Guidance and Counseling Program
The Guidance and Counseling Program of the College of Natural Sciences was created on August 1979 to offer guidance and professional counseling services in order to satisfy our students' needs. The program offers students support and help through our personal, academic, and vocational/occupational counseling services to strengthen the skills that will help them achieve his/her professional and personal goals.
We recognize the challenges that students face when they begin university life. They make adjustments of all types, are constantly required to make decisions, and face the demands of their academic programs, as well as their personal responsibilities. It is indispensable that the students develop the ability to balance their multiple roles (study, work and family responsibilities, among others).
Our mission is to facilitate a process in which the student maximizes his/her abilities to integrate his/her development. We emphasize prevention, facilitate their exploration of alternatives to improve retention, and in some situations, explore remedial options.
Office hours
Monday through Thursday: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Friday: By appointment.
Note: students are assigned to a counselor based on their student number.
Contact information
Physical address
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
Natural Sciences Building, Phase II
Room CNL-166
Phone
(787) 764-0000 ext: 3419, 7443, 4731, 4726, 7332
Mailing address
Guidance and Counseling Program
College of Natural Sciences
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
PO BOX 23341
San Juan, PR 00931-3341
Services
The program offer services to facilitate:
- Academic decision making: selection of graduate or undergraduate study programs; selection of courses to satisfy needs and particular interests; complete or partial drops, among others
- The development of a study plan for students with special needs and situations
- Decision making for academic procedures such as: dropping courses; convalidation, substitution and course exemption; reclassification; second majors; special permits to take classes at other units of the UPR sistem; readmissions; transfers to other units of the UPR sistem; transfers from private institutions; exchange opportunities to foreign universities; graduate studies and special programs
The program also offers:
- Workshops and handouts on: study habits, use of time, organization, anxiety management in relation to exams and other topics.
- Orientation activities for various groups: New admission students; "Grupo de los 100"; Transfers from other units of the UPR sistem, transfers from private institutions; Readmissions; Reclassifications; Students on academic and administrative probations
- Group orientations, with invitation, to other units of the UPR sistem and high schools to promote faculty services.
The program coordinates and processes:
- Recommendations for degree with the Registrator's Office and the departments and/or programs for the academic sessions for summer, December, and May.
- Convalidation application for courses for Natural Sciences students.
Personal
The program assist students in developing skills for:
- Adjusting to university life
- Making decisions
- Self-esteem
- Interpersonal relations
- Effective communication
- Conflict management
- Family situations
The program also offers:
- Crisis intervention and referrals to other professionals
- Workshops
- Peer counseling
Vocation / Occupational
The program offers service and guidance in:
- Vocational/occupational questionnaires and interests tests
- Occupation selection in accordance with personal abilities, values, and interests
- Occupation information database
- Preparation for the employment search: workshops and literature on occupation alternatives, resumes, cover letters, interviews, among others