Undergraduate Student Advising and Resources

Students of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy are served by the one-stop-shop Office of Student and Academic Services, providing support across all program areas including undergraduate, masters and Ph.D.  Staff serve the academic programs, directors and faculty as we support their missions, goals and objectives.  The office sits within the greater Office of the Dean.

Our mission is to be responsive to the students, the Dean, faculty and staff of the Bloustein School, prospective students and alumni, providing multiple services and information in a timely fashion.  The shared mission of our office with the other units of the school is to advance the public good, although we carry this out in different ways.

Our office is fully-engaged with students via personal online Webex appointments, electronic correspondence, virtual events and programming and group-based counseling sessions. Whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student, the following resources are able to help support you on any issues that may arise during your academic program of study, and staff remain available during virtual work hours.  Access and support remain our top priority.

Prospective Students: If you would like to schedule a virtual pre-advising appointment, please complete the Prospective Student Inquiry Form found here. Don’t want an appointment but need answers? Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for assistance.

Declared EJB Students: To request an advising appointment, please contact undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu.

Current Students

Advising

Appointments

The undergraduate student counselors meet with students by appointment. You can schedule an appointment via the Booking app with your item(s) of inquiry or concern. Students can meet in-person or via Zoom.

Drop-In Hours

Virtual drop-in hours are typically held during the add/drop period and during the first week of registration each semester. An email is sent to all students with pre-registration information, including drop-in hours for each advisor. Appointments are required outside of these periods.

Please note:

  • These sessions will be limited to 15 minutes.
  • Students will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Students may experience a wait time in the “lobby”.
  • No appointment will be needed during these specific times only.

Students in Bloustein School Majors

Joint Degree Students
  • Rutgers-New Brunswick students who have declared one of the Bloustein School majors while remaining in their primary unit (SAS, SEBS, SMLR, SOE, etc.)
  • These students are required to complete the core curriculum of their primary unit AND the Bloustein major requirements. SAS students may declare a Bloustein major/minor combination. Students in other schools will need approval from their primary unit to do so.
  • These students should consult their dean’s office regarding their school’s degree requirements.
Direct Admit Students
  • A student that is admitted directly to the Bloustein School either by transferring from an outside school, completing a school-to-school transfer from within Rutgers, or re-enrolling to the school.
  • The Bloustein School is the student’s primary unit and follows the school’s academic policies and procedures.
  • The Bloustein School does not require completion of a minor or second major for Direct Admit students except for the BA in Planning and Public Policy program.
  • If interested, Direct Admit students may declare a combination of Bloustein School programs (two majors or major/minor).
  • For Direct Admit students, your undergraduate degree includes:
    • Completion of the Bloustein School General Education Requirements
    • Completion of a Bloustein School major program
    • A minimum 30 credits completed at Rutgers, at least 12 credits completed in the Bloustein School
    • Completion of a minimum of 120 degree credits
    • Meet the minimum 2.000 cumulative grade-point average
  •  

Academic Calendars

Rutgers Academic Calendar

The University’s on-line academic calendar lists all breaks, observed holidays, exam periods, registration add-drop deadlines, etc. In addition, many classes during the first week of school are moved to different start times to accommodate new student orientations.

Registration

Helpful Hints
  • Webreg – View and register for courses  – https://sims.rutgers.edu/webreg
  • Course Schedule Planner – Utilize CSP to plan your course schedule – https://sims.rutgers.edu/csp
  • Online Schedule of Classes – Alternative way to view courses outside of webreg – https://sis.rutgers.edu/soc/#home
  • Degree Navigator – We encourage you to utilize Degree Navigator to determine your outstanding degree requirements – https://nbdn.rutgers.edu/
    • If you believe there is an error in the system regarding your requirements, please contact the department that handles those requirements (i.e. a SAS student will contact SAS regarding their Core Curriculum).
  • Things to keep in mind when adding and dropping classes:
    • Review your WebReg schedule when you finish dropping courses to be certain your schedule is correct.
    • Confirm whether your course is online (synchronous or asynchronous), hybrid, or in-person.
    • It is the personal responsibility of all students to confirm that they are appropriately registered. So, be sure to confirm the accuracy of your schedule.
    • Check your registration to be certain that withdrawal attempts are successful.
  • Registration Holds
    • Registration blocks or holds prevent students from registering for courses.
    • Students are notified when a registration block or hold is applied and the reason for the hold. Students must resolve the issue causing the hold on their account prior to the hold or block being removed.​
    • Be sure to check to see if you have any holds on your account prior to your registration window to avoid delays in your ability to register.
Special Permission Numbers (SPNs)
  • Please review the Bloustein SPN page, which has pertinent information regarding the SPN system, including when you can submit your requests and when you will receive a response to your request – https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/courses/special-permission-numbers/
  • Check the course’s notes section in webreg to see if it requires an SPN. “Department Staff” will be in the notes section for courses that require an SPN.
  • Faculty members do not issue or grant SPNs. Requests must go through the SPN system. If the course is not showing in the system, declared students should contact their assigned advisor or undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu. Prospective students should contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for assistance.
Research Methods, Leadership Seminar, and Professional Practice Internship Sequence
  • This sequence of courses is required for students in the Public Health, Health Administration, and Public Policy majors.
  • Research Methods (10:775:395) or Data Management for Healthcare (10:501:395), for Health Administration students, is a pre- or co-requisite to Leadership Seminar (10:775:450). Both of these are pre-requisites to Professional Practice Internship (10:775:499).
  • Students need a minimum of 85 credits to enroll in Leadership Seminar and a minimum of 100 credits to enroll in Professional Practice Internship. The credit limit for the Internship does not apply to students in the Public Policy major.
  • Students must request an SPN to register for Research Methods/Data Management, Leadership Seminar, and Professional Practice Internship.
      • Students scheduled to graduate this academic year – If you still need to enroll in one of these courses to remain on track for graduation, contact your assigned advisor as soon as possible.
Summer & Winter Sessions

Summer and Winter Sessions are hosted by the Office of Continuing Studies. Interested students should visit the respective websites to about important dates, tuition, fees and payment, as well as student resources.

Summer Session:

  • Usually begins the Tuesday after Memorial Day to mid- August with 3 different sessions
  • Registrations usually begins in early to mid-February.
  • WebReg is available for registration from 6:30 am – 11:59 pm, Monday through Friday and 6:30 am – 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Summer Session is not recommended for Rutgers first-year students or students with less than a 2.00 overall GPA. Such individuals must secure approval from their academic advisor or dean and present it in writing to the registrar.
  • The maximum amount of credits a student may enroll in during Summer Session varies based on the school of affiliation. For the Bloustein School (code 10) and SAS (code 01), the maximum amount is 12 credits. Students should always consult with their advisor before scheduling courses.

Visit here for more information about Summer Session.

Winter Session:

  • Begins in late December and ends in mid-January
  • Registration usually begins in the first Monday of October
  • Last day to register and pay without a late fee is usually the first Monday of December.
  • WebReg is available for registration from 6:30 am – 11:59 pm, Monday through Friday and 6:30 am – 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Winter Session is not recommended for Rutgers first-year students or students with less than a 2.00 overall GPA. Such individuals must secure approval from their academic advisor or dean and present it in writing to the registrar.
  • A full-time academic load in Winter Session is a single course; or no more than 3 credits.

Visit here for more information about Winter Session.

Taking Courses Outside of Rutgers

Transfer Credit
Under a Consortium Agreement at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, an undergraduate, matriculated student may receive financial assistance to take courses at another school (host school) and have the completed credits count toward their degree requirements at Rutgers. Prior to applying for financial assistance, students MUST obtain pre-approval from their school-based academic advisor and have a completed financial aid application (FAFSA) on file for the appropriate award year.
If you are pre-approved to complete course(s) outside of Rutgers University–New Brunswick and would like to be considered for financial aid for those course(s), please visit https://scarlethub.rutgers.edu/NBConsortium  for additional information.

Student & Academic Services Staff

Undergraduate Program

Christina Torian

Christina Torian

Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education

Natashia James

Natashia James

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Student Services

Alicia Nesser

Alicia Nesser

Student Counselor, Undergraduate Student Services

Jessica Reyes

Jessica Reyes

Student Counselor, Undergraduate Student Services