Academic Counseling

The mission of the Coastline College Counseling Department is to guide and support our diverse student population through their educational journey, while serving as the bridge across academic disciplines and student services throughout Coastline College to promote access, understanding, and communication.

Our professionally trained and courteous Counselors are available to assist you with:

• Educational Planning
• DegreeWorks
• Career Exploration
• Re-Entry Services
• Counseling Courses
• Transfer Planning
• Evaluating Incoming Credits

• Inclusion & Equity

  The Counseling Department is committed to:

  • Recognizing our areas of privilege and to use our privilege as a voice of advocacy for our students and for the communities we serve.
  • Reviewing and updating Coastline Counseling Department policies, procedures, and practices for countering systemic racism.
  • Addressing intersectional challenges of race and social class to develop appropriate helping strategies while allowing dignity of the human person.
  • Continually growing our cultural competency and cultural humility by listening and learning from the students we serve.
  • Addressing institutional racism on our campus and offer spaces for dialogue for our students.
  • Exemplify, through our actions, our deep commitment in creating an equitable, equal, and non-discriminatory environment for our culturally diverse students, colleagues, and communities.

Counseling Appointments

Our Counselors are able to meet with students in the following ways:

• In-person: Please call (714) 241-6162 to schedule an in-person appointment with a Counselor. In-person appointments with our general, Military, and Career Counselors will be located at the Student Services Center in Fountain Valley. Check in with a staff member at the front desk upon your arrival.
• Zoom: Counseling appointments are conducted at Coastline using Zoom. In using Zoom, students are able to view the counselor's screen to review important student information, create educational plans, and work together to access necessary documents in real time! A student will at a minimum need access to a microphone. A webcam is also recommended, but not required, though we do love to see our students. All appointments booked online using the online appointment system are automatically booked for a Zoom appointment. A Zoom appointment may also be scheduled by calling the Counseling Department.
• Phone: Alternatively, phone appointments are still available for students who are not able to access the technology needed for a Zoom appointment. Please call the Counseling Department to book a phone appointment or book online using the online appointment system.
• e-Advise: e-Advise is designed to address quick questions related to academic advisement.

Let the counseling department know your preference at the time you schedule your appointment.

It is important when scheduling your Counseling appointment that you select a time when you will be able to give your complete attention to the meeting and be in a space that will allow you to focus and be an active participant.

• Pre-Counseling Workshop

  After you have scheduled an appointment with a Counselor, please complete this Pre-Counseling Workshop to ensure you come prepared to your Counseling meeting. In doing so, you will be able to maximize the time you have with your counselor to answer your questions and focus on future planning.

• Appointment No-Show Policy

  Students who cannot keep a scheduled appointment should cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the appointment, or they will be considered a no-show. Students with two no-shows in a three-month period will not be eligible to schedule another counseling appointment for three months from the date of the second no-show. Walk-In and E-Advise counseling will still be available; however, many issues cannot be effectively addressed in Walk-In and E-Advise because counselors are unable to access student records or view transcripts.

  To avoid a no-show, students should cancel at least 24 hours prior to the appointment in one of the following ways:

  • Call the Counseling office at (714) 241-6162
  • Email counselingdept@coastline.edu
  • Reply with “CX” to the automated text reminder
  • Select Cancel after logging on to the appointment scheduling webpage
• Clear Prerequisites

  To clear prerequisites, please see our Prerequisite Clearance How-To or contact the matriculation clerk in the Admission & Records office at (714) 241-6176.

• Course Overload Petition

  Course Overload Petition Criteria:

  • First-time college students and students on progress or academic probation are not eligible for overload.
  • Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at all colleges attended.
  • Student must provide copies of transcripts of all other colleges attended.
  • Student must have completed at least 50% of their units attempted.
  • Petition for overload must be submitted to a student's home campus, this form is for Coastline College students.

  No Coastline student may carry more than 19 units during a semester, 9 units during summer, or 6 units during intersession. This maximum applies to the combination of all units in which the student enrolls per semester/term in the Coast Community Colleges (Coastline, Golden West and Orange Coast).

  Click here to begin you online Course Overload Petition.

  For assistance, call the Counseling Department at (714) 241-6162 or email counselingdept@coastline.edu

• More Information
  • Testing Center
  • Transfer Articulation Agreements
• Counseling FAQs

  Q: Where do I go to research my educational and career options and find the best-fitting major or certificate plan for me?

  A: Call the Counseling Department at (714) 241-6162 to schedule an academic counseling appointment. A counselor can also assess your transcripts, help you with course planning, and ensure that you will be ready to successfully transfer to a four-year college if that's part of your plan. Tip: Enroll in Counseling C104 (Career/Life Planning) or Counseling C105 (Strategies for College Success).

  Q: I need help paying for college. Who can help me?

  A: Visit Coastline's Financial Aid Office at College Center and you'll get info on the FAFSA, fee waivers, grants, student loans, work study opportunities, and scholarships.

  Q: Where can I learn more about four-year colleges that I may want to transfer to?

  A: The Transfer Center, located at Coastline's Garden Grove campus, is your home-base for all things transferrelated. You'll find catalogs and information on hundreds of public and private colleges, and learn about upcoming events with UC, CSU, and private colleges.

  Q: Where can I find a tutor?

  A: Free tutoring can be found at the Student Success Center (at the Le-Jao Center campus and Newport Beach campus), at the Garden Grove campus (Information Commons area), as well as online tutoring. Get help here for writing or math-related assignments, or call to inquire about course-specific tutoring.

  Q: I need to take my English and math placement tests. Where do I go?

  A: Visit the Assessment Center located at the College Center building (4th floor) in Fountain Valley. Be sure to see a counselor after you've taken your tests so that you can update your Ed Plan based on the results.

  Q: How do I find out if I qualify for programs offered to students with economic or educational challenges?

  A: Our EOPS/CARE and CalWORKS offices at College Center can determine if you meet their program eligibility criteria. If so, they'll provide additional services designed to help you succeed.

  Q: Does the college offer accommodations for students with special needs?

  A: Of course! Special Programs and Services for the Disabled provides support services to students with verifiable disabilities including priority registration, testtaking facilitation, adaptive educational equipment, interpreter services and alternative text.

  Q: I'm a military Veteran. How do I connect with other Vets on campus or get specialized services?

  A: Visit the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at College Center in Fountain Valley or at the Newport Beach campus. There's even a Virtual VRC! They offer information on college programs and services including GI Bill® certification, financial aid, work-study opportunities, and referrals for re-integration into civilian life.

  "GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

  Q: How do I get copies of my transcripts?

  A: Official transcripts must be ordered online through Credentials, Inc. More information can be found on the Records page.

  Q: I'm new to Coastline but I have completed college coursework at another college, now what?

  A: Students that have completed classes at another accredited college or university can submit their transcripts to Coastline for evaluation to receive credit for meeting degree/certificate requirements. This process can be completed in three steps! See: Evaluating Incoming Credits on the Records page.

• District Course Disclaimer

  Please be advised that courses with the same number and the same title may not be equivalent across the three colleges in the district, and might not be the course you need for your major, general education, or transfer path. It is the student's responsibility to check with Counseling at your home college to confirm that this course meets your specific educational goals.

Basic Needs Resources

Basic Needs Resources

Basic Needs Resources

Basic Needs at Coastline College includes food access, housing assistance, mental health services, hygiene products, student success supplies/equipment, transportation, and emergency funding. Basic needs services & resources are coordinated to serve and support students to be successful in your educational journey.

Unit Requirements for Degrees & Certificates

The unit requirements for an Associate Degree from Coastline is 60 units. The unit requirements for Certificates are as follows: Certificate of Achievement (18-39 units), Certificate of Accomplishment (12-17.5 units), and Certificate of Specialization (6-11 units).

Certificates of Competency are noncredit. Information about those can be found on Adult Education.

Related Pages

Student Orientation

All new Coastline students participate in an online orientation session.

Student Success Resource Center

Providing academic support for Coastline students.

Transfer Services

Aiming to transfer out of Coastline to a four-year institution? Check in with us.