Services
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| The Counseling Center provides a range of services to GTCC students and - in many cases - to the general public. Listed below are descriptions of the services most commonly provided by the Counseling Center staff. Please contact any of the counseling staff if you need assistance or have questions about the services that are available. |
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| Academic Advising |
| Undecided and special credit students are assigned to a counselor for advising. All other students are assigned to a faculty advisor in their chosen academic program. Academic advising is provided on a walk-in basis. Counselors also serve as advisors to new and returning students during open registration periods. |
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| Academic Counseling |
| If a student is having academic problems in a course, the specific problems should first be discussed with the instructor. Students should be referred to the Counseling Center when it appears that they may benefit from talking with a counselor. Typical problems that students encounter include: trying to take too many courses, working too many hours a week, poor study skills, poor time management, personal issues, a lack of academic or career goals, avoiding developmental coursework/prerequisites, constantly withdrawing from courses, and needing help but not knowing how or where to get it. Students may also be referred to counseling as part of the early alert process. Contact Patricia Scales at extension 2312 or any of the counselors for a referral. |
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| Career Counseling |
The counseling staff helps students to explore their interests, abilities, and values as related to college majors and career choices. The following assessments are available to assist in the counseling process:
1. DISCOVER - a comprehensive software program that includes assessments of interests, abilities, and job values and databases of occupations, college majors, schools and training institutions, financial aid/scholarships, and military options;
2. Self-Directed Search - a self assessment of occupational interests; and
3. COPS, CAPS, COPES - assessments of occupational preferences, abilities, and career-related values. |
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| Withdrawing From A Course |
| A counselor may sign a Drop/Add: Schedule Adjustment Form for a student if the instructor or department chair is unavailable. If the student is unable to come to campus to drop a course, s/he should contact Dr. Ed Knight in the Records Office for assistance at extension 2520. All financial obligations to the college must be cleared before a withdrawal will be processed. |
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| Educational Planning |
| Educational planning is a comprehensive process that involves deciding upon an educational or career goal, identifying the steps necessary to achieve the goal, and making a plan. This often involves career counseling, identifying current assets and weaknesses, deciding upon a college, identifying freshman and sophomore course requirements, and monitoring progress. Students wishing to pursue specific majors at specific colleges may get assistance in planning their coursework by coming to the Counseling Center. |
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| Personal Counseling |
| Students may wish to see a counselor to talk about personal issues. These often relate to relationships, health issues, mental health, family, financial concerns, and untold other personal concerns. The counseling staff is available for crisis intervention services. Students may be referred to outside agencies for ongoing mental health services. Students needing assistance may see any of the counselors. All information given to a counselor is confidential. We encourage faculty to refer students who may be experiencing personal problems to the Counseling Center. |
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| Placement Test Interpretation |
| Counselors talk with examinees about their placement test results immediately after testing. Counselors may recommend that examinees retake part of the placement test after reviewing skills. The counselor will complete a Retest Authorization Form for the examinee. If you have any questions about placement testing, feel free to call any of the counselors. |
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| Program Changes |
| A student wishing to change to a program that is not a limited enrollment program should see a counselor and complete a Change of Curriculum Form. A student wishing to be admitted to a limited enrollment program must complete an application in the Admissions Office. |
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| Transcript Evaluations |
| An unofficial evaluation of a student's transcript may be obtained by meeting with a counselor prior to enrolling at GTCC. An official evaluation of transcripts is done in the Records Office only after a student graduates. |
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| Withdrawal From College |
| A student wishing to drop all their courses should see a couunselor to complete a Drop/Add: Schedule Adjustment Form. If the student is receiving financial aid or VA benefits, someone from that department must sign the withdrawal form. The form must then be taken to the Records Office for processing. All financial obligations to the college must be cleared before a withdrawal will be processed. |
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| Workshops/Presentations |
| The counseling staff presents various workshops throughout the year. Class presentations and workshops may be developed for instructors' specific needs. Please contact any counselor to arrange for a workshop presentation. |
