Admission, Enrollment Services, Advising and Registration

Tallahassee Community College (TCC) welcomes applications for admission for the Fall, Spring and Summer terms. To assist students with their transition to college studies at TCC, the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services provides important services that include, but are not limited to, processing applications for admission, evaluating high school transcripts and college transcripts for transfer credit, granting permission for international students to study at the College, coordinating new student orientation, and certifying graduation. The Department of Student Success and Retention provides advising and registration assistance for students. The Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services, the Department of Student Success and Retention and the Registrar’s office are all located on the second floor of the Student Union.

Admission Policy and Equity Concerns

Tallahassee Community College is a college of equal opportunity and open admission. All applicants for admission and student jobs are considered solely on the basis of individual qualifications, without regard to the applicant’s race, age, religion, national origin, gender, disability, marital status or genetic information. However, TCC reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant about whom there is evidence the individual may be disruptive or may interfere with the orderly conduct, processes, functions or programs of the College.

The complaint of any student who has reason to feel he or she has been affected by discrimination or harassment will be considered through appropriate procedures. Complaint procedure forms may be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs or from the Human Resources department. In accordance with the Educational Equity Act, the College’s human resources director (Renae Tolson) is the equity coordinator. For grievance procedures, call the TCC human resources director at (850) 201-8510. The Human Resources department is located on the first floor of the Administration building, in suite 154.

Prior Violations Policy

All students who have had a prior legal and/or educational discipline violation must provide this information on the TCC admission application. This information will be referred to the Judicial Adviser in the Student Conduct and Community Standards office for review.

All violations are reviewed case-by-case and weighted in favor of the safety and welfare of the campus community. When appropriate, the Judicial Adviser reserves the right to place conditions on a student’s enrollment or recommend to the Admissions Committee that the student be denied enrollment. When denied admission, the student may have the right to appeal based on specific criteria or circumstances.

Any applicant recently released from incarceration will be placed on deferred enrollment for a period of six months. After a six-month waiting period, the applicant’s enrollment status will be reconsidered. Barring no additional incidents during the waiting period, this judicial hold will be lifted and the applicant will be allowed to register for classes. Any appeal of the deferred enrollment policy may be made to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs within five business days of notification of enrollment status. An appeal does not guarantee the six-month deferment will be overturned.

Admission Information and Procedures

Beginning, First-year Students

A student who has never attended college before will be considered a first-year student.

Florida and non-Florida students applying for associate degree programs or college credit certificate programs may be admitted if they have satisfied one of the following:

• Standard High School Diploma
  High school graduates must have earned a standard high school diploma from a regionally accredited high school. An official high school transcript with high school graduation date is required for admission. (Note: Should the quality of the educational program of the institution attended appear unsatisfactory, the director of admissions and enrollment services and the college registrar both have the authority to not accept the document.)
• General Educational Development (GED) Diploma
  Students who have earned a state-issued General Educational Development diploma are entitled to admission. An official transcript of the GED test scores is required for admission.
• Home-educated Students
  Home-educated students must complete the Affidavit for Home Educated Students form verifying high school graduation. Students must certify that their program has satisfied the requirements of section 1002.41, Florida Statutes (F.S.). This form may be obtained from the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services and must be notarized.
• Undocumented Immigrants
  Undocumented immigrants who graduate from a regionally accredited high school or earn a state-issued GED diploma are eligible to be admitted, but will be considered nonresidents for tuition purposes.
  
  Certain Associate in Science degrees or certificates may have additional admission requirements.
  
  Students seeking admission to any of the health-related limited-access programs should visit the Division of Healthcare Professions Web page (www.tcc.fl.edu/healthcare) for specific application procedures. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to these programs.

Transfer Students

Students who have attended another college or university are considered transfer students. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended before registering for classes at TCC. Official transcripts should be received and evaluated before the student attends orientation. This will assist the advisers who will be working with the student at orientation.

The Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services and the Registrar’s office have the institutional authority to administer the College’s transfer policy. Actions taken by the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services and/or the Registrar’s office are subject to review by the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Transfer students who are not eligible for readmission to an institution they previously attended may apply for admission to TCC. The academic records of transfer students will be evaluated, and students will be required to follow TCC’s Standards of Academic Progress .

Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) Certificate Programs (Clock-hour Programs)

Admission requirements vary depending on the specific postsecondary adult vocational (PSAV) program. Students must review the criteria for the desired program regarding application, placement testing and the need for a standard high school diploma or GED diploma. Students interested in PSAV programs that require a separate program admission application and prerequisite criteria need to complete all admission requirements by the published application deadline. In general, a person wanting to enroll in a PSAV program must do the following:

1. Submit an admission application and provide any additional required materials.
2. Submit an official high school transcript or official copies of GED scores for programs requiring a standard high school diploma.
3. Take the appropriate placement test as indicated in the program description (see Areas of Study ) or present evidence of allowable substitutes. Allowable substitutes include Associate in Arts, bachelor’s or graduate degree; successful completion of the college-level communication and computation skills requirement (CLAS); achievement of required minimum ACT or SAT scores; or successful remediation of any academic deficiencies identified by the Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness (FPERT) Test/College Placement Test and cumulative GPA of 2.5 in college-level coursework.

Note: Persons seeking admission to any of the Florida Public Safety Institute’s programs should visit fpsi.tcc.fl.edu for specific application procedures. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to these programs.

Certificate Programs

Admission requirements vary by certificate program. Students must contact the appropriate department and/or program chair and review the criteria for the desired program regarding TCC and departmental application, placement testing, need for a standard high school diploma or GED diploma, application deadlines, and required supporting documentation.

Adult Education: GED & ESOL

The Adult Education program delivers General Educational Development (GED) preparation and testing, English language instruction and career counseling to facilitate students’ transition into postsecondary education, technical programs and the workforce. Courses are offered in Adult Basic Education (ABE), GED preparation and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Courses start at the beginning of each semester. To apply:

1. Submit a TCC application
2. Sign up for and take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
3. Attend Orientation
4. Register and pay for classes

For Adult Education (GED & ESOL) information, call (850) 201-8760.

Non-degree Students

A student taking classes but not seeking a degree or certificate from the College is considered a non-degree student. A non-degree student who wishes to take credit classes must complete the following steps:

1. Submit a TCC application for admission.
2. Submit a complete Residency Affidavit as part of the College application for admission.
3. Provide proof of graduation from high school or an unofficial transcript from the last college or university attended. (Students seeking enrollment in courses that require prerequisite work must submit proof that course prerequisites have been met.)
4. Complete the Non-Degree Student form and submit it to the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services each term the student wants to enroll.

Transient Students

Transient students are students who are not seeking a degree from TCC but who take courses at TCC in order to transfer the credits back to their home institution. Transient students must submit a transient application through the Florida Virtual Campus. Interested students should go to www.flvc.org, select the Apply button and complete the Transient Student Admission Application.

International Students

The College is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. A student who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States will be considered an international student. For assistance, international students may call (850) 201-8258 or visit www.tcc.fl.edu/internationalstudent. International students must complete the following steps:

2. Provide official or certified copies of all secondary (high school) and postsecondary (college and/or university) transcripts and other examination results. All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation.
   • Beginning first-year students must provide the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services proof of U.S. high school equivalency. Official high school transcripts must be evaluated document-by-document by a certified evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org) or the International Education Credential Services provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org). Examples of such agencies include World Education Services (www.wes.org) and Josef Silney & Associates (www.jsilney.com). Any costs associated with the evaluation are the student’s responsibility. All evaluations must be in English.
   • Transfer students interested in receiving transfer credit for coursework completed at non-U.S. schools must provide a course-by-course evaluation done by a certified evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org) or the International Education Credential Services provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org). Examples of such agencies include World Education Services (www.wes.org) and Josef Silney & Associates (www.jsilney.com). Any costs associated with the evaluation are the student’s responsibility. All evaluations must be in English.
3. Official English language proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report or an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report is required.

• The minimum TOEFL scores required for admission to TCC are 450 on the paper version/133 on the computer-based version/45 on the Internet-based version. For information, visit www.toeflgoanywhere.org.
• The minimum IELTS score required for admission to TCC is 4.5. For information, visit www.ielts.org.
• Exemptions from the requirement to demonstrate English language proficiency are allowed as follows:
  
  • Completed the equivalent of English composition ENC1101 or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university
  • Graduated from an accredited U.S. college or university
  • Graduated from an accredited U.S. high school
  • Successfully completed level 5 or higher in reading, writing and grammar and have at least level 5 in speaking and listening at the Center for Intensive English Studies at Florida State University.

Note: Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test scores of 70 or higher are required for full admission to TCC.

4. Submit a completed Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) Form and supporting documents, such as a certification letter from a bank (on official bank letterhead) with financial data recorded in U.S. dollars and sponsor(s) letter(s). The 2012 annual estimated cost of attendance for international students is $23,850, which includes tuition, fees, books and supplies, personal and living expenses, and health insurance.
5. Submit proof of health insurance, which is required before registering for classes at TCC. Information about purchase of health insurance is available in the International Student Services office or at www.tcc.fl.edu/internationalstudent.

Upon completion of all admission requirements, a Certificate of Eligibility (form I-20) will be issued to the student. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be notified of the student’s admission to TCC.

International students must register for a minimum of 12 semester hours during the Fall and Spring semesters and remain a full-time student in order to maintain status.

Since on-campus housing is not available at TCC, international students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.

TCC does not have financial aid available for international students. Since delays of up to 45 days may occur before foreign bank drafts or money orders can be negotiated, students are urged to have sufficient funds in U.S. dollars.

Admission Steps for College Credit Courses

Students applying for admission for the first time must complete the following steps:

1. Submit an application for admission to the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services. Applications are available at www.GoToTCC.com. Preferred admission deadline dates are established for each term:

2. Submit an official high school and/or college transcript(s) to the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services.
   
   • High school seniors must submit transcripts with the official graduation date posted.
   • GED diploma recipients must submit a copy of their GED test scores.
   • Transfer students must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities they have attended.

All transcripts should be submitted before registration for classes to ensure registration and financial aid issues are resolved before the start of the term.

3. Take the appropriate placement tests, if applicable. These tests are used for placement purposes only; they will not be used for selective admission. Students who meet the following criteria are exempt from placement testing:
   
   • Non-degree seeking students
     
     Note: The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test/College Placement Test or unofficial transcripts may be required for students taking English or math courses for the first time.
      
   • Transfer students who present transcripts showing a grade of C or better in college-level English and/or mathematics
   • Students with ACT or SAT scores at or above the state minimum. Test results must be less than two years old. Listed below are the minimum ACT/SAT scores for college-level placement:

4. Submit a complete Residency Affidavit as part of the College application.

Incomplete information may cause a delay in admission to the College. False information can result in immediate dismissal without refund of fees paid. Any student who fails to complete the admission process may not be permitted to register for classes until all procedures are fully completed.

Readmission

Former TCC students who have not been enrolled at TCC within the last 12 months must submit an application for admission to the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services before the term’s deadline, along with official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since the last term of enrollment at TCC. The student will complete requirements for graduation under the catalog in use at the time of re-entry. The application for readmission is available on the College’s web site.

Early Admission

An early admission student is an eligible high school student who enrolls on a full-time basis in courses at TCC that are creditable toward an associate degree or certificate. Early admission students must satisfy all high school requirements and all requirements for the associate degree or certificate. They must be recommended by their high school principal and must have on file a signed letter from said principal giving permission for the student to enroll at TCC. Students are limited to no more than 15 hours per semester. Upon presentation of evidence of high school graduation, completed college credit will be applied to the student’s degree. Students enrolled in this program are exempt from paying registration, matriculation and laboratory fees. TCC does not handle book vouchers or book purchase for early admission students. Students must work with their school district in regard to the purchase of books. Effective July 1, 2010, State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.064 added additional requirements. Contact the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services at (850) 201-8555 for information.

Requirements and documentation:

1. Submit a completed TCC admission application.
2. Submit an official high school transcript reflecting an unweighted high school grade point average of 3.0 or better.
3. Submit satisfactory scores on an approved placement test (SAT, ACT or state-approved placement test). Scores must be less than two years old and are required before registration for any college course.
4. Submit a recommendation letter from the high school principal/designee stating that the student has permission to early admit at TCC.

Dual Enrollment for High School Students

Dual-enrolled/dual-credit students are students who are taking classes at both the high school and TCC. These students may enroll in only those courses that are creditable toward both the high school diploma and the associate degree or career certificate, in accordance with s. 1007.271, F.S., and State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.064. Only college-credit-level classes will be considered part of the dual enrollment program. This excludes any non-credit or developmental (remedial) courses and physical education courses. The college class load will be determined by the high school principal or designee and may not exceed 11 hours of college credit per semester.

Students in the dual enrollment program are exempt from paying tuition, matriculation and laboratory fees. TCC does not handle book vouchers or book purchase for dual-enrolled students. Students must work with their high school in regard to the purchase of books. College-credit courses may be conducted at district public high schools or on the TCC campus, in accordance with terms specified in the dual enrollment articulation agreements. Contact the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services at (850) 201-8555 for additional eligibility information.

Requirements and documentation:

1. Submit a completed TCC admission application.
2. Submit an official high school transcript indicating the student has an unweighted high school grade point average of 3.0 or better.
3. Submit satisfactory scores on an approved placement test (SAT, ACT or state-approved placement test). Scores must be less than two years old and are required before enrollment in any dual enrollment course.
4. Submit a completed High School Dual Enrollment Permission to Register form, indicating the number and type(s) of courses to be completed at TCC.

Dual Enrollment for Home-educated Students

Students who do not attend a high school but receive instruction at home are considered home-educated students. The TCC Home School Dual Enrollment program offers home educated students the opportunity to earn college credit before high school graduation.

Students participating in dual enrollment take classes that will satisfy high school graduation requirements and are creditable toward the associate degree or career certificate, in accordance with s. 1007.271, F.S., and State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.064. Home-educated dual enrollment students are limited to 11 credit hours of enrollment. Only college-credit classes will be considered part of the dual enrollment program. This excludes any noncredit or developmental (remedial) courses and physical education courses. TCC waives tuition, matriculation and laboratory fees for all courses through the high school/home education dual enrollment program. Students are responsible for books, materials and transportation to the TCC campus.

Home-educated students are eligible to dual enroll for a maximum of three (3) semesters per grade level (including summers) from the time they enter the program. Students will matriculate through the dual enrollment program based on an equivalent public school cohort. Contact the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services at (850) 201-8555 for additional eligibility requirements.

Requirements and documentation:

Students must provide documentation that they have attained a status equivalent to that of a public high school junior or senior and be at least 15 years of age before their first semester of enrollment at TCC.

1. Students must submit a completed TCC admission application.
2. Students must submit qualifying scores on the SAT, ACT or state-approved placement test. Scores must be less than two years old and are required before registration for any dual enrollment course.
3. Students must submit a Permission to Register form signed by both the home-education administrator (parent) and the appropriate county official.
4. Students must provide a completed Home Education Dual Enrollment Agreement, outlining the requirements and parameters of the home education dual enrollment program.

Dual Enrollment and FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the federal law that protects students’ rights to privacy regarding their student records. It governs the release of education records maintained by an educational institution and access to these records. All college students have rights under FERPA, even those who are younger than 18 years of age. FERPA protects the education records of a student who is attending or who has attended the institution and all records that relate directly to a student and that are maintained by the institution. A record is directly related to a student if it contains personally identifiable information about the student.

Global Gateway Program

The Global Gateway program gives students a global perspective, making them better citizens of the world and developing skills necessary to compete in the global economy. Students will also be better prepared to transfer into academic programs requiring backgrounds in global issues. Students earn a Global Gateway designation on their transcript by completing 15 hours in courses designated as Global Learning, attending and/or participating in five Global Learning experiences*, and completing a two-credit-hour interdisciplinary capstone course. Students are encouraged to participate in campus clubs such as the International Student Organization and Model United Nations and to take advantage of opportunities for domestic/overseas travel and study as part of the program.

For more information, please visit the Global Gateway Web page at www.tcc.fl.edu/Current/GlobalLearning.

Honors Program

Tallahassee Community College is committed to offering highly motivated students advanced educational opportunities and a learning environment that places special emphasis on personal and academic success. TCC invites all qualified students to participate in the Honors Program.

Student Benefits

• Early advisement and registration
• Camaraderie with peers and faculty
• Special seminars and activities beyond the honors courses
• Transfer assistance and letters of recommendation
• Membership in the Honors Club, a student-run organization dedicated to enhancing the college experience and providing opportunities for college and community service
• Scholarship opportunities
• Use of the Honors Program study lounge

Honors Program Admission Criteria

Interested students should complete the following steps:

1. Complete an application for admission to TCC
2. Complete the online application to the Honors Program
3. Successfully complete the placement tests or course prerequisites

Graduating High School Students/Incoming First Year Students

Graduating high school students/incoming first-year students must provide proof of two of the following:

• Minimum SAT score of 1180
• Minimum ACT score of 25
• Minimum 3.5 weighted and unweighted cumulative high school GPA
• Graduation in the top 10% of high school class

Current TCC students/transfer students must show:

• Minimum 3.25 cumulative college GPA
• At least 12 hours of earned college credit
• College faculty recommendation from a former or current instructor

Graduation from the Honors Program

Successful completion of a minimum of 18 honors units as follows

• Honors coursework: at least 15 credit hours
• Honors seminar: 3 credit hours
• Overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all honors coursework

A program diploma will be issued for the Honors Program graduate and the award so designated on the graduate’s transcript.

For information, contact Robert Fleischmann at (850) 201-8358 or honors@tcc.fl.edu.

ROTC Programs

Students at Tallahassee Community College may participate in ROTC programs conducted at Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Florida State University (FSU).

Basic and intermediate Army ROTC classes offered through FAMU and FSU are held at TCC. A program in Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC) is available at FSU and the Naval Science Program (NROTC) is conducted at FAMU.

Army ROTC

Army ROTC is conducted by the Departments of Military Science at both FSU and FAMU. The first two years of the program are open to any full-time student at TCC by registering for the appropriate course. This can be determined by contacting the Army ROTC program. These classes are designed to introduce students to Army leadership and management techniques. The classes include a leadership lab and an hour of physical fitness. The classes are taught at TCC; however, the locations for lab and physical training vary between TCC, FSU and FAMU. While there is no military obligation for students who enroll in these courses, they will qualify students for the advanced ROTC programs at FSU or FAMU. Uniforms and textbooks for military sciences are provided free of charge. All students who enroll in Army ROTC must have a medical fitness statement from a physician. This form can be obtained through the Army ROTC office at FSU or FAMU. 

Scholarships paying full tuition, fees and allowance for text books and $300 per month for subsistence are available on a competitive merit basis. The scholarships also provide an option between free room and board and free tuition. Out-of-state fee waivers are also available. All Army ROTC students, whether on scholarship or not, will receive a $450 a month allowance once they begin the advanced program in their junior year. Special programs are also available for veterans and graduate students hoping to enroll in the Army ROTC two-year program. 

For more information on these programs and scholarship opportunities, contact the Department of Military Science at FSU: (850) 644-1016; or at FAMU: (850) 599-3515. Dual enrollment is not necessary and the ROTC classes taken at TCC transfer to either FSU or FAMU.

Air Force ROTC

Air Force ROTC is conducted by the Department of Aerospace Studies at FSU. 

The first two years of the program (the General Military Course, or GMC) are open to any student at TCC. All courses are held on the FSU campus.

No commitment for military service is required and students can learn about the Air Force while deciding if they want to pursue a commission as an Air Force officer. Uniforms and textbooks are provided free of charge. Scholarships paying full TCC tuition, fees, allowances for textbooks and a $300 per month stipend are available on a competitive basis and are later transferable to FSU or FAMU for students who remain in the AFROTC program. 

Admission to the second two years of the AFROTC Professional Officer Course (POC) is on a competitive basis and requires full-time attendance at FSU or FAMU. Completion of the POC combined with receipt of a college degree results in commissioning and entry into active duty as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Application for the POC must be made by the end of the sophomore year. All POC students receive $450 for juniors or $500 for seniors per month once contracted, regardless of scholarship status. 

Full details on this program may be obtained by contacting the Department of Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) located on the FSU campus in Harpe-Johnson Hall, room 212: (850) 644-3461; www.fsu.edu/~rotc.

Naval ROTC

Naval ROTC is a program of regular classes conducted at FAMU. This program, which is open to both men and women, leads to a commission in either the Navy or the Marine Corps. The first two years of the program are open to any full-time student at TCC through inter-institutional registration procedures. Full scholarships are available on a competitive basis to students enrolled in Naval ROTC programs. These scholarships, which can be awarded for 3-1/2, 3, 2-1/2 or 2 years, pay full college tuition (including out-of-state), fees and textbooks. They also provide up to $400 per month allowance. All required uniforms are free of charge whether a scholarship is won or not. 

All Naval ROTC students, whether on scholarship or not, receive $350 to $400 per month once they begin the advanced program. 

The final two years of Naval ROTC is called the advanced program and requires full-time attendance at either FAMU or FSU in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. A student who does not participate in Naval ROTC during the first two years of college may still apply for the advanced program during the Fall or Spring term before the beginning of the junior year. If selected, the student will attend six weeks of paid summer training and begin the advanced course in the Fall. 

For further information about the Navy-Marine ROTC program, contact the Naval ROTC recruiting officer located in the Perry-Paige building on FAMU campus: (850) 599-3980 or (850) 599-8412; www.famu.edu/nrotc. 

Inter-institutional Registration (for TCC, Florida State University and Florida A&M University)

Policies concerning inter-institutional registration have been agreed upon by TCC, Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU). At FSU and FAMU, the approving official is the university registrar.

Degree-seeking students who have completed at least 50 semester hours or are in their last term of enrollment at TCC and have a GPA of 2.0 or better at TCC are eligible to participate in this program. They must obtain a letter of permission from the TCC Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services and deliver the letter to the appropriate university office. In addition, it is the student’s responsibility to verify with his or her TCC academic adviser and the Registrar’s office the transferability of the course(s) to be taken at the other institution and whether the course(s) will count toward the student’s degree program at TCC.

Students are limited to six hours of inter-institutional coursework per semester and are required to take a minimum of one academic course each term at TCC.

Students may be required to meet the stated admission requirements of the institution where the work is to be taken, including, but not limited to, a formal admission application, application fee, formal academic credentials and appropriate test results.

FSU and FAMU students seeking to dual enroll at TCC must submit the following documentation to the TCC Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services:

1. TCC application for admission
2. Inter-institutional dual enrollment application

Approval will not be given for registration in courses that are currently available at the student’s home institution. For example, a course equivalent to ENC1101  at TCC could not be taken by a TCC student at FSU under the agreement for inter-institutional registration if it is available to the student at TCC.

In the event of a shortage of classroom space, students registering inter-institutionally will be given lower priority than will students registering at their home institution.

Inter-institutional students will be expected to follow prescribed registration procedures at each institution. In the event calendars of the institutions vary, the student will be expected to attend classes, complete examinations and discharge other responsibilities normally required of home students.

Students will pay fees appropriate to registration at each institution where they enroll in a course. Each institution will maintain its own permanent record of courses taken. Students will be responsible for requesting official transcripts covering work taken at each institution. Certification of enrollment or progress will be made by each institution at the request of the student to the Veterans Administration, or for other purposes.

Note: For appropriate reasons, one institution, through its designated representative, may approve inter-institutional registration of students who fail to meet some basic criteria. Even so, the approval of one institution does not bind the other to comply.

Note: To participate in a special inter-institutional program such as cheerleading/Golden Girls, dance, music/ensemble/Marching Chiefs or Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), a signature from the program’s sponsor is required.

Note: Students may not use TCC resources, services and materials to support classes at other institutions. (Exception: Students currently enrolled in classes at TCC and University Partner institutions [Barry University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagler College, Saint Leo University, Thomas University] have full access to TCC resources and services to support those classes.)

Student Placement

Before entering the for-credit instructional programs of the College, students are assessed in the areas of communication and computation skills using test instruments approved by the State Articulation Coordinating Committee. Based on the results of the assessment process, students are counseled and placed in appropriate coursework. Depending upon test scores and other relevant data, individual students may be required to enroll in developmental coursework to remedy specific communication and/or computation skills deficiencies. (Learn more .) Students seeking entry to limited-access healthcare professions programs are additionally assessed using the means outlined in the admission criteria established for each instructional program.

New Student Orientation

TCC’s orientation program encourages student success by promoting the intellectual, social and personal development of students through programming, academic planning and self-assessment activities.

The goals of the new student orientation program include the following:

• Familiarize students with the campus, its resources and services
• Educate students on the importance of goals and motivation in a college setting
• Advise students and assist them with registration for their first-semester courses

The program provides students with important information about campus resources, TCC policies and procedures, and degree requirements. It also highlights TCC Passport, the student portal that offers access to a variety of student resources, including online registration and advising.

TCC is committed to student success and requires all new degree-seeking students, as well as all transfer students, to complete on-campus new student orientation. For information on new student orientation, visit www.tcc.fl.edu/orientation or contact the Department of Admissions and Enrollment Services at (850) 201-8555 or admissions@tcc.fl.edu.

Academic Advising

TCC is committed to providing students with appropriate guidance in planning their educational program. The College’s advising system is designed to do the following:

• Help students develop educational plans
• Inform students about academic progression and degree requirements
• Help students understand academic policies and procedures
• Provide resources to help students become academically successful
• Enhance student retention and success by connecting students to the College through personal interactions

To accomplish this, the College uses online advising tools through TCC Passport. This system allows students and advisers to share the responsibility of developing academic plans that help students meet their educational and career goals. The system also provides opportunities for students to refine their academic and life skills and become independent learners. To learn more about TCC’s advising system, visit www.tcc.fl.edu/advising.

Registration

TCC students register for classes through TCC Passport, the student portal system at tccpassport.tcc.fl.edu.

Registration and Enrollment Terminology

• Developmental Courses  – The Developmental Program, a component of the Division of Academic Support, is designed to improve student performance in the college-entry skills of reading, writing and mathematics. Any student who falls below the state-adopted score on the college placement test must register in the developmental courses indicated.
• Distance Learning  – Distance learning includes Web-based and self-paced instruction (SPI) courses. These alternatives place the responsibility for course management on the student. Students in distance learning environments need the following skills to be successful:
  
  • Self-motivation and self-discipline
  • Ability to work independently
  • Good time-management skills
  • Good study skills and test-taking skills
  • Good reading and research skills
  • Ability to understand and evaluate readings
  • Ability to analyze and synthesize information

For information about courses currently offered via distance learning, visit www.tcc.fl.edu and select Distance Learning from the drop down menu under Students.

• Express Sessions – These accelerated sections of courses are offered each semester and range from 6 to 12 weeks in length. Express sessions give students more opportunities to take courses.
• Fee Slip/Class Schedule – At the end of each registration, the total fee assessment, due date and schedule of classes will be indicated on the fee slip. A fee slip/class schedule can also be obtained through TCC Passport. Students are encouraged to print a fee slip/class schedule after each registration.
• Registration Hold – A registration hold is a block that has been placed on a student’s record to prevent registration until an issue is resolved with the appropriate department. Some of the departments that can place registration holds on a student’s record include Campus Life and Civic Engagement, Cashier’s Office, Admissions and Enrollment Services, Student Success and Retention, Financial Aid, Library and Campus Police. Students must contact the department that placed the hold on their record to avoid registration delays.
• Self-Paced Instruction (SPI) Courses – SPI courses are independent study courses. The student is given 20 weeks to complete each course. Students are not required to attend on-campus classes and may work at their own pace. Each SPI course student will purchase a guidebook, available in the TCC bookstore, written by a faculty member to help the student complete the appropriate work and readings for the course. The SPI courses may require textbooks and other materials, including online materials. All students who wish to enroll in a SPI course must first go to the Department of Student Success and Retention for advisement and to sign a SPI contract. Any prerequisites and/or placement tests for the course must be met. Dates for SPI courses correspond to the calculated start date and do not follow the semester calendar. Upon completion of advisement and the SPI contract, students then register and pay the associated fees. For information, contact the Department of Student Success and Retention at (850) 201-8440.
• Student ID Number – TCC student ID numbers are automatically generated for students during admission. When logging into TCC Passport and clicking on any of the tabs, this ID will appear at the top of the page along with the student’s name. This is the official ID number used by all TCC offices and departments to identify students.
• Web-based Courses – Web-based courses are accessed through tcc.blackboard.com or through the Blackboard quick link on TCC’s home page. Lecture material, assignments and other course materials are also available online. Students have access to the instructor and other class members through e-mail and class discussion boards. Students considering a Web-based course must be self-motivated and have good time-management skills. Students need basic computer skills, along with adequate computer hardware and software, to successfully participate in a Web-based course. Registration for Web-based courses occurs during regular registration periods.