Student Academic Support Services

Academic Advising and Student Responsibility

Academic advising is an essential process in the college setting. At York College, this process is guided by the Academic Advising Center and is predominately a faculty-based system. Upon entering York College, every matriculated student is assigned an academic advisor who, through experience, professional background and example, is qualified to assist the student in planning the coursework of the program of study, in developing strategies for academic success, and in providing guidance and information in preparation for the student’s career and life goals.

The academic advisor works in close partnership with the student as he/she develops their Personal Strategic Plan. This Plan encourages students to establish personal, academic and professional goals, develop a strategy to achieve these goals and carefully reflect upon their successes and challenges in pursuit of these goals. Academic advisors are available to meet with their advisees during their regularly scheduled office hours when the College is in session in the fall and spring semesters or by appointment at other times. In addition, other academic services are offered through the offices of Academic Affairs, Academic Advising, the Registrar, Records, Career Development Center, Counseling Services, and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

While Academic Advising assists students in their academic planning, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to meet the academic requirements for graduation. Each student is expected to meet regularly with his or her advisor to discuss the development and implementation of a plan of short- and long-term academic goals. The final responsibility in meeting graduation requirements rests with the student.

Premedical/Pre-Professional Advising

For students seeking a career in medicine, dentistry, optometry, or other health professions, The Committee for the Health Professions provides information and advising relative to program requirements and admissions procedures and standards. The Committee can provide assistance to students regarding MCAT and DAT exams as well as school information and application process. Interested students should contact the Department of Biological Sciences for referral to a member of the Committee.

Prelaw Advising

Students seeking admission to law school following graduation and/or information and guidance regarding the LSAT or admission procedures to law school may contact the Prelaw Advisory Committee for special support and academic assistance. Interested students should contact the Career Development Center for referral to a member of the Committee.

Declaring or Changing a Major

College policy requires a student to declare a major at 60 credit hours. If there is a delay in declaring a major or there is a change in major, the time needed to complete degree requirements may be extended. To declare or change a major, a student should contact the Academic Advising Center to complete a Change in Student Record Form and an academic advisor will be assigned from the new major. The student must follow all degree requirements in the major at the time the major is declared.

Undeclared

Though most students declare a major program of study upon admission to York College, some students who have not decided on a specific major register as undeclared and declare a major later. The undeclared student will work closely with an assigned academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center to discuss interests and goals, explore appropriate resources, and ultimately identify the major that is the right fit. In addition, the Career Development Center provides extensive career guidance and self-assessment for those wishing to explore possible fields of study.

Academic Minors

Minors are academic credentials earned by students in an area other than their major. To complete a minor, a student must complete a minimum of 15 credits, which may include both upper- and lower-division courses as defined by the specific requirements of the department offering the minor.

All students completing a minor must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in these designated courses, and take a minimum of nine credits of coursework in the minor at York College to have their minor appear on their transcript. Students may not complete a minor following graduation.

Students may choose from the follow minors:

Detailed information about each individual minor and the course requirements is located within the Programs of Study  .  Major and minor combinations should be reviewed in the process of declaring a major.

Declaring a Minor/Double Major

A student interested in pursuing a minor or a double major should contact the Academic Advising Center and complete a Change in Student Record Form. While the student declaring a second major continues to work closely with the academic advisor in the primary major field of study for careful academic planning, it is also important to meet with an academic advisor in the second major to make certain that all degree requirements are fulfilled in the additional major or minor.

Center for Teaching and Learning

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) provides free academic support programs for all York College students. The CTL offers one-on-one tutoring programs for most courses and includes a Writing Center with peer and professional tutors who are prepared to help with writing assignments for every class. In addition, the CTL offers review sessions for many courses, study skills workshops, and personal consultations with the Academic Transition Coach.

The CTL is open weekdays and evenings when classes are in session. Tutors’ schedules are announced at the beginning of each semester. Students who are interested in becoming peer tutors should contact the Assistant Director of the CTL. The minimum requirement for students to become tutors is a 3.5 or higher in the classes they wish to tutor and recommendations from the professors teaching the courses.

Center for Professional Excellence

The Center for Professional Excellence (CPE) assists students in building the capabilities that will enable them to be effective professionals in whatever career path they choose. The CPE’s direct involvement in both academic and cocurricular programs helps ensure that York College students are at the forefront when it comes to being the first choice of employers based upon their academic and professional preparation.

Through the CPE’s national Professionalism in the Workplace Survey and strong corporate Advisory Board, we have identified the core qualities of high-performing professionals. Working in direct partnership with College departmental leaders, the CPE underscores these elements in existing classroom curricula. Outside of the classroom, the CPE enhances a student’s educational experience at York by providing campus-wide seminars, programs and workshops on professionalism to help accelerate a student’s development of the attitudes, behaviors and skills that define one as a professional. These qualities are an impressive and distinguishing attribute of a York College graduate.

Career Development Center

The Center assists students with career exploration and development through individual appointments, workshops, services, resources, and special events as well as a comprehensive website. The Center guides students through the process of selecting a major, identifying and securing an internship, preparing resumes, developing interviewing skills, and locating full-time employment opportunities. The Career Development Center also provides comprehensive information about study abroad and assists students with the graduate school application process.

Through both the Center’s four-year program, Plan To Succeed, as well as the student’s own Personal Strategic Plan, students are asked to personalize their own academic and career plans during their York College experience. Students are encouraged to Engage, Explore, Experience, and Emerge as professionals in their chosen field or discipline. We encourage skill development including self-assessment, job search skills, and preparation for life after college, which students will use throughout their lives. All of the services, resources, and events available through the Career Development Center are designed to empower students to be active participants in their own academic, career and professional development and life planning.

Information Technology

The Department of Information Technology provides state-of-the-art information systems to faculty, students and staff.  All members of the York College community are assigned a network account that provides access to the MyYCP portal, YCP Gmail and Google Apps, printing, file storage, and networked programs.  Information Technology offers eight general purpose computer labs, 45+ specialty labs, 1900+ computers and 140+ smart classrooms that use projection systems and multimedia equipment to complement the learning process.  All residence halls include full wired and wireless internet access for personal devices and cable TV.

The I.T. Help Desk is located in the Waldner Performing Arts Center to assist with technology-related questions and support for faculty, staff and students.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Matriculated students at York College are encouraged to explore the opportunities for academic study in another country as part of their degree program through summer, semester or full year study abroad programs.  With hundreds of programs to select from, students are able to participate in a study abroad experience that meets their specific academic and personal goals. The College has affiliation agreements with specific institutions which articulate a commitment to the study abroad experience and establish a faculty liaison who serves as a point person for our students. These institutions include: York St. John University in York, England; Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan; Kufstein University in Kufstein, Austria; Nouvo Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy; Universidad Del Sagrado Corazon in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Cemanahuac Educational Community in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  Students are not limited to affiliated programs, and are encouraged to identify study abroad opportunities that best meet their individual goals.  Students work with their academic advisor and the Registrar’s Office to determine the details of how courses taken abroad will transfer back to a student’s York College program of study.  All students studying abroad must pay a $100 study abroad fee and complete an Off-Campus Study Approval Form.  Students are able to utilize appropriate State and Federal Financial Aid.  Regular Study Abroad infromation sessions are held through the Career Development Center to assist students in exploring and identifying appropriate study abroad opportunities.

Faculty-Led Short Term Study Abroad

In addition to the affiliation agreements and traditional study abroad opportunities outlined above, York College also has several short term (7 days to 3 weeks) study abroad experiences led by faculty. There are currently courses offered in Chemistry and Geography with a travel component. For more information about these York College courses, contact the Career Development Center.

Service Learning

York College is committed to providing service learning opportunities that will allow students to contribute to the community while obtaining valuable experience and enhanced employment credentials. Volunteer programs at York reflect that students can obtain valuable life experience through service learning and that employers frequently seek graduates who have been constructively involved in their community. Service learning opportunities are available in a variety of organizations and can be selected based on a student’s major or area of academic interest. Students interested in participating in service learning should contact the Career Development Center or Student Activities Office.

Disability Support Services

York College is dedicated to serving the needs of students regardless of disability by providing equal access to a quality learning experience. York College will not discriminate against any qualified student with a disability in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its amendments. The College will reasonably accommodate the needs of students with a disability provided such accommodation does not constitute a fundamental alteration of York’s program of education or otherwise constitute an undue burden.

Students requesting academic accommodations should submit disability documentation to the Director Disability Support Services and then meet with the Director to discuss appropriate accommodations and plan a strategy for meeting their academic requirements.

Office of Community Education

York College offers a variety of non-credit, technical, health care, professional, and personal development programs focused on company or professional-specific needs. These courses and selected credit courses are available on-site or on-campus.

Through the Glatfelter Telecommunications Center, the Office of Community Education has the capability to send and receive programs around the world. Included is the ability to produce, edit, and complete a video program.

Funded programs focused on education, training and employment are developed and operated through the services of the Office of Community Education. These programs are generally formed in partnership with business and industry.