down box labeled "Online Pre-Enrollment Workshop Instructions", go to step #4, and click the Workshop Completion Survey link. For questions email hub.intladvisor@csun.edu. For additional updates and campus events visit
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Updated October 2020
