A.  Academic Advising

Advisors provide students with information and recommendations regarding all aspects of academic planning, including learning programs, course selection, academic concerns, academic standing, graduation, and transfer preparation.  They perform initial graduation clearance.  Students in selected programs or with selected enrollment statuses are assigned to specific faculty or staff advisors based upon their learning program, academic goal, cohort, and other factors.  All other students are assigned to the office of admissions and advising.  Regardless of advisor assignment, academic advising is available year round to all students through the office of admissions and advising.  Students are responsible for fulfilling the requirements of their learning program for the catalogue year that applies to them.  It is each student’s responsibility to meet with an advisor at least once per term, and more often if needed or desired.  Students may access information regarding their learning program, advisor assignment, and applicable catalog year through HCC Express’s My Profile feature found on the college’s website.  Additional advising information may be accessed by each student on the college’s advising website and in appropriate college publications.

B.  Transfer Advising

Transfer advising is critical for all students planning to matriculate to other colleges or universities.  From their initial enrollment at Howard Community College until the completion of their studies, students are strongly advised to seek assistance with the transfer process.  In order to ensure a successful transfer, it is each student’s responsibility to meet with an academic advisor at least once per term, and more often if needed or desired.  Students are also strongly encouraged to meet, whenever possible, with transfer representatives from the institutions to which they plan to transfer as well as participate in the specialized transfer events held each semester on campus.  In addition to transfer advising, students are encouraged to use the college resources available through the transfer center including the transfer center website, publications, college catalogues, viewbooks, application materials, scholarship information, online resources, software applications, and information sessions and workshops.  Transfer information is also available for students with specific concerns, including athletes, students with disabilities, international students, and others. 

C.  Career Counseling     

Career counseling, career assessments, and life planning services are available to any student, prospective student, or alumni to assist them on deciding on a college major, a career field of interest, preparing to enter the job market, or considering a career change.  The college offers a wide variety of services that help students focus on their values, interests, skills, and personality traits.  These services include career counseling, special topics workshops, career assessments, job assistance services, and co-op and internship experiences.  The resource library is open to the public and provides a library of job and career materials, including printed resources, videotapes, computerized self-assessments, and a computer lab with career software and access to the internet.

D.  Job Assistance Services     

Job assistance services and information are available to students, alumni, and community members.  Available resources include job books listing and online postings of current job openings in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, job-hunting reference material, and a career center web page with links to many job/career websites.  Job fairs are held each semester and are open to the community as well as regularly scheduled job recruiters from a variety of job fields.

E.  Personal Counseling

Short-term individual counseling and crisis intervention are available to students who are struggling with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationships, substance abuse, adjustment to college, eating concerns, stress and time management, test anxiety, self-esteem, and sexual assault.  Confidential personal counseling services are free for Howard Community College credit students on an appointment basis.  Educational resources on a wide range of mental health issues are also available, along with information and referral to community programs and services.

F.   Cooperative Education (Co-ops)/Internships

Co-ops and internships are supervised work experiences directly related to a student’s learning program and/or career interests.  Co-ops and internships are available for students to develop professional skills and greater knowledge of the world of work while still in college.  By participating in co-ops and internships, a student has the advantage of graduating with both academic preparation and practical experience.  To participate in these work experience programs, a student must have completed at least 12 credits at Howard Community College and be in good academic standing.  An interested student must schedule an appointment in counseling and career services to discuss co-op and internship options and requirements before attempting to register for these program credits.

Policy Manual Review/Revision:  02/11/11