Florida ged plus college Preparation Program Curriculum and Resource Guide
Objective 1 – Understand the College System
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Objective 1 – Understand the College SystemUnderstand the college system including the types of degrees, credit and grading system, how classes operate, how to select a college and identify financial aid, and locating available support services, especially those for students with learning disabilities. College is different in so many ways from anything the Florida GED PLUS student has ever experienced. From the choices that are available to the expectations and responsibilities of a college student, GED students need to understand the basics about college life and what it takes to be successful in this new environment. Types of DegreesStudents need to understand the types of degrees that are available if they are going to pursue a college path. They need to understand the basic differences and even more importantly what career choices they will have when they make their degree selection. Associate Degrees An Associate degree is granted to a student who has completed a two-year program and is equivalent to the first two years of study for a Bachelor degree. There are two types of Associate degrees. An Associate of Arts (A.A.) is granted to a student who has completed a two-year program in liberal arts. In the United States, liberal arts are identified as those studies that provide general knowledge and intellectual skills, rather than those required for more specialized careers or professional skills. An Associate of Science (A.S.) is granted to students who have completed a two-year program in the sciences. The A.A. degree is intended for students who desire to transfer to a university and work towards a Bachelor’s degree. The A.S. degree is primarily designed to prepare students for an entry-level job in a high-demand/high-wage area of specialization. Graduates from A.S. degree programs in Florida can generally earn higher wages than Bachelor degree graduates. Some A.S. degrees are transferable to state universities; however, students should first check with their advisors about eligibility. The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is similar to the A.S. degree; however, it is not transferable to the university system. Bachelor Degrees A Bachelor or Baccalaureate Degree is granted to students who have completed a four-year program. The most common types of Bachelor degree programs include the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) for students of liberal arts and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) for students of science. Although theoretically there is no difference between the two types of degrees, policies concerning them vary from college to college. Credit SystemEach course in college is given a specific value. The credit hours usually correspond to the number of class meetings per week. For example, a standard three-credit hour course will usually meet three hours per week for a minimum of 16 weeks. However, there are some exceptions. Four-credit hour science courses generally meet for three hours of lecture each week and two hours of lab time (a total of five hours per week). A.A. or A.S. degree programs generally require 60 - 66 credits to complete. B.A. or B.S. degree programs require 120 - 128 credits. Earning Credits Outside of Class There are several ways that students can earn credits outside of the classroom. Credits can be earned by taking and passing the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams which allow a student to skip introductory courses by demonstrating that the student has mastered the content of the courses. There are about 34 CLEP exams which cover the most traditional college subject areas. The exams are administered via computer. College credit is also available for those who have military and/or work experience. For more details, students should speak with a college advisor or someone from the recruitment office. Grading System Grading systems vary from college to college. Instructors usually share the specific grading policies for each class at the beginning of the term. At the end of each term, final grades are assigned and recorded on the student’s permanent record. The following table shows the grading system at Central Florida Community College. Other colleges within the state have similar grading charts.
Unlike high schools, students can opt to enroll in an elective course through a Pass/Fail Option. However, they must have approval from an academic advisor to do so. Course work is graded as either “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory). At the college level, circumstances may arise where a student is unable to complete work before the end of the term. In special circumstances, the instructor can provide the student with an extension so that the student may complete the work with-in a 60 day period following the end of the term. Until the student submits all work required for the course, the student receives an “I” for Incomplete work. Directory: documents documents -> Concept stage documents -> Concept stage documents -> The great global switch-off documents -> Nonprofit grant application documents -> The Truth about the Rwandan Genocide documents -> Annual InStructional unit plan documents -> Chaos equipment included Download 1.65 Mb. Share with your friends:
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