Academic Advising

Explore this section

Explore this section:

Explore Academic Advising

Explore Academic Advising:

The Office of Academic Advising, a Christ- centered environment, develops traditional undergraduate students through guidance and vocational exploration, empowering them for timely degree completion and the pursuit of personal excellence.

Each student is assigned a dedicated academic advisor who partners with them to:

Build and maintain an individualized graduation plan
Navigate registration and degree requirements
Understand policies, timelines, and academic tools
Make informed decisions about majors, minors, and course selection

Advising is a collaborative process designed to help students persist toward graduation with clarity and confidence.

Office Hours & Location

Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 12:00pm, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Closed for chapel

Location
We are located on the top floor of Schroeder Library and Learning Commons. Please check in at the front desk to see an Academic Advisor.

Helpful Links

Schedule an Appointment

Students may meet with an advisor either in person or virtually by using the Advising QR Code. To schedule an appointment, select your advisor’s link below to book an in-person or Google Meet session. Advisors may also be available for walk-in appointments. If you would like to meet with an advisor without an appointment, please check in at the Student Success Front Desk to confirm your advisor’s availability.

Laura Courvoisier

Associate Dean of Student Development
Majors: Undeclared, Theology, Engineering and Theological Studies
Contact Me: 949-214-3061 | [email protected]

Make an Appointment

Megan Feuerstein

Director of Student Success
Majors: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Double Majors
Contact Me: 949-214-3060 | [email protected]

Make an Appointment

Steve Dierker

Academic Advisor
Majors: Business, Economics, Sports Business, Healthcare Management, Data Science
Contact Me: 949-214-3036 | [email protected]

Make an Appointment

Maya Yacoubian

Academic Advisor
Majors: English, Communications, Art, Music, Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, Secondary Education, Math, Graphic Design, History, and Political Thought
Contact Me: 949-214-3063 | [email protected]

Make an Appointment

Hadley Crow

Academic Advisor
Majors: Kinesiology, Psychology, Behavioral Science, Computer Science, Digital Media, Theatre
Contact Me: 949-214-3064 | [email protected]

Make an Appointment

Academic Planning

Continuing Student Registration

All continuing students at Concordia University Irvine are responsible for enrolling themselves in their classes for each semester. You will meet with your Academic Advisor once a semester, during Advising Season, to plan out which classes you will enroll in for the following semester.

Advising Season

This semester’s Advising Season, in preparation for Spring 2027 class registration will be September 30th – November 6th. Please pay close attention to your Eagles email inbox for information from your advisor about scheduling your advising appointment.

It is highly recommended to book an appointment with your advisor early on before availability becomes limited. You are welcome to meet with your academic advisor in-person or virtually through Google Meet. Prepare any questions, academic goals, and a draft of your course plan (see below for instructions on how to create your course plan in MyRecords).

November 9th – 20th will be walk-ins appointments only during the hours of 8:30am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm, closed for chapel. Walk-in wait times will vary depending on student traffic. Please plan accordingly.

Students who meet with their academic advisor will be provided an alternate pin to register for classes through MyRecords when registration opens. This alternate pin will allow for class changes through the first week of the new semester if there are no holds on the student
account.

Registration Dates for the Summer and Fall 2026 Semesters
Seniors	Sunday, November 15th at 10pm
Juniors	Monday, November 16th at 10pm
Sophomores	Tuesday, November 17th at 10pm
Freshmen	Wednesday, November 18th at 10pm

*Holds will prevent registration. View your class standing in My Degree Works.

Navigating MyRecords

MyRecords – Registration and Planning Overview (Students)

Find out if you have holds

MyRecords > Student > Registration and Planning > Prepare for Registration

Create a Course Plan

MyRecords > Student > Registration and Planning > Plan Ahead > Plan classes from your grad plan using ‘Degree Works Plans’ or manually search for classes using ‘Find Classes’

MyRecords > Student > Registration and Planning > Register for Classes > Register directly from a course plan or manually enter CRNs > Click ‘Submit’ in the bottom right corner when finished

*Please note: to register for an Internship or Practicum, please complete the ‘Internship or Practicum Registration’ form available in MyCUI.

Find your class schedule

MyRecords > Student > Registration and Planning > View registration information

*Please note: Students report that the easiest method for accessing their course schedule is through the MyCUI app, available on the App Store and Google Play.

Changing your Class Schedule

During the first week of the semester

Students can update their class enrollment on their own through MyRecords.

During the second week of the semester

Students looking to add a course must use the “Course Add/Drop” form and have it signed by the instructor. A student looking to drop a course can do so through “MyRecords.” Please consult with your academic advisor before dropping a class.

Weeks 3-11 of the semester

Speak with your advisor if you would like to withdraw from a class with a ‘W’ on your transcript. The last day to withdraw from a class is the Friday of Week 11 at 4:30pm. The Course Withdrawal Request form is available through MyCUI. Students who are dropping to under 12 units must also complete the Drop to Part-Time Status form.

Incoming Student Enrollment

We are so excited that you will be joining us on campus. All new traditional undergraduate students (first-years and transfers) will be enrolled in their first semester of classes by their academic advisor. See below for a timeline of our new student enrollment process!

New Student Enrollment Timeline

Student deposits at Concordia University Irvine.
Student completes the Class Registration Survey.
Student sends all official transcripts from high school and previously attended colleges, as well as all AP/IB/CLEP Test scores to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will review these documents and create a record of student’s completed college credits, if applicable.
Student completes placement exam(s), if applicable (see below).
Academic advisor enrolls student in their first semester of classes. Student will receive an email in their Eagles inbox when their advisor has finished enrolling them.
If student would like to make changes to their enrollment, they will come to their advisor’s office during the first week of the semester.

Accessing your Class Schedule

Students can access their class schedule through the MyCUI app (download on the App Store or Google Play), or navigate to MyRecords > Student > Registration and Planning > View Registration Information > Select Term.

Placement Exams

Some majors require new incoming students to complete a placement exam prior to their enrollment in classes. You will receive communication about when and how to complete these exams, so please keep an eye on your Eagles email inbox.

Math Placement Exam

Taken by Incoming Data Science, Engineering, and Mathematics majors

Chemistry Placement Exam

Taken by Incoming Biology, Chemistry, Data Science: Chemistry and Biochemistry majors

Changing Major or Minor

A large percentage of students will change their Major, Minor, Concentration, or Catalog Year at some point during their undergraduate tenure. Your academic advisor is here to guide you through this process and help you make a decision that’s best for you!

What if I’m not sure?

First, it is perfectly normal to feel lost or confused when choosing a major! As mentioned, a large percentage of students will at some point make a change to their degree. Here are some places to go for help through this process:

Center for Career and Vocation: Our Career Center specializes in helping students uncover their passions and identifying a career path that feels right. From there, they can help you select a major (and minor/concentration, if applicable) that will help you get there.
Professors and Department Chairs: Concordia Faculty are experts on the curriculum they teach! If you are considering a switch, they are a great resource to utilize.
Academic Advising: Your academic advisor is familiar with the programs offered at Concordia, and can often help point you in the right direction.

Changing your Major, Minor, or Concentration

If you’d like to change your major, minor, or concentration, please see your academic advisor to complete a Change of Major form. You can read more information about each of the majors, minors, and concentrations that Concordia offers: start here.

The Academic Catalog details the requirements students must meet for each major, minor, and concentration: start here.

What does it mean to change Catalog Years?

Each year, Concordia publishes an Academic Catalog that has been updated with curriculum changes. Your Catalog Year refers to the Academic Catalog of your first year at Concordia, which you will follow during your undergraduate tenure (i.e. if your first semester is Fall of 2024 or Spring of 2025, you will follow the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog). Sometimes a curriculum change implemented in a new Academic Catalog will impact a current student to where it will benefit them if they move to the new Catalog Year. Please speak with your academic advisor for more information.

Transfer and Articulation

The Concordia University Irvine Registrar’s Office is our headquarters for all things articulation; they review student transcripts and oversee transfer credit evaluation. That being said, your academic advisor has partial overlap in this process and can help you navigate some common questions.

I am a new transfer to Concordia

New transfer students must provide all transcripts from previous institutions and AP/IB/CLEP scores to the Registrar’s Office (the sooner, the better!). From there, your credit will be evaluated and entered into MyDegreeWorks. You’ll be able to see which classes and exams have counted for which degree requirements. Please see the ‘Incoming Student Enrollment’ tab above or reach out to the Registrar’s Office for more information. Additionally, the Concordia University Irvine Transfer Students page has detailed information about application steps and important deadlines.

I am a continuing student and want to take a class off-campus

Concordia University Irvine has transfer articulation agreements with several California Community Colleges. Articulation agreements specify specify how coursework taken at California Community College can satisfy Concordia University Irvine major course work or general education. Please utilize the Articulation Agreements for courses that have been pre-approved for transfer to Concordia University Irvine.

If you would like to take a class that is not on the Articulation Agreements, you must have the class approved beforehand. Please complete a Course Substitution Request, accessible through MyCUI, have it signed by the respective department chair, and return the form to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

For department chair contact information, see the ‘Approval List’ next to the ‘Substitution Request’ in MyCUI. For example, if you are hoping to take an Art History class off-campus as a substitute for Concordia University Irvine’s ART 311, send your Substitution Request to the Art Department Chair. See the Admissions Policies page for more information on policies for transferring courses.

My Degree Works

My Degree Works is Concordia’s official online degree planning and advising tool, it should be used in partnership with your academic advisor.

Students can:

Track degree requirements and progress
View GPA, academic standing, and unit totals
Review their personalized graduation plan
Explore “What-If” scenarios for majors, minors, or catalog years

Go to My Degree Works

Common Advising Questions

What should I expect at my advising appointment?

You might meet with your advisor to discuss degree requirements, graduation timeline, or your major/minor. If you’re meeting to plan next semester’s registration, please come prepared with a completed Course Plan in MyRecords.

You can watch this video to learn how to make a Course Plan: Course Plan video.

What classes should I take?

Reference your Grad Plan in MyDegreeWorks to see the classes your advisor has planned by semester (your Grad Plan is often a rough guide). You’ll also meet with your advisor once per semester to plan your next term’s enrollment.

How many units should I take?

A good guide is: 15 units each semester × 8 semesters (4 years) = 120 units.

Depending on your major/minor/program and catalog year, you may be required to take more than 15 units per semester. Each student is required to complete at least 120 total units in their undergraduate degree.

When can I enroll in classes for the next term?

Your registration date depends on your class standing. Please check MyDegreeWorks to view your class standing.

Registration dates:

Seniors: Sunday, November 15th at 10pm
Juniors: Monday, November 16th at 10pm
Sophomores: Tuesday, November 17th at 10pm Freshmen: Wednesday, November 18th at 10pm

What do I do if I have a HOLD?

Holds are posted on MyRecords prior to registration and will prevent you from registering. Check with the appropriate office:

Bursar / Student Accounts: Grimm Hall, 1st floor (Edgar Lopez)
Registrar’s Office: Grimm Hall, 1st floor
Wellness Center: Campus Safety and Wellness Center
Student Conduct: Rho Office (Tori Clemens)
Campus Safety: Campus Safety and Wellness Center

How many units do I need to be a full-time student?

Full-time students must enroll in at least 12 units.

What if I want to be a part-time student?

Speak with an Academic Advisor if you wish to attend part-time.

What is an overload?

Only students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may register for more than 18 units in 1 semester. No student may receive credit for more than 21 units in a semester, including units from regular courses taken on campus, courses taken off campus, individualized study courses, and correspondence courses.

Each semester a student wishes to take more than 18 units, an Application for Overload form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar prior to enrolling in the additional course(s). In most cases, students taking more than 18 units per semester will be assessed an overload fee. Contact the Office of the Bursar for more details.

I’m having issues with Canvas. What do I do?

Your professor is the point-person for your class Canvas page. Please consult them if you are having trouble viewing a class or navigating a class page.

What are electives?

Electives are courses that do not pertain to your major or General Education requirements, but help you meet graduation requirements (such as earning 120 or 128 total units or 33 upper division units).

How do I choose electives?

Ask yourself:

Which courses will help me achieve my academic/career goals?
What classes will help me prepare for my career and/or graduate school?
Which courses do I find interesting?
Check for prerequisites.

Please see an advisor for policies regarding transfer units. If you plan to take courses off campus, utilize your advisor and reference Concordia University Irvine’s Articulation Agreement for pre-approved transfer courses.

What is a “W” (Withdrawal)?

Full-semester courses may be dropped without record of enrollment during the first 2 weeks of the semester. From weeks 3 through week 11 of the full semester, courses may be withdrawn from with a “W” grade. For shorter terms (7 to 11 weeks), courses may be dropped without record of enrollment for the first week of the term. During weeks 2-5 (for 7-week terms), weeks 2-6 (for 8-week terms) and weeks 2-9 (for 11-week terms), courses may be withdrawn from with a “W” grade. Instructor or dean/assistant dean consent is required to withdraw from undergraduate courses. Core courses require the director of general education’s approval to withdraw. The “W” grade will appear on the transcript but is not calculated in the GPA.

How do I change my major or minor?

Please inform an Academic Advisor if you wish to change your major, minor, and/or program and complete the “Change of Major” form. See an Academic Advisor for the form.

What is Academic Probation?

A student having a semester grade point average (GPA) below 2.00 will be placed on probation for the following semester. Students on probation may register for no more than 13 academic units. A student having a semester GPA above 2.00 but an institutional GPA below 2.00 will remain on academic probation until the institutional GPA is at least a 2.00.

Any student whose GPA has fallen below 2.00 for 2 consecutive semesters and whose institutional GPA is below 2.00 will be academically disqualified as a degree student. Any student whose institutional GPA is less than 1.00 in a single semester will be academically disqualified as a degree student.

What do I do if I get an error message when registering for a class?

Students must follow the requirements for their degree along with Concordia University Irvine academic policies. You may see an error message if you aren’t meeting a requirement. We recommend speaking with your advisor before making course changes to avoid registration issues.

What do I do if a class is closed?

Look for open sections of the same course.
Choose other General Ed/major courses.
Check MyRecords daily to see if a seat becomes available.
Attend the first class session and speak with the professor (an Add/Drop form is required with the instructor’s signature).

I want to take a class over the summer. What should I do?

Concordia University Irvine offers a selection of summer classes. Summer registration typically opens at the same time as fall registration. See the Bursar’s page for information about summer tuition.

If you’d like to take a summer class off campus, use Concordia University Irvine’s Articulation Agreement for pre-approved transfer courses or speak with your advisor about getting a class approved.

What is a prerequisite?

A prerequisite is a requirement you must meet before taking a specific course. Prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions in the back of the catalog.

How do I know if a course will transfer?

If you wish to take a course to meet a General Education requirement, ask an Academic Advisor to verify the course will transfer. A Department Chair must approve courses taken for your major or minor using a “Substitution Form”.

Students may utilize the Articulation Agreement page and ASSIST to identify courses already approved for transfer at California Community Colleges.

What is a substitution form?

Substitution forms are used to approve a course from another college/university to meet a requirement course at Concordia University Irvine.