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Student Services

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

One purpose of the Cooperative Education and Career Development Center is to assist students in developing career plans, researching scholarship opportunities, and obtaining university transfer requirements. Students, potential students, and alumni may take career interest assessments as well as research salary, job demand, and other characteristics of career fields through printed materials and computer programs. The Cooperative Education and Career Development Center is located on the first floor in the Student Union East, Room 54.

CAREER CENTER

The Career Center assists students in developing career plans, researching scholarship opportunities, and obtaining university transfer requirements. Students, potential students, and alumni may take career interest assessments as well as research salary, job demand, and other characteristics of career fields through printed materials and computer programs. The Career Center is located on the first floor in the Student Union East, Room 54.

PLACEMENT TESTING

All students entering college credit programs are required to take some form of basic testing for placement in English, reading, and mathematics. Students may meet this requirement several ways. Students may use ACT or SAT scores for placement provided the scores are less than two years old and meet state-mandated minimum score levels. If ACT or SAT scores are lower than the state-mandated minimum scores, the student must take the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) for placement. The CPT is how most students meet the testing requirement. If a student transfers college-level mathematics credit and/or college-level English composition credit to GCCC, the student has completed the testing requirement in that specific discipline and must test only in the area he or she is deficient. College-level English composition credit supersedes the need for placement in reading. Transfer students need to have their transcripts evaluated by the transcript specialist to determine whether they will be required to take any of the tests. Arrangements for disabled students needing special testing conditions are made in the Office of Disability Support Services.

Computerized placement tests are available for a fee, and results are available immediately after testing. Students pay the fee in the college's bookstore or business office and take the receipt to the testing center in Student Union East, Room 61. Computerized placement tests are also available at the North Bay Center, Tyndall Air Force Base Center, and the Gulf/Franklin Center.

Placement test schedules are available at the Information Desk in the Student Union East, the Library, the Office of Admissions and Records, the Testing Office, and on the college website (www.gulfcoast.edu) under Prospective Students and click on the testing option.

TABE tests are given for students in PSAV programs and the Passport Program. Students in the Passport Program are tested on the main campus. Students testing for PSAV programs can test on campus, at the North Bay Center, or at the Gulf/Franklin Center.

The Nursing School Entrance Exam and Dental Certification tests are given on the main campus. Advisers in the Health Sciences Division have the requirements for these tests.

ASSESSMENT

The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is one of three alternatives a student can use to demonstrate mastery of college level competencies required by Florida Statutes and Rules of the State Board of Education. (See CLAST Alternative for further options). The Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT CLAST) is available at the GCCC main campus. The CAT CLAST allows students the opportunity to take the mathematics, reading, and English language portions of the CLAST on computer. However, there is no computerized option for the essay portion of the exam which is administered in October, February, and June. (See the college calendar for specific dates).

Computerized College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are given at scheduled times by appointment. Registration for the test is required before the test is administered. The CLEP testing schedule is available in Room 60 of the Student Union East or on the college website (www.gulfcoast.edu) under Prospective Students and click on the testing option.

ADVISING

All first time college students must see an academic adviser to register for courses. Advisers are assigned depending upon the student's major or college-level academic placement. Advisers assist students in making decisions related to academic and career aspirations. Advisers also assist students in selecting the proper course sequence and resolving academic problems. Students experiencing academic difficulty should consult their instructors or academic advisers, especially before withdrawing from any course.

Self Advising. All students are encouraged to consult with an academic adviser if they have questions relating to their program of study. Some students may not be required to see an academic adviser to register for courses. Students who may self-advise are those students who 1) are not GEN-AA degree-seeking, 2) have matriculated out of developmental courses, 3) have accrued over 12 hours of college-level credit, 4) have not changed majors, or 5) are not on probation or suspension.

FLORIDA ACADEMIC COUNSELING AND TRACKING FOR STUDENTS (FACTS)

Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students (FACTS) is a network that provides access to many resources of Florida's higher education institutions. FACTS offers a variety of student services and resources provided for convenience by the State of Florida and by the participating institutions.

Students may access the FACTS website at www.facts.org to stay aware of current degree requirements, run a graduation evaluation, access college transcripts, take career assessments, investigate Florida colleges and degrees, and apply to Florida colleges.

PIN

In order to access student services on the web, you must have a PIN. For new students, a default PIN number (month/year of birth, i.e., 0587) is assigned when the student applies to GCCC. You will be required to change your default birth month/year PIN to a unique 4-digit PIN of your choosing. If you forget your PIN, please contact the Admissions Office at 872-3892.

Students are assigned a Gulf Coast Community College e-mail account when they apply for admission. In order to stay informed and aware, students are encouraged to activate and check their account on a regular basis. Student e-mail will be the official form of communication at Gulf Coast Community College. You must log in to OASIS to find your e-mail address. To log in to OASIS, you will need your social security number or student identification number and student PIN number. New students will use a default pin number of month and year of birth. For example, if you were born on June 16, 1986, then your PIN is 0686. The system will prompt you to change your month/year number to your own unique selected number. Your initial password to set up your student e-mail account is your date of birth in the form of YYYMMDD. For example, if you were born on June 16, 1986, then your password is 19860616. If you have any questions, please call Admissions at (850) 872-3892.

WEB REGISTRATION

Gulf Coast Community College students have the option of registering online for classes. For available registration dates, please review the College Calendar (located under Quick Links) on the college's homepage (www.gulfcoast.edu). If a student has been cleared for registration by his/her adviser and has obtained a PIN, web registration is available. All prerequisite and testing requirements must be met prior to web registration. In order to sign on to web registration, a student ID number and a PIN are required.

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES

Other websites students may find useful include:

• www.studentclearinghouse.org, download degree and/or enrollment verifications.
• www.facts.org, degree shop/copy of transcripts/apply to academic institutions.
• www.ets.org, international student information on TOEFL.
• www.collegeboard.com, order official SAT scores, CLEP/AP/IB.
• www.actstudent.org, order official ACT scores.
• www.collegesource.org, information of college and/or universities.
• www.va.gov, information on veteran student benefits.
• http://sd.gulfocast.edu/test.htm, student information on CLEP/IB/AP/AICE.
• www.http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm, current state statutes.

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