Family Information

Academic Support Services at the University of San Francisco

In alignment with our mission, the Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA) offers a variety of services to help USF students achieve their academic and personal goals. In the sections below, there are links to more detailed descriptions of these services as well as some tips on how to help foster academic success for your student.

Appointments and services are available through a centralized online appointment system, which can be accessed on the right through an orange button titled, "Schedule an academic success coach appointment," on any of our webpages. Coaches may under certain circumstances reach out to students when there is cause for concern, but in general, it is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their success coach if they’d like to access our services.

Each first-year and transfer student is assigned a CASA academic success coach, in addition to their faculty adviser, for academic coaching and support as follows:

  • Connect students to resources on campus
  • Provide registration assistance (e.g. troubleshooting holds, registration errors, adding to a course waitlist)
  • Help explore majors and minors
  • Help develop good study habits and time management skills with students
  • Discuss academic options (e.g., double majoring, adding a minor, leave of absence, withdrawal, dropping classes, or incomplete grades)

In addition to academic support, our office provides unique success programs that support the needs of first-year students, transfers, and athletes.

  • The Back on Track program provides comprehensive support to students on academic probation.
  • The Early Alert program is an early intervention tool used to help students succeed academically.
  • The Explore Your Path portal helps students increase self-awareness, explore careers, explore majors, and launch themselves toward success.
  • The Muscat Scholars program is a unique initiative to support and facilitate the academic and personal success of first-generation college students.
  • The Dons MentoringPACTProgram provides undergraduate students of color and/or first-generation students with an opportunity to receive peer-to-peer mentoring with upperclassmen at USF.

Starting college can be stressful for both students and parents. Listed below are some simple tips for supporting your student.

  • Ask for details. Asking specifics will allow your student to verbalize a plan for studying and completing tasks.
  • Be a coach. If your student is having trouble staying on task, offer to check in on his or her progress with specific tasks throughout the week.
  • Help prioritize. Students can feel overwhelmed. Help them decipher which task carries the most weight and importance.
  • Encourage healthy habits. Taking the time to eat nutritious meals, exercise, and get enough sleep can make a huge reduction in stress levels.
  • Give praise. To help raise your student's self-confidence, help to identify and recognize what he or she has accomplished so far this semester.
  • Suggest peer support. Connecting with classmates, tutors, and other peers can often facilitate better understanding.
  • Be patient. Your student is in college first and foremost for the opportunity to learn; everything else comes second - sometimes even family obligations.
  • Point to resources. The University of San Francisco offers a range of services to support students. If students are unsure where to look, they can stop by the University Center 3rd floor (right above the cafeteria), contact us at casa@usfca.edu or 415-422-5050, or schedule an appointment with their CASA academic success coach.

Family members can play an important role in a student's academic success through their encouragement and support. Below are some tips for supporting your student.

  1. Talk to your student about his or her courses; discuss topics you are familiar with and ask questions about those you are not.
  2. Encourage your student to connect with their professors; faculty members are excellent resources and mentors.
  3. Suggest that your student study with others; group learning with classmates, tutors and other peers can often facilitate better understanding.
  4. Remind your student that they are in college first and foremost for the opportunity to learn; everything else comes second - sometimes even family obligations.
  5. Encourage your student to plan early and study often; managing priorities will help students find more time in their schedules.
  6. Let them know that help is available. The University of San Francisco offers a range of services to support students. In addition to the academic support services provided by CASA.

Learn more about additional resources on campus.

Please contact our office or your student's academic success coach directly if you have reason to believe that your student may be in need of support. We will gladly reach out and encourage them to connect with us to discuss whatever obstacles they are facing, a plan of action, and additional resources that can support them.

Please keep in mind that because of FERPA laws, we are unable to share information about a student's academic, financial, or housing records without their explicit consent. Here is more information for parents and guardians.