The Center for Pre-Professional Programs (CPPP) provides a network of support and a home for students seeking entry or admission into an upper-division undergraduate program within the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). The programs currently supported within the CPPP are Exercise & Sport Science – Allied Health; Exercise & Sport Science – Sports Science; Healthcare Studies - STEM Foundations for Nursing; Health Science – Pre-Health Science; and Social Work - Pre-Social Work.
Social connection and assistance with navigating college and resources within the early years of the college experience are important aspects of being supported through the center. Additionally, expert faculty and staff connect through the CPPP to provide mentoring in academic planning, application preparation, informed decision-making, career opportunities, and guidance on alternate pathways toward career goals. Meeting each student where they are at, the CPPP customizes mentoring based on the unique experience of each individual, while also offering group programming where common information is shared.
Exercise and Sport Science:
- Handbook (includes pre-graduate program advisement maps and more)
Health Science:
Nursing:
- BS Nursing (includes application eligibility)
- Video – Application Eligibility Requirements Explained
- BSN Application Support (includes link to apply)
- Video – Other Options if Not Admitted or On Track (PDF summary)
Social Work:
- BSW Admissions (includes link to apply)
- BSW Handbook
Inside Southern CT and Video of Highlights: Where you can find One Stop, Academic Calendar, Quick Links/Tools, Departments and more.
Requirements and Registration
Degree Evaluation Video: The Degree Evaluation provides you with a comprehensive and up-to-date guide of your program requirements for graduation. Working with your advisor, you will map out your personalized academic plan towards graduation. The link will provide you with a video on how to access your degree evaluation and a document that explains the degree evaluation components.
Online Class Schedule Search: Search for classes through this online search tool by selecting a term from the drop-down menu to view detailed information for each course and section.
Registration Dates & Checklist: Check out this page to be prepared to register on or after the date and time listed in Step 3. Please remember that you must meet with your advisor to obtain your PIN.
Registration and Changing Schedules: This page will provide information on how to search for courses and register, join a waitlist for a full class, and add or drop a course.
Writing Intensive Courses (W Course) Requirement Video: This video will explain what a W course requirement is, where it is on your degree evaluation, and how to search for a W course.
GPA Calculators
CUM GPA Calculator and Video: Health Science, Nursing, and Social Work admission review will look at all coursework from all colleges/universities you have attended. Exercise and Sport Science requires a 2.7 GPA within the admission core coursework. will show you how to calculate these GPAs using the Excel CUM GPA calculator.
Desired GPA Calculator Video: If you have a certain goal of a GPA in mind, this Desired GPA calculator will provide information on what it will take to reach your goal by sharing the number of future credits and grades needed within those credits to reach your goal. This video will explain how to use this calculator.
Taking a Course at a Different School
Taking Courses Elsewhere: Thinking about taking a course at a different institution to transfer back to Southern? This step-by-step document includes a video to help you through.
Our CPPP advising team is available to provide you with support, including your assigned advisor. Your advisor is listed in EAB Navigate (which you can access via MyApps) under "Your Success Team,” and on the top your Degree Evaluation (available in BannerWeb).
You will receive information each semester on what advisement will look like for you, since advisement provided to those interested in applying into an upper division program is comprehensive. Sometimes group informational sessions are required prior to scheduling your advisement appointment, so it is important to pay attention to your Southern email.
Please know that you can contact your advisor by email at any point.
Jaime Alexander: alexanderj7@southernct.edu
Angela Ruggiero: ruggieroa1@southernct.edu
The CPPP support team consists of faculty and professional advisors as well as graduate assistants. Your assigned advisor is listed in EAB Navigate (which you can access via MyApps) under "Your Success Team,” and on the top your Degree Evaluation (available in BannerWeb). CHHS graduate assistants will provide you with assistance in preparing for your advising meeting, and navigating and understanding our systems, tools, and resources.
Special Populations
First-semester college freshmen receive advisement from their INQ course instructor but may also be asked to attend program informational sessions or will be enrolled in a specific intro course for their major. Once INQ is successfully completed, students will be assigned to a program advisor within the Center for Pre-Professional Programs until admitted to their upper division program of choice or have completed 60 credits (in each of these two cases, students will be supported by faculty as they work through upper division course requirements within their declared major and prepare for life beyond graduation).
New transfer students will be advised by the University’s Academic Advising team prior to the start of their first semester at Southern. Once the term begins, new transfer students will be assigned to a major advisor within the Center for Pre-Professional Programs until admitted to their upper-division program of choice or have completed lower-division coursework.
If you have additional questions about your advisor assignment or if you need assistance scheduling an appointment with your advisor or help to navigate and understand online tools, platforms, and resources, please email CPPP@southernct.edu for assistance.
Students are responsible for their own academic success, progress and decisions. While academic advisors assist students in navigating their academic journey, it is a student’s responsibility to be informed and knowledgeable about academic requirements, and to be proactive in their academic success. To do this, students must:
- Review and work towards understanding academic program requirements;
- Utilize available resources to monitor academic progress, find available courses and review program requirements (including their Degree Evaluation and University Catalog);
- Be familiar with how to connect with discipline/concentration departments and understand how to connect with course faculty/instructors;
- Take responsibility for actions and decisions that impact their academic progress;
- Seek advisement from their academic advisor when necessary; and
- Be prepared for advisement appointments with a planned schedule of classes, questions about the program(s) and requirements, as well as an open mind for exploration and mentorship.
Academic Advisors assist students as they navigate their academic journey, by providing individual advisement in the promotion of each student’s academic success. An academic advisor shares knowledge, experience and insight to benefit students in their decision making and academic planning. Additionally, the advisor provides information about university policies and procedures related to academic programs. To do this, advisors will:
- Assist students in understanding their academic program requirements and provide clarification of requirements, policies and procedures;
- Connect students to appropriate university academic and success resources;
- Meet as appropriate to address student questions and provide consultation on upcoming planned course of study, including immediate and long-range academic planning; and
- Review students’ progress toward academic goals and monitor academic progress.