Special Note: The following information is intended as general advice for students, but may not cover each student's individual situation. Students are strongly encouraged to print out and become familiar familiar with the program of study for their intended major. Likewise, students who have determined which college or university to which they plan to transfer should study the catalog of that institution and take courses at GPC that are required by the transfer institution.

1. How many classes should I take?

College classes are based on the credit hours that they receive. Most classes are three credit hours, which means they meet approximately three hours per week. However, classes may also be one, two, four, or six credit hours. To be a full-time student, one must be enrolled for 12 credit hours. Students should carefully consider how many credit hours they can successfully handle each week. For each hour in class, a student should expect to work two to three hours outside of class each week. Therefore, taking 12 credit hours is equivalent to working 36-48 hours a week. Students should carefully consider how many credit hours they can manage along with their work and family responsibilities. Having to repeat classes only slows down one's progress, harms one's grades, and costs additional money.

2. What classes can I take while I take my required ESL classes?

ESL students may take a number of college-level classes at the college while they are enrolled in ESL classes. However, each semester students must be registered for all of their required ESL classes before they can take any college-level classes that semester. This includes math and physical education classes and summer term.

The following courses may be taken once ESL students are registered for all of their required ENSL courses.

Math - Students may take any college-level math course for which they are eligible. In general, most students start with MATH 1111 (College Algebra) or MATH 1101 (Mathematical Modeling). MATH 1111 is appropriate for students in math-based majors or for business students. MATH 1101 is appropriate for liberal arts majors and can be used to fulfill the nursing math requirement. Dental Hygiene majors are not required to take a college level math course but must exit or exempt Learning Support math. Based on the math placement test, students can exempt some math courses and be eligible to start in higher level courses. For example, students may exempt MATH 1111 and be eligible to start in MATH 1113 (Pre-calculus), or they may exempt MATH 1113 and be eligible to start in MATH 2431 (Calculus I). Exempting a course does not give you college credit for the course. It just allows you to start your math courses at a higher level.

Guide to College Success (HEDS 1011) - This course is designed to help students manage college life and coursework. It deals with subjects such as time management and test anxiety. It is a two-credit hour course; however, it is not transferable to other institutions.

Computer Concepts (ATEC 1201) - This is a one-hour course that counts toward graduation credit in Area B at GPC. It is a brief introduction to basic computer concepts. It is not taught in a computer lab and is usually taught online. It may only transfer to other University System of Georgia colleges and universities if a student completes Area B at GPC.

Research Strategies and Technology (RSCH 1203) - This is a very practical, hands-on course that helps student learn how to use Internet-based databases for research, how to document electronic sources, and how to use various software applications. It is a one-hour course that counts toward graduation in Area B at GPC. It may only transfer to other University System of Georgia colleges and universities if a student completes Area B at GPC. For students who have little experience with computers for academic purposes, it is highly recommended.

Art Appreciation (ARTS 1301), Music Appreciation (MUSC 1301), Film Appreciation (FILM 1301) or Introduction to Theatre (THEA 1301) - All majors, except Fire Management, must take at least one humanities elective in Area C. One of these four courses will fulfill that requirement and counts toward graduation for any major (e.g., English, engineering, nursing, math, or pre-pharmacy). Students only need one of these courses. The courses are three credit hours and are often chosen by ESL students who need to be full-time students. These are broad survey classes that discuss the major types or major artists in that subject area. 

Physical Education (PHED) - Most students are required to take 2-4 hours of physical education courses. Students should check their individual program of study to see if PHED courses are required. Most majors require PHED 1101 (Choices for Life), a one credit-hour course. Students may also select a one-hour activity PHED course such as volleyball, basketball, tennis, weight training, aerobic fitness, or swimming. There are also some 2 and three-hour PHED courses such as Fitness of Living and First Aid, Safety and CPR.

Foreign Languages - GPC offers a number of foreign languages (Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese). Students can use a foreign language course at the 1002 level (second semester) to fulfill a graduation requirement in Area B and/or as the humanities elective in Area C. Students do not receive graduation credit for taking the first semester (1001) of a foreign language.

The Environment of Business (BUSA 2106) - This three-hour course counts toward graduation for business majors only. It focuses on legal and regulatory issues for businesses.

Drawing (ARTS 1610 or 1611) - These two three-hour courses are hands-on drawing courses for Art majors.

Introduction to Mass Communication (JOUR 1611) - This course is not recommended for ESL students until they have completed the ESL program. It is primarily a course for students who intend on majoring in journalism or professional writing.

World Religions (RELI 1301) - This course is very language intensive with a great deal of reading and writing. It is not recommended for ESL students until they have completed the ESL program. It is a three-hour course. It also fulfills the Area C, Humanities elective.

Introduction to AutoCAD (ENGR 1011) - This course is for engineering majors and is not recommended unless a student has prior instruction or experience with engineering graphics. It is a four-hour course.

Once students have completed all of their ESL courses except ENSL 0091, they may register for these additional courses; however, if a student is taking or is required to take ENSL 0070, 0071, 0072, 0080, 0081, or 0082, he or she may NOT take these courses.

Anthropology History
Astronomy Geography
Business Information Systems Political Science
Criminal Justice Philosophy
Chemistry Physics
Economics Psychology
Education Sociology

3. Can I take ENSL 0070, ENSL 0071, and ENSL 0072 at the same time, or do I have to take 0070 first and then 0071?

You can take all of the same level courses at the same time, so you can take all the 70 numbered courses in the same semester, all the 80 numbered courses in the same semester, or all of the 90 numbered courses in the same semester. However, you cannot take, for example, ENSL 0081 and ENSL 0091 in the same semester. You can also take courses such as ENSL 0070, ENSL 0071, and ENSL 0082 all at the same time if you have completed or exempted ENSL 0072.

4. If I can only take one or two classes this semester, which ESL classes should I take?

If you can only take one or two courses each semester, make sure you talk to an ESL advisor. In general, taking the grammar classes (ENSL 0071, ENSL 0081, or ENSL 0091) are important foundation courses. They help with the reading and writing courses (ENSL 0070, ENSL 0080, and ENSL 0090), so if you can only take one class, usually start with the grammar course that you need. The second priority is the reading/writing courses (ENSL 0070, 0080, and 0090). These courses are important because once you have finished 0090 and ENSL 0082, if you only have 0091 left to take, there are many college-level courses that you can take while finishing 0091. It's important to understand that in order to take these college-level courses you must have completed all ESL courses except 0091. If you have still have to take ENSL 0072 or ENSL 0082 and ENSL 0091, there are very few college-level courses that you can take. You also don't want to end up in a situation where you have finished all of your ESL courses except ENSL 0082.