The Basics: 13 Answers to
Commonly Asked Questions
1. I've decided to take a class. What's my first step?
You must be enrolled as a student to schedule classes. The first step is to complete an Application for Admission. This can be done online at www.pierpont.edu. To receive an application through the mail, call the Office of Admissions at (304) 367-4854 or (800) 641-5678, Ext. 2. You will need to provide one of the following: an official high school transcript or an official GED or an ACT, SAT or COMPASS test score. Eligibility to enroll in Pierpont Community & Technical College does not necessarily mean you can enter all degree programs because some are competitive and have limits on the numbers of students who can be enrolled.
2. What if I attended college before?
You must request that your previous college send an official copy of your transcript to the Office of Admissions. Generally, you must submit a written request for a college to release a transcript and a fee is charged. If you have fewer than 30 credit hours when applying for a four-year program, then you also will need to submit an official transcript from your high school or an official GED. Admission to Pierpont Community & Technical College as a special or nontraditional student is open to anyone who has completed fewer than 15 semester hours at any college, has completed a baccalaureate degree, is a high school graduate or GED recipient or schedules occasional courses with no degree objective.
3. What if I never took the ACT or SAT?
Students who have been out of high school for more than five years are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission. Students with no (or low) ACT or SAT scores, though, may take a placement test called COMPASS to determine what math or English classes they will be permitted to enroll in. There is no charge for COMPASS testing; however, a student may take a COMPASS test only two times before being placed in either a developmental skills or academic development college-credit class. Call the Academic Development Center at (304) 367-4990 to set up an individual appointment.
4. How do I schedule for a class?
Students should schedule before the first day of each semester. Pierpont Community & Technical College offers evening classes at the following locations: Barbour County Technical Center, Braxton County High School, Calhoun/Gilmer County Technical Center, Doddridge County High School, Fred Eberle Technical Center-Upshur County, Lewis County High School, MTEC (Monongalia Technical Education Center), Preston County Technical Center, Randolph County Vo-Tech Center, Taylor County Technical Center and Tygart Valley High School. Scheduling for classes will continue for all sites through the start of the semester. (For more information about scheduling for those counties, call (304) 269-6389 for the Lewis County Center or (800) 641-5678 for Off-Campus programs on Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
5. What's the difference between a two-year and a four-year program?
A two-year program, also known as an associate degree, consists of a mix of general education courses and specific courses within a major area of study. Associate degree programs are designed to build skills to help people find jobs. Many of the two-year degree programs offered at PC&TC are designed to feed into corresponding four-year programs of study of Fairmont State University. A four-year program, also known as a bachelor's degree, includes a greater number of general education courses. Bachelor’s degree programs are designed to broaden general competencies and to build a more in-depth knowledge of a major field of study.
6. How much does it cost to take a class?
Many factors impact tuition and fees assessed. Some factors are:
a. Has the student met the criteria to be a West Virginia resident?
b. Is the student a two- or four-year degree seeking candidate?
c. Does the student attend on-campus or off-campus classes? Or both?
d. Are course fees charged for the courses the student is enrolled in?
e. Depending on the site, are facilities fees charged?
7. Is financial aid available to me?
Students who enroll in at least six credit hours may qualify for some form of financial aid. Students interested in receiving financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal and state grants, work-study assignments and loans. The form can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To have results sent to Pierpont C&TC, be sure to include our Title IV Code number, 040385, in step six of the form. You may request other financial aid information by calling (304) 367-4213 or (800) 641-5678, Ext. 3, or by e-mailing the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@pierpont.edu.
8. What is a major?
A major is the area of study in which you want to concentrate. Examples include business administration, criminal justice, information systems or technology.
9. What if I don't know what career or major to go into?
You can start with general studies classes that are the basics required for any major. Undecided students can also seek additional advising on major selection from the Academic Advising Center and the Career Services Office.
10. What does it mean to be a full-time student?
To be considered full-time, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester (four 3 credit hour classes). Unless you receive special permission, 18 credit hours a semester (six 3 credit hour classes) is the maximum course load.
11. How do credit hours relate to classroom time?
Credit hours roughly translate to the number of hours you should expect to spend in class each week during the semester. For example, a 3 credit hour class meets for 3 hours a week. You can expect to spend 3 hours of preparation time for each hour you spend in class. For a 3 credit hour class, be prepared to spend 9 hours of preparation.
12. What is a prerequisite?
A prerequisite is a condition or requirement you must meet before you are allowed to enroll in a program or class. These include test score requirements, classes completed or credit hours completed.
13. How are classes scheduled?
To meet the particular needs of students, 3 credit hour classes for a 16-week semester can meet 3 times a week for 50 minutes each, twice a week for 75 minutes each or once a week for 2 hours and 50 minutes. Three credit hour classes for an 8-week semester can meet twice a week for 2 hours and 50 minutes or once a week for four hours and 15 minutes.
For more information, call
Pierpont Community & Technical College
at (304) 367-4854, (800) 641-5678, Ext. 9,
or (304) 269-6389.
