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Hello, and welcome to
Austin Community College.
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Congratulations on becoming a Riverbat!
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You're about to embark on your
area of study information session.
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My name is Heather Beels.
I'm an advising specialist here at ACC.
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Hello, my name is David Zuniga.
I'm an advising supervisor here at ACC.
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Today's goals are to explore programs,
careers, transfer opportunities
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within your area of study, confirm your
interest in your area of study,
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and explore ACC resources, as well as
discuss key educational expectations.
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First, you'll hear from your
area of study faculty coordinator,
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who will share specific information
related to your area of study programs,
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credentials you can earn,
resources available at ACC,
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and career information
related to your area of study.
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On behalf of the Austin
Community College faculty,
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we welcome you to the Liberal Arts
area of study information session.
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I'm Kerri Pope, professor of philosophy.
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Hi, I'm Dr. Wayne Butler,
professor of General Studies
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and Technical Communications.
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We are here today to inform you,
inspire you, and guide you
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on your educational journey.
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Today, we'll help you explore the Liberal
Arts area of study programs,
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careers and transfer opportunities,
and we'll also discuss ACC resources,
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and get you on the path to success
in your chosen area of study.
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Welcome to the Liberal Arts
area of study! You're gonna love it.
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[Kerri] Wayne, what's an area of study?
I'm not sure everyone knows what that is.
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[Wayne] Well, an area of study
is a collection of programs
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that have things in common,
like courses, skills, and perspectives.
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[Kerri] Yes, like a common way
of looking at the world?
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[Wayne] And also a common focus
on critical thinking and writing.
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[Kerri] How about common transfer paths?
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[Wayne] Yes, all these things help
unite an area of study.
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[Kerri] So the Liberal Arts area of study
is a group of programs that focus on
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similar skills, courses,
and transfer paths.
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[Wayne] Yes, exactly. But do you know why
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we call this collection
of programs "Liberal Arts"?
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[Kerri] Historically, doesn't it go
back to Greek antiquity?
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To the Athenians and the first democracy?
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[Wayne] That's right. Over three thousand
years ago, the Athenians formed one of
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the first democracies; that is,
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a government of the people,
by the people, for the people.
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They understood that if citizens were to
participate in their government
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effectively, they needed deep knowledge
about social issues of societal
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importance, and the skills to think
critically about those issues.
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But if we go back to the Latin roots
of the term "liberal,"
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we learn it means
"worthy of a free person."
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In the case of the arts, the Latin
meaning was "technique" or "skills."
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So the liberal arts focuses on
the skills needed by free people
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to participate in the legal, civic,
and commercial arenas of their lives.
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So they studied subjects that gave them
a broad understanding of the world
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around them, and allowed them to think
critically about their own world.
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Boy, the liberal arts have a long
and glorious history indeed.
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It does have a long history, but that
doesn't mean it's stuck in the past.
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The liberal arts has contemporary
practical applications as well.
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Right you are, Wayne! Liberal arts
truly equates to critical job skills.
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The Athenians were on to something.
An educated populace is very valuable.
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Over 80 percent of employers want their
employees to have some level
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of liberal arts knowledge.
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The liberal arts aid in communication,
problem-solving, and decision-making.
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But the liberal arts also offers
insights into other cultures—
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anthropology, sociology,
geography, foreign language.
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These subjects delve into
cultures around the globe,
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and offer perspectives on
our own culture in comparison.
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[Wayne] But it is also about exploration.
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We live in such a fascinating world,
and the liberal arts give us a chance
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to explore that world
through so many lenses.
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[Kerri] Lenses? Can you explain?
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[Wayne] The Liberal Arts at Austin
Community College consists of
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twelve different programs
that offer us a view of the world
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from their own unique perspectives.
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A philosopher is interested in
the study of knowledge and ethics,
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while a sociologist looks at
inequality in cultural dynamics.
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Psychology majors like to figure out
what makes people tick,
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while the subject of geography
examines how where you live
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impacts your life.
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As shown on the Venn diagram here,
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the programs within the
Liberal Arts are like lenses;
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that is, different perspectives
on the exploration and examination
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of the human experience.
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And while they overlap with one another,
together they all contribute
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to the core skills of liberal arts, such
as civic awareness, critical thinking,
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cultural awareness, ethical reasoning,
interpersonal skills,
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life and personal skills, research skills,
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and written oral and
visual communications.
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So no matter what Liberal Arts
major you focus on,
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by the end of your ACC experience
in the liberal arts,
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you'll be proficient in
core knowledge and skills.
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Now, let's take a look at individual
programs to explore the focus of each.
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As an English major, you'll study the
various ways English speakers have and
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continue to use language to create
literary art, and to communicate in
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different ways for different
audiences and purposes.
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English majors can enter various fields
where critical reading, writing,
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and communication are crucial skills.
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English is a great foundation for those
interested in going into teaching,
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writing and communications,
as well as the law.
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ACC English majors often transfer
into Bachelor degree programs
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at four-year colleges, as is the case
with most Liberal Art degrees at ACC.
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Anthropologists study people and
cultures around the world,
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their evolutionary history, and how
they adapt to their environments.
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Anthropologists can study archaeology,
linguistics, and even forensics.
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ACC offers Associate's of Arts
in Anthropology
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and an Associate of Science
in Archaeology.
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Austin Community College's
Interdisciplinary Studies program
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recognizes that culture, history,
politics, civil society, and religion,
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as well as science and technology,
are interwoven and interconnected.
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Degree specializations include
American, Mexican-American/Chicano,
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and Peace and Conflict Studies.
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Winston Churchill famously said,
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"Those who fail to learn history
are doomed to repeat it."
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Historians broaden our understanding
of our world by objectively viewing
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civilizations and our own
national and state heritage.
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Economics examines how individuals
and groups, including companies
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and governments, decide how they
will use limited resources to produce
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and distribute goods and services.
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Learning a foreign language opens
a door to a world of opportunities.
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It enhances your marketability
in most careers,
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and expands your cultural understanding
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and ability to communicate
in a global society.
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Degree specializations include
Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese,
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German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish.
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The Ancient Greek philosopher
Socrates said, quote,
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"The unexamined life is not worth living."
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And he believed philosophy,
the love of wisdom,
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was the most important pursuit of all.
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Philosophy is a collection of disciplines
designed to deepen your understanding
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of yourself, the world around you,
and the relationship between the two.
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The Philosophy program helps you
articulate what you think and why.
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Many a law school student
starts with Philosophy major.
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Sociology seeks to answer questions
about why people think and act
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the way they do, through the study
of structural and cultural patterns
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and social dynamics.
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As a student of sociology, you'll learn
how to gather and interpret information—
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in itself a set of very marketable skills—
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and to detect social forces that
other people often take for granted.
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The Sociology program at Austin
Community College has a
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strong emphasis on social justice.
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The study of government involves
analyzing individual and group behaviors
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and outcomes in local state,
national, and international politics.
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To fulfill your birthright as a
participant in self-government,
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you need knowledge of how and why
things work, and the way they do—
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just as the Athenians intended
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Psychologists study human
behavior in the brain,
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including healthy and
abnormal brain functions,
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and the brain's role in language
development, thinking skills,
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and physical movement.
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Psychology also examines social,
cross-cultural, and gender perspectives.
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Geographers look at the interaction
of human and natural environments,
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movement, and regions.
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But Wayne, what if you don't know
what you want to study?
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Think about studying liberal arts.
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You get to explore wide range of ideas
until one sparks your passion.
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Austin Community College's
General Studies degree is for students
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who are uncertain of their career plans,
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or would like to benefit from two years
of a broad, general college education.
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Curriculum has been adapted to allow
students to explore several subject areas.
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Faculty advisors can help you create
a course plan designed for either
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university transfer,
or entering the workforce.
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I see what you mean about lenses, Wayne.
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Each program looks at the world
we live in, our history, and ourselves,
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but in its own particular way.
That is very valuable!
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Indeed, and as we'll see in more detail
later in this presentation,
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it turns out what employers are looking
for are critical thinkers who can
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research, solve problems, collaborate,
and communicate with a wide range
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of people and personalities
connected into the global economy.
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In some ways, it's never been a better
time to be a Liberal Arts major.
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In fact, why don't you lead us
in the details, Kerri?
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Wayne, it is a great time
to be a Liberal Arts major.
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As numerous studies indicate,
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the future earning potential for students
increases with educational attainment!
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That's right, Kerri!
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With the rising cost of college,
some in society have questioned
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the usefulness or return on
investment of a college education,
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and especially one in the liberal arts.
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But let's take a look at what the U.S.
Department of Labor reveals about
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the value of attending college.
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What we notice is, the more education
one has, the more money they might make,
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while reducing chances of unemployment.
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You'll note at the bottom of the
chart that even some college
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could lead to more income
than no college at all.
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The key things to keep in mind
is that you don't need to climb
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this ladder from some college
to PhD in one mad dash.
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Most of us who hold advanced degrees
climb the ladder at our own pace.
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Study some, work some.
Study some, work some more.
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The most important takeaway is that you
never stop pursuing your goals and dreams.
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The structure of ACC's pathway system
makes that climb manageable,
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and therefore your goals more obtainable.
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In this table, you'll see just a tiny
sample of the kinds of careers
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open to Liberal Arts majors, and the kinds
of money one can expect to earn.
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Note that these are mid-career averages.
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Entry-level positions pay less, and
end-of-career positions earn more.
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Note also, all of these listed here will
require more than an associate degree.
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But an Associate of Arts or
transfer program in liberal arts
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puts you on the pathway
towards your dream job!
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Wayne, what does that pathway look like?
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Well, Kerri, part of the idea behind
ACC's Guided Pathways initiative
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and areas of study program is to
provide a clear path through
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all the choices you'll need
to make on your journey.
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As with any journey, it's a great idea
to know where you want to go
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before heading off. However, no matter
what your career goals are,
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in most cases, you will need a degree.
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So your first step is to
start where you are!
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As we like to say here at ACC,
"Start here, get there!"
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While at ACC, you can strive to earn
at least 42 credit hours—
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about 14 three-credit hour courses—
in the core requirements,
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most of which are in liberal arts;
and you can transfer that entire bundle
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in the form of a core certificate
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to any public Texas four-year
Bachelor's degree program.
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But even if you don't complete all 42
credits, as noted on the previous slide,
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some college is better than none.
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Want to jump to the next level?
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Take another six or so courses and
earn the Associate degree,
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which could open up more
job opportunities,
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but even more importantly,
qualifies you to transfer
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to all Texas public universities,
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as well as many private colleges
across the country.
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And once you transfer, earn another
60 hours—about 20 more courses—
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in a specific field of study,
and earn a Bachelor's degree
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in your program of choice.
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The main credential for most
good-paying jobs,
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as well as a prerequisite for all
graduate degrees.
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But be careful. You want to be focused,
and take certain courses in a certain
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order, and you want to do well
in those courses.
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So before you take your
first step on this journey,
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consult with an ACC advisor;
use ACC's online Degree Map tools;
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and visit with the ACC Transfer Academy
to learn the most efficient paths
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to earning an ACC core certificate
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and then, the ACC Associate degree,
and then transfer to the four-year college.
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It's good advice, Wayne!
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Keep in mind, the courses you take
and how well you do in them
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are crucial to your success.
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Your college transcript will
follow you your entire life,
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into the job market and beyond.
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So make sure you use all the resources
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ACC has put in place
to ensure your success!
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Now, not all your learning need be
in the classroom or lab.
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In fact, some of the deepest and most
authentic learning happens in the
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real world, in collaboration with others.
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ACC Liberal Arts offers a
wide range of opportunities
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for unique learning experiences.
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First, you can complete the 42 core
requirement courses
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on any of ACC's campuses.
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We also offer a rich catalog of
online courses so you can fit
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your studies around the realities
of your work and family life.
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We also offer exciting opportunities to
extend your education to the real world.
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Our government department offers
internship opportunities at
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Texas State Capitol every spring.
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You can also study anthropology,
sociology, English, and foreign language
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in other countries through the
Study Abroad program,
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to amazing places like France,
Spain, Russia, and Peru!
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Our Service Learning program allows you
to gain credits and knowledge
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through the hands-on experiences
in the community.
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And our cultural centers at
Riverside and Eastview
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give you the opportunity to
gather, study, and enjoy
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extracurricular events with
Latinx and African-American peers.
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There's really so much more than
just the classroom in the well-rounded
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student experience.
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Speaking of the well-rounded
college experience,
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it's no secret that the life of a student
can be lonely and difficult
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while juggling all the responsibilities
of school, work, and life.
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But now, you're not alone on your journey.
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In fact, ACC has a special division
dedicated solely to enriching
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and enhancing the college experience
for students just like you.
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Student Life offers a range of events,
opportunities, and services to help you
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connect with ACC and other students—
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services such as group and personalized
coaching for first-year students,
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to help ease the transition from
high school, or the military,
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or opportunities to work with other
students on service learning projects.
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You can also meet with, or perhaps
eventually become, a Riverbat ambassador,
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who is a student just like yourself,
specially trained to help other
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ACC students navigate the ins
and outs of college life.
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Do not forget to take advantage of the
free workshops that focus on
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study skills, financial management,
interpersonal skills, and more!
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Did you know that research on student
success reveals that those who are
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more engaged with the school
and other students can actually be
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more successful than those who just
focus on coursework and jobs?
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It's true!
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At ACC, Student Life in various
Liberal Arts departments and programs
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work together to create clubs
geared toward student interest.
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In fact, many clubs are started by
students themselves, in cooperation
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with a sponsoring faculty member
and student life staff.
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Have a special interest or passion,
something you were always curious
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about but didn't have time to pursue?
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Wanna meet and socialize with those
who share your interests and passions?
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Join one of the many Liberal Arts clubs!
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And, by the way, membership and
especially leadership roles in student
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organizations really stand out
on a resume, to distinguish yourself
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from those with similar
areas of study and GPAs.
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Great for networking down the road, too.
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Grades are not everything
these days, Wayne!
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To stay competitive in both the college
admission and career arenas,
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a student needs to be well-rounded.
The Athenians had the right idea:
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arm yourself with a solid education,
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and you will be better prepared
to take over the world!
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Hungry for more information?
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Keep current on all things liberal arts
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by following us on social media sites
like Twitter and Instagram.
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Just search @ACCLiberalArts.
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I hope we have answered some of
your questions regarding liberal arts
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at Austin Community College,
and the world of higher education.
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Please stay tuned for more in-depth
look at the life of the college student
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and the ins and outs of class
registration and degree planning.
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Thank you for your time!
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And go out there and follow your passion!
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After hearing from your area of study
faculty coordinator,
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if you're still not certain which
program is right for you,
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you will have the opportunity
to explore careers and majors
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in a mandatory student success course,
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"Effective Learning:
Strategies for College Success."
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This course will include
two career assessments:
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Focus-2 and Campus2Careers.
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Focus-2 is designed to allow you
to explore potential occupations
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based on your skills,
interest, and personality.
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Campus2Careers offers you the opportunity
to access the Austin job market
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for those occupations you've been matched.
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ACC offers specialized sections of this
course depending on your program.
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Next we're going to review resources that
are available to you at ACC as a student.
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Learning Labs. That's free tutoring!
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Tutoring can be subject-specific or
can be in general skills, such as writing.
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They offer drop-in assistance,
or you can schedule an appointment.
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They offer one-on-one and
group study sessions.
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Libraries are also a place for resources.
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You can find books,
periodicals, videos, audio.
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They offer computer and printer access.
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They also offer experts who can help you
with research for a class assignment,
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essay review, thesis statement
support, and other options.
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Libraries offer quiet study rooms
and online tools galore.
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So please stop in and check 'em out!
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Supplemental instruction.
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This is peer-assisted study sessions in
traditionally difficult academic courses.
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Regularly scheduled out-of-class
review sessions led by students
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who have successfully completed
the course previously.
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You're able to compare notes, discuss
readings, prepare tools to organize
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course materials, and other options
to prepare for your class.
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The courses that are supported by
supplemental instruction
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are labeled on the course schedule,
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or you can look on the SI website
for the list of classes that offer SI.
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The Student Accessibility Services office
offers academic accommodations for
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students with documented
learning challenges.
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SAS office is at every single campus;
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they also offer interpreter services,
assistive technology,
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testing accommodations such as
additional test-taking time, note-takers,
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and other accommodations as necessary.
They also offer temporary accommodations.
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For example, let's say you break your leg
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and you need extra time
to make it to class.
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They can make sure that you
work with your professors
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and get those accommodations in place.
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Time management for studying.
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It's very important to realize that
you're gonna have to take your time
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outside of the classroom
to be successful in college.
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You can't leave things at the door
when you leave the classroom.
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In order to be successful in college,
you're gonna have to spend additional
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times and hours depending on
how many courses you're enrolled in.
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The chart shown here will show
you what is recommended.
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Although it is a lot of additional hours
suggested, the main takeaway is that
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we want you to realize, in order to be
successful in your academic career,
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you will have to spend a lot of
time outside of the classroom
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to manage your assignments.
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Academic standards of progress.
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In order to maintain good academic
standing at Austin Community College,
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you must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
If you receive all Cs or higher,
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you will be able to maintain that
recommended required GPA.
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If your GPA falls below a 2.0 for the
first semester, you will go into
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academic warning. This basically is just
warning you of your status so that you
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can work on that next semester
to raise your GPA.
-
If your GPA falls below a 2.0
for a second semester,
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you will then be placed
on academic probation.
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At this point in time, you will be
required to meet with a counselor.
-
You will be given a specific set
of classes and how many classes
-
that you are able to take in order
to focus on raising that GPA.
-
If you fall below a 2.0 for a third
semester, you will then reach
-
academic suspension. At that point,
you are unable to take any classes
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at ACC for two back-to-back semesters.
The only exception is that we do allow
-
students to take basic study
skills classes during suspension.
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Course withdrawals.
-
Withdrawing from a course is discouraged,
and can negatively affect you.
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For example, financial aid eligibility
requires that you maintain a 67%
-
completion ratio. If you continue to
withdraw from classes, you will clearly
-
drop your completion ratio and therefore
put your eligibility for financial aid
-
in jeopardy. This also affects your money.
If you have any refunds due to you,
-
or balances due by you, you may have to
repay some of your financial aid
-
if you withdraw from your courses.
-
Texas also has a six-withdrawal limit,
meaning you are only allotted six total
-
withdrawals in your undergraduate
career. That's while you're here at ACC,
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and if you plan to pursue an
undergraduate program.
-
ACC also has what we call the
Third Course Attempt, or Rule of 3.
-
If you attempt a class
for a third time or more,
-
you will be charged additional
tuition for that class.
-
The main reason for this is not
to punish students,
-
but really to encourage them
to be academically prepared
-
for the courses that
they are registering for.
-
If you're an international student here
on an F-1 visa, you may affect your
-
visa status and your immigration status
by withdrawing from courses.
-
The main thing we want students to focus
on when it comes to course withdrawals
-
is that it's highly recommended to come in
and talk to an advisor and counselor
-
before you withdraw from classes.
-
If you're also receiving services from
financial aid, veterans affairs, or the
-
International Students office, we
recommend you talk to them before
-
withdrawing from classes as well.
-
Scholastic Achievement Awards are given
for semesters in which you complete
-
a minimum of 12 credits. Notification
appears on your grade report and
-
transcript for each fall-spring semester,
as well as on your diploma, if your
-
cumulative GPA qualifies for any of the
mentioned achievements on this slide.
-
At ACC, we have advisors and counselors
that can both help with academic course
-
planning and transfer services.
The difference between an advisor
-
and a counselor is that a counselor can
help you when you have problems that are
-
keeping you from being successful
that are outside of the classroom.
-
They can also help you if your GPA
falls below a 2.0, or if your completion
-
percentage falls below 67 percent.
-
Program advising degree and career
planning can be something that your
-
faculty advisors, your faculty
can help provide.
-
Remember that faculty support is not
limited to the ones who teach your classes.
-
There are other faculty in your area of
study who you can also connect with.
-
Your faculty representative here
today is a good example.
-
You may never have a class with them,
but they are now someone you know
-
and can turn to.
-
Your college education is
a huge investment,
-
so knowing how you will fund that
investment is extremely important.
-
There are many types of aid you can
receive to help finance your education—
-
some, like loans, that you
have to pay back;
-
others, like grants and
scholarships, that you don't.
-
Begin by filling out the FAFSA.
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We will discuss financial aid
in further detail on the next slide.
-
ACC also has a Student Money Management
office that provides seminars and
-
workshops you can attend to learn
more about financial literacy.
-
Managing your money; making a budget;
long-term financial planning—
-
these are the things you will
learn at these workshops.
-
ACC supports and provides assistance
to students who would benefit from
-
additional assistance to overcome
challenges and complete their education,
-
such as financial assistance for child
care, textbooks, and connecting students
-
with community resources outside of
ACC that may be able to help students.
-
Note that you must be
eligible for financial aid
-
to access Support Center services.
-
You can also explore other options for
funding such as grants, scholarships,
-
work-study opportunities, or other loans.
-
Contact an ACC Financial Aid
office on any campus
-
if you need help exploring your options.
-
What are grants and scholarships?
This is the free money.
-
This is money that you do not
need to repay the government.
-
Loans. Loans must be repaid after
earning your college credential.
-
Work-study. This is something you can
specifically apply for through FAFSA.
-
This allows you to work
up to 19 hours a week
-
on the campus where you're
taking your classes.
-
Students who are active in the work-study
program are not required to repay
-
any financial aid they receive.
-
Get connected. Student Life is a great way
to get connected by getting involved
-
with student life. They offer activities
that contribute to and enhance
-
your academic experience by providing
opportunities for leadership and
-
engagement within the ACC community.
You can gain valuable leadership skills;
-
community services; diverse awareness;
you can enrich your college experience
-
by participating in intramural sports
and recreational activities, such as
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flag football, basketball (men's and
women's), soccer (men's and women's),
-
women's volleyball, and kickball.
-
Student Life holds many events on all
campuses all year long, such as
-
the Riverbat Bash every September
during Welcome Week.
-
There are additional student clubs,
organizations, student government,
-
honor societies that will also provide
you with the opportunities to
-
get connected with other students
who have the same interests as you.
-
If you're a veteran, you can visit the
Veterans Resource Center,
-
which gives military and veteran
students a central, one-stop location
-
for obtaining essential support
services such as VA certification
-
and advising for VA benefits.
-
The center also features a
lounge area where students can
-
connect with peers and participate
in veteran-specific activities.
-
If you're an international student you can
visit the International Student office.
-
They are located at the Riverside
and Round Rock campuses.
-
They have designated advisors on each
campus, and can also provide general
-
support for the unique challenges of
being an international student
-
living here in the Austin area.
-
Study on campus. ACC offers open computer
labs which are a quiet study space
-
that are available at every campus.
These labs will give you free access
-
to computers equipped with internet
access and up-to-date softwares to do
-
research or finish assignments.
-
At the ACC learning labs, you can also get
free tutoring in a variety of subjects.
-
Help with homework, study spaces,
and much, much more.
-
Libraries are also a place to go if you
need books, DVDs, periodicals, copies,
-
laptop checkout, assistance with
research, and much more.
-
College is another step in
becoming a lifelong learner.
-
The learning never stops.
-
You will learn in your classes,
on the job,
-
and as you encounter
new experiences in your life.
-
There are lots of ways ACC can
help you continue your education
-
above and beyond your program.
-
Transfer services can help you prepare
to graduate from ACC and transfer to
-
a four-year school like
Texas State or UT Austin.
-
They'll help you review transfer guides
to make sure the courses you take
-
at ACC will be accepted for credit and
toward a degree plan at the college
-
you plan to transfer to. We also offer
reverse transfer, which allows you to
-
bring your classes back to ACC and
potentially complete your Associate's
-
degree after you've transferred out.
-
Career Services,
-
here to help students develop
job-search skills and locate employment.
-
Campus2Careers at ACC will match
you with the best jobs based on
-
your profile so you can learn more
about those best choices.
-
ACC also has the Continuing Education
Division, which offers courses that do not
-
count for academic credit, but can help
you develop new knowledge and skills.
-
Custom-designed curriculum, coursework,
and valuable industry certifications
-
such as Microsoft certification, certified
nurse's aid, project management
-
certification, and more are
designed to enhance job skills
-
or to explore other interests.
-
Advisors and counselors are available
to help you determine the best path
-
to complete your Associate's
degree and transfer.
-
Start now to research your transfer
schools. You can also attend transfer
-
events and meet university recruiters
here on an ACC campus.
-
Consider whether to
graduate before transferring,
-
or earn the degree after you transfer.
-
ACC offers a university transfer/
core curriculum and choice of
-
Associate's degrees, many designed
specifically for students who want to
-
transfer and apply ACC credits
towards a Bachelor's degree.
-
If you do intend to transfer, you can
meet with your advisor to access
-
these transfer guides, which guarantee
classes that are going to transfer out.
-
Career Services. Our office provides tools
that help you discover your career
-
path and course of study. Bring your
assessment results to your area of study
-
advisor for career advising. You'll get
feedback on your career and major
-
findings, and learn how to connect your
results to an actual degree plan.
-
ACC Career Services offers two options
to our students and alumni searching
-
for jobs and internships. We have job
boards to get started on your job search!
-
Tech tools—Degree Map.
-
An interactive online tool to monitor and
make changes to your academic plans.
-
This program allows you to view degree
details, your profile, explore and compare
-
programs offered at ACC. You can also
access your advising plan and log
-
if you want to review older
advising sessions.
-
The link to view the current and
future semester course listings
-
is located in the top-right corner
of our home page.
-
We offer a variety of teaching
sessions that range from
-
16-week to 12-week to as
little as eight weeks.
-
It's important to understand the
difference between these sessions.
-
Understanding your learning style
will help you determine which
-
teaching session is best for you.
-
A short eight-week session is intense,
but it covers the same amount of material
-
that you would normally cover
in a 16-week session.
-
So you've gotta be very disciplined
and determined to get that done.
-
Classes and waitlists.
-
It's important to understand how
to read the course schedule.
-
On this slide, let's take a look at
arrow number one.
-
It's pointing towards a section
that has three seats available.
-
The information in the brackets
helps understand what this means.
-
The first number, 33, is the number
of currently enrolled students.
-
The next number, 36, is the
number of maximum seats.
-
And then the third number
is the number of people on the waitlist.
-
If you look at arrow number two,
it starts off with a capital C.
-
This indicates that this section is full.
-
That means it's closed for any registration
and there is no waitlist available.
-
The third arrow points to a
section that has one C.
-
What this indicates in the brackets is
that 35 seats out of 36 have been taken,
-
and nobody's on the waitlist.
-
The fourth and final arrow indicates
that there's a capital X.
-
This is an indication that this section
was canceled by the institution,
-
either due to low enrollment or no
faculty available to teach this section.
-
Schedule building. As I mentioned before,
it's important to understand your
-
learning style because this will help
dictate if you're gonna enroll in a
-
16-week session, 12-week session,
or a short, intense 8-week session.
-
Make sure you weigh the pros and cons,
-
especially when it comes
to distance learning.
-
Distance learning sessions mean that
you're teaching yourself to a book
-
and access to a professor via email.
-
When selecting classes, make sure
that you pick those that you can
-
and will attend. If you're not a morning
person, please don't enroll in a class
-
that starts at 8 A.M. in the morning.
-
Balancing your schedule is also
just as important.
-
Please know that we offer classes as
early as 7:30 in the morning,
-
and the last one could potentially
end at 10:20 at night.
-
But we also offer Monday/Wednesdays,
Tuesday/Thursday classes, and then
-
Friday/Saturday-only classes.
-
So understanding those options
will also make a big difference
-
in picking out a schedule
that is well balanced.
-
You should also be aware of any
special notes or instructions
-
about particular course sections.
-
These can be found on the course schedule
right underneath the section itself.
-
Tech tools. Another tool that you can use
to help complete your registration
-
is called Self-Service. This tool allows
you to create course schedules,
-
plan and register for classes, manage
your financial aid, view your grades,
-
track your degree progress, and also
receive notifications about any
-
registration holds that you may have.
-
Almost there!
-
Let's talk about your next steps to getting
registered and starting your classes.
-
Register and pay.
-
Remember, you will use Student
Planning to register.
-
You can use online tutorials, or if you
need help, come in and see an advisor.
-
Tuition and fees can be found on the ACC
website. You have until your tuition
-
deadline to pay your bill in full,
or your classes will be dropped.
-
ACC's payment plan can help if you can't
pay your full tuition by the deadline.
-
You may pay via Online Services,
-
or go to any campus' Cashier's
Office to pay in person.
-
Parking and transportation.
-
Use the online system to order your
parking permits; green car tags, which
-
are for special parking spots designed
for environmentally friendly cars;
-
carpool passes; and/or the green pass,
which is good for CapMetro on both
-
the bus and the train system.
-
You'll be responsible for getting your
own textbooks; however, we will provide
-
a list of the ones you are required to
purchase based on the classes
-
you're signed up for. You can go to your
online services, under "Academic Profile,"
-
and click "My Textbooks." Select the
correct term in the drop-down menu.
-
If you need to, you can contact the
instructional department if your textbook
-
information is not available.
-
Important! It is very important to note
you are not required to purchase your
-
textbooks from the ACC bookstore. You can
search online, or in a used bookstore.
-
You can also rent textbooks
at a much cheaper price.
-
Pay attention to the edition of the book,
as these can vary from one to the next.
-
Also be careful about books
with online components.
-
The previous owner may have used the
access code for your online resources,
-
and you may not be able to access them.
-
Get to class!
-
Always print out your class schedule
through your Online Services.
-
Make sure you know where your
classes are located,
-
what campus, building, and room number;
-
make sure to note when they begin and end
in addition to the session start time;
-
also note whether a class
has been canceled.
-
Congratulations on completing your
area of study information session!
-
You are officially a Riverbat.
-
If you have any questions
following this session,
-
or would like to schedule
an advising appointment,
-
you can access the ACC area of study
advising website at austincc.edu/advising.
-
You can then select
the appropriate advisor
-
based on your area of study
and/or home campus.
-
Gooo Riverbats!