Academics

Special Academic Programs
Grading Policies 
Standards of Academic Progress 
Prior Learning Assessment 
Glossary of Terms 
Twenty-five Secrets to College Success 

Special Academic Programs

Honors Academy
Distance Learning
Military and Government Programs
Study Abroad
English for Academic Programs
Strategies for Success in College, Career and Life
The Academic Success Center: College Preparatory Studies

The Honors Academy

The Honors Academy offers students the opportunity to be a part of an academic environment that is intentionally designed to foster academic excellence. Students have the opportunity to enroll in stimulating designated Honors courses with exceptional faculty and other outstanding students.

Students who have a weighted average GPA of 3.5 in high school or who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 after 12 semester hours of college level courses may apply for admittance into the Honors Academy. Students admitted into the Honors Academy must register for the Honors Colloquia (one credit hour) and the Honors seminar (two credit hours) and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Three scholarships are open to honors students.

Distance Learning Opportunities

For many students today, time to attend traditional college classes is a luxury they cannot afford. Family, work, and personal responsibilities often take first priority for time and become a barrier to traditional educational opportunities. To meet the needs of these students, Florida State College offers a variety of alternative learning opportunities that require minimal or no attendance at site–based classes and/or testing.

Online Courses

Online courses are offered via the Internet, enabling students to study and participate in the virtual class at times convenient to their personal schedule. Students and teachers communicate via e–mail, discussion boards (for asynchronous communication) and live chat rooms.

Students must be self–disciplined and motivated to succeed in online learning. A reliable computer and Internet connection and Web browser are necessary to successfully navigate the course management system utilized for online courses. Current versions of browsers required (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari), an e–mail account provided by the College, Windows 98 or newer version, and virus–checking software are all essential components for students to enroll in online courses. For additional information about online learning, visit the Distance Learning Web site or call the Welcome Center at (904) 359-5433.

Military and Government Programs

Army ROTC

Florida State College students interested in a commission as an officer in the United States Army may enroll in the basic Army ROTC College program at the University of North Florida. Students will be enrolled as Military Science Leadership students, college program students, or Army ROTC scholarship students based on the program in which they are accepted. Students who successfully complete the basic course are eligible to enter the advanced program at any university that offers Army ROTC. Students in the basic course may also be eligible for selection to the Army ROTC scholarship program. For information on the Army ROTC scholarship program contact the Army ROTC office at University of North Florida, Lieutenant Colonel B. Scott Jones, at (904) 620-3918.

Navy ROTC

Florida State College students interested in a commission as an officer in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps may enroll in the basic NROTC College program and take naval science courses at Jacksonville University. Students will be enrolled as Naval Science students, college program students, or NROTC scholarship students based on the program in which they are accepted. Students who successfully complete the basic course are eligible to enter the advanced program at any university that offers NROTC. Students in the basic course may also be eligible for selection to the NROTC scholarship program. For information on the NROTC scholarship programs visit the Navy ROTC Web page or contact the Navy ROTC office at Jacksonville University at (904) 256-7480.

Military Education Institute and Government Programs

The Military Education Institute and Government Programs exist for the purpose of developing and coordinating education and training opportunities for military service personnel, their family members, government employees, and local community residents in the Jacksonville area. To accomplish this mission, the College provides:

1. college credit courses with an emphasis on the General Education Requirements offered at military installations during traditional semester terms and eight–week terms;
2. classes offered at military installations enable enrollment throughout the year in the associate in arts and selected associate in science programs;
3. distance learning classes in associate in arts and selected associate in science programs, as a member of the Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP), SOCNAV, SOCCOAST AFLOAT program, SOCCOAST, Army National Guard Education Service Center Education Partner program; SOCGUARD, SOCAD, Army Career Degree Builders, U.S. Army Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP); and SOCMAR;
4. a full range of advising, registration and orientation services, including placement testing;
5. evaluation of military and corporate training and experience by submitting the appropriate American Council on Education (ACE) Registry Transcript (SMART for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and AARTS for U.S. Army and Army National Guard) and/or an institutional transcript from a military institution (CCAF – Community College of the Air Force, USCGI – United States Coast Guard Institute). Military and government personnel can apply these recommended college credits toward a degree related to their career field or other field of their choice;
6. a liaison with Naval Recruiting District Jacksonville in the Navy’s technical preparatory program. This program is designed for dual enrolled high school students who are enlisted in the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program (DEP).
7. a liaison with the military education service officers to assist students in the use of the military service tuition assistance (TA) programs; and
8. non–college credit courses and certificates for students desiring to upgrade career and occupational skills or seeking personal enrichment.

For information, call (904) 633-8134 or toll–free (877) 633-5950 or e-mail the Military Education Institute.

Study Abroad Program

Florida State College sponsors a variety of study/travel abroad courses offering college credit. These courses are focused on certain aspects of selected foreign countries and include field experiences, and on–site lectures and discussions. Studying at a university in the foreign country is also a part of some study/travel abroad courses.

Orientation meetings and structured classes designed to strengthen educational experiences are held during the length of students’ enrollment in the activity.

Class attendance and participation in the scheduled events of the tours are mandatory. Regular admission policies of the College must be followed to enroll in the courses. Students are expected to pay their own transportation and other charges.

Study abroad/travel abroad courses are offered based on faculty interest and student enrollment.

Examples of the countries of focus for previous study/travel abroad courses include England, Greece, Italy, France and the Orient.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Florida State College has programs specifically designed for students whose first language is not English. The EAP program is designed for students who are preparing themselves for academic study and who must develop proficiency in the English language to succeed in their coursework.

Prior to registration, students take a placement test (CPT–L) to determine which level of instruction is most appropriate. Based upon the results of these placement test scores, students are assigned to Level IV, Level V or Level VI courses with the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) prefix. Each level consists of courses in:

1. reading/vocabulary,
2. writing/composition,
3. speaking/listening and
4. structure/grammar. 

Level IV classes are considered college preparatory classes, not intended for transfer, counted for graduation or calculated in total hours or in grade point average. Up to 12 credits of Level V and Level VI classes may be counted as elective credit toward fulfilling the number of credits required for a degree. If students test into EAP courses, they are required to take these courses before enrolling into non–EAP college credit courses. Courses at each level involve 12 contact hours per week, which is a full course load. Students may take less than a full load of classes each term if desired. Upon completion of EAP courses, degree–seeking students and/or those wishing to take college credit English or reading courses must take the College Placement Test. For additional information contact the Liberal Arts office on Downtown Campus at (904) 633-8397.

Strategies for Success in College, Career and Life

SLS 0005/1103 Requirement Policy

Students who test into one or more college prep disciplines (English, mathematics, or reading) will be required to take a college prep SLS course (SLS 0005) or a college credit SLS course (SLS 1103). Students will take the SLS course in the first term of enrollment at the college. Students cannot drop or withdraw from the required SLS class without seeing a counselor or advisor. View additional information and FAQ .

The Academic Success Center: College Preparatory Courses

The Academic Success Center (ASC) program at Florida State College provides instruction and student services designed to help students become college ready in reading, writing and mathematics. Located on each campus and center, the Academic Success Center is a laboratory learning environment based on diagnostic and prescriptive approaches; a variety of instructional methods, ranging from individualized instruction to cooperative learning; academic tutoring; and advising. Staffed with faculty and staff who specialize in college prep instruction, the ASC provides students with access to advanced learning technologies and discipline-specific software. Focused on fostering student success and retention, the Academic Success Center also includes an option for accelerated learning among highly motivated students.

Through the course placement testing program or additional assessment, students in need of further preparation should meet with an advisor to identify academic goals and the best curriculum to follow in order to achieve these goals.

All college preparatory studies courses taught in the Academic Success Center are considered to be pre–college level. They are not intended for transfer, counted for graduation, or calculated in total hours or grade point average. However, these courses will count as hours enrolled for financial aid/veteran purposes, social security, standards of academic progress, and other enrollment verifications. These courses are identified as college preparatory studies courses in the course description section.*

The following college preparatory studies courses are designed to bring students’ skills to the minimum college readiness level:

• ENC 0015 - Essentials in Writing I
   
• ENC 0025 - Essentials in Writing II
    
• MAT 0018 - Basic Mathematics
    
• MAT 0028 - Elementary Algebra
   
• REA 0007 - Reading Comprehension
   
• REA 0017 - Critical Reading Strategies
   

*Students who enter the College with English language needs should refer to the section for English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Students who test into one or more of these college preparatory studies courses must successfully complete the course(s) with a grade of “C” or higher* before enrolling in college credit courses in that skill area. College preparatory courses cannot replace required EAP courses.

Research has shown that students at Florida State College who are successful in college preparatory studies miss fewer than four hours of class per semester. The College, therefore,  has instituted an attendance policy for all college preparatory classes. College preparatory students should check the attendance policy in the course syllabus of each college preparatory course taken.

Full–time students who test into  ENC 0015 and REA 0007 must take these two courses in their first term of enrollment. Full–time students who test into ENC 0015, REA 0007 or MAT 0018 must take all three of these courses in their first term of enrollment. Part–time students are recommended to take these college preparatory studies courses in the following order: reading, writing and mathematics.

Full–time students who test into either ENC 0025, REA 0017, MAT 0018 or MAT 0028 must enroll in at least one of these college preparatory studies courses each term until they have completed all such required courses.

Part–time students who test into either ENC 0015, REA 0007 or MAT 0018 must enroll in at least one of these courses each term until they have completed these courses. Part–time students who test into either ENC 0025, REA 0017 or MAT 0028 must enroll in these courses by the time they have accumulated 12 hours of college credit coursework and must maintain continuous enrollment in college preparatory coursework each semester until the requirements are completed.

Students who test into one or more college prep discipline areas will be required to take a four credit college prep SLS course (SLS 0005)** or a three credit SLS course (SLS 1103). Students will take the SLS course in the first term of enrollment at the college. Students who are taking SLS 0005 or SLS 1103 under this requirement cannot drop or withdraw from their SLS class without seeing a counselor or advisor; doing so will drop a student’s entire schedule. For more information, see the SLS section .

Limits to Enrollment in Each College Prep Course

Florida State statute limits a student’s enrollment in this course to three attempts. Unless a student officially withdraws before the drop deadline, each registration in this course will count as a semester of enrollment regardless of the grade received. Students may have only two attempts at a developmental education course at the in-state tuition rate. After two attempts, students must pay the out-of-state tuition rate, or may qualify for another remediation option, upon faculty recommendation, that provides an alternative to traditional classroom-based instruction.

Exceptions to this rule are subject to the student appeals process. Course attempts made prior to Fall Term 1997 do not count toward the two–term limitation. Students testing into remedial instruction may access alternative private sources for this instruction.