Frequently Asked Questions
Yes and No. During busy registration periods, it’s best to make an appointment to discuss your schedule or academic issues. Advisors offer appointment slots through Starfish during business hours, allowing you to choose a time that fits your schedule. You have a choice of in-person, over the phone, or through Google Meet for your Advising appointment.
On Walk-in Wednesdays, students can visit the advising office or check in virtually without an appointment, but longer wait times may occur. You might be asked to return later, wait for your advisor, or email them for the best time to meet. If your assigned advisor isn’t available, other advisors can help.
New students must schedule an appointment with their assigned advisor. During non-registration periods, walk-ins are allowed, but availability may vary.
Very involved. Davidson-Davie advisors are dedicated to helping you fulfill the requirements for a college degree, diploma, or certificate. They will provide guidance on which courses to take and the order in which to take them, considering your personal responsibilities, desired course load, prerequisites, and the difficulty of courses. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are registered for and complete the necessary courses for their degree. If transferring to a four-year college is the goal, students should research the specific college they wish to attend and familiarize themselves with its admission requirements.
Yes. Changing your major is a common part of the college experience. To ensure you make an informed decision, it’s important to speak with your advisor or a career counselor in Career Development Services. Meeting with a career counselor is a great way to identify your strengths and interests and align them with a suitable major. At Davidson-Davie, career counselors are available in the Advising Center on the second floor of the Mendenhall Building.
If you decide to change your major, your academic advisor or Career Services will submit a Change of Major form on your behalf. Please note that majors cannot be changed during the semester; any change will take effect in the following semester.
The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement for North Carolina is a statewide agreement that governs the transfer of college credits from community colleges to the state’s public universities.
Davidson-Dave has an agreement with many four-year colleges. Check out our Transfer page for more information and a list of our University Partnerships.
Your grade point average (GPA) from Davidson-Davie will not transfer to another institution, and the GPA from other institutions will not transfer to Davidson-Davie. While other colleges will give you credit for courses taken that are similar to their own courses, your GPA will be calculated solely based on the courses you take at that college or university. Depending on your four-year major, not all credits may transfer as major credits; some may transfer as elective credits. This will depend on the policies of both Davidson-Davie and the four-year college you attend.
A full-time course load is defined as being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for Fall and Spring semesters, which typically corresponds to four or five classes. Each semester is divided into two eight-week sessions, allowing a student to take two classes during each session. Conversely, a part-time course load consists of fewer than 12 credit hours per semester. If a student enrolls in 20 or more credits in a single semester, this is considered a course overload, and approval from the Division Chair or Dean will be required.
The summer semester is different from the Fall or Spring. It lasts only eight weeks, so two or three courses are sufficient for most students.
Davidson-Davie students are required to obtain advisor approval for their proposed class schedules. The advisor’s role is to ensure that students are making progress toward completing their degree requirements. To register for classes, students use the Student Planning Tool, which is accessible through StormTrac. Once a schedule is approved, students can log into StormTrac and register for classes on or after the date their advisor confirms they are eligible to register. Advisors understand that not all students are immediately comfortable using StormTrac, and we are here to help.
For new students, as well as those who are on academic warning, probation, or suspension, it is mandatory to meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes.
It is possible, but not highly recommended. Research indicates that students who complete an associate’s degree are more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree program. Courses beyond 30 credit hours should align with the transfer course list for the intended institution. If the intent is to transfer before completing the 30-credit-hour minimum, students should contact the Admissions Office at the intended institution to determine their admissions requirements.
AAS – Associate of Applied Science is a two-year technical degree designed for immediate entry into the workforce, focusing on practical, hands-on skills for a specific career like nursing or web development. If you aim to enter the workforce quickly in a specific technical field, an AAS degree might be the best fit. Some AAS programs are Programs with Special Criteria (PWSC), meaning they will only accept a certain number of students each year. Students start as pre-program students until selected, which could take more than two years to complete.
AA – An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two-year program focused on liberal arts and general education, typically offered at community colleges. It equips students with critical thinking and communication skills, making it ideal for those undecided on a major or planning to transfer to a four-year university, especially in fields like education or social sciences.
AS – Associate of Science (AS) degree is a two-year undergraduate degree, typically completed at a community college, that provides a strong academic foundation in natural sciences, formal sciences, or applied sciences. It serves as a stepping stone for students aiming to transfer to a four-year bachelor’s degree program or to enter certain career fields directly after graduation.
The mascot name for Davidson-Davie is the “Storm.” Thus, StormTrac is the name Davidson-Davie uses for this internet tool that allows you to view important information related to academic success, student forms, financial aid information, and Student Planning. You can also access your Davidson-Davie email account through StormTrac.
Moodle is an online tool known as a Learning Management System (LMS) that instructors use to manage their courses. It supports both fully online courses and hybrid formats, where part of the course is taught online and part is conducted in person. It is essential to become familiar with Moodle, as this is the platform where students complete their class assignments. You can find a tutorial on how to use Moodle on its homepage. Accessing Moodle is possible through StormTrac.
Yes. The College utilizes an early alert system known as Starfish. Faculty members provide updates on the academic performance of students in their classes three times each semester. A copy of this feedback is sent to both the students and their advisors. The feedback may indicate issues such as a student missing several classes or having overdue assignments. Additionally, Starfish enables the faculty to offer positive feedback (referred to as “kudos”) to students who are performing well.
Advisors use Starfish to email their advisees, schedule advising appointments, document academic success plans for students who are on academic alert, probation, or suspension, and refer students to other necessary resources.
Depending on a student’s initial qualifications, such as their test scores, they may be required to take pre-curriculum courses designed to improve their skills before enrolling in courses that count towards graduation. Pre-curriculum credits can come from a student’s high school GPA, credits earned at another college, or by taking an assessment.
These pre-curriculum courses focus on essential subjects, including math, reading, and writing. Basic transition classes are available at no cost and can help students gain pre-curriculum credits. Students must complete these pre-curriculum courses successfully before they can register for curriculum courses.
A pre-requisite course is a requirement that must be fulfilled before you can register for another course. For instance, you must complete ENG 111 before enrolling in ENG 112. In other words, your official academic record (transcript) must indicate that you have completed ENG 111 successfully before you are allowed to take ENG 112. If you drop a prerequisite class, your advisor will also drop the corresponding class that requires it.
Students may begin as pre-program candidates for Programs with Special Criteria (PWSC). This designation means that only a limited number of students will be accepted each year. This is a great opportunity to complete any general courses required for the program.
A co-requisite course is a class that must be taken at the same time as another course, or in some cases, before it, to provide complementary learning experiences or support for a more advanced class. A separate lab for a course would be considered a co-requisite.
