Questions and Answers -
What You Need To Know
I've changed my mind about my Major. What do I do?
If you are certain about your change of Major, you just make the change in the computer via FalconNet Online Services, under Records & Registration/Your Student Information. If you are unsure about what you want to change your Major to, you will want to talk with a Career Counselor in Career/Counseling Services to help you make the determination and guide you on the right path.
If I am getting my AA Degree at DSC, how do I know what I need for transfer to another institution to complete my Bachelor's Degree?
Students can simultaneously meet requirements of both the AA Degree and intended transfer institution pre requisites if appropriate planning takes place early in the student's education career. Most institutions offering Bachelor's Degree programs require that specific coursework be completed prior to admission into the program. The amount of course work varies depending on the program of study. These additional courses are referred to as Common Prerequisites and can be found online at the transferring institutions website or at www.facts.org. When students decide upon a Major, it is very important to find out what the common prerequisite courses for the program are and plan to complete them as a part of the AA Degree. This will prevent having to take additional courses to meet the common prerequisites.
I found the common prerequisites for my Major, but it does not give a specific Course Number. What does this mean?
Make sure to verify courses that may be prerequisite courses. Some institutions specify course numbers; others give a general category. For example: It may just say Biological Science. It is your (the student's) responsibility to know if that means Survey of Biology for Non-Science Majors or General Biology for Science Majors and whether or not a lab is required. If you take the wrong class, you will not meet requirements and may jeopardize entry into the transfer institution. It will also be additional time and expense to then take the correct course that you should have enrolled in originally. Don't guess about courses thinking that it "sounds like" the same class that will not even be accepted by the transfer institution! Contact the transfer institution for verification if you have any questions.
I have a personal issue and cannot attend class anymore. I'll just get dropped since I've quit coming to class, right?
NO!! You must formally WITHDRAW from classes. If you no longer can attend classes, you must complete the withdrawal process. If you do not, you will receive an "F".
What is the difference between "dropping" a class and "withdrawing" from a class? Isn't it the same thing?
NO!! The Add/Drop period to make a schedule adjustment is the last day of the first week of classes (this is published on the academic calendar). When you "drop" a class within that period, you are entitled to a refund and neither a grade nor the class shows up on your transcript. When you "withdraw" from a class (the deadline is published on the academic calendar), you will lose the money you paid for the class, and the class will appear on your transcript with the grade of W". This may impact how much you pay for classes in the future or your financial aid award.
I am having problems in my classes. Where do I go for help?
You should always start by talking with your instructor. The professors can usually direct you to resources to help you build your skills or can meet with you during office hours to try to get you back on track. They will also give you a realistic perspective of how you are doing in the class. If you need additional help, Academic Support Services offer assistance/tutoring in many subject areas.
I see new requirements each year for my program that are different. Which ones do I follow?
You must follow the requirements for your catalog year (the semester and year that you entered the College). You can disregard new requirements as they come out, as they do not pertain to your program of study. If you are in a limited access program, you must already be accepted into the program prior to any changes to avoid having to follow new requirements. You only follow current program guide/catalog year if you started this year (Fall, Spring, or Summer) or if you did not maintain CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT. Continuous enrollment means that you have not missed two major semesters (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall).
Do I have to take courses in the same order as they appear in the program guide/catalog?
No, you do not have to take them in the same order unless they have pre-or co-requisites. If a course does not have a prerequisite, you may take it at any time it is offered. The order in the Catalog is only a suggestion for your success. Any prerequisite or co-requisite requirements are noted in the course description of the Catalog. Some courses in certain programs may only be offered during certain semesters (i.e., only in the Fall).
How do I meet CLAS requirements (formally the CLAST)?
In the past the state offered the CLAST exam prior to the awarding of an AA or Bachelor degree, but effective July 1, 2009 the state is no longer offering the CLAST exam for graduation.
A new Florida state regulation will go into effect for students graduating from all public colleges after July 1, 2009. The Board of Higher Education requires students to earn a 2.5 GPA in credits in ENC1101 and ENC1102, as well as minimum 2.5 in two courses for six credits of college level mathematics.
After June 30, 2009 the options to meet graduation requirements for a student who has earned six credits of “C” in College Level English and/or College Level Math will be the following:
Math
English
Can I test out of college credit classes?
Students may test out of college credit classes by taking the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. Some people come to college with experience that they have already learned through work or other life experiences. DSC offers opportunities to earn credit for experience, accepts, advanced placement credits and credit through other approved exams/programs (APLE, CO-OP). Assessment Services has more information and a list of tests available at DSC. Contact Assessment Services if you have any questions.
What is grade forgiveness and can I repeat a course that I received a grade of "C" in?
Grade forgiveness applies when students repeat the same college preparatory or college credit course in which they earned a "D" or "F" grade. A student may not repeat the same college credit or college preparatory class to improve a grade of "C" or better (State Board Rule - true at all community colleges in Florida). You may audit a course if you just want a refresher on the course content (with the exception of college prep courses MAT0002, MAT0024, ENC0001, and REA0001). A certain limited number of approved courses are repeatable for credit without the penalty of full cost of instruction.
What is the Gordon Rule?
The Gordon Rule requires students to complete 24,000 words of composition and to complete two courses (six credit hours) of mathematics at the level of college algebra or higher. Each course must be completed with a "C" or better. Courses that satisfy the Gordon Rule requirement are part of the General Education Core and are denoted with an "*" on the AA Degree Program Guide.
I want to take a class at another college and have it apply to my program at Daytona State. What do I do?
A Transient Student is one who enrolls in two colleges simultaneously. A transient student may be admitted and enrolled at another college or university, but concurrently taking a course or courses at DSC to fulfill the other college's requirements or taking courses at another college to fulfill DSC requirements. Many students use this option because their "home" college or university does not offer the course, does not offer the course at a time convenient for them, or they are in the area of the second college for an extended period of time.
Students who wish to be a transient student from DSC to another school must obtain a "Transient Form" from the Records Office on any campus and complete student portion. Records will verify that the student meets the criteria and approve the form. Contact Records for information. If you are coming to DSC from another college, obtain a "Transient Form" from your home institution and bring that to the Admissions Office.
Students can also complete the transient form online using www.facts.org. Students should go to the site and choose "Transfer Information" and the online transient form is available there.
What is a credit hour?
A credit hour is the approximate time you spend in class per week. A three-credit course, for example, is equal to three hours spent in the class per week.
What is a full-time load? Do I have to be full time to get financial aid?
A full-time load is a minimum of 12 credit hours. Federal financial aid (Pell Grants, etc.) do not require that you be full-time. You can get an aid award for 3/4 time (9-11 credit hours) or 1/2 time (4-8 credit hours). Other funding sources (i.e., scholarships, VA, etc.) may have full-time requirements. You are responsible for determining the credit requirements for your funding source and maintaining enrollment in the proper amount of credits.
