Certified vs. Non-Certified
New Students
Students new to Washington State University will be assigned an academic advisor through the Student Advising and Learning Center. The academic advisor will typically be in the student's area of interest. Entering freshman or transfer students can declare their intent to major in one of the sciences or mathematics, and the SALC will try to match an advisor with the students interest area. For example, a student interested in Microbiology will be assigned to a faculty member in Microbiology.
Transfer Students
New students with fewer than 24 semester hours of coursework will be assigned an advisor through the Student Advising and Learning Center. The academic advisor will typically be in the students area of interest. Transfer students can declare their intent to major in one of the sciences or mathematics. Transfer students who have completed 24 semester hours of coursework or more may certify in their major. In this case, they will be assigned an advisor within their major, typically a faculty member.
Current Students
Current students who have completed 24 semester hours of coursework or more should certify in their major. After certifying the student will be assigned an advisor from within the major, typically a faculty member in the major department. If you are a certified major your department office will assign an advisor to you or you may request an advisor change at your department office.
How do I certify?
Certification is the process by which a student is officially enrolled in an academic major. A student must have 24 semester hours or more of coursework. The process of certification is a simple one. Students wishing to certify should go to their departmental office (see below) and ask for the Certification of Major form. The form will ask you for your name, your WSU identification number, and your intended major and option (ex: Biology, pre-physical therapy option). The department chair will sign the form. After certifying you will be assigned an advisor from your major, typically a faculty member in that department.
Why certify?
All students must certify prior to earning 60 semester hours. Students who certify become eligible for scholarships offered by their department. Certified students are advised by an advisor in their major who can help them design a program of studies appropriate to the student's major and interests.
What if I change my mind?
A student who has not yet certified in a major, but has changed the area of interest may request an advisor change at the Student Advising and Learning Center. The new advisor will be assigned based on the student's new area of interest.
A student deciding to change majors after certifying needs to go to the department office of the new major and fill out the Change of Major form. The form requires the student's name, WSU ID number, and the new major and option. In other words, changing a major is a simple process. The students new department will assign a new advisor who matches the student's interest area.
To Major in: |
Go to: |
| Biochemistry and Biophysics | Biotechnology/Life Sciences 102 |
| Biology | Abelson 312 |
| Biotechnology | Biotechnology/Life Sciences 102 |
| Botany | Abelson 312 |
| Chemistry | Fulmer 319A |
| Genetics & Cell Biology | Biotechnology/Life Sciences 102 |
| Geology | Webster 1227 |
|
Environmental Science and Regional Planning |
Webster 1227 |
| Microbiology | Biotechnology/Life Sciences 102 |
| Physics | Webster 1245 |
| Math | Neill 103 |
| Zoology | Abelson 312 |