Think of career development as a journey that you will be taking throughout your life. It is an on-going process of questioning what you want to be and what you want to accomplish.

For the first few semesters of college, there is nothing wrong with being unsure about what direction your journey will take. The difference between the student who has success in the job market and the one who has a great deal of difficulty is often due to the amount of preparation and planning which the students have devoted to their future careers while in college.

Academic and career planning are important to your journey. By taking advantage of Clarion’s many resources connected with these processes, you can travel more smoothly through the college experience. Discovering your talents and interests, exploring your educational and career options, focusing on a major or career field, determining needed courses and competencies, setting goals, and mapping out steps to progress toward those goals.

One of the most important benefits from academic and career planning is the realization that you can determine your own future. Proper planning gives you options and choices, provides direction for your efforts, reduces frustrations, and develops the ability to take advantage of opportunities as they become available.

The University Advising Services Center and Career Services offer the "ACES" program to get you started. The binder is both a guidebook and a workbook. It offers information to help you proceed through college and provides opportunities to review and reflect on your experiences.

Throughout the next few years, we hope your "ACES" binder will become a valuable tool in planning your education and career and will serve as a record of your university experiences.

Best wishes for a successful experience at Clarion!

Here is some very basic information about Financial Aid. For information on your account, go to Web for Students. In order to continue receiving financial aid following initial enrollment at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, students must meet certain conditions each year:

ACADEMIC LOAD: A typical course load for a full-time student consists of four of five courses. Twelve semester hours per semester represents a minimum full-time load.

ACADEMIC PROBATION: Full time students falling below the 2.00 standard in either the semester or cumulative average will be placed on academic probation effective the next semester of attendance. Students on academic probation may not attempt more than 15 credit hours per semester. The best way to be removed from academic probation is to repeat courses with a grade of D or E and get a higher grade in these courses. (Repeat courses do not count towards academic progress for financial aid.)

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION: Sophomore, junior, and senior students with a cumulative average lower than 2.00 who fail to achieve at least a 2.00 semester average while on probation will be suspended. Second semester freshmen on probation who fail to achieve at least a 1.75 cumulative or a 2.00 semester average will be suspended.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT: Students may earn credits and advanced standing through the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Departmental Proficiency Exams, or Credit for Life Experience. Refer to the catalog for specifics.

APPEALS, ETC.: Academic complaints and disagreements between students and faculty on student rights may be dealt with in the following manner: The student may first explain the problem either to the appropriate departmental chair or college dean. The student is entitled to a private conference with the administrator and to a conference involving both the administrator and faculty member. Please see the Student Rights, Regulations, and Procedures Handbook for further clarification.

ATTENDANCE: Clarion University regards student participation in class as essential to the learning process. Therefore, regular class attendance is required for all students. Faculty members determine the absence policies for their own classes, except that participation in university sanctioned activities will be excused and the student will be given reasonable assistance when class work is missed.

CATALOG: The Undergraduate Catalog represents an agreement between students and the university. Students are responsible for the degree requirements in place at the time of admission to the program or the requirements in effect at the time of readmission after an absence of more than one year. If a student elects to graduate under the provisions of a subsequent catalog, approval by the appropriate department chair and the development of a detailed program of study is required. This document acts as the final authority when policy decisions are in question.

CLASS STANDING: Undergraduates are classified as the following:

Class Standing # of Credits

Freshman 0-30

Sophomore 31-60

Junior 61-90

Senior 91-120+

COURSE AUDITING: With permission of the instructor, interested persons may audit courses if there is space available in the course from the first day of class and up until the end of the drop/add period. Students must register for the course and declare the option to audit, in writing, at the Office of the Registrar.

COURSE LOAD: Students may take up to 18 credits during the fall and spring semesters. Students wishing to take in excess of the maximum number of credits must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better and obtain written approval from the appropriate dean in order to register. Students are required to pay for each credit over 18.

COURSE NUMBERING: Courses numbered 100 to 299 inclusive are typically for freshman & sophomores, while courses numbered 300 to 499 are recommended for juniors and seniors. Some courses numbered between 400 and 499 are acceptable for graduate credit. Courses numbered above 500 carry graduate credit.

CREDIT BY EXAM: Proficiency exams are offered in a number of courses normally taken during the first two years. A satisfactory score on an examination affords student credit for the course in question. Students are required to have a 2.5 QPA and there is a 38-credit maximum.

CREDIT-NO-RECORD: After students have earned a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit and are in good academic standing, they may schedule a maximum of six courses or 18 semester hours for credit-no-record. One such course may be taken each semester or summer session. Satisfactory work (defined as a "C" or better) in a credit-no-record course shall be shown on the grade report. The option for taking a course credit-no-record is limited to the first five weeks of each semester and the first five days of any five-week summer session. Please note that credit-no-record is not permissible in the major or minor areas of study and the form requires the advisor's signature.

DEAN'S LIST: Students who take at least 12 credit hours in a semester and earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher for the courses attempted that semester merit placement on the Dean's List.

DEGREE AUDIT: This is a computerized record of a student's remaining academic requirements and how credits already completed have been allocated in the degree program. The student can read his or her degree audit on Web for Students.

DROP/ADD: Process for which a student may drop and/or add classes during the first week of classes - begins second day of class and ends at 9:00 p.m. (Tel Reg) the fourth day of class. Classes which a student drops during the period of drop/add will not appear on his or her record.

DOUBLE MAJOR: Students may graduate with a major in two or more programs leading to the same bachelor's degree by completing departmental requirements for each field. Approval by the appropriate department chairs of detailed programs of study for both majors is required.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: This 48-credit requirement is universal for all majors. Requirements include the following flags: one first-year Values, one second Values, one Quantitative, two Writing Intensive. These may be taken in the major, general education and/or electives.

HOLDS ON STUDENT RECORDS: The university may put a hold on your records for various reasons (i.e. academic, financial, disciplinary, etc.). This hold will restrict you from any registration activities including dropping and adding courses. At any time, you may all 393-2680 and select the appropriate option from the menu to check for active holds on your record.

HONORS PROGRAM: An academic opportunity for students whose intellectual and creative interests and abilities extend beyond conventional university offerings. Any student may apply for admission to the program. Honors graduates receive special recognition at commencement ceremonies and their transcripts indicate Honors Program completion.

INCOMPLETE GRADE: A temporary grade given students who are unable to complete all course work on schedule. It is used only when conditions and circumstances warrant and when evidence is presented to justify its being given. All requirements must be completed by the end of the next semester or as per the instructor's arrangement or the incomplete converts to a failing grade.

INDEPENDENT STUDY: Provides the opportunity to a student for a unique academic experience otherwise not available through regular curricular offerings. A project description must be composed by the student and submitted along with the petition form.

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION: Allows a student to take an unscheduled course required for completion of a program of study.

MINORS: Students may elect minor programs in addition to their major field of study. Minors require no fewer than 18 hours and no more than 30 hours of study. Courses toward the minor can be counted in the major, general education, and/or electives.

PERSONAL DATA FORM (PDF): This form must be updated on web for students by registration day each semester to avoid a hold being placed on the student account.

QPA: The average of all the earned grades attempted at the university. The quality point average is computed by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of quality hours. Work completed at other institutions is not included in the quality point average.

QUANTITATIVE REASONING FLAG: Students need to fulfill a Quantitative Reasoning requirement, which refers to a wide range of learning about data, quantitative expression, evidence and assertions, and quantitative intuition. The Quantitative Reasoning flag can be taken in general education, the major, or electives.

REGISTRATION: The Schedule of Classes, distributed before early registration, contains instructions for telephone or web registration, schedule adjustment, payment of tuition, general education requirements, and other pertinent information. Students are advised to schedule classes during the period of early registration.

REPEAT GRADE POLICY: Students shall be permitted to repeat any and all courses as often as they choose; however, once they have graduated from the university, a course cannot be repeated for the purpose of improving one's cumulative quality-point average (QPA). The latest repeat grade shall be the counting grade in the QPA prior to graduation. Clarion courses cannot be repeated at another institution.

STUDY ABROAD: Clarion University is committed to providing a variety of study abroad and exchange programs for American students. Exchange agreements offer Clarion students the opportunity to pay tuition to Clarion, but attend any of over 100 universities. For additional information, contact the Office of International Programs.

TRANSCRIPT: An official copy of students' academic records. Transcripts are available through the Office of the Registrar and can be ordered through the Office of the Registrar’s website, in writing, or in person.

TRANSFER POLICY: Students may transfer credits from regionally and/or nationally recognized, accredited institutions. The initial evaluation of the transcripts takes place in the Admissions Office. Student will be informed which transferred courses will be accepted by the university. The college dean will determine where the accepted course(s) will be placed on the degree requirements.

VALUES FLAG: Students must take two values flagged courses: a first-year values flag, which promotes reflection on personal values, interpersonal values, and societal values; and a second values flag (generally in the major) which encourages exploration in human values, applied values, or ethics in a particular context.

WEB FOR STUDENTS: On the web, students can check the schedule of classes, financial aid information, etc. Students can also sign in with their username and PIN to schedule classes, check their financial records with the university, find out their grades at the end of the semester, get an upgraded degree audit, etc. (See instructions for Web for Students later in this section.)

WEB REGISTRATION: Students may schedule classes using the web (see web for student above). The instructions are user friendly.

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSE: As of the fall 1999 semester, new undergraduate students are permitted five individual course withdrawals. All class withdrawals must be made through the Office of the Registrar. Course withdrawals between the end of the second and ninth weeks may be made without financial penalty; however, a "W" will appear on the student transcript. Students are advised to check what impact withdrawing from a class may have on the completion of degree requirements as well as eligibility for financial aid, athletics, health insurance coverage/benefits, veterans benefits, scholarships and other areas. The withdrawal form must have the advisor's signature before it is submitted to the Registrar's Office.

WRITING INTENSIVE FLAG: Students must take two writing intensive flagged courses. These courses can be taken in the major, general education and/or electives. In these courses students engage in higher order reasoning and communication in specific disciplines.

The Change of Status Form is a very useful form. It should be used to change your major, add a minor or to request a different academic advisor.

● Fill out the form and take it to the dean of your new minor.

Consult the Dictionary of Academic Information for a full description of Credit-No Record. For specific information regarding the current semester, visit the Registrar's link to Credit-No Record.

During the first week of each semester, the university has a period of Drop/Add. At this time, you can drop or add classes on your schedule by using Web for Students or going to the dean’s office. If you would like to change your schedule during Drop/Add:

Keep in mind that students are adding and dropping classes throughout the entire period of Drop/ Add. If the course you want is not available, keep checking the Web’s schedule of classes regularly.

For specific information regarding the current semester, visit the Registrar's link to Drop/Add.

Sometimes the course you’ve been anxiously waiting to schedule is closed. Are you simply out of luck? Not necessarily. Sometimes, if you can demonstrate to the instructor that it is vitally important you take the course next semester, he or she may find an extra seat for you. To get permission to enter a closed section, do the following:

For specific information regarding the current semester, visit the Registrar's link to Drop/Add.

At some point in your college experience, you may find it necessary to withdraw from a class. Before you make the decision to withdraw, it is important that you consider the following:

For specific information regarding the current semester, visit the Registrar's link to class withdrawals

All currently enrolled and readmitted students are to schedule classes during the period of registration using Web for Students. The following list of activities should be completed well in advance of actually scheduling classes to make certain the process goes smoothly:

There are many people and processes that can help you plan your college journey. One of the key resources is a positive relationship with your academic advisor. Your academic advisor is a faculty member from the department of your major, or if you are undecided, your advisor is a faculty member who has volunteered to work with undecided students through University Advising Services Center. You may have more than one advisor if you have a double major, declare a minor, or take part in a special program.

Another important element for your journey is a clear understanding of both the general education requirements and the requirements of your major. It is important that you know how to choose appropriate courses and plan for possible minors. Ultimately, it is your decision as to what courses you take and how you prepare for courses. Your advisor can help, but the final decision is yours to make.

Finally, it is important that you understand how to keep track of your grades. Tracking your grades in your courses will enable you to always know where you stand in a particular course and also enable you to predict what you need to achieve to obtain the grade you desire. In many cases you need to be able to figure out your QPA (quality point average) for your major courses. The following pages will help you to understand that process.

The General Education Program is a selection of course requirements designed to provide a well-rounded educational experience. Courses in your major are specialized to provide knowledge in an academic discipline and in a career area. The General Education Program gives you an opportunity to explore a variety of subjects that can serve as a basis for your specialized area of study as well as for your life in the university and community.

The general education requirements are divided into the following four sections:

Skills Courses in writing, mathematics, and communication. Twelve credit hours to include:

Liberal Knowledge - About society, individuals, culture, and environment. Twenty-seven credit hours distributed among three categories:

9 credits from physical and biological science

9 credits from social and behavioral science courses, and

9 credits from arts and humanities courses.

At least two disciplines must be represented within each of the three categories.

Health and Personal Performance - With focus on wellness, creative activities and use of leisure time. Three credit hours to include:

General Education Electives - For further exploration of areas of interest and continued broadening of your studies.

Additional credits to equal a total 48 credits of general education curriculum.

Some courses have "flags" or are specially designated to fulfill specific requirements. Some of these classes are in the general education program and others are in your major. The five required flags are:

It is important to know what an advisor is and how an advisor may be of assistance to you. Here are some questions and answers that will help you to make the most out of your relationship with your academic advisor.

When you plan your schedule for the next semester you will need some tools – and answers to important questions -- to help you along the way. Make an appointment with your advisor before the time you are to schedule and review your planned schedule of classes. The more prepared you are for this advising session, the more you will benefit from your advisor’s advice.

Academic Advisor

*helps plan future semesters and assists you in meeting your goals

*helps you chart your progress

* helps you personalize your options

Semester Schedule

* lists when and what classes are offered

* contains important dates and deadlines

* lists all of the courses that count toward general education

*explains the telephone registration procedure

Course Catalog

*contains a description of courses and prerequisites

On Course Audit

* printout of your current academic status including courses you have taken and what areas still need to be filled

*available from your advisor, Web for Students, and UASC

Major Requirement Form

*checksheet that lists all of the requirements in your major

*available from department and advisor

Minor Requirement Form

*lists the requirements for your minor

*available from department and minor advisor

Registrar’s Web Site *http://www.clarion.edu/registrar/index.shtml

● Tutoring Services

● Course Offerings:

○ AE 100 College Reading and Study Skills

○ AE 110 The Student in the University

○ AE 260 Career Exploration and Decision Making

● TRiO – Student Support Services

● EOP/ACT 101

● Disability Services

Many students underestimate the number of hours they need to study. For every hour in class you may need to study two hours outside of the class. Use the formula below.

Total semester credit hours _____ x 2 = study time

Credit Hours ______

+ Study Time _____

= Academic Commitment per week _____

Academic commitment per week _____

Employment hours per week + _____

Social/Recreation hours per week + _____

TOTAL (Is this realistic for you?) = _____

Total semester credit hours 16 x 2 = study time

Credit Hours 16 + Study Time 32 = Academic Commitment per week 48_

Academic commitment per week 48

Employment hours per week + 10

Social/Recreation hours per week + 10

= 68 TOTAL

Academic educational planning is one of the most valuable components of the advisement process. By breaking up the degree requirements into a sequence of semester blocks, you can better visualize your progress toward degree completion. As a result of careful planning, you may be able to save money and avoid getting stuck in the "five year plan."

This Educational Planner is provided as a tool for you to work with your advisor. It can be used to assist with the planning process for future semesters, e.g., to keep track of course availability, course sequences, course prerequisites and other specific information about the course.

It is important to keep track of your grades and progress in each course. If you do so your-self, you will rarely need to ask your professors how you are doing in your classes. The best way to keep track of your grades is to create a grade tally sheet for each course. Record your points earned ("my score" on the chart below) for each assignment beside the possible score, then divide (my score/possible score) to see what percentage you have earned for each of the assignments. The percentage you have earned for each assignment will let you know your letter grade for that assignment alone.

To find out your current letter grade at any given point in the semester, add up the total points you have earned and the total points possible only for those grades you have received so far. Then, divide your total earned points by the possible points to get your grade at that time.* This will help you keep track of your progress throughout the semester, and allow you to see how much you have to work to earn the grade you desire.

To find out your total semester score, add up all of the points you have earned. Next, you will divide your total points by the possible points for all assignments. Therefore, your grade can be calculated as: 762/880 = 86%. Your final grade in this course is a "B" on a scale of 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70=79=C, etc. Check with your instructor to determine the ranges for each grade.

Each course is assigned a number of credit hours roughly approximate to the amount of class-room contact time (e.g., a 3 credit course generally meets three hours per week). Each grade, from A-E, also has points assigned (e.g., A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, E=0). For each semester of courses taken by a student, there will be credits, quality points, and a quality point average. To calculate these, multiply each course's credits by its grade's quality points. Total each and divide the quality points by the credits. For example:

33 points divided by 10 credits = 3.3 semester QPA

In addition to the semester average, each student will receive a cumulative average for all semesters taken. For example, if the student had a 3.3 described above in his/her first semester, and then took a second semester, the grades would look as follows:

17 points divided by 9 credits = 1.89 QPA

The cumulative average (CQPA) would be calculated as below:

50 points divided by 19 credits = 2.63 CQPA

Career Planning Guide