Academic Advising

Academic Advising is an important part of your college experience. Once you are enrolled in college, going through the academic advising process can help you turn your goals into reality. Meeting with an Academic Counselor ensures your program, major, School and pathway match your goals. Academic Counselors can help you understand your degree requirements, discuss your goals and dreams, and help you create a clear path to reach them. Check in with an Academic Counselor at least once a semester to make sure you are taking the proper classes and are on track to graduate.

As you begin your academic career, it’s helpful to consider the following questions:

• What courses should I take?
• How long will it take me to complete my academic goals and begin my career?
• Are my scheduled courses financial aid compliant?
• What are my options for transferring to another college once I complete my degree at WCC?
• What careers are available to me with a certificate or Associate’s degree from WCC?
• Will my credits transfer to another college?

An Academic Counselor can help you with all of these questions and more. Keep in mind research shows that students who work with Academic Counselors achieve higher grades and have a better understanding of what they need to graduate.

Student Responsibilities for Academic Advising

The following is a list of student responsibilities WCC expects from each student before and during the academic advising process:

• Become an active participant in your career decision-making process.
• Get good grades.
• Come prepared with a list of questions that you want to ask your Academic Counselor.
• Plan course selections according to major requirements and educational goals.
• Be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials (Degree Works worksheet, audit sheet, transfer credit information, et cetera).
• Determine ahead of time your outside commitments and how these will affect scheduling your classes.

Academic Counselor Responsibilities

The following is a list of responsibilities WCC expects from each Academic Counselor during the academic advising process:

• Promote activities that examine career goals.
• Be aware of the career and transfer programs available at the College.
• Be knowledgeable about program requirements.
• Know the success of the program graduates.
• Refer students to campus resources.
• Know information about courses at the College.

Keeping Track of Your Degree Requirements

You can make sure you are meeting your program goals by talking to an Academic Counselor or reviewing the completion of your degree requirements on your own. Academic planning tools can ensure that students are taking classes they need to graduate and are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward graduation. At WCC, this degree planning tool is called Degree Works.

Here is some information about Degree Works for WCC students:

• Degree Works has an easy-to-read worksheet that displays student information, such as school, program, major, grade point average, placement test scores, and academic standing.
• Degree Works takes the guess-work out of what to register for. Students can easily see what requirements are still needed in order to complete a degree or certificate and which requirements have already been satisfied.
• Degree Works is a tool used by students, Academic Counselors, and faculty advisors to determine a student’s progress toward degree completion.
• Degree Works offers a “What If” feature to see how completed coursework would apply to a different program.
• Degree Works could provide seamless transfer opportunities in collaboration with SUNY’s student mobility initiatives.
• Degree Works can help students, Academic Counselors, and faculty advisors map a semester-by-semester plan.
• Degree Works can be accessed online, any time!

Accessing Degree Works 

Here are directions on how to login into Degree Works:

If you are a WCC student:

1. Sign into myWCC using your full myWCC username and password
2. Scroll down the page a bit
3. Click on “Degree Works”
4. Sign into Degree Works using your full myWCC username and password
5. You are now on your Degree Works worksheet!

Using Degree Works

The Degree Works Worksheet had three main areas:

1. Student Information: Look here to review and confirm your major.
   • Student ID Number, Name, Major and School,
   • Student Type, GPA (need at least a 2.0 to graduate), Academic Standing (Warning, Probation), Academic Counselor/Faculty Advisor Name

2. Overall Degree Requirements 

• General program notes, credits earned, and credits required
• Green check mark indicates the course is complete
• Blank box indicates the course still needs to be taken
• Blue squiggly line (tilde) indicates the course is in progress

Additional tabs let students, Academic Counselors, and faculty advisors see registration suggestions made during previous academic advising appointments. Students can also access a GPA calculator to explore the grades necessary to meet a certain GPA goal.

What If Analysis

The What If feature is particularly useful if you are thinking about changing programs or if you are working on prerequisites to get into a program. Follow these steps to use the “What If” feature in Degree Works:

• Click “What If” (it’s in light grey)
• Select the major
• Select Process “What If”

The student worksheet will now show all the requirements for the major selected.

Degree Works is constantly adding new and exciting features to help students navigate their road maps to graduation, and students who check their Degree Works Worksheet often will be able to use these updates to their advantage. Check the First-Year Seminar Blackboard site for a How-To Guide for using Degree Works.

Major Changes

The major change process at WCC is completed at the Registrar’s office. We highly recommend seeing an Academic Counselor first to discuss your options. These changes may also affect their financial aid. As mentioned above, students can use the “What If” feature in Degree Works to see what courses they would need to take if they do decide to change their major.

Registration

The next step after advisement is registration. This is when you choose the days/times and locations you would like to take classes.  You will be creating your school schedule. After you have talked to an Academic Counselor, you will register for classes on your own. If you are unsure how to register for classes please see the “How to Register” information guide below.

Register early to get the classes you want with the schedule you want!

Students can access some of these resources by clicking on the following links:

• Academic Counseling at WCC
• Academic Calendar 
• How to Register for Classes
• SUNY General Education Requirements

General Education Courses

English, History, Mathematics, and Science are the core courses within general education. General education courses help to provide students with a well-rounded education because each discrete discipline informs the other areas of study and provides a framework for students to acquire 21st century skills. Students who want to obtain an Associate’s degree will need to fulfill general education requirements for SUNY and for WCC.

The State University of New York (SUNY) General Education Knowledge and Skill Areas

• Mathematics
• Basic Communication
• Natural Sciences
• Social Science
• American History
• Western Civilization
• Other World Civilizations
• Humanities
• The Arts
• Foreign Language

WCC’s General Education Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

1. The ability to explore, analyze, evaluate, and explain the natural, cultural and historical phenomena of the world around them
2. The ability to formulate ideas and conclusions and communicate them clearly and logically
3. The ability to solve problems by building upon information and skills acquired through coursework across disciplines
4. An awareness of global issues and a knowledge of diverse perspectives
5. The ability to work ethically, responsibly, and collaboratively

Certainly there are many things for students to consider when choosing the major that best meet their transfer and career goals, and WCC has many resources to help them navigate these important processes. Explore the technologies available to help with academic advising and registration, and never be afraid to reach out to find the answers to your questions and concerns. WCC’s faculty and staff are dedicated to student success and willing to help you get on and stay on the best path for you.