Academic and Career Advising

Academic Advising

Academic advisement is essential to the success of each student and supports the important things you learn in your classes. Professors stimulate your critical thinking; Advisors provide holistic support and guidance outside the classroom when making academic- and career-related decisions. Advisors are available on each campus to discuss your educational goals and the programs and courses available to help you meet those goals; help you understand the College’s rules, regulations, and policies; and help you find information on transfer programs and how to best prepare to meet transfer requirements.

Most enrolled students have an assigned advisor to directly support them, and they can book an appointment with them via MyGradPlan. All students can access dedicated advisors for walk-in or virtual services via the FSCJ website. If you are enrolled in a bachelor’s program, please contact your advisor via MyGradPlan for an appointment.

How Can Advising Help Students?

• How to Schedule an Appointment in MyGradPlan

• How to Use the Major Explorer

• How to Use the Scheduler

To stay on track for graduation, you should:

• Meet with your assigned advisor initially to create an Education Plan and then regularly, at least once per term.

• Keep up with your degree plan found in your MyGradPlan portal.

• Connect with your assigned advisor if you are experiencing academic difficulties.

• Routinely check your student email account for important messages from the College and your advisor.

Advising Center Locations

• South Campus: Bldg. U, Ste. 101

• Downtown Campus: Bldg. A, Ste. 1100

• Kent Campus: Bldg. B, Ste. 102

• North Campus: Bldg. E, Ste. 124

• Deerwood Center: Bldg. D, Ste. 2400

• Nassau Center: Bldg. A, Ste. 105

• Cecil Center: Bldg. A, Ste. 110

Career Development

Career development advisors are available on each campus to guide students in reaching their full potential. With a focus on developing an effective process, we aim to educate each student on making informed decisions.

Available services include:

• Access to mock interviews

• Building and promoting a professional online presence

• Career-related workshops

• Developing a job search process

• Developing a professional network within your industry of choice

• Internship exploration and search strategies

• Matching majors to careers

• Researching career options

• Résumé and cover letter critique

• Selecting and transferring to university (understanding accreditation, researching programs and professional goal considerations)

For more information, visit the Career Development webpage.

Academic Advisement Report

You are responsible for monitoring your progress and enrolling in appropriate classes with guidance from an advisor. In addition, you should check the accuracy of your academic advisement report each term with your advisor. Please be sure to review the specific items below:

• Confirm that the Academic Plan/Program of Study is listed.

• Be sure that all courses required for your Academic Plan/Program of Study have been reviewed by an advisor for completion and that required grades for those courses have been earned.

• Review with an advisor any transfer credit that is being applied to your Academic Plan/Program of Study.

• Identify specific elective(s), if applicable, as well as General Education requirements needed to complete your plan/program.

• Review the minimal hours required to satisfy each subject area of your Academic Plan/Program of Study (i.e. communications, mathematics, and electives, etc.).

• Review the accuracy of current course enrollment.

• Review any holds and/or service indicators.

Your advisor will be glad to assist you in learning to understand and use the academic advisement report. Visit the Advising webpage to schedule a time to discuss with your advisor.

Upon admittance into any program, students will be assigned to the current catalog of record. The student’s assigned catalog of record will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. To maintain continuous enrollment, a student must have registration for, and successful completion of, at least one course within a three-term period. After three consecutive terms of no enrollment, the student will be discontinued from the current program of study and will need to apply to FSCJ to reenter under the same career. Upon readmission, the student will be assigned to the current catalog of record in the chosen program.

Excess Hours Advisory

In 2009, the Florida Legislature implemented Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes to encourage students to complete their baccalaureate degree as quickly and efficiently as possible. It established what is commonly referred to as an “Excess Credit Hour Surcharge.” The bill requires universities to add a surcharge to each credit hour taken in excess of the total number of credit hours required to complete the degree being pursued. The amount in excess of the total hours is calculated based on a percentage defined in law.

For the 2019 summer term and thereafter, “excess hours” are defined as hours that go beyond 120% of the hours required for a baccalaureate degree program. For example, if the length of a program is 120 credit hours/units, the student may be subject to an excess hour surcharge for any credits attempted beyond 144 credit hours/units (120% x 120 credit hours = 144 credit hours).

Under Florida law, the following credit hours count towards Excess Credit Hours:

• All credit earned at another institution and accepted for transfer and applied toward the baccalaureate degree program.

• Courses from which a student withdraws/drops with penalty.

• Failed courses.

• Hours dropped after the institution’s drop/add period.

• Repeated courses. Exception: repeated courses for which the student has paid the repeat course surcharge as provided in Section 1009.285, Florida Statutes.

Under Florida law, the following credit hours do not count towards Excess Credit Hours:

• College credit earned through articulated accelerated mechanisms such as AP, IB, CLEP, AICE, or dual enrollment.

• Courses from which the student withdraws for reasons of medical or personal hardship.

• Credit hours earned through internship.

• Credit hours earned while participating in a Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) program.

• Credit hours required for certification, recertification, or certificate programs.

• Credit hours taken to achieve a dual major while pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

• Credit taken by active-duty military personnel.

• Remedial and English-as-a-second-language credit hours.

Visit Transfer Services for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Orientation

At FSCJ, we understand that embarking on your college journey can be exciting and overwhelming. That is why we emphasize the importance of completing the online orientation and attending a comprehensive in-person or virtual orientation session. FSCJ Orientation isn't just a formality; it is a crucial first step in ensuring your success. As such, new and transfer students must complete the online orientation. You can access the online orientation program through the "Useful Links" section in your myFSCJ portal.

Students are encouraged to join on-campus or virtual orientation sessions to dive deeper into essential topics such as student success strategies, navigating the financial aspects of college, understanding student life opportunities, hands-on assistance with MyFSCJ, and myGradPlan tools, combined with an Academic Advising segment. By attending a live in-person or virtual orientation session, you will forge connections with fellow students and connect with campus resources.