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New Student Advising

Welcome to CSN General 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 the Fall 2023 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.

English Guided Self Placement Course Recommendations Explained

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.

Charleston Campus

North Las Vegas Campus

Henderson Campus

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

 Elementary Education MajorsAssociate of Business MajorsBiological and Physical Science Majors

Associate of Arts Majors

Computer Science Associate of Arts
No Placement
Test Required

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

Placement Test Recommended

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

 Associate of Applied Science MajorsCertificate Programs
No CSN Placement Test Required

No scores/tests required for most programs

No scores/tests required


English Placement Guidance for ALL Majors & Programs

No Placement Test Required

English ACT score 18 or above

English SAT score 500 or above

Placement Test Recommended

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

Advising Appointments

Appointments are 30 minute individual sessions and are available in person, by phone, or online on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30 am- 4:00 pm. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment for academic planning, discussions about choosing a major, degree audits, and to inquire about other types of support.

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  1. Visit www.csn.edu and click “Login”
  2. Click MyCoyotePLAN  icon ( pictured above) or search for MyCoyotePLAN)
  3. Log-in with your GoCSN username and password 
  4. Select your desired campus location
  5. Select your Advisor
  6. Click “Schedule” and select “Advising” 
  7. Choose the primary reason you wish to meet with an Academic Advisor
  8. Click “Continue”
  9. Select a date range and time that works best for you
  10. Enter any additional information related to your appointment
  11. Confirm your appointment

Express Advising

Express Advising is a 15 minute drop in  service and is best for quick questions and to obtain basic information. This service is not recommended for academic planning or degree audits.  Express Advising is now available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am - 3:30pm.  Express Advising is offered in person or by phone.

To meet with an advisor for Express Advising, visit the Coyote Q here.  Use the CoyoteQ to sign into a virtual line using any computer, smart phone or a campus kiosk.

After you join the line, the CoyoteQ will send you a personalized text alert or phone call when it’s your turn to see an advisor.

Students are seen 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.

*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.

Still have questions? Email us at advising@csn.edu. Messages sent Monday through Friday will usually receive a response on the same day and always within 24 hours. Messages sent over the weekend will receive a response by the close of business on the following Tuesday.

Enroll in Classes, Pay Your Bill, Contact the Office of Financial Aid

Upon the completion of steps 1 through 4, you can register for classes.  For support in the online class registration process, please view our video recorded demonstration at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX3VIcwYWuw or make an appointment for live, individual assistance with the Virtual Students First Station.

The Cashier’s Office provides information about cost of attendance and payment deadlines.

Visit CSN Financial Aid webpage for information on the application process.  If you have already applied for financial aid, you will be contacted via email.

Help! I cannot open my CSN account!

If you have not validated your user account, please follow the instructions at https://csnstudent.csn.edu/stuverify/.

If you forgot your password, follow the steps to reset your password at https://www.csn.edu/csn-password-administration.

If neither of the options above work, select one of the following options:

  • Contact the CSN Call Center at 702-651-4357 Monday through Friday from 9 am-7 pm.
  • Visit the OTS Help Desk page at https://www.csn.edu/helpdesk for chat, phone, or email assistance.
I took the AP exam or have IB credit. Does CSN accept AP and/or IB credits?

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Advanced placement and/or credit may be granted to entering students who have achieved appropriate scores on one or more of the Advanced Placement Tests offered by the College Entrance Examination Board (College Board).  Please submit AP scores to the Office of the Registrar.

The College Board allows one free official score report per test.  If you did not use the free report to send your scores to CSN, you will need to contact the College Board to request the release of an official score report for CSN.  Contact the College Board at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores.

Results for AP tests completed in spring 2023 will be released in July 2023. If you took the exam this spring and are waiting for your results, please be sure share this when you meet with the advisor.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at 16-to-19-year-olds in 140 countries around the world. The programme provides internationally accepted credentials for entry into higher education.  CSN credit may be awarded for each higher-level examination passed with a score of 4 or above.

Students who have IB test credit should forward official test scores to the Office of the Registrar, College of Southern Nevada, 6375 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas NV 89146.  To request official test scores, visit the International Baccalaureate website at https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/getting-results/.

How to Declare or Change Your Major

For a demonstration on how to declare/change your major in MyCSN, Go To MyCSN.

For printable instructions on how to declare/change your major in MyCSN,  View Printable Instructions.

Advising Documents

In the Academic Advising Handbook and Academic Advising Syllabus, you will find valuable information regarding advising timelines and expectations, CSN resources, areas of study and majors, registration, and much more.

Advising Questions & Answers

Please use the links below to access video recorded messages on the following:

*Still have questions? Advising@csn.edu!

*Please contact us by phone at 702-651-3165 if you have an IEP or 504 Plan and need assistance in meeting with an academic advisor.