Academic Advising

Advising Mission Statement

Our mission is to advise students as they explore and plan their academic, career, and life goals.

Advisors help students develop a meaningful educational path, compatible with their goals, and support student learning and success. Consideration of each student as a unique individual with unique needs is recognized as the foundation of our advising program. We approach advising as a collaborative effort between the student and advisor.

Middlesex Community College advisor meeting with a student.

Student & Advisor Expectations

Academic advisors guide students in determining possible careers, majors, and course offerings, with careful attention to institutional policies and degree requirements. Effective advising also assists students in identifying available internal and external resources that will have a positive impact on their experience at Middlesex Community College. Ultimately, students are responsible for making decisions regarding their education.

Students are expected:

To reflect on their academic, career, and life goals
To reach out and connect to their advisor/program coordinator in the first semester
To review General Education and program degree requirements
To monitor their semester and degree progress, bringing any questions or concerns to the attention of their advisor

Advisors are expected:

To help student explore their academic, career, and life goals
To counsel students on career, major, course, and transfer options
To help students navigate the campus and available resources
To ask questions of and listen to the student
To reach out to students periodically throughout the semester

Academic Advising Steps at MxCC

In order to register for courses, you must first meet with your academic advisor. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor and a Guided Pathways Advisor (staff advisor). Students can meet with one or both of their assigned advisors. These are the five steps needed to complete the advising process:

Step 1: Find Your Assigned Advisor

If you are unsure of who your advisor is, log onto your account on My.CommNet.edu and access Degree Works to find your assigned advisor. In addition, you can stop by any of the following locations for assistance:

Founders Hall: Advising & Retention Center-Rm. 132; Enrollment Services Office-Rm. 153
Wheaton Hall: Academic Affairs Suite
MxCC@Platt: Media Center

Please note, if you are a non-matriculated student and want to change your status, you must contact the Enrollment Services Office and complete the appropriate forms. If the reason you have not matriculated is that you are unsure of the program of study you wish to pursue, please schedule an appointment with a staff advisor (links below).

Step 2: Prepare for Your Meeting

To ensure that you receive the best possible advice, follow these guidelines:

Review/Print your transcript from MyCommNet for your advising appointment.
If you are unable to do this, obtain a copy from the Enrollment Services Office, Founders Hall.
If you are considering transferring to another university or college, bring in a link to the college’s web page and any information you have received from their admissions office.
Familiarize yourself with your own curriculum and the requirements for graduation for your course of study.

Step 3: Plan Your Schedule

Step 4: Meet with Your Advisor

Students should meet with their advisor at least once during each semester. Faculty Advisors have office hours and appointments for students during the semester; staff advisors are available by appointment throughout the year (see links below). During that meeting, you and your advisor should discuss a number of topics. These may include how the current semester is progressing, what your academic goals are at the college as well as transfer intentions, how the college may assist you with your career aspirations, and what courses you may need and/or wish to take in the next semester.

Step 5: Continue the Conversation

The academic advising process should be a conversation. Ask questions to clarify information and take notes. Evaluate the information you receive and act accordingly. Remember, faculty and staff advisors are there to assist you in the decision making process; however, ultimately, you are responsible for your education. Quality academic advising allows you to accomplish your goals in a timely manner and allows you to be in control of your own educational endeavors. It is not only during the registration period that you may meet with your advisor to evaluate your progress as a student. By developing an on-going relationship with your academic advisor, you will gain insight into academic issues and career options as they relate to your academic program.

Helpful Links for Students

(Faculty & Staff advisors, click here for advising tools)

Location and Contact Information:

Location: Founders Hall, Room 132
Phone: 860-343-5826
Email: mx-advising@mxcc.edu
Spring Hours:
Monday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

MxCC@Platt: Monday through Thursday, 2:30–7:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment with your Guided Pathways Advisor: https://mxcc.edu/advising/appointment/
To schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor, please email them. Search for individual faculty email addresses in our employee directory.

Creating an Academic Plan

Why should I create an Academic Plan and how?

Without a detailed plan you may be taking course that you do not require for degree completion. This can hurt you in several ways. One is simply that it will take longer for you to finish your class work. Another is that a financial aid audit is performed on your coursework and if it is deemed you have taken too many courses that are not part of a specific degree program, you may lose aid or even have to repay some.

Look through the catalog yourself (online). View the degree programs and their requirements. Select one that best fits your interests and future goals.
Use the graduation checklists to develop a semester-by-semester plan of courses you will take. Be sure to include developmental math or English (if needed) and any pre-requisite courses that may not be listed on the checklists.
Set up a meeting with an academic advisor. All full-time faculty are academic advisors. Even though you are assigned an advisor after your first registration, you can choose any faculty member to be your advisor. Contact your advisor by phone or through e-mail (directory).
When you meet with your advisor, be sure to bring several things with you. First, you should have some idea what it is that you want to do with your degree. Advisors do not choose careers for their advisees; they help their advisees meet their educational goals. Your advisor can go through your initial semester-by-semester plan and help guide you through the completion of your degree.
Follow the plan. Once you have details worked out that consider pre-requisites, recommended course sequences, transfer requirements, and required courses…stick with the plan. You can always change your mind and your major, but if you plan to keep the same degree path, you need to follow this plan and you will successfully complete your coursework.

Advising for Continuing Students

Continuing students should use the instructions on our “How to Register as a Continuing Student” page to register for classes.

How to Register as a Continuing Student

For New Students

New students who have applied and been accepted to the college and have completed steps 1-4 outlined on the Becoming a Student page are ready to:
- complete the CT State Community College New Student Orientation and
- schedule an appointment with an academic advisor
- Alternatively, new students can also join us for our Open Registration events to connect with an advisor.
Students with questions about program options and course requirements/pre-requisites can email Mx-Advising@mxcc.edu.
Students can familiarize themselves with the Middlesex campus by reviewing the Middlesex Campus Orientation.

FOCUS, SELF-PACED CAREER AND EDUCATION PLANNING TOOL

FocusLogo(small)

FOCUS is an online, self-paced career and education planning tool for use by college students. FOCUS will enable you to self assess your interests, values, skills, and personality and explore careers and majors that are most compatible with your assessment results. Current MxCC students interested in using FOCUS should contact their Guided Pathways Advisor to set up an appointment.

First Time FOCUS users
Returning FOCUS users

Need to Send Us a Document?

MxCC students may now upload documents to a secure user portal for Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid, and Registrar offices. To access, use your Connecticut Community College account to login and then choose Middlesex Community College.

Need help? Download the User Guide

Upload Document

Academic Advising FAQs

What is a major/program of study?

A major or program of study is a specific curriculum (set of courses) designed to meet career or academic goals. Faculty determine the appropriate courses to be required in a particular curriculum and make their decisions by determining what body of knowledge is required for a student to succeed in a particular career or transfer program. The specific curriculum for a major/program of study becomes the required courses you need to complete in order to earn a degree.

How do I know which courses are required for my degree?

What does matriculated mean?

Do major/degree requirements sometimes change? Which requirements do I follow?

How do I declare/change a major?

In order to declare a major, you must go to the Enrollment Services Office to complete a Change of Program form. New students can declare their major on their application or complete a Change of Program form during their initial advising session. Students who are unsure which major they want to pursue can declare as a General Studies student and then meet with a staff advisor to discuss options (Founders Hall, Room 132; see links in Contact Information section to book an appointment).

What happens if I change my major and have accumulated credits in my prior program of study?

I am unsure of what I want to major in here at Middlesex. Who on campus may I meet with to discuss how to select a major?

How many credits do I need to be a full time student?

In order to maintain full-time student status, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. However, in order to graduate in two years, you must take 15 credit hours per semester or 30 credits in one year. At the rate of 12 credit hours per semester, it will take longer than four academic semesters to earn an associate’s degree. If you enroll in 12 credit hours per semester, you may be able to complete a program in two years by taking winter and summer session courses.

How many credit hours do I have to be enrolled in to qualify for financial aid?

Are there any specific course requirements for receiving Financial Aid?

Federal regulations stipulate that a student may only receive financial aid for courses that count towards their degree/certificate. To comply with this regulation, MxCC must track the courses that a student is registered for that count towards their degree/certificate program. Courses identified as not meeting program requirements will not be included in the calculation of financial aid eligibility. Pre requisites will be covered. This procedure is now in effect. Eligibility ceases once a student attempts 90 credits for a typical 60 credit program.

If I am a full time student, how long will it take for me to earn my associate degree?

If a student is taking 15 credit hours toward a degree each semester, it takes approximately two academic years to complete. If a student is taking 12 credit hours per semester, it will lengthen the time needed to complete degree requirements. Taking summer/intersession courses will accelerate the process. Most degree programs at Middlesex require 60 to 64 credit hours to earn the associate degree.

How many credits do I need to graduate?

What is a prerequisite and how do I know if a course has one?

What are placement measures/tests?

The college needs to assess current level of proficiency in English and math for all students to determine appropriate course placement. Students can demonstrate their proficiency by submitting official high school transcripts, qualifying SAT/ACT scores, qualifying GED scores, transferring college-level coursework in English and math from another institution (including AP and CLEP tests), or taking a placement test (English Challenge Essay and Math Challenge Exam). The placement measures/tests are not used to screen applicants for admission. The results of your placement measures/tests will allow your advisor to recommend the best courses for you. Most students will determine their course placement based on placement measures. Students who graduated from high school over 5 years ago, are current high school freshman/sophomore/juniors, or have international credentials will need to take the English Challenge Essay and/or Math Challenge Exam to determine placement. Please email Mx-Accuplacer@mxcc.edu or call 860-343-5785 to discuss your background and possible placement testing options. You should wait to schedule an advising appointment until after you have heard back from the Placement Team.

What may I take if I have not placed into English 101 yet?

Most courses require the student to successfully write at the college level. During your initial advising session, you can discuss available courses that do not require placement into English 101. Some courses in the arts, music, computers, history, and social sciences do not require placement into English 101. To determine if a course requires placement into English 101 as a prerequisite, refer to the course descriptions in the college catalog.

What is an open/free/unrestricted elective?

If I have already taken courses at another college or university, how do I get credit for them?

How do I get my grades and unofficial transcript?

How do I find out who my advisor is and how are advisors assigned?

Must I go to my assigned advisor?

You are strongly encouraged to meet with your assigned advisor. Developing a relationship with your advisor by meeting with them each semester is in your best interest as advisors can provide guidance about courses of study and potential careers. This is especially important for students in career- or transfer-oriented programs. Please recognize that it is in the your best interest to develop an on-going relationship with an advisor and not simply to obtain a signature on a registration form.

How should I best use the services of my advisor?

What materials should I bring when I meet with my advisor?

What do I do if I can't find my advisor?

All faculty advisors should have clearly identified office hours during which they are available to meet with students for a myriad of reasons. It is best to meet with your advisor during the academic year and their office hours as this time is set aside for student meetings. You can also email your advisor with any questions you have. Please note that faculty advisors are off contract between semesters. Thus, it is best to meet and connect with your assigned advisor during the academic year. If you have issues contacting your assigned advisor, please contact the Advising Center, Founders Hall, Room 132, or call 860-343-5826 .

Why do I need to see my advisor?

There are numerous reasons why a student should meet with their assigned advisor such as to discuss your academic progress, career and degree goals, interest in transfer options, etc. For students who plan on transferring to a bachelor level college or university, it is crucial that you meet with your advisor. Middlesex Community College has agreements with many area schools on the acceptance of transfer credits. Your advisor will be able to assist you in selecting courses that should meet the requirements at the institution to which you plan to transfer. Advisors can also assist students with time management planning, provide insight on how to balance responsibilities of work, school, and home, or refer you to other resources on and off campus. Please recognize that it is in the student’s best interest to develop an on-going relationship with an advisor and not simply to obtain a signature on a registration form.

What happens if I repeat a course?

How do I drop or withdraw from a course once the semester has started?

Students can add and/or drop courses during the first 7 calendar days of the semester. (Summer, winter, accelerated, and late-start courses have different add/drop deadlines; refer to the Academic Calendar for specific dates.) In order to add or drop a course, a student must go the Enrollment Services Office and complete the appropriate forms. A new schedule will then be printed. Please note, if a student is on financial aid, that office must be informed of any added or dropped courses. The Business Office must also be notified of any added courses. If a course is dropped within the first 7 calendar days of the semester, a reimbursement may occur.

Students may withdraw from one or more classes any time before the end of the 11th week of the semester. (For summer, winter, accelerated, and late-start courses, refer to the Academic Calendar for specific dates.) A completed and signed withdrawal form must be on file in the Enrollment Services Office by the deadline in order to receive a “W” on your transcript. If a student fails to complete this process on time, the student will receive a letter grade (A–F) at the end of the semester, which will include zeroes for any work not submitted. Course withdrawals may affect financial aid and veteran’s benefits. Students should make this decision carefully and with the help of their advisor.

What does an incomplete grade mean?

An incomplete grade allows a student to have additional time to complete missing and required coursework after a semester has ended. A student may request an incomplete grade from a faculty member in extenuating circumstances, such as illness, that prevent the student from completing the assigned work on time. Although a student may request an incomplete, the faculty member is not required to grant the request. If an incomplete is granted, the faculty member will set forth in writing a description of the work to be completed, the date by which the work must be submitted (i.e. the end of the tenth week of the next standard semester) and a statement that the incomplete will change to a specified letter grade if the work is not completed by the due date. If no make-up grade has been specified, the incomplete will convert to an “F.”

What does academic probation/dismissal mean?

Students are placed on academic probation if they fail to maintain a specific grade point average after completion of a specific number of credit hours. (See the section on Academic Standing in the college catalog.) Students who have been on probation and have not achieved the required grade point average after completing their next 15 credits will be able to attend MxCC on a part-time basis only. A student who has attempted 30 or more credits and whose GPA falls below 1.5 will be dismissed for one academic year. Reinstatement as a student at MxCC must be approved by the dean of students.

What does a residency requirement mean?

If I think that I want to transfer to a bachelor level institution, is there anyone on campus that can help in identifying colleges and universities to which I may transfer?

Do bachelor level colleges and universities have application/financial aid deadlines?

What does rolling admission mean?

Rolling admissions means that there is no set application deadline by which a student must apply to the college or university. There is also no date by which all decision (acceptance or non-acceptance) letters are sent to applicants. Students will be notified of the college’s decision regarding their application when the application is completed and reviewed. The college will provide applicants with periodic updates as to the status of their application and will reach out to the student if there are any additional materials that need to be submitted.

What is a Transfer Ticket?

Transfer Tickets are degree programs for Connecticut Community College students that transfer to a Connecticut State Universities and Charter Oak bachelor’s degree in that same discipline. Community College students can complete associate degree programs that transfer without hassle to the Connecticut State Universities and Charter Oak State College offering their major. Upon transfer, students are guaranteed full junior status and can complete a bachelor’s degree in their major without losing any credits or be required to take any extra credits. Select programs may have additional admission requirements. More information about Transfer Tickets can be found at http://www.ct.edu/transfer .

How many credits do I need to transfer?

A student may transfer at any point in time to another community college or bachelor level university. The college or university you wish to attend will determine the number of credits hours needed to be designated as a transfer student. Many colleges will still require SAT/ACT scores if that number is not met. Please refer to the specific college or university you hope to attend to gather this information.

At what point do I not need to submit SAT/ACT scores to a college in order to transfer?

How do I know what classes will transfer?

The college that you transfer to determines which courses they accept. Grades of “C” or “C-” or better, depending on the college (Connecticut State Universities will accept a “C-”; UConn requires a “C” ), are usually required to transfer. In order to ensure that the specific courses you select will meet degree/general education requirements at the transfer institution, we recommend that you identify institutions to which you hope to transfer early in your academic career at Middlesex. It is best to discuss your course selections with your advisor who can help you determine the possibility of your courses transferring to the new institution. In addition, the staff advisors are available to work with students on identifying what courses may transfer. You should always check with the college/university to which you plan to transfer to confirm how courses will transfer. Remember to keep all your course syllabi to facilitate course transfer.

How do I transfer my financial aid if I transfer mid year?