Academic Advising Clark College Planning your path to

Academic Advising @ Clark College Planning your path to success

Goals of this lesson • Become familiar with services offered by Advising at Clark College • Identify resources to develop your education plan • Understand personal and academic factors that influence the creation of your education plan • Why create an education plan? ▫ An education plan is your roadmap to successful completion of your academic goals at Clark College.

Advising Department Gaiser Hall 108 (360)-992 -2345 • Monday & Thursday: Drop-in Advising 7: 30 am – 6 pm • Tuesday & Wednesday: Appointment Only 7: 30 am-6: 00 pm • Friday: Drop-in Advising 10: 00 am-4: 30 pm • Email an advisor using “Ask an Advisor” on the website #1

Advisor or Counselor? ADVISORS help with … • Educational Planning • Understanding Program Requirements COUNSELORS help with… • Career - Identifying occupational goals • Self-Management - Time and Stress • Choosing Classes • College Policies & Requirements • Personal Issues – relationships, depression, anxiety, etc. • University Transfer Information • Mental Health Referrals

Divisions of Advising College Prep & Transfer Professional Technical General AA Transfer Degree, Bachelor’s Degree Preparation, Transitional Studies, Undecided transfer intent Ø Prep. trans. ad@clark. edu Business, Medical Office, Welding, Computer Technology, Paralegal, Machining, etc. ; Undecided career/technical intent Ø Prof. tech. adv@clark. edu Health Occupations & Education Faculty Advising Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Elementary Education, Dental Hygiene, Pre-Med, etc. ; Undecided health care field intent Ø Heoc. ed. adv@clark. edu Engineering, Early Childhood Education, Addiction Counseling, CADD, and Graphic Design #2

What if I am undecided? 1. Visit Career Services ▫ Learn about different occupations ▫ Research employment outlook, salaries/wages, job requirements ▫ Explore careers and professions 2. Speak with a Counselor ▫ Discuss your strengths and interests ▫ Explore your preferences ▫ Identify and set goals 3. Meet with an advisor ▫ Compare academic programs and pathways ▫ Identify options available at Clark and the local area ▫ Learn about program requirements #3

Degree or Certificate? It depends on your goals… Career AAS or AAT Associate of Applied Science Or Associate of Applied Technology CP or CA Certificate of Proficiency or Achievement Bachelor’s Degree AA /AST or AA-MRP Associate of Arts or Science Transfer Or Major Ready Programs

Degree Requirements AAS General Education Career/ Technical Courses AAT General Education AA General Education AST 1 or 2 General Education Science and Math Courses Career/ Technical Courses Electives Science Electives All Associates Degrees require a minimum of 90 credits AA - MRP General Education Major Area Courses

What is General Education? • Communication Skills – English Composition • Quantitative/Computational Skills – Math • Health & Physical Ed. – Health and PE, or HPE • Humanities – Art, Philosophy, World Language, etc. • Social Science – History, Psychology, Sociology, etc. • Natural Science – Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, etc. General Education Requirements Vary Per Degree (check with an advisor to verify your degree requirements)

Where do I begin? #5

Grades and Prerequisites • You must earn a “C” or higher to move on to the next course in a sequence ▫ Example: Earn a “C” or higher in ENGL 098 to move on to ENGL& 101 ▫ Example: Earn a “C” or higher in MATH 089 to move on to MATH 091 • Each grade is equal to a point value: A 4. 0 C 2. 0 A- 3. 7 C- 1. 7 B+ 3. 3 D+ 1. 3 B 3. 0 D 1. 0 B- 2. 7 D- 0. 7 F 0. 0 C+ 2. 3 #6

What is a Credit? • Credits are standard units of measurement ▫ ▫ Time Enrollment level Degree completion Satisfactory progress Example • MATH 030 = 5 credits = 5 hours in class each week �This might look like… � 1 hour, 5 days a week OR � 2. 5 hours, 2 days a week #7

Creating a balanced schedule • Remember how much time is expected for success: ▫ 1 credit = 1 hour in class each week + 2 hours (minimum) studying* outside class = 3 hours total * “Studying” includes assigned reading, reviewing notes, preparing for tests, completing homework, etc. ▫ So… � 5 cr. = 5 hrs. in class + 10 hrs. studying = 15 hrs. total � 12 cr. = 12 hrs. in class + 24 hrs. studying = 36 hrs. total ▫ Ask yourself: how much is too much? �What other commitments do I have in my personal life? • Pair major area requirements with general education • Combine subject areas (writing-intensive vs. math-intensive courses) #8

Consider Full Time Enrollment • Benefits to enrolling full time (12 -15 credits a quarter): ▫ ▫ Helps you stay on track to complete your degree Encourages you to stay focused on school Reduces your debt Saves time and money • National research shows that full-time students complete college degrees at higher rates.

Educational Planning Resources Degree/Certificate Worksheets Online Schedule of Classes Clark College Catalog Annual Class Planner #4, 10

Registration Cycle • Registration access is assigned based on cumulative number of credits earned ▫ The more credits you earn, the earlier you register! • Important Dates & Deadlines available online ▫ Withdraw deadline, late registration, finals • Annual Academic Calendars available online ▫ Quarter start and end dates, Holidays, Final Exams Week 3: Registration Dates/Times assigned; E -mail reminder sent Week 4: Class Schedule available Online Week 8: Class registration begins #9

Check your e-mail! • Student e-mail is the official means of communication between you and Clark College. ▫ Watch for important information! �Registration reminders – when does registration begin? What day can I register? �Advising reminders – do I have an advising requirement this quarter? �Online Advising communication – responses to your e-mails from advisors

When should I see an advisor? • You can meet with an advisor any time you have questions regarding your program requirements or your education plan • To make sure you are progressing successfully in your chosen degree or certificate at Clark, Advising is required at several checkpoints: ▫ New student to Clark College (satisfied by orientation) ▫ 24 -30 credits earned ▫ 70 -76 credits earned ▫ 94 -100 credits earned ▫ 124 -130 credits earned ▫ 180 credits earned (each quarter until degree/certificate completion) • You will be notified via your student e-mail that you have an Advising Requirement. A hold is placed on your account blocking registration until the Advising Requirement is met. ▫ You must meet with an advisor prior to registering to have the hold removed.