Basic Advising Information
1. Student SHC Load: A full time student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 SHC.
However, a recommended load of 16 SHC will allow the student to complete a two year
AA or AS degree within four semesters. If a student has any developmental work to
complete, these non-credit preparatory classes will extend the number of semesters it will
take to complete the AA or AS degree.
The working student: PCC recommends the following load for working students, so
they will not be overwhelmed and can be successful in their courses:
Work 2 hours per day
Work 4 hours per day
Work 6 hours per day
Work 8 hours per day
take 16-19 credit hours/semester
take 12-15 credit hours/semester
take 6-11 credit hours/semester
take 5-8 credit hours/semester
2. Official Withdrawals AFTER the deadline
All students should officially withdraw from courses within the given time period of the
college which is up until the last three weeks of a course. If there are extenuating
circumstances when a student needs to officially withdraw after the deadline, he must
bring documentation to the Arts & Sciences Dean for approval.
3. Major vs. Pre-major: Often students do not understand the difference between a Major
which is declared at the four year institution (usually in the junior year) and a Pre-major
which is followed at the two year institution, and a Baccalaureate Degree Plan which is
created by a university in preparation of a particular major. Here is an easy reference:
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Major -- Declared at the university usually in the 3rd year.
Pre-major -- Original CAA advising guide (pre-majors are designed to give
general information regarding classes which may apply to the UNC schools.
Baccalaureate Degree Plan -- 2014 CAA degree tracks created by UNC schools to
allow students to continue into their major at the university.
4. General Education Requirements: The majority of students will not understand what
“General Education Requirements” are or why they have to take these courses which
“have nothing to do with their intended major.” Explaining the following outline of the
two-year degree can help students understand.
There are two parts to an associate degree:
 The first is General Education Courses: Mathematics, English, Humanities,
Social/Behavioral Science, and Natural Science courses. General education
courses should be taken in the first and second semesters.
 The second is elective courses which prepare students for their intended major at
the university. These classes are commonly taken after General Education
Courses.
Original 1997 CAA AA Degree
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2 Composition
1 Literature
3 Humanities/Fine Arts
2 Science
1 Math + CIS 110
1 History
3 Social Science
ACA 122
20 SHC electives
2014 CAA AA Degree
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2 Composition
ACA 122
3 Humanities/Fine Arts
3 Social Science
1 Math
1 Science
13-14 SHC additional general
education
15-16 SHC electives chosen
by the university
Original 1997 CAA AS Degree
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2 Composition
1 Literature
2 Humanities/Fine Arts
1 Science sequence
MAT 175/175A (or 172)
CIS 110/115
1 History
2 Social Science
ACA 122
20 SHC math & science
6 SHC electives
2014 CAA (AS)
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2 Composition
ACA 122
2 Humanities/Fine Arts
2 Social Science
2 Math
2 Science
11 SHC additional general
education
15 SHC chosen by the
university
In order for students to transition to the university as juniors with all lower division
General Education requirements met, students must:
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Original 1997 CAA -- complete 44 SHC of General Education courses and
awarded a diploma or complete the AA or AS degree.
2014 CAA: Complete the AA or AS degree.
5. Enrolling in Both ECU and PCC at the same time: Students may dually enroll in both
schools. However, students should contact the university they are attending in case there
are particular guidelines to be followed. ECU students must seek registrar approval.
6. Graduation Audit:
Advisors will receive a copy for graduation. indicating their approval for graduation and
A graduation evaluation is the responsibility of the students. In ACA 122, students are
taught how to use the graduation evaluation and follow it to fulfill their plan of study.
Students should bring their evaluation to advisors to seek guidance in completion of the
AA/AS degree.
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Program evaluations can be accessed in PCC services, web-advisor, or Datatel.
Although program evaluation sheets may be used to track student progress, an official
evaluation from web-advisor or Datatel must be used for the most accurate
information.
Each semester eligible students receive a letter from the registrar indicating they may
be eligible for graduation and to contact their advisor. Advisors are also sent a list of
potential graduates to contact regarding graduation.
Students must complete all degree requirements including a 2.0 or higher GPA in
either their combined GPA or their program GPA in order to graduate with an AA/AS
degree. Students are responsible to apply for graduation by completing the graduation
application form found on PCC’s registrar’s website. Students must bring the
application along with a print out of their graduation evaluation to their advisor for
review and signature.
Once students have met with their advisor, they return both the application and
program evaluation to the registrar’s office. At this time, students will receive
instructions about participating in the formal May ceremony and ordering their cap
and gown December graduates are permitted to walk in the May ceremony after
completion of their degree; they may not walk in the May graduation if any course
work is still pending.
7. Course Substitutions: When reviewing a student’s graduation evaluation, advisors may
find that transfer courses have been placed at the end of the evaluation in the “other”
category rather than being applied to the degree. If advisors wish to move a transfer
course from the “other” category to a category in the degree, they must complete a course
substitution form, and send it to the registrar in order for the course to be moved. When
advisors do not view the “other” category and apply courses to the as needed, students
may repeat courses unnecessarily.
8. Reverse Transfer: A state initiative permitting a student to leave the community college
prior to completion of the AA or AS degree and transfer university credits back to the
community college to obtain the AA or AS degree if all requirements are met.
When students apply for admission to the university, they will be asked if they are
interested in participating in reverse transfer. If so, when the student reaches a total of 60
SHC (which includes both community college and university credits), their transcript will
automatically be sent back to the community college for review. If all requirements are
met, students will be awarded the AA/AS degree.
9. Challenging courses: Students who wish to challenge a course, must register, pay for
and enter the course. Students should approach their instructor and request to challenge
the course if they feel they are already proficient in the course material. Not all courses
offer a challenge exam.
10. AP Courses: Students may take Advance Placement courses in high school which permit
them to earn college credit. All AP courses have a state exam at the end of the course and
students must earn a 3 or 4 on the exam in order to receive college credit.
11. CLEP Exam: The College Level Examination Program is a national test in which
students can earn up to 12 SCH for college level courses. Not all universities accept
CLEP test scores for college credit (ECU does). PCC offers CLEP exams.
12. MCR: Minimum Course Requirements are the courses students much complete in high
school in order to be eligible to attend a university. Students not meeting MCR must
attend a community college to eliminate the deficiency. Below are the MCR
requirements:
2000 high school graduates:
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4 English courses
4 math courses (one higher than Algebra II)
3 Social Science courses (one US history)
3 Science courses (one must have a lab)
2 Foreign Language courses (must be in the same language)
2016 high school graduates:
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4 English courses
4 math courses (one higher than Algebra II)
4 Social Science courses (one US history)
3 Science courses (one must have a lab)
2 Foreign Language courses (must be in the same language)
In order to eliminate the MCR deficiency students must either obtain 24 transfer credit hours
at a community college or reach the age of 21. Students 21 or older do not have to adhere to
MCR requirements.
13. Forgiveness Policy: Students cam repeat a course to earn a higher grade (there is no limit
on the number of courses the students can repeat, but they should check with financial aid
first). PCC will replace the original grade with the new grade for GPA purposes (though
both courses still appear on the transcript). Be aware not all universities accept grade
replacement courses in the calculation of the GPA; they calculate the original course
grade in the GPA, or both course grades. (ECU permits up to 4 grade replacement
grades).
14. Associate in Applied Science (AAS): An Associate in Applied Science is a terminal
degree designed for students to enter the workforce after completion. AAS degrees do not
transfer to universities unless there is an articulation agreement in place.
15. 2 + 2: A 2 + 2 is an articulation agreement between a particular university and a
community college. Often 2 + 2 agreemtns include non-transfer courses that the
university will accept despite their state designation as AAS. PCC has many articulation
agreements on campus with multiple universities (ECU, A &T, Wesleyan, Mount Olive,
etc.).