Northern Virginia Community College Academic Plan

1. Student Development
Academic Planning and Curricular Offerings
2014-2015
July 2014

2. Student Learning Outcomes
• Distinguish between university parallel/transfer and
applied programs. Select the appropriate curriculum
based on their career goal(s)*
• Develop an academic plan
July 2014

3. Curricula/Major
• You can find a list of the majors offered on each NOVA Campus in
the following:
– College Catalog
– Printed Schedule of Classes
– College Website www.nvcc.edu (Under Academics)
• Not all majors are offered on each campus.
• Allied Health and Nursing Programs are offered only at the Medical
Education Campus.
– Programs have special requirements and a separate admissions process.
– View an information session to get started.
July 2014

4. Declaring a Major
• You may hear the term “declare a major” or “program placement”.
• Many students chose a major when they applied to the NOVA.
• When you view your academic record (unofficial transcript, degree progress report, etc.)
on NOVAConnect/MyNOVA, your official major is listed.
– NOTE: The College and Academic Departments can change requirements from year
to year. Make sure understand and you follow the requirements for YOUR catalog
year. This determined based upon the semester that you were officially program
placed.
– It is possible that two students in the same major can have different requirements
for graduation! Student A was program placed in the 2010-2011 academic year.
Student B was program placed in 2012-2013 academic year.
– Still unsure about what catalog year you are following? Contact your Faculty Advisor,
First Year Advisor, or Student Services/Counseling.
July 2014

5. Declaring a Major
• If you believe your major is incorrect or you are not program
placed, visit the Counseling/Student Services Center at your
campus.
– Immediately ask how you can be assigned a Faculty Advisor.
– Allied Health and Nursing majors are only declared after students
have been officially offered admission to the Medical Education
Campus. Most Pre-MEC students will begin with a major in
General Studies.
• Program placement is a requirement to be eligible for federal
financial aid. Some certificate programs are ineligible. Please
contact financial aid if you have any questions.
July 2014

6. Types of Curricula
Transfer/University Parallel
• Associate of Arts (A.A.)
• Associate of Science (A.S.)
• General Education Certificate
(G.E.C.)
Career/Workforce Preparation
• Associate of Applied Arts
(A.A.A.)
• Associate of Applied Science
(A.A.S.)
• Certificate
• Career Studies Certificate
(C.S.C.)
July 2014

7. Example: Types of Curricula
Transfer/University Parallel
• A.S. Business Administration
Career/Workforce Preparation
A.A.S. Accounting
A.A.S. Business
Management/Finance
A.A.S. Hospitality Management
A.A.S. Marketing
C.S.C. Real Estate Brokerage
**NOTE: Although applied degrees and
certificates are designed primarily for
workforce preparation, you may still have
opportunities for transfer to some colleges.
Review the NOVA Transfer Webpage and
contact with your Faculty Advisor or Transfer
Counselor.
July 2014

8. NOVA General Education Goals
Communication
Critical Thinking
Cultural and Social
Understanding
Information
LiteracyPersonal
Development
Quantitative
Reasoning
Scientific Reasoning
• The NOVA Catalog provides a
description of each goal.
• These competencies can be
developed by NOVA students
throughout your study in general
education courses and through
participation in student life
activities.
• These essential knowledge, skills,
and abilities are also important for
successful transfer and future
employment.
July 2014

9. Example: Degree Requirements
Degrees A.A. A.S. A.A.A. A.A.S.
Written and Oral
Communication
9 9 6 3
Humanities/Fine Arts 6 6 3 3
Foreign Language 6 - - -
Social/Behavioral Sciences 9 9 3 3
Mathematics 6 6 0-3 0-3
Physical and Life Sciences 8 8
SDV Elective 1 1 1 1
Physical Education/Wellness 1 1 1 1
Personal Development
Elective
1 1 1 -
Minimum Total General
Education Requirements
47 41 18 15
Elective & Major Area
Requirements
13-19 19-22 47-51 50-54
Total Credits 60-63 60-63 65-69 65-69
• Successful completion of your
degree requires a balance of
courses within your major and
general education.
• Read you specific Program of
Study and pay particular
attention to all footnotes.
• All questions regarding waivers
and substitutions should be
addressed in a meeting with
your Faculty Advisor.
July 2014

10. General Education Electives
Humanities/Fine Arts
Social/Behavioral
Sciences
Physical and Life
Sciences/Mathematics
• There are many courses that meet
the requirement for each area.
Make sure you review the NOVA
Catalog to make sure you are
choosing the right course.
• Review a Transfer Guide of your
intended College(s) to determine if
you should select specific courses
in these areas.
• Think about what subjects will help
you learn more about your
intended career, build a skill, or
would be interesting/fun to learn!
July 2014

11. Resources
• Career Counselor
• Transfer Counselor
• Faculty Advisor
• Teaching Faculty
July 2014

12. Developing an Academic Plan
• To understand the specific requirements of your
major, you can use one or more of the following
resources:
– The NOVA Academic Catalog
– Advising Sheets
July 2014

13. Developing and Academic Plan
• If you specifically follow your Program of Study in the
NOVA catalog (semester by semester), it will provide a
plan to complete an associate’s degree in two years (or
certificates in one or two semesters). This is not always
possible because of:
– Results of placement testing (English and Mathematics)
– Prerequisites of certain courses or degrees programs (MEC)
– Ability to finance full-time study
– Multiple responsibilities
July 2014

14. Developing an Academic Plan
You should allow 2 hours of study time each week per hour in class
(3 credit class = 6 hours study)
If you work: Take no more than:
40 hours per week 6-7 credits
30 hours per week 9-10 credits
20 hours per week 12-13 credits
5-15 hours per week 14-16 credits
*12 or more credits = full-time student
**19 credits or more? Permission from the Dean of Students
July 2014

15. Developing an Academic Plan
• An effective academic plan requires time management skills with consideration of:
– Commute
– Family responsibilities
– Employment responsibilities
– Time for reading, studying, and completion of assignments
• Having a timeline to complete your degree is important; however, a successful
community college student has a realistic timeline that considers all factors to ensure
success. We define success by:
– Passing Grades
– Continued Enrollment/Registration
– Degree Completion/Graduation!
– Transfer and Job Placement (if applicable)
July 2014

16. Developing a Two-Three Year Academic Plan
• In Blackboard, locate the SDV Two-Three Year Academic
Planning assignment and complete for your instructor.
– Identify your intended career and major. If you are
undecided, choose a major that you are considering to
complete the assignment.
– Identify whether your major is transfer or workforce oriented.
– Finally, specify what courses you will take at NOVA for each
semester.
– Submit the assignment as directed by your professor.
July 2014

17. Resources
• If you are in need of assistance, please reference the
resources (information and/or personnel) listed on
this presentation.
HAVE A GREAT SEMESTER!
July 2014