Academic Resources USC Offers Many Resources to Help You Achieve Academic Success
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SCampus 2011-12 Exploring Los Angeles Academic Resources USC offers many resources to help you achieve academic success. This section includes information about academic advisement, tutors, overseas study programs and more. If you’re interested in joining an academic honor society, check out the options available to you, and learn more about scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Academic Advisement Academic Support Academic Advisement Debra Bernstein (213) 740-2534 College Academic Services 120 Email: [email protected] www.usc.edu/collegeadvising Academic advisement is important in planning a curriculum that fulfills general education requirements and major requirements, while allowing you to take advantage of the varied pro- grams and classes the university offers. An advisor can help you sort through requirements and introduce interest- ing options for your program. If you are an undecided/undeclared student or a student interested in graduate school or law school, you can meet with advi- sors in the Office of College Advising. If you are a student interested in the pre-health professions (medicine, den- ACADEMIC SUCCESS SEMINARS students effective learning strategies tistry or allied health field), advisement AND LEARNING ENRICHMENT reduces the need for extensive instruc- is available in the Office of Pre-Health WORKSHOPS tional and tutorial support in each Advisement located in the Figueroa course. Knowledge of alternative learn- Seminars and learning enrichment Building. ing techniques enables you to adopt workshops are provided in goal setting, those strategies that match your cogni- time management, examination- ADVISEMENT SEMINARS tive abilities and/or the unique demands taking strategies, study techniques, of the learning task at hand. Learning College Advising and the Office of Pre- power reading, writing term papers, assistants are available to students once Health Advisement offer preparatory concentration and memory improve- they complete a tutor request form seminars and workshops each semester ment, and critical thinking. These available online at www.usc.edu/cas. Stu- to help you plan your undergraduate workshops are designed to help you dents can work with learning assistants studies at the university and/or prepare adapt effective learning techniques to on a one-on-one basis, including eve- for graduate and professional school. your own learning styles. A complete nings and weekends. Workshop topics offered include: list of current workshops is published in the Schedule of Classes (www.usc.edu/soc). • Planning for Health Professions NEW STUDENT ACADEMIC (www.usc.edu/pre-health) INTERVENTION PROGRAM DISABILITY SERVICES AND • Planning for Law School PROGRAMS The New Student Academic Inter- (www.usc.edu/pre-law) vention Program is designed to assist • Planning for Graduate School Academic Support partners with Dis- first-time enrolled freshmen and under- (www.usc.edu/pregrad) ability Services and Programs to further graduate transfer students. The program enrich academic resources available to facilitates the academic success as well USC students with disabilities. For fur- Academic Support Programs as the personal growth and welfare of ther information, see page 40. first year students at USC. Information Patricia Tobey concerning academic support, counsel- (213) 740-0776 TUTORING ing, advisement and other services are Student Union 301 The center offers tutoring in selected electronically emailed to every first- Email: [email protected] subjects for all USC students. Tutors, time enrolled student throughout the www.usc.edu/cas who are part of a nationally-certified fall semester. Academic support programs contribute tutorial program, will work with you on Students have the opportunity to to a collaborative approach to learning a one-on-one basis, including evening meet in-person or communicate via in the academic community. Upper hours and on weekends. Before you email with experienced staff members division students, graduate students, begin working with a tutor, you must at the university. Staff members can faculty and staff are dedicated to first complete the tutor request form provide assistance with any number of SCampus 2011-12 SCampus facilitating a coordinated program of available online at www.usc.edu/cas. valuable resources available on cam- mentoring and academic enrichment in pus. Additional follow-up information 54 a university-wide effort to address your LEARNING ASSISTANCE concerning academic performance individual needs. from the fall semester and referrals are Learning strategies and study skills are provided during the beginning of the the foundation of learning assistance. spring semester, if needed, to students Development and maintenance of strat- and their academic advisors in various egies for time management, notetaking, schools. For more information please listening, study reading, preparing for visit www.usc.edu/cas. and taking examinations, and improv- ing memory and concentration are at the core of efficient learning. Teaching Engineering Diversity Examinations Academic Resources STRUCTURED CURRICULUM Partnering with the Viterbi Admission EXAMINATION CONFLICTS WITH PROGRAM and Student Affairs division, industry RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS and alumni affords CED the opportuni- Students in the Structured Curriculum When an examination falls at a time ty to provide a supportive environment Program (SCP) are selected through the that conflicts with your observance of that prepares students academically, regular university admissions process. a legitimate religious holiday, instruc- professionally and personally for suc- SCP participants are provided with tors must accommodate a request for an cess as professional and academic learning support services in collabora- alternate examination date. engineers. tion with other appropriate offices and You must discuss a final examination The goal of the CED is to foster campus professionals. SCP students conflict with the professor no later than a community of scholars focused on receive guidance in class selection, two weeks prior to the scheduled professional excellence. CED offers major choice, academic skills and per- examination date to arrange an accept- a variety of services and programs to sonal concerns. The program encour- able alternate examination date. In prepare students to succeed as indus- ages students to be actively involved in doubtful cases, you or the instructor will try professionals or continue on to their own learning process. Additional want to confer with the dean of reli- graduate school. CED services include information can be found online at gious life by contacting (213) 740-6110. academic advising, career counseling, www.usc.edu/cas/scp. professional development workshops, ADMINISTRATIVE scholarships, corporate networking UNDERGRADUATE SUCCESS EXAMINATIONS through our Industry Advisory Board, PROGRAM a freshman Summer Institute and a Testing Bureau As a major support to scholars of the study center equipped with computers. Najib Al-Samarrai Neighborhood Academic Initiative pro- (213) 740-7166 gram (NAI), the Undergraduate Success Examinations YWCA 104 Program (USP) is designed to encour- www.usc.edu/student-affairs/ age academic and personal success at FINALS testing_bureau USC. USP provides orientation to the Finals are held over approximately eight The university offers four administra- Center for Academic Support, individu- days at the end of each semester. The tive examinations: placement examina- alized and group academic consultation, schedule of final examinations is avail- tions, university writing examinations, mentoring opportunities and a general able in the Schedule of Classes equivalency examinations and subject referral system to university programs (www.usc.edu/soc). and services. More information about You are advised to plan in advance to USP can be found at www.usc.edu/ avoid scheduling conflicts during your cas/usp. final examinations. However, if you are scheduled for two final examinations USC KORTSCHAK CENTER FOR at the same time or you are scheduled LEARNING AND CREATIVITY for more than two final examinations (KCLC) on one day, an attempt will be made This new center was developed for stu- to make alternate arrangements. You dents who learn differently and wish to should contact the appropriate depart- receive academic support. Students who ment administrator, the Testing Bureau have a learning difference, a document- or, if necessary, the Office of the Vice ed learning disability, ADHD or other President for Student Affairs. Ryoko Nakajima, Cinematic learning challenges are encouraged to In handling the stress of final Arts, Critical Studies major, use the KCLC. At the KCLC, students examinations, you may want Tokyo, Japan are paired with a learning assistant and/ to consult the dean or asso- or tutor, have access to assistive technol- ciate dean of religious ogy, can study in a quiet environment life or one among the and receive guidance about their pre- wide spectrum of reli- ferred ways of learning. gious directors, all of whom are available Center for Engineering for counseling. You can reach them at Diversity (213) 740-6110. In addition, Student Traci Thomas Navarro Health and Counsel- (213) 740-1998 2011-12 SCampus ing Services continue (213) 740-6226 (FAX) to offer their services Ronald Tutor Hall 210 55 during finals, and Email: [email protected] counselors are avail- viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/ced able during daytime The Center for Engineering Diversity hours. (CED) exists to support