Educational Planning/Policies & Procedures

Introduction
 Some students select college courses randomly, arrive at sixty credits and are shocked to find out that they have not selected the appropriate courses for their MC degree.  Don't be one of them.  Pay particular attention to the information below so you know why you are choosing each course, what requirements it fulfills and how it will help you attain your educational goals.  

Information

Just want to know the basics about Academic Advising? Start with this website.

Or, perhaps you are a new college student and want of review of what you learned at the Montgomery Advising Program (MAP). Select the link the Online Map Workshop on the right side of the First Year Experience homepage.

For more in depth information listen to the online Educational Planning Workshop at the bottom of the Online Student Success Center page that will help you to develop an educational plan.  Knowing your MC certificate or degree, your transfer school and major is helpful, but not necessary.

Perhaps this form will help you get organized and find the information you need.

 

Now that you have all the MC educational policies and procedures in your head and have made some preliminary decisions about MC degree, college major and transfer school, here's an example of a step by step process for creating an educational plan.  Substitute your educational goals for Monty Montgomery's goals to create your own educational plan.

Monty Montgomery wants to complete an Associates Degree at MC.  He then wants to transfer to University of Maryland College Park and major in psychology.  He took the MC placement tests and was able to start with college level courses, but he works almost full time and can only take 4 courses per semester if he wants to maintain his grades. He knows in order to get into a PhD in program in Psychology he will have to maintain a very high GPA.  How does Monty carefully plan his courses at MC?  
Step 1 Go to the Artsys website to determine what MC courses best prepare you for your UMCP degree - yup - start with the end in mind.  http://artweb.usmd.edu/
  • Select recommended transfer programs
  • Select appropriate sending institution (MC) and receiving institution (UMCP)
  • Select submit
  • Select next without typing anything in on the next page so you get a full listing of all majors at a particular institution
  • Select the Psychology link.  There you will find 5 required courses that Monty should make sure to include in his AA degree. 
Step 2 Let's find out more specific information about this major at this school by scrolling to the bottom of the page.  Psychology at UMCP is a limited enrollment program, therefore, just earning an AA from MC will not guarantee Monty admissions into this major.  http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/studev/LEP.htm

He should also check the schools website for additional information for transfer students and should go to the UMCP Psychology website for information about his major.  
Step 3 Which curriculum should Monty follow at MC?  He should follow the General Studies Curriculum found at: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/curricula/descriptions/cdgenstudy.htm

This website provides information about course selection for Foundation and Distribution requirements: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/curricula/gep.htm

Here is a convenient form to use:
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/studevgt/GENSTUDIES0405.htm

Read this page for additional information such as what you should know by 15, 30, 45, and 60 credits earned - Academic Planning

Discussion

Join us on the Discussion Board
What are your educational goals.  How certain are you of these goals?  What ways do you have to confirm that these goals are right for you?  What help can you give others about their educational goals?
 

Ask a Counselor:
This is a place for you to ask me general questions about completing your Montgomery College degree or certificate, transferring to a four year college, selecting a college major or choosing a career, or anything about being an online student.

Student Lounge:
This is a place for each of you to meet other online students from other online courses. Start conversations on any topic.....within reason:-).  Have fun!

Weekly Happenings

Check out the MC Events Calendar to see what's happening at the college or the Sponsored Events link to find out about Counseling and Advising activities on each campus.

Send Questions to:
 anita.crawley@montgomerycollege.edu