Counseling Appointments

APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING OPTIONS & MODALITIES

• ZOOM & IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS

  Recommended for NEW & CONTINUING students.

  Counselors will not conduct an appointment if student is operating a vehicle.  All counseling appointments require your full attention with minimal to no distractions. 

  Schedule a 30-minute appointment if you require a Student Educational Plan (SEP) or have questions that require a review of your academic records.  Students can select either an in-person or Zoom appointment when scheduling.  Recommended for NEW and continuing students. 
  Students are limited to one appointment per week.

  NOTE:  A 30-minute counseling appointment will assist students with setting up their Student Educational Plans (SEPs), however, students will not register for classes during their counseling appointments.
  
  SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
  
  Important Information:
  If meeting via Zoom, please use either Google Chrome or Firefox browsers and log in from a computer (not a smart phone) with a microphone and web camera. Please be prepared to turn on your camera for verification purposes. 

• CRANIUM CAFE APPOINTMENTS

  Counselors will not conduct an appointment if student is operating a vehicle.  All counseling appointments require your full attention with minimal to no distractions. 

  Cranium Cafe is an additional online scheduling platform used for appointments.  Schedule a 30-minute appointment online if you require a Student Educational Plan (SEP) or have questions that require a review of your academic records.  Students can select either an in-person, phone, or video appointment when scheduling. Students are limited to one appointment per week.*

  *OCC Student Email MUST be used in order to receive confirmation of scheduled appointment.

  NOTE: A 30-minute counseling appointment will assist students with setting up their Student Educational Plans (SEPs), however, students will not register for classes during their counseling appointments.

  How to Schedule A Cranium Cafe Appointment
  
  SCHEDULE A CRANIUM CAFE APPOINTMENT
  
  Important Information:
  These appointments can only be scheduled by logging in to ConexED by clicking on the link above. Please use the step-by-step instructions for assistance.  A staff member will not be able to schedule a Cranium Cafe appointment for the student. 
  *OCC Student Email MUST be used in order to receive confirmation of scheduled appointment.

  
  If meeting via video, please use either Google Chrome or Firefox browsers and log in from a computer (not a smart phone) with a microphone and web camera. 

• PHONE APPOINTMENTS

  NOT recommended for new students and are limited based on availability!

  Please call the Counseling Center if you prefer a phone appointment.  714-432-5078

  PHONE APPOINTMENTS are extremely limited and not always available.

  Counselors will not conduct an appointment if student is operating a vehicle.  All counseling appointments require your full attention with minimal to no distractions. 

  Schedule a 30-minute appointment phone appointment if you are a returning or continuing student who requires a Student Educational Plan (SEP) or have questions that require a review of your academic records.  Students are limited to one appointment per week.

  NOTE:  A 30-minute counseling appointment will assist students with setting up their Student Educational Plans (SEPs), however, students will not register for classes during their counseling appointments.

• DROP-IN COUNSELING

  Drop-In counseling is a 10-minute conversation with a counselor for general information such as prerequisite requirements, general transfer and graduation-related questions, referrals to other programs and services, questions about comparable courses or general quick questions. Counselors will not be able to review academic records or transcripts in this 10-minute session.

  For assistance, please call the Counseling Center at (714) 432-5078.

• 2025 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

  For 2025 high school graduates who have NOT registered for classes and do NOT have a SEP on record, there are GROUP WORKSHOPS available to help you get started for Fall 2025!  Click below for more information and to register for a workshop!

  More Information

• NEED ASSISTANCE CONNECTING?

  HAVING TROUBLE CONNECTING? CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN YOUR APPOINTMENT IS?

  1. A confirmation email containing the Zoom link is automatically sent to your OCC STUDENT EMAIL.
     Make sure to check your OCC student email for this information.
     To access your student email, login to your MyCoast Student Portal and locate the "Student E-Mail" Tile.  Follow the instructions as listed.
     
     
  2. Call the Counseling office and a staff member can text you the Zoom link once your information has been verified. 714-432-5078

  *Please make sure to check your OCC student email for the confirmation email. This is automatically sent to you shortly after your appointment has been scheduled.  If you have not received the confirmation email to your OCC STUDENT EMAIL a day before your appointment, please contact the counseling office as soon as possible.

Appointments for Unique Needs

• AIM/PROBATION
  To schedule an appointment for Academic Probation or Dismissal, please call (714) 432-6902 or email occretention@occ.cccd.edu.
  

  Note: If you have a counseling hold due to your academic standing, you will need to schedule an AIM appointment in order to be eligible to register.

• ARC (Accessibility Resource Center)

  Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) (Formerly DSPS)

  ARC Counseling services at Orange Coast College are in place to help students identify and clarify disability-related accommodations, academic class schedules, career and educational goals.  The intent is to help students explore their options and make informed decisions that will improve the quality of their lives.  Our DSPS counselors are available to assist you with the following: 

  • Educational Planning
  • Career Exploration
  • Disability Management Counseling
  • Academic Accommodation Plan (Intake)
  • Referral for on/off Campus Resources
  • Self Advocacy & Communicating with Faculty

  Schedule an ARC Counseling Appointment

• ATHLETES

  For Student-Athletes ONLY!

  For full availability of counselors for Sstudent Athletes, please call the Counseling Center during regular business hours.  
  

  Student Athletics Counselors:  
  Cynthia Fascella (Full-Time)
  Jeff Trujillo*

  When scheduling, students MUST select the sport they participate in.

  Schedule an Appointment with Athletics Counselor

   *Adjunct/Part-Time Counselors with Limited availability 

• EOPS

  Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)

  Our counselors provide Academic, Career, and Personal Counseling. Each EOPS student is unique, and we take a personal interest in serving you.  We strive to get to know students on an individual basis. We develop close relationships by visiting with students at least three times each semester.

  Schedule an EOPS Appointment

• Financial Aid

  If you need help with understanding how your classes impact your financial aid, your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status, or assistance with an educational plan, the Financial Aid Counselor is more than happy to assist you. 

  Schedule an Appointment with Financial Aid

• PUENTE

  All current Puente students are welcome and are highly encouraged to meet with the Puente counselor at least once a semester.

  The PUENTE Community College Program is a statewide academic, counseling and mentoring program operating in 39 California community colleges and is co-sponsored by the University of California. Its aim is to provide support for students to build the skills necessary for success in both academic and career goals while in community college.

  Students enrolled in the PUENTE program work closely with their Counselor, English Instructor and Mentor to prepare for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Over its 26-year history on the OCC campus, PUENTE has helped students to earn their degrees, take leadership roles in the community, begin their careers, and return as mentors for new PUENTE students. 

  ONLY PUENTE STUDENTS:
  Schedule a PUENTE Appointment

  You can also call the Puente Center for availability (714) 432-5046

• STEM

  If you are a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) major AND are in the STEM Academy, you can schedule an appointment with one of the STEM counselors. 

  Schedule a STEM Appointment

• Veterans

  OCC has a designated counselor for our veteran & dependent students who has a thorough understanding of the academic progress needed to fulfill your certificate or degree requirements, in addition to the impact that your course selection will have on your benefits. All military connected students are welcome to take advantage of this service. If you are utilizing VA Education benefits, you will be required to meet with the veteran counselor for most items.

  Schedule a Veterans Appointment

MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Academic Probation or Dismissal
  To schedule an appointment for Academic Probation or Dismissal, please call (714) 432-6902 or email occretention@occ.cccd.edu.
  

  Note: If you have a counseling hold due to your academic standing, you will need to schedule an AIM appointment in order to be eligible to register.

• CANCEL/RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

  If for any reason you are not able to attend your appointment, please cancel at least 60-minutes before your scheduled time. Failure to do so may result in limited access to scheduling future appointments. You may cancel your appointment by calling the Counseling office or online.  

  Cancel/Reschedule Appointment

• LATE/NO-SHOW POLICY

  LATE:  The grace-period for late appointments is 15 minutes.  If a student is more than 15 minutes late, a counselor may not be able to see them or their time will be limited to the time that is left.  A student may need to reschedule for a different day if appointments are available. 

  NO-SHOW: Students are allowed up to three no-shows each calendar year before their access to scheduling future appointments becomes limited.  As a courtesy, we ask that if you are not able to attend your appointment to please cancel the appointment at least 60 minutes before the scheduled time.

  Cancel Appointment

• Prerequisite/Corequisite Clearance

  A counseling appointment is not needed to clear a prerequisite or corequisite requirement. Counselors are not authorized to clear a prerequisite or corequisite requirement.  

  Currently, the prerequisite & corequisite clearance procedure will take 7-10 business days to process. To start the prerequisite/corequisite clearance process, click the button below:
  
  Prerequisite & Corequisite Clearance

• Request for More Units

  An Overload Petition Request is needed to take more units than allowed during the semester. 
  
  Maximum unit limitations are as follows:
  Spring & Fall:  19 Units
  Intersession:  6 Units
  Summer:  10 Units 

  Be sure to read ALL information and instructions carefully.

  OVERLOAD PETITION Form 

• NEED Additional ASSISTANCE?

  COUNSELING STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST STUDENTS REMOTELY AND IN-PERSON. 
  

  REMOTELY 
  CALL 714-432-5078 

  Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
  Friday: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

  ON CAMPUS 
  LOCATED ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF WATSON HALL 

  Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
  Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

  LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH
  
  COUNSELORS WHO SPEAK A SECOND LANGUAGE 

  • Dr. Renée DeLong (Dean of Counseling) - French
  • Eric Cuellar - Spanish 
  • Benjamin Figueroa - Spanish
  • Denia Guillen - Spanish 
  • Elias Marron - Spanish, Italian
  • Christina Nguyen - Vietnamese 
  • Yvette Nguyen - Vietnamese
  • Arlene Vargas - Spanish 
  • Cyndy Garcia - Spanish 
  • Carmen Johnson - Spanish 
    
    

  STAFF WHO SPEAK A SECOND LANGUAGE 
  

  • Heather Dominguez - Spanish 
  • Martha Guevara - Spanish  
  • Tiffany Huynh - Vietnamese 
  • Veronica Sanchez - Spanish 
  • Janet Valle - Spanish