New Student Advising

This is the one-stop, enrollment shop for all for all new first time college students at CSN. Review the information below for guidance on placement testing, how to submit ACT/SAT scores, new student orientation, academic advising, and enrollment. Follow the four steps below to enroll for your first semester.

Before you start, what is your goal?

After CSN, do you plan to transfer to a four-year college or university? If yes, you will select a Transfer Program at CSN.

After CSN, do you plan to immediately pursue a career? If yes, you will pursue a Career or Non-transferrable Program at CSN.

This pre-recorded video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yREG1PWnols provides more detailed information about transferrable and career/non-transferrable degrees. You will also discuss these options with an advisor later and will be able to adjust your goal later if needed; but for now, use your answer to the questions above to complete your enrollment steps.

Enrollment Step One: English Placement Survey

English - English Placement Self-Guided Survey: All new students are encouraged to use our Self-Guided Placement Survey to help determine their English placement. Please use this link to take the survey and receive your personalized recommendation.

Enrollment Step Two: Math Placement Testing

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college after CSN AND plan to major in Business, Education, or any of the Sciences ARE required to complete the math placement or submit qualifying ACT/SAT scores that are less than two years old. For information on ACT/SAT scores, visit see the next section on this webpage.

Placement tests ARE NOT required for students who are pursuing other majors or for students who are pursuing career/non-transferable programs.

To Test on Campus

Click on the link to your preferred campus location below to make a reservation to test on campus. After you complete and submit your request for a reservation, you will receive an email acknowledging your appointment instantly.

On the day of the test, you will need to show a valid photo ID and your student number. You will also need to have authenticated your goCSN account and have your log-in credentials to access the exam.

To Take the Test Remotely

Math Placement tests are delivered through the ALEKS PPL Math platform and can be taken anytime. Visit ALEKS PPL Math Placement, read all downloading and system requirements to take the math placement exam from home or any off-campus location.

Wait! I have ACT/SAT Scores. Can I use my scores, or should I test?

Use the table below to determine if you should take placement exams or use your ACT/SAT scores to determine placement.

Math ACT/SAT Test Score and Placement Test Guidance for Transfer Programs

Associate of Arts Majors

Math ACT 22 or higher

Math SAT 500 or higher

Math ACT 22 or higher

Math SAT 500 or higher

Math ACT 28 or higher

Math SAT 600 or higher

Math ACT 19 or higher

Math SAT 450 or higher

Math ACT 25 or higher

Math SAT 550 or higher

Math ACT 21 or under

Math SAT 450 or under

Math ACT 21 or under

Math SAT 450 or under

Math ACT 27 or under

Math SAT 550 or under

Math ACT 18 or under

Math SAT 400 or under

Math ACT 24 or under

Math SAT 500 or under

Math Placement Guidance for AAS Degrees and Certificate Programs

No scores/tests required for most programs

No scores/tests required

English Placement Guidance for ALL Majors & Programs

English ACT score 18 or above

English SAT score 500 or above

English ACT score 17 and under

English SAT score 450 and under

Two ways to submit ACT/SAT Scores

  1. You may submit a scan or copy of your ACT/SAT score report. Bring it to the Testing Office at any of the three main CSN campuses or email the score report as an attachment to one of the offices below.
  2. If your ACT/SAT score is posted on your high school transcript, you can submit your transcript to report your score. High school transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Your high school counselor or administrator can email your transcript to the CSN Testing Center to any of the email addresses listed above.

Enrollment Step Three: Complete the CSN New Student Online Orientation

Complete the online orientation to become familiar with your CSN community and resources available to you. Access is available in your GoCSN account. Use your NSHE student ID number and password to login to GoCSN and select the New Student Online Orientation Tile. Visit the Orientation webpage or email us at fye@csn.edu for more information.

Enrollment Step Four: Academic Advising

At CSN, advising departments are designated based on your major and other criteria.

Health Sciences majors should visit https://www.csn.edu/health-sciences for more information about advising. Not sure which majors fall under Health Sciences? Visit https://www.csn.edu/healtharea to see a list of our health programs.

Students who are using veterans benefits to pay for college should visit https://www.csn.edu/financial-aid/vets-center to schedule a meeting with a Vets Center advisor.

Students pursuing all other majors should read the information below for the General Academic Advising Department services. Follow the instructions below to meet with the General Academic Advising staff.

Option 1: Schedule an appointment. Appointments are 30 minutes and are scheduled on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Follow the steps below to schedule an appointment.

1. Visit www.csn.edu and click "Login".
2. Log-in with your GoCSN username and password.
3. Click MyCoyotePLAN Icon (or search for MyCoyotePLAN ).
4. If required, log in again.
5. Click on the Academic Advising box.
6. Find an academic advisor who works with your major or area of study.
7. Click “Schedule”.
8. Choose the primary reason you wish to meet with an Academic Advisor.
9. Click "Continue".
10. Select a day and time that works best for you.
11. Click "Continue".
12. Enter any additional information related to your appointment.
13. Click "Confirm" to secure your appointment.

*If you have an IEP or 504 Plan and wish to speak with someone before scheduling your appointment, please contact us by phone: (702) 651-3165.

Option 2: Use Express Advising. Express Advising consists of 15-minute drop-in sessions for quick questions to obtain basic information. Long-term planning is not recommended for this service.

Express Advising is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The line may require a wait time of an hour or greater and may close periodically when demand is high.