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Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) that you might have as a student here at College of DuPage. We have created the following list to help you in answering these questions. If your question isn't listed below, you can ask a question directly.• How do I schedule an appointment with a counselor at C.O.D.?
• What is a degree audit and how do I complete one?
• Does C.O.D. offer courses other than a normal 16-week session?
• I have a learning disability. How do I access services at C.O.D.?
• What is a pre-requisite check?
• I am a new student, what do I need to do?
• What are the placement tests?
• Can I prepare for the placement tests?
• How do I transfer credits from another school?
• What are credit hours?
• How can a class count as credit and meet a degree requirement? Does it count twice?
• How many credits are needed for an A.A. or A.S. degree?
• What are IAI general education requirements?
• What is a faculty advisor and what do they do?
• How can I determine what career is best for me?
• Are there classes I can take for self-help or personal assessment?
• Where can I find information about careers?
• Does C.O.D. have a withdrawal policy?
• Is there something called excessive withdrawal?
• I am a probationary student and I want to return to C.O.D. What do I need to do?
• What can I do if I am placed on academic probation or have been dropped for low scholarship and can’t register?
• How do I attend a group session?
• I’ve moved. How can I report an address change?
• How do I get my student e-mail address?
• What is my PIN (Personal Identification Number)?
• When/How can I drop a class?
• Will I get a tuition refund if I drop a class?
• Will my tuition refund be credited to my credit card?
• Where are classes located?
• What is the difference between ‘counseling’ and ‘advising’ services?
• How can I receive assistance from a general adviser, counselor or faculty adviser?
• I have a Reading Hold. How do I get a permit to register?
• What classes should I register for next term?
• How do I know if I am close to graduating?
• I have not attended school for 20 years, where do I start?How do I schedule an appointment with a counselor at C.O.D.?
You can arrange an appointment with a counselor at any of these locations. You can call each location or walk in on campus in Glen Ellyn and ask to make an appointment with a counselor. The off-campus locations can be scheduled from Glen Ellyn as well.
You can call:
Glen Ellyn (630) 942-2259
Naperville (630) 942-4700
Westmont (630) 942-4800
Addison (630) 942-4600
Carol Stream (630) 942-4888
Bloomingdale (630) 942-4900What is a degree audit and how do I complete one?
You can run a degree audit online with personal information by going to the C.O.D. website www.cod.edu, click on Records, select run degree audit online, fill in your ID and PIN, click submit, indicate the type of degree, then refresh. Wait about 45 seconds or so, then click refresh again. Select DETAILS and then click on Expand list. It will produce a report showing you what credits you have earned/attempted at C.O.D., any transfer credits you have already had evaluated and clearly indicate what you have left to take and what to select from.
If you don’t know your PIN, you may obtain your PIN by calling Touch-tone Registration at (630) 942-3555, press 3 for ALL PIN options. If you are a NEW student, you have been assigned a random PIN (Personal Identification Number). If you need to know your PIN, call (630) 942-3555, press “3” during regular business hours. If you are a returning student and your PIN is 0000, press “3” to select a new PIN. If you know your PIN, you may change it by calling (630) 942-3555, press “3”.
Does C.O.D. offer courses other than a normal 16-week session?
The 12-week sequences begin on the fifth week of the term. The eight-week sequence begins the first week and the ninth week of the term. You can view how many students are enrolled; determine if the class is full; who is teaching and the registration code. Where the class name appears, you can click and read a course description as well.
You will need to go to:
www.cod.edu
select classes (top tool bar)
select search for classes now (top left)
(choose) semester, general search (center)
Select Session button, and identify 12-week
or second eight-week)
This will produce a list of classes.You want to pay attention to the following:
Registration code (what you use to register for the actual class)
Description ~ describes the course content by clicking on the course
Actual start date
Location
Whether the class is full or still shows enrollment (the word FULL shows up when it's at capacity)Most of the 12-week late start classes are at off-campus locations.
Many of the eight-week courses are on campus in Glen Ellyn.If you want to register for a class, contact registration.
I have a learning disability. How do I access services at C.O.D.?
College of DuPage provides Section 504 and ADA appropriate academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Generally, students must provide recent documentation that is no more than three years old. For learning disabilities, per the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) guidelines, students should provide recent results of an IQ assessment (Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Standford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and achievement test results (Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery, Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests, Stanford Test of Academic Skills, Scholastic Abilities Test for Adults).
Other forms of diagnostic measures for a learning disability may also be acceptable. Please contact Special Student Services at (630) 942-2306 for more information.What is a pre-requisite check?
You will need to provide transcripts to our Records office to document the pre-requisites you have already completed at other institutions. You may bring your copy and they will over-ride the restriction to allow you to register provided all pre-requisites are met. They will also need an official copy of your transcripts for their file. If you have a sealed copy, do not open it. Bring it in and that may be used.
Call the Graduation Department in Records at (630) 942-2261 for further assistance.
Records Department info on Prerequisites
I am a new student, what do I need to do?
Here are some practical steps you should take:
• Complete an admission form to C.O.D. to be a student here. You can do this online at http://www.cod.edu/AdRegRec/Admiss/apply.htm (or a paper form is available as well).
• There are some Placement Tests students need to take. Consult an advisor or counselor to determine which one(s) are appropriate for you.
• Admissions will be in contact with you regarding the class registration process.
After you have filled out the admission form, you can take your placement tests.See Assesment and Testing for dates/times of testing and location.
Writing: All students need to take the English placement test for writing if they intend on enrolling in English 1101.
Reading: Students who have taken the SAT or ACT with scores of 500 verbal (SAT) or 20 composite (ACT) or the TOEFL with a score of 550 or higher can have the Reading placement test waived. All other students should take this placement test.
Math: The third placement test is for math. This should be taken during the term prior to taking a math class, depending on your field.After you have taken the Reading and/or Writing placement tests, you should see an advisor in SRC 2044 on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. Counselors are available by appointment.
See Assesment and Testing for dates/times of testing and location.
Can I prepare for the placement tests?
Placement Test Skills sites:
You may want to review math before taking the placement test again, as you may only take it twice in a 12-month period and the most recent score counts.
In Counseling, we provide two web sites that students use to review math. These sites will not teach you something you don't already know, but will help you recall material you had learned previously.
Pre-course Testing Assistance:
www.act.org/compass/sample
Placement tests, then practice/skills, then sample test sites
www.cod.edu/library
Select article databases, then reference, then college, and then select Learning Express Library. You can sign in for free. Select skills improvement or math.
For this one you need to be on a C.O.D. computer in a lab or the library or have a C.O.D. library card if you are logging on from home.How do I transfer credits from another school?
Incoming transcripts (official and sealed) need to be sent to our Records office:
C.O.D. — Records
425 Fawell Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137You also need to complete a request for transcript evaluation. This form can be found at: Records Office
Transcripts are evaluated for existing C.O.D. students. If you have not taken courses at C.O.D., you would need to be enrolled in a class prior to the evaluation.
Students educated outside the United States need an international evaluation of their coursework. Visit www.ece.org for details on a course by course evaluation.
Credit hours reflect the number of hours per week a class meets. You accumulate credit hours toward a degree or certificate. However, in courses which include lab time, 2 lab hours equal 1 lecture hour in most cases. Lab hours reflect time in “hands-on activity.”
How can a class count as credit and meet a degree requirement? Does it count twice?
A class can count once toward the accumulation of credits for degree or certificate, but in some instances (i.e. Anthropology) it may meet a degree requirement as well as count toward credit hours. It only counts as three credits once, but it can do other things, for example meet the degree requirement of Human Relations or Multicultural/Global Studies (the inside right side of the Student Planning Worksheet, page 3). Consider the right side of that to be a yes/no question, not a "counting credits" column. Essentially, we are asking, “among all the credits you completed for the degree, did you have one from each of those three categories.” The answer needs to be yes. So a class counts once toward credit hours, but could also answer the question above one or two times depending on the category and the class (for example: Anthropology 1100, 1105 or 1130).
How many credits are needed for an A.A. or A.S. degree?
An Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree requires 64 credit hours, distributed among the general education core curriculum (left inside page of Student Planning Worksheet, page 2) and elective credits of your choosing. These are usually determined by your major, your school of choice to transfer and/or your personal interest.
You may elect to complete the degree (there are advantages) or to complete only the general education core curriculum (also known as the Illinois Articulation Initiative Core (IAI)) which makes transfer of the general education credits smoother as a group/unit.
What are IAI general education requirements?
The IAI distribution requires the completion of a group of courses as indicated on the left side of the Student Planning Worksheet, Communication, Sciences, Math, Humanities/Fine Arts, and Social Behavioral Sciences. There is a specific number of credits needed in each category, and selected courses to choose from.
What is a faculty advisor and what do they do?
You may want to meet with a faculty advisor in your field of study to confirm what courses would be the best choices for your remaining credits. For example, if you were "majoring" in History, it would be a good idea to meet with a History faculty member. Do you have a declared major? You can determine who to see at our web site.
Select Academics
Select from the drop down list the correct major
Select the "GO" button for that major. There will be a list of faculty advisors for that major. Select one, and call to set up an appointment.How can I determine what career is best for me?
College of DuPage Counseling Services can provide interest inventory testing (using the Strong Interest Inventory as an example) and personality preference evaluations (using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator). You would need to meet with a counselor to discuss your needs and determine what testing might be beneficial. You can arrange an appointment with a counselor at any of these locations. You can call the individual location or walk in on campus in Glen Ellyn and ask to make an appointment with a counselor. The off-campus locations can be scheduled from Glen Ellyn as well.You can call:
Glen Ellyn (630) 942-2259
Naperville (630) 942-4700
Westmont (630) 942-4800
Addison (630) 942-4600
Carol Stream (630) 942-4888
Bloomingdale (630) 942-4900Once you have met with a counselor, the testing process would be completed, and then a follow-up appointment is made to review the results. You would need to meet with a counselor to receive the results.
You can call the location that is most convenient to your needs, set up an appointment and meet with a counselor for career testing. At the off-campus locations, it is frequently possible to actually take the tests the same day you have your appointment or set up another time to come back to take them. At Glen Ellyn, the testing is done with a "testing slip" obtained from your meeting with the counselor and through the Assessment and Testing Lab in the Berg Instructional Center (IC). The turnaround time is usually 2-3 weeks from having taken the testing.
There is group testing for the Strong Interest Inventory. Look under Counseling.
There is a separate group testing for the Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory. Look under Counseling.Are there classes I can take for self-help or personal assessment?
Counseling — Career Direction
Looking for Career Direction? Take the Strong Interest Inventory via computer to measure your likes and dislikes, and compare your results with people employed in various occupations. C.O.D. counselors provide immediate feedback and explore areas of personal and career interest.Education/Personal Development courses – look under Counseling.
Education 1105 — Career Development
If you are undecided or confused about what career to choose, how to make a sound career choice, unaware of what careers are available for your consideration, or interested in developing a career plan, or even considering making a career change, you may be interested in enrolling in Education 1105, Career Development. This two-semester hour course is designed to help you with those career issues in an organized and reflective manner. This class satisfies both the Human Relations and Contemporary Life Skills curriculum requirements.
More information
Education 1110 — Interpersonal Skills for Life and Work
Have you ever wondered how you could add richness to your interpersonal connections with friends, family, co-workers, etc.? Education 1110, Interpersonal Communications for Life and Work offers opportunity to gain understanding and develop skills in various aspects of how we communicate with other people. Some of the topics covered include giving feedback, self-disclosure, expressing feelings/emotions, confrontation, gender differences, multicultural differences, etc. This class satisfies both the Human Relations and Contemporary Life Skills curriculum requirements. Furthermore, it most often transfers to a four-year school as a general elective.
More informationEducation 1115 — College Success Strategies
Are you concerned about your ability to be successful in college? Here are a few items from the content of Education 1115. You’ll learn: preparation for note-taking, test-taking preparation, testing strategies, time management, goal setting, campus resources and how to be a successful student.
More informationWhere can I find information about careers?
You can access information at the College of DuPage Library in Glen Ellyn, located on the north side of the Student Resource Center (SRC). On the second floor of the library is a section called the CCIC (College, Career Information Center) and a librarian is assigned there to assist you.
Does C.O.D. have a withdrawal policy?
Yes. Currently, students may withdraw from a class prior to mid-term without instructor permission. After mid-term, a student would need an instructor’s written permission to withdraw from a class.
Is there something called excessive withdrawal?
Excessive withdrawal is a situation where a student has withdrawn from eight or more classes while at C.O.D., and a hold has been placed on their ability to register until they have met with a counselor to discuss their specific situation. A hold will continue to be placed on the student’s registration ability for every two withdrawals. They will continue to need to meet with a counselor. Excessive withdrawal creates a situation on a student’s permanent academic record that may indicate to a potential transfer institution or future employer a pattern that may not be desirable.
I am a probationary student and I want to return to C.O.D. What do I need to do?
As a probationary student, you need to meet with a counselor to discuss what issues existed previously that prevented success, and to determine what strategies would help you succeed. After that meeting, a permit to register may be issued.
You can arrange an appointment with a counselor at any of these locations. You can call the individual location or walk in on-campus in Glen Ellyn and ask to make an appointment with a counselor. The off-campus locations can be scheduled from Glen Ellyn as well.You can call:
Glen Ellyn (630) 942-2259
Naperville (630) 942-4700
Westmont (630) 942-4800
Addison (630) 942-4600
Carol Stream (630) 942-4888
Bloomingdale (630) 942-4900Welcome back to C.O.D.
What can I do if I am placed on academic probation or have been dropped for low scholarship and can’t register?
As a probationary student or if you were dropped for low scholarship, you need to meet with a counselor to discuss what issues existed previously that prevented success, and to determine what strategies would help to make you successful. After that meeting, a permit to register may be issued.
How do I attend a group session?
We run small-group sessions two weeks prior to a term start to assist probationary students who did not plan ahead with an appointment but still need assistance for the next term. These run on a first-come, first-serve basis and may involve a wait for the next group start.
Currently, Counseling Services is providing group sessions that run daily, Monday to Friday, at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. along with a 6 p.m. session on selected dates.
For additional information, please call (630) 942-2559. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before the group starts and check in at SRC 2044. You may want to call ahead and let them know you are coming and desire a specific group, as there is a limit to the number of students per group.[back to top]
I've moved. How can I report an address change?An address change can be made in person or over the telephone by contacting either the Information office at (630) 942-2380 or the Admissions office at (630) 942-2482.
If you move from out-of-district to in-district it will require proof of residency to Admissions.
How do I get my student e-mail address?
Go to Student Online Services,” log in with your Social Security (or Student Identification) Number and PIN, then click on “Student Personal Information,” scroll down to Personal Information to view your e-mail address.
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What is my PIN (Personal Identification Number)?A student’s PIN is provided either in a) the Registration eligibility
letter or b) in the e-mail notification letterIf a student does not have either letter and cannot remember their
PIN, call the Registration office at (630) 942-3555 and press 3.When/How can I drop a class? (Withdraw from a class)
You may withdraw from a class up until the "Last Day to Withdraw without Instructor Permit" (see Calendar),
from credit classes by Touch-tone Registration, through Registration Online or in person at the Registration office, SRC 2048.Will I get a tuition refund if I drop a class?
Students wishing to drop a class should consult the Refund Calendar
available in the current Class Schedule and online at Student Online Services, then click on “General Registration
Information,” then click on “Registration Calendar and Refund Dates.”[back to top]
Will my tuition refund be credited to my credit card?No. In three weeks the college will mail a refund check to the address
located in a student’s record.On-campus in Glen Ellyn
Off-campus class locations: Classes are offered at a variety of off-
Campus sites.What is the difference between ‘Counseling’ and ‘Advising’ Services?
Counseling and Advising are two separate but complementary services. General advisors, counselors and faculty advisors are available to help students reach educational goals. It is important to understand the different types of assistance available from each, in order to gain the appropriate help.
General Advisers can assist with the following issues:
General course selection
General transfer information
Pre-course test clarification and interpretation
Reading permits for new students (if required) based on pre-course test score
Explanation of degrees and degree requirements
“Credit Hour Overload Permits” for students with an established COD GPA above 2.0 requesting to register for 20–24 credits
Referral to faculty advisors and other C.O.D. services
Orientation to the college
Unofficial progress check toward graduationCounselors can assist with the following issues:
Career exploration and decision-making
Personal concerns that interfere with educational or career goals
Educational planning for undecided students
Development of success strategies for students on academic probationFaculty Advisers can assist with the following issues:
Course selection specific to their major
Fulfilling general education requirements
Concerns or questions about pre-requisites for a specific major
Transfer programs in their major/area of interest
Special agreements with transfer schools for specific degree programs
Unofficial progress check toward graduation
Pre-requisites for limited admission programs
Competency exams when an existing exam is not in place
Advice and information on transfer schools that would meet your academic goalsHow can I receive assistance from a general adviser, counselor or faculty adviser?
You can receive assistance in one of three ways:General Adviser assistance
Walk-in: Students can stop in the Counseling and Advising Center (SRC 2044) to meet with a general advisor. No appointment is necessary, students are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis only.
Phone-in: Students may call (630) 942-2259 to speak with an advisor.
E-Mail: Students may e-mail an advising question to a general advisor at: http://www.cod.edu/advising/contact.htmCounselor assistance
Schedule an appointment. Students can plan ahead and have a convenient time reserved by calling (630) 942-2259 to make an appointment with a counselor.
Walk-in: Students can stop in the Counseling and Advising Center (SRC 2044) to meet with a counselor on a first-come, first-serve basis. The wait time is determined by student demand. Making appointments ahead of time is encouraged. During the critical registration time just prior to the start of a term, most counselors are focused on group presentations due to the volume of students. Plan ahead and make an appointment.
E-mail: Students may contact a counselor online.Faculty Adviser assistance
If you know the faculty member’s name, use C.O.D.’s faculty search page. Faculty advisers may be contacted directly in their offices to set up appointments or messages can be left at their division offices
You know your major but aren’t familiar with instructors in that area, use the Academics link.
If you are unsure which majors are related to your career and educational goals, make an appoint with a counselor for some direction.I have a Reading Hold. How do I get a permit to register?
An adviser or a counselor can explain the Reading Competency Requirement, assist the student in choice of classes to take along with the appropriate reading class and give the student a Reading Permit which allows him to register.
What classes should I register for next term?
General advisors assist students with general course selection. Undecided students are referred to a counselor. Students with questions specific to a particular major are referred to a faculty adviser.
How do I know if I am close to graduating?
An adviser will show the student how to run an Online Degree Audit
(click on Degree Audit).
Students will also be informed of the process for petitioning for a degree or certificate (click on Degree Completion/Graduation, the Petition for Degree or Petition for Certificate).I have not attended school for 20 years, where do I start?
Counselors and advisors can inform the student of the process. If a student is new to C.O.D., they are referred to Admissions. If a student has attended C.O.D. in the past, a counselor or adviser can explain how prior credit is still part of a student’s permanent record, but degree requirements have changed over the years.
Resource Links
STARS
Student Advising Resource System
Academic Advising Calendar
Transfer Tips
Conversion Student Handbook, Second Edition, March 2005
Services for Online Students
Student Planning Worksheets
Contact an Adviser
Advising Reference Index
Advising Mission:
The Advising Department utilizes a student-centered approach when providing vital information to promote student success. Serving an integral role at College of DuPage, advising specialists provide and link student and community members to essential academic information and support services to meet their diverse needs.
