Answers

What is an academic advisor?

Your academic advisor depends on your major.  You may see an advisor listed in My Degree Path next to Advisor and in Starfish Connect under Network (you’ll see his or her picture there too).  If you don’t see an advisor listed there, you can use the Find Your Advisor search tool on Academic Advising’s website.

How do I figure out who my academic advisor is?

Your academic advisor depends on your major.  You may see an advisor listed in My Degree Path next to Advisor and in Starfish Connect under Network (you’ll see his or her picture there too).  If you don’t see an advisor listed there, you can use the Find Your Advisor search tool on Academic Advising’s website.

When should I see my academic advisor?

You can meet with an academic advisor at any time of the year. However, you should meet with your advisor before it’s time to register for classes each semester (about halfway through the semester).  Once registration opens up, advisors are very busy, which could mean there might be a wait to see an advisor.  

How can I meet with my academic advisor?

Academic advisors meet with students through in-person, phone, and video appointments. The best way to schedule an appointment with your advisor is through Starfish Connect.  You can access Starfish under the “Launchpad” in MyCCP.  Scheduling through Starfish allows you to see your advisor’s available office hours and schedule in advance.  Advisors post appointments each Thursday for the following week. You may also call the main campus advising office at 215-751-8777 or stop in to BG-12 to ask about your advisor’s next available appointment.

How do phone and video appointments work?

Academic advisors meet with students through in-person, phone, and video appointments. The best way to schedule an appointment with your advisor is through Starfish Connect.  You can access Starfish under the “Launchpad” in MyCCP.  Scheduling through Starfish allows you to see your advisor’s available office hours and schedule in advance.  Advisors post appointments each Thursday for the following week. You may also call the main campus advising office at 215-751-8777 or stop in to BG-12 to ask about your advisor’s next available appointment. 

Can I email my advisor?

Yes! You can access your advisor’s email address here.  Please make sure to include your first and last name and J number in your email so your advisor can look up your information, and always email from your CCP student account. If you have a complicated question or the advisor thinks it would be best, you may be asked to come in person for an appointment.

How involved are advisors in helping me choose the right courses?

Very involved. Academic advisors at Community College of Philadelphia are committed to helping you complete the requirements for a college degree.  They will offer suggestions on what courses to take, and their recommendations will take into account responsibilities you have in addition to classes. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to register for and complete the courses required for your degree. If your goal is to transfer, make sure you talk to your advisor about your plan and become familiar with the admissions requirements for the four-year institution you’d like to attend.

How long does a typical advising session last?

The length of an advising appointment varies from 20-30 minutes. CCP academic advisors usually allocate 30 minutes per appointment. To ensure that you maximize your time during the advising appointment, plan for what you wish to accomplish during the appointment. We encourage you to write down any questions that you would like to ask beforehand.

I’m on probation.  How do I register for courses? 

Students on probation must register by seeing a counselor in the Counseling Center.  Once you are back in good academic standing, you can come to Academic Advising for help with registration.

Can I change my major?

Yes. Changing your major is a normal part of the college experience.  However, to make sure that you make the right decision, you must contact an academic advisor in the Office of Academic Advising or a counselor in the Counseling Center to change your major. For most majors, advisors can submit an online form to start the process of changing your major.  However, your advisor may recommend that you schedule an appointment to discuss the change.  Meeting with an advisor or counselor is an excellent way to identify strengths and interests and match them with a major.

What is Dual Admissions?  

Dual admissions transfer partnerships allow you to earn your associate degree at Community College of Philadelphia and then get accepted, with junior standing, to a four-year college or university to pursue your bachelor’s degree. Support services and financial assistance, such as advising and scholarships, are included to help you achieve academic success. There is no cost to apply for Dual Admissions, and you may apply for Dual Admissions with multiple schools you are considering transferring to.  In order to apply, you must complete the Dual Admissions Intent Form, which is located in MyCCP -> MyGPS -> Transfer/Dual Admissions -> Submit a Dual Admissions Intent Form.  Be sure to research your options by clicking the “Learn more…” link as well. 

Will a grade of “D” transfer?

A grade of “D” does not usually transfer to another institution. However, a “D” grade will satisfy program requirements in some programs at CCP. It is important to note that a student needs to have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 to graduate.

Will my GPA transfer to another community college or four-year institution?

Your CCP grade point average will not transfer to another institution or vice versa.  Other institutions will give you credit for courses taken that are similar to their courses. However, your GPA will be determined by the courses taken at that college or university.

What is the difference between a full-time course load and part-time course load?

A full-time course load means that you are registered for at least 12 credit hours. In most cases, that equates to four or five classes. A part-time course load is any number of classes that equals less than 12 credit hours. If you aren’t sure how many classes to take, you are welcome to contact an advisor for assistance.

What if I want to transfer to a four-year institution before completing the Associates degree?

It is possible, but not highly recommended.  Research indicates that students who complete an associate degree are more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree program. In addition, having both degrees looks good on your resume and reveals an important quality about you to a potential employer. If your intent is to transfer before earning your associate degree, you should let your academic advisor know so you can develop a transfer plan together. 

What is Canvas?

Canvas is CCP’s learning management system.  It is a place you can access information about a class, turn in assignments, view the class syllabus, retrieve resources, and more. Online courses use Canvas (and sometimes Zoom meetings) instead of face-to-face class meetings.  You can access Canvas by clicking “Canvas LMS” on the Home screen of MyCCP.

What is the College Catalog?

The College Catalog includes specific information about all degrees, certificates, and courses offered by CCP.  It includes important information, entry requirements, and a semester-by-semester grid of courses and prerequisites for each major and certificate program.  When looking at the College Catalog, it’s important that you select the College Catalog that corresponds to your Catalog Year.  You can look up your Catalog Year on your My Degree Path audit near the top of the page.  If you are not a new student, the College Catalog you should use is likely listed under “Archived Catalogs” on the very bottom of the page.

What is My Degree Path?

My Degree Path (MDP) is a degree audit designed to help students stay on the path towards graduation. MDP enables students and advisors to evaluate which degree requirements have been completed and which courses students still need to complete. You can access MDP by logging in to MyCCP, clicking “MyGPS,” and then clicking “My Degree Path.”  When you log in, you will see an audit for your current major.   

What is Starfish?

Starfish is an online early alert system.  It allows faculty to provide updates on the academic performance of students in their classes. The feedback can be seen by students and their advisors. The feedback could indicate that a student has missed several classes or that assignments are overdue (flags). Starfish also allows faculty to provide positive feedback (kudos) to students who are doing well. Advisors use Starfish to email their advisees, schedule advising sessions, and create semester-by-semester academic plans with students.  

What are pre-requisite courses?

A prerequisite course is a course or requirement that must be met in order to take another course. For example, English 101 must be completed before taking English 102. In other words, your permanent academic record (transcript) must show that you have successfully completed English 101 in order for you to take English 102.  However, you do not need to wait to register for the second course.  CCP allows you to register for ENGL 102 while you are taking ENGL 101. 

What is a co-requisite course?

Co-requisite courses are courses that must be taken at the same time.  You must register for these courses at the same time as well.

How do I see if my transfer credits from another college apply to my CCP degree?

First, you must send an official transcript from your previous college directly to CCP, either electronically using an official transcript service or via mail to the address below.  You can also bring in a paper transcript to MG-17, but it must be an official transcript in a sealed (unopened) envelope.  Second, you must complete an online Transcript Evaluation Request form, which you can access by logging into MyCCP, clicking “Student,” then “Electronic Forms,” then “Admissions Forms,” then “Transcript Evaluation Request.” Make sure to note on the form that you intend to obtain a degree and/or certificate at CCP, or else your transfer credits will not be posted.

Community College of Philadelphia
Transfer Credit and Placement Office
Office, MG-17
1700 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130-3991

How do I figure out which books I need for my classes? 

You can find your required textbooks online by typing your J number (student ID number) into the bookstore website. You can order your textbooks through the bookstore or any other store that sells the same items.   

How can I find my course schedule after registering? 

There are multiple places to view your schedule.  You can see your course schedule in the Banner registration system, which you can access by logging in to MyCCP, clicking “Enrollment Services,” then “Search for Courses/Register Online,” then “Register for Classes,” then selecting the semester.  You can also see your schedule by logging into MyCCP, clicking “Enrollment Services,” and then clicking “Enrollment Profile.” This link also shows you how to check your schedule.

How do I check my final grades? 

You can access your final grades by logging into MyCCP, clicking the "Student" tab, "Enrollment Services," "Student Academic Records," and then "View Final Grades."  

How many credits can I take per semester?

If you are a current student in good academic standing, you can register for up to 18 credits in the fall or spring, up to 8 credits in a summer session (early summer or late summer), and up to 4 credits in the winter term without any special approval.  If you wish to enroll in more than eighteen (18) credit hours in a regular semester, more than eight (8) credit hours in a summer session, or more than four (4) credits in the winter term, you must submit a request online.  Log into MyCCP, click “Student,” then “Records and Registration Forms,” and then “Credit Overload” and fill out the form.

If you are a guest student or non-matriculating student, you should submit your overload request by logging in to MyCCP, clicking “Student,” then “Admissions Forms,” and then “Guest/Visiting Student” form.

When and how do I apply for graduation?

You should apply for graduation as soon as you are registered for the last courses you need to complete your degree or certificate.  To apply, you log into MyCCP, click “Student,” click on “Graduation,” click on “Apply for Graduation” and follow the required steps.