Gulf Coast State College is an "open door" institution. As such, it accepts applicants who possess a standard high school diploma or the equivalent (a state-issued equivalency certificate or diploma). State law establishes certain minimum requirements for admission to academic courses. These requirements ensure, as far as possible, that students will be successful in their academic work.
+ First Time in College Students
Students who meet one of the following requirements may enroll in Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Science degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, or certificate programs.
+ Non-High School Graduates
+ Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment is authorized under Florida Statute 1007.271 as an articulated accelerated mechanism. It is intended to shorten the time necessary for students to complete the requirements associated with the conference of a degree, broaden the scope of curricular options available to students, and increase the depth of study available for a particular subject.
Dual enrollment provides the opportunity for qualified high school students to enroll in college-level work at Gulf Coast State College while concurrently enrolled in high school. Students receive both high school and college credit for these courses. This program is open to students from public high school, accredited private schools, or approved home education programs, who are at a minimum in the tenth grade and have an un weighted grade point average of 3.0 or able to enroll in college-level courses, or a 2.0 un weighted grade point average to enroll in vocational certificate courses. In addition, all students must pass the appropriate section of the college placement examination.
A student may take dual enrollment courses during school hours, after school hours, and during the summer term. Students in dual enrollment classes do not pay registration, matriculation, or lab fees. For additional information, please call (850) 747-3207.
A student who has attended another college or university is considered a transfer student. Transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended for students enrolled in Associate in Arts degrees, Associates in Science degrees, Associates in Applied Science degrees, and certificate programs are required. If you are applying for a limited access program, please check the program requirements to verify if secondary transcripts are necessary in addition to post-secondary coursework. The application for admission and a nonrefundable $20 processing fee payable to Gulf Coast State College must be submitted before any college transcripts are evaluated.
Applicants must arrange to have submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services official transcripts from each college and/or university attended. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent from a college or university directly to the Office of Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. Hand carried transcripts, faxed transcripts, or transcripts bearing the statement “issued to student” are not considered official and will not be accepted.
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
Freshman and sophomore credits will be accepted if earned at colleges or universities fully accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for example) provided the courses meet academic standards and are relevant to the college’s instructional program. Transfer courses from regionally accredited institutions will be evaluated and placed on the student’s GCSC transcript. Ttranscripts from all previously attended institutions must be received before the evaluation of coursework begins.
Students enrolled in postsecondary adult vocational (PSAV) certificate programs are not required to request transcripts from institutions of higher education. Students enrolled in PSAV certificate programs who request a transfer course be accepted are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended schools. Credit from vocational and occupational institutions will be awarded provided the credits meet academic standards and are relevant to the college’s instructional program.
Credit is allowed for associate in science degrees or certificate programs by means of occupational‐technical articulation agreements as outlined in the Florida Department of Education Statewide Articulation Agreements. Students are required to submit official transcripts of occupational‐technical course work for consideration. Upon receipt of official copies of occupational‐technical course work, an evaluation package is prepared for the Chairperson of the discipline for final approval. Occupational‐technical coursework is reviewed by the relevant department chairperson for equivalency and must meet the admissions requirements as well as satisfy the required validation mechanisms as outlined in the specific program’s articulation agreement as stated by the Florida Department of Education. Appropriate documentation supporting evidence of credit must be submitted to Enrollment Services for processing. Specific credit is awarded to students meeting all of the above stated requirements as recommended by the Florida Department of Education.
Credits with “P” or “S” grades from Florida public institutions are considered transferable. No credit is awarded for “P” grades, “S” grades, or remedial courses taken outside the state of Florida.
To maintain degree‐seeking status, students are required to have transcripts evaluated no later than the end of the first academic term of enrollment. A student will be placed on registration restriction if transcripts are not received within thirty days from the beginning of the term. A transcript evaluation will be performed for degree‐seeking students once all transcripts have been received by the Office of Enrollment Services. The evaluation process is normally completed within six weeks of transcript receipt. Students can view their evaluated transcript at www.gulfcoast.edu.
All transfer students are required to satisfy the Gulf Coast residency graduation requirement by completing 25 percent of the degree program at GCSC. The Office of Enrollment Services has the institutional authority to administer the college’s transfer policy. Actions taken by the Office of Enrollment Services are subject to review by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Evaluation of Foreign Transcripts
Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). It is the responsibility of the student to bear all associated costs and fees. Gulf Coast will determine transferable credits. If the academic institution you attended does not issue documents in English, you must submit precise word for word translations of all your credentials to WES. To have your documents translated, you may contact University Language Services (ULS) by using the link below.
Transfer from a Non‐Regionally Accredited Institution
Students who attended non‐regionally accredited institutions will be notified by mail. Credit from non‐regionally accredited institutions may be awarded on an individual basis provided the credits meet academic standards and are relevant to the college’s instructional program. Students must submit course syllabi and faculty credentials for evaluation to division chairs for courses under consideration for transfer credit. Submission of documentation does not imply credit acceptance. The documentation provides GCSC with the information necessary to determine whether the courses taken will meet the criteria for acceptance. Students may be asked to provide further information in order to make an educated decision within the parameters established by our accrediting agency. Students who wish to pursue the acceptance of transfer credit from a non‐regionally accredited institution should consult with the Office of Enrollment Services with any questions regarding the procedures for seeking transferability of courses.
Transferring to GCSC with a Bachelor’s Degree
Students transferring to GCSC with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and who wish to pursue an Associate in Science degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, or certificate must verify previous degrees by providing official transcripts. Once received, a certified evaluation package from the Office of Enrollment Services will be sent to the relevant academic department for review.
The program manager will determine if there is any prior credit applicable to the student’s current degree program. Only courses with a grade of “C” or better will be accepted. The notation “Bachelor’s Degree” will be placed on the transcript, along with specific courses posted as external credits, as in the following example: ENC1101 BACH Degree
The student’s cumulative grade point average for the degree will include only those courses completed at GCSC.
Non-degree Seeking Students with Previous College Coursework
Non-Degree seeking students are not required to submit transcripts for evaluation; however, if a course requires a prerequisite taken at another institution, proof of completion of such prerequisite is required for approval of registering for the course. Unofficial transcripts will suffice in order to determine if student has met the prerequisite. Official transcripts submitted for a student not pursuing a degree will not be evaluated, but will be kept in the student’s file. Financial Aid will not be awarded to students not in a degree program.
Placement Testing
All students entering college credit programs are required to take some form of basic testing for placement in English, reading, and mathematics. Students may meet this requirement several ways. Students may use ACT or SAT scores for placement provided the scores are less than two years old and meet state‐mandated minimum score levels. If ACT or SAT scores are lower than the state‐mandated minimum scores, the student must take the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) for placement. The CPT is how most students meet the testing requirement. If a student transfers college‐level mathematics credit and/or college‐level English composition credit to GCSC, the student has completed the testing requirement in that specific discipline and must test only in the area he or she is deficient. College‐level English composition credit supersedes the need for placement in reading. Transfer students need to have their transcripts evaluated by the transcript specialist to determine whether they will be required to take any of the tests. Arrangements for disabled students needing special testing conditions are made in the Office of Disability Support Services.
Computerized placement tests are available for a fee, and results are available immediately after testing. Students pay the fee in the college's Bookstore or Business Office and take the receipt to the testing center at the CPT Lab located in the Student Services Building. Computerized placement tests are also available at the North Bay Center, Tyndall Air Force Base Center, and the Gulf/Franklin Center.
Placement test schedules are available at the Information Desk in the Student Union East, the Library, the Office of Admissions and Records, Bookstore, the Testing Office, and on the college website ( www.gulfcoast.edu) under Prospective Students and click on the testing option.
TABE tests are given for students in PSAV programs and the Passport Program. Students in the Passport Program are tested on the main campus. Students testing for PSAV programs can test on campus, at the North Bay Center, or at the Gulf/Franklin Center.
The Nursing School Entrance Exam and Dental Certification tests are given on the main campus. Advisers in the Health Sciences Division have the requirements for these tests.
Foreign Language
Foreign language is not required for graduation with an Associate in Arts degree. However, it is required for admission to a Florida public university. Students are advised to check with the school of his or her choice to inquire about any additional prerequisites.
Academic Advising
The mission of Gulf Coast State College’s academic advising program is to engage all students in dynamic academic and career planning. The advising program has been developed that enables students to partner with experts in the academic fields related to student’s field of study or career choice. All students must consult with an academic adviser located in the A.E. Gardner Advising Center prior to registering for first semester classes.
Every first time student at Gulf Coast State College will meet with a Master Adviser who will assist the student in the transition to college and aid in scheduling the student’s first semester courses. Master Advisers will assign a Primary Adviser for each student based upon the student’s chosen field of study.
During the student’s first semester of classes, the student will schedule a meeting with the Primary Adviser to map out the student’s educational plan. The student’s assigned Primary Adviser will continue to work with the student throughout the student’s academic career at Gulf Coast.
Students may change their major for a current term through the initial drop/add deadline for the term. Any change of major initiated after the drop/add deadline will be processed and applied to the subsequent term. The A.E. Gardner Advising Center is located in the Student Services Building.
Students who have a declared transfer track or academic major may register for classes without consulting an academic adviser provided they have;
First‐time students are not allowed to register without consulting an academic adviser.
Prior to meeting with an academic adviser transfer students are required to:
+ Transient Students
A transient student is a student seeking a degree from another college. To enroll, students must furnish written permission from the registrar of the home school. This permission must list Gulf Coast State College courses, which may be taken. Transient students are non-degree-seeking students; therefore, transcripts are not required. Florida students may access an electronic transient student form by going to www.facts.org and selecting the "Admissions" link and then "Transient Student Form."
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