Welcome to the Northern Virginia Community College Website

Accessibility Navigation:

Advising & Counseling

  • Counselor and student share a laugh
  • Counselor and student review the schedule of classes
  • Student reviews academic calendar with counselor

Campus Counseling Services

Counselors and advisors help students define goals through student development instruction, academic advising, personal counseling, and programming. Mental health counseling and therapy are not provided by College staff; however, referrals can be made within the local community. Counseling hours are noted below.

Academic advising is important at NOVA. Academic advising helps you to meet your educational objectives.

If you cannot come to campus to meet with your advisor, Online Virtual Advising is available to you.

Virtual Advising is online academic advising available to prospective and current NOVA students through email and chat.

Speak With a Virtual Advisor

Virtual Advisors Are Available by Chat or Email

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Monday - Thursday: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please have your NOVA Student ID number available. A NOVA Student ID number is required for most services. Some services may require follow-up via email or in-person referral to a campus.

Via Email:
AcademicAdvising@nvcc.edu 
Emails are answered within 24 hours.

Online Chat:          
Click on the Live Chat link to talk with a virtual advisor.

  • Counselor explains student handbook to student.
  • Military student is advised by counselor.
     
  • Student and counselor go over student handbook.
     
  • Advisor and student sit and discuss student handbook.
Career

Career Counseling

Career Counselors can assist you with exploring, developing and setting goals related to your unique educational and academic needs. Services include career assessments, occupational information, goal setting, planning and employment resources.

Transfer

Transfer Counseling

If you intend to get a degree from NOVA or transfer to another college, a counselor can make sure you’re taking the right courses. There can be variations in what colleges accept and you don't want to risk having to take extra courses.
Disability

Disability Support Services

NOVA serves a large population of students who receive disability-related accommodations. Check the Disability Support Service website before classes begin to find out how to get accommodations.
Retention

Student Retention

Retention counselors work with students who are having academic difficulty like warning, probation and suspension. They offer support to students and help them devise strategies to be successful at NOVA. Retention counselors connect students to a variety of academic resources. Contact your campus counseling office (below) to meet with a retention counselor

Locate Your Counseling & Academic Advising Center

Alexandria

Room AA 194
Phone: 703.933.5073
Email: alcounseling@nvcc.edu
Maps & Directions to the Alexandria Campus

Hours

Extended hours for Counseling, Student Success/First Year Advising, Enrollment Services and Financial Aid: 
August 13-August 31:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 18: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Monday and *Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*Pathway advising is available virtually on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at AskPathway@nvcc.edu.

Special Hours

Spring Break and October Non-Instructional Days:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Peak Registration Periods: In August for First Week of Classes and in January for First Week of Classes:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Important: Students must sign in 30 minutes before closing. In the evenings, sign-in may close earlier contingent upon student wait times.

Peak Registration Periods: Counseling services begin at 8:30 a.m. every Friday. Students are encouraged to arrive one hour before closing. In the evenings, sign-in may be closed early contingent upon student wait times.

*April 12: Walk-in service will be suspended from 12:30  p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a staff meeting.

Counselors serve walk-in students at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Walk-in service will start at 11:00 a.m. on Fridays.  

Annandale

Annandale

Room CA 112
Phone: 703.323.3200
Email: AN Counseling Center
Maps & Directions to the Annandale Campus

Hours

Monday and Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (walk-in service begins at 10:00 a.m.)
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (walk-in service begins at 10:00 a.m.)
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (walk-in service begins at 11:00 a.m.)

 

*Virtual advising via Live Chat with an advisor is available at http://www.nvcc.edu/virtualadvising/index.html.

*Pathway advising is available virtually on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at AskPathway@nvcc.edu.

*First time to college students ages 17 to 24 with no prior college experience may email the First Year Advising office at GPSAnnandale@nvcc.edu for general questions. Please make sure to include your seven-digit student ID number (aka EMPLID, SSID).

Special Hours

Monday, November 12th - walk-in advising will be suspended between 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. for a monthly staff meeting.  

Spring Break:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Peak Registration Periods: in January after Winter Break during the first week of classes:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

Students are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. During registration periods, please arrive 60 minutes before closing. In the evenings, sign-in may be closed early contingent upon student wait times.

If you have a counselor you’ve been working with and would like to see that counselor, please contact him/her directly via email to schedule an appointment.

Loudoun

Room LR 253
Phone: 703.450.2571
Email: LO Counseling Center 
Maps & Directions to the Loudoun Campus

Hours

Extended hours for Counseling, Student Success/First Year Advising, Enrollment Services and Financial Aid: 
August 13-August 31:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 18: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Monday and *Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*Pathway advising is available virtually on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at AskPathway@nvcc.edu.

Note: After meeting with Counseling Services, students are assigned to a faculty advisor according to their major.  Counseling Services may direct you to your faculty advisor for assistance with:

  • Selecting classes for your major
  • Reviewing your advisement report
  • Discussing specifics about program majors
  • Answering general transfer questions
  • Applying for graduation

Continuing students with an assigned major should schedule an appointment with their faculty advisor by email for assistance with class scheduling. If you are unable to reach your faculty advisor, please contact Mr. Jeremy Cook (LASS division faculty advising manager) or Mr. Frederick Terranova (MSTB division faculty advising manager) for assistance.  

Virtual Advising
One-on-one virtual advising is available here:

Counseling Center Appointments:
Appointments are available Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • Academic Probation Counseling
  • Career Counseling
  • Dual/Home School Enrollment
  • Incoming Transfer Advising
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Advising
  • Transfer Planning

Note: When scheduling a counseling appointment, you will be provided a set of instructions in order to prepare for your meeting. You will be asked to complete these steps and bring all requested documents to your appointment to ensure that there is enough time to address all of your concerns.  

Counseling Center Walk-In For Brief Inquires:
Walk-In For Brief Inquires are available Monday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Brief inquires are generally no longer than 10-15 minutes and may include:

  • Advisement Report Verifications
  • Change of Major
  • Course Prerequisite Approvals
  • Faculty Advisor Assignments
  • General Education Elective Suggestions
  • Placement Test Interpretations

If you require more time than Walk-in For Brief Inquires allow for, you may be referred to your faculty advisor or a counseling appointment for further assistance.

Special Hours

Spring Break and October Non-Instructional Days:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Peak Registration Periods: In August for First Week of Classes and in January for First Week of Classes:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Manassas

Room MH 110
Phone: 703.257.6610
Email: MA Counseling
Maps & Directions to the Manassas Campus

Hours

Extended hours for Counseling, Student Success/First Year Advising, Enrollment Services and Financial Aid: 
August 13-August 31:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 18: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Monday and *Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*Pathway advising is available virtually on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at AskPathway@nvcc.edu.

Special Hours

Spring Break and October Non-Instructional Days:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Peak Registration Periods: In August for First Week of Classes and in January for First Week of Classes:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Manassas Counseling Center offers both counseling and advising services.

Counseling is available by appointment Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Friday from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. to assist students with:

  • Academic Success Planning
  • Career Exploration and Planning
  • Disability Support Services
  • Transfer Planning

Appointments are scheduled by emailing the Counseling Center at macouns@nvcc.edu and must include your:

  • full name
  • NOVA Student ID#
  • telephone number
  • reason for your appointment

Advising is available on a walk-in basis, Monday – Thursday: 2:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Friday: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. to provide continuing and future students with a 10-15 minute session to offer general answers to inquiries related to course registration, enrollment and program information. 

To ensure having adequate time for a complete advising session, we request that students sign in, at least 60 minutes prior to closing.

Group Advising (offered in January, July, August and December) will provide students with a full 1.5-hour workshop to provide support and information related to course registration.

The last sign-in is 60 minutes prior to closing time.

 
Medical Education

6699 Springfield Center Drive, Room 202
Springfield, VA 22150-1913
Phone: 703.822.6531
Email: MEC Advising/Counseling
Maps & Directions to the Medical Education Campus

Hours

Extended hours for Counseling, Student Success/First Year Advising, Enrollment Services and Financial Aid: 
August 13-August 31:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 18: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Monday and *Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*Pathway advising is available virtually on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at AskPathway@nvcc.edu.

Counseling is available by appointment to assist students with:

  • Academic Success Planning
  • Career Exploration and Planning
  • Disability Support Services
  • Veterans and Military Support Services

Advising is available on a walk-in basis during regular business hours (check individual campus locations) to provide continuing and future students with a 10-15 minute session offering general answers to inquiries related to course registration, enrollment and program information.

To ensure having adequate time for a complete advising session, we request that students sign in, at least 30 minutes prior to closing.

Woodbridge

Room: Seefeldt Building (WS), Room 202
Phone: 703.878.5760
Email: Student Services Center 
Maps & Directions to the Woodbridge Campus

Hours

Monday and *Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*Pathway advising is available virtually on Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at AskPathway@nvcc.edu.

Important: Counselors are available for walk-ins every day:

  • Monday & Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Peak Registration Period – January 3 - 18, 2019:

Student Services has an extended schedule during peak registration that begins January 3, 2019 through the first week of classes. During these times offices will observe the following schedule:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Special Hours

Spring Break and October Non-Instructional Days:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Peak Registration Periods: Student Services has an extended schedule during peak registration periods that includes the week of August 1 through the first week of classes, and the week after winter break through the first week of classes. During these times offices will observe the following schedule:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

NOVA Online

Phone: 703.323.2425
Email: NOVA Online Counselors

Hours

Extended hours for Counseling, Student Success/First Year Advising, Enrollment Services and Financial Aid: 
August 13-August 31:
Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 18: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

From the Blog

View the Blog

Advising Focus Newsletter #2 October

Advisor Responsibilities in the Advising Process

Student Responsibilities in the Advising Process
View the Blog
Top