How do I see a Counselor at Berkeley City College?

Berkeley City College offers a wide range of professional counseling services for prospective and enrolled students. Services include providing academic, career, and personal counseling and referrals to other on-campus services. Students are encouraged to consult with counselors early in the educational process to plan their program of study. Some counseling services are available on a drop-in basis, while others will require the student to schedule an appointment. Please refer the list of services outlined below:

Drop-in Counseling
(Drop-in counseling sessions are limited to 15 minutes on a first-come, first serve basis.)

• General information.
• Initial Enrollment Assistance/Course Scheduling and Review of Assessment Results.
• Prerequisite Checking (i.e., Substitutions/Challenges).
• Clearing Probation Holds (i.e., Academic and Progress).
• Filing Matriculation Waivers (i.e., Students who completed assessment at a non-Peralta college; students with prior coursework in English and Mathematics).

Counseling Appointments

• Student Education Plan Development (Initial or Update - will require you to bring transcripts from non-Peralta colleges).
• Filing Petitions for Degrees/Certificates.
• Other issues that require additional time.

Dealing with Prerequisite Holds
Please go to the Second Floor Counseling Department, Sign in and have a seat

You will need the following information to clear prerequisite holds:

• Student ID or Social Security Number
• Unofficial or Official Transcripts From Non Peralta College if the prerequisite was satisfied outside of Peralta
• Course description of course if course taken at college outside of California
• There are no exceptions

*During registration, counselors are available on a drop in, first-come, first-served basis. Hours differ during drop-in periods. Appointments are necessary for developing student educational plans. There are no counseling appointments available during the registration period. You will have to wait until mid September  or late January to schedule an appointment. Please call (510) 981-5036 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or send an email to: counselingbcc@peralta.edu .

If you have not yet established a Counselor, or have never visited a Counselor, you must first see a Counselor on a drop-in basis first. 

SEP AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS: In-depth transfer counseling, student education plans (SEP), petitions for AA/AS Degrees & Certificates, transcript evaluation, personal counseling and other concerns. Please call (510) 981-5036 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or send an email to: counselingbcc@peralta.edu .

PACE (Program for Adult Education): Students in the PACE Program and those interested in enrolling in the program please call (510) 981-2864 for more information.

CAREER COUNSELING: Vocational/career testing and exploration; career planning assistance; information on jobs, companies & labor market trends; job seeking skills including resume writing and cover letter development. Please contact the counseling appointment desk to schedule an appointment with Ms. Young. To send an email to Ms. Young, email her at ayoung@peralta.edu

PSSD (Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities) Formerly called DSP & S
Services for students with verified disabilities.  For an appointment, please contact Lynn Massey at (510) 981-2812.

EOPS (Extended Opportunities Programs and Services): Serving economically and educationally disadvantaged students.  Program acceptance required. Please call (510) 981-2832 for more information.

CalWORKs:  Serving students receiving cash assistance for families with dependent children. Call  981-2847 for an appointment.

FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING: The Financial Aid Counselors can assist students with Financial Aid Appeals, money management, student educational plans, progress reports and assist with filling out financial aid forms.

THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION: Serving international students that are registered with the Peralta District International Studies Program.

For more information please contact the Main office:
333 East Eighth Street, Oakland, CA  94606     (510) 466-7380 
Web Site:  www.peraltacolleges.edu    E-Mail:  globaled@peralta.edu

VETERANS AFFAIRS: Veterans should initially see a counselor during drop-in hours or schedule an appointment to develop a student educational plan for the semester.  For veteran’s certification and other information pertaining to the program, please see Jasmine Martinez,VA Coordinator, in Room 241 or contact her at 981-2810 or via email: jmartinez@peralta.edu