www.austincc.edu/support
Austin Community College is an institution committed to helping all students achieve their educational and career goals. This section of the catalog highlights programs and services available to increase student success.
Academic advisors and counselors assist new college credit students to complete the application process, review state-mandated Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, understand ACC’s placement policies, and evaluate assessment results. Once a student is admitted to ACC, they work to provide students with accurate, up-to-date academic information from ACC’s instructional departments. Advisors assist each student in selecting courses for their first semester and in developing an educational plan, including transferring to another college or university.
Counselors also assist students in defining educational and career goals, learning to benefit from instruction, and dealing with life challenges that may reduce their chances of succeeding at ACC. Counseling services include:
Faculty members assist students who have completed the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and who have a declared major in the faculty member’s academic discipline. (Students who are General Studies majors will be advised by student services counselors and advisors.) ACC recommends that students see a faculty member in their major at least twice while attending ACC. The first time should occur before students enroll in their second semester at ACC (if the student has completed TSI). Students should also see a faculty member in their major for an advising session when the student has completed 75 percent of credit hours for his or her transfer plan, ACC credit certificate, or ACC degree. Academic advising by faculty members includes assisting students with:
www.austincc.edu/support/assessment
The Assessment Center provides entry-level testing for new students as described in the Assessment and Testing section of the catalog. When appropriate, counselors work with faculty members in providing diagnostic testing to assess student learning problems and to offer workshops on preparing for a test, dealing with test anxiety, and improving test taking skills.
Business Assessment Center
www.austincc.edu/bact
The Business Assessment Center (phone 223.7769) provides professional licensure and certification exams and other high-stakes testing. These include GED, ACT, Person VUE, Workkeys, CLEP, TOEfl, and TExES exams. The Business Assessment Center also provides proctor services to students from other colleges and universities. For a complete listing of exams and services, see the Continuing Education section in this catalog or visit www.austincc.edu/bact.
Testing Center
www.austincc.edu/testctr
The Testing Center is used by ACC students taking classroom exams. Testing Centers are located at all campuses, the Round Rock Higher Education Center, and the Fredericksburg and San Marcos centers. Students should check with their instructors on the availability of tests at the various locations.
The ACC Bookstore offers an extensive selection of new and used textbooks as well as year-round buyback service. Please note:
Students interested in exploring career issues and options will find helpful resources on the career website, in on-campus Career and Transfer Centers, off-campus local WorkSource Career Centers, ACC library, and by meeting with an ACC counselor or ACC WorkSource advisor. Services vary by location. They include:
Off-campus career services: Off-campus career services are available through area WorkSource Centers. Visit www.worksourceaustin.com/contactus for information, or stop by the WorkSource Center locations:
The Children’s Lab School is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The program strives to provide children with a culturally enriched environment reflecting the diversity of the Austin area. For more information call 223.5200.
Students who meet specific income-eligibility requirements may receive childcare and/or textbook payment assistance through the Support Center. The Support Center is primarily a grant-funded program. Assistance is limited to available funds.
www.austincc.edu/aacc
The African-American Cultural Center at the Eastview Campus strives to increase understanding in the ACC and Central Texas communities of the culture, history, and contributions of African-Americans. The African-American Cultural Center offers many opportunities to students:
Austin Community College is an institution committed to helping all students achieve their educational and career goals. This section of the catalog highlights programs and services available to increase student success.
Advising and Counseling
www.austincc.edu/support/advisingAcademic advisors and counselors assist new college credit students to complete the application process, review state-mandated Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, understand ACC’s placement policies, and evaluate assessment results. Once a student is admitted to ACC, they work to provide students with accurate, up-to-date academic information from ACC’s instructional departments. Advisors assist each student in selecting courses for their first semester and in developing an educational plan, including transferring to another college or university.
Counselors also assist students in defining educational and career goals, learning to benefit from instruction, and dealing with life challenges that may reduce their chances of succeeding at ACC. Counseling services include:
- Career counseling and planning
- Educational planning and advising
- Targeting support services for underprepared students
- Working with students whose learning is at-risk
- Crisis counseling
- Helping students transfer to another college or university
- Helping students transition into the community and/or workforce
Faculty members assist students who have completed the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and who have a declared major in the faculty member’s academic discipline. (Students who are General Studies majors will be advised by student services counselors and advisors.) ACC recommends that students see a faculty member in their major at least twice while attending ACC. The first time should occur before students enroll in their second semester at ACC (if the student has completed TSI). Students should also see a faculty member in their major for an advising session when the student has completed 75 percent of credit hours for his or her transfer plan, ACC credit certificate, or ACC degree. Academic advising by faculty members includes assisting students with:
- Information about career possibilities
- Preparing an educational plan that is consistent with students’ career and life goals
- Selection and sequencing of courses at ACC
- Understanding and navigating the program and institutional requirements at ACC
- Referrals to ACC resources that will help students achieve success in academics and their chosen career
Assessment and Testing Centers
Assessment Centerwww.austincc.edu/support/assessment
The Assessment Center provides entry-level testing for new students as described in the Assessment and Testing section of the catalog. When appropriate, counselors work with faculty members in providing diagnostic testing to assess student learning problems and to offer workshops on preparing for a test, dealing with test anxiety, and improving test taking skills.
Business Assessment Center
www.austincc.edu/bact
The Business Assessment Center (phone 223.7769) provides professional licensure and certification exams and other high-stakes testing. These include GED, ACT, Person VUE, Workkeys, CLEP, TOEfl, and TExES exams. The Business Assessment Center also provides proctor services to students from other colleges and universities. For a complete listing of exams and services, see the Continuing Education section in this catalog or visit www.austincc.edu/bact.
Testing Center
www.austincc.edu/testctr
The Testing Center is used by ACC students taking classroom exams. Testing Centers are located at all campuses, the Round Rock Higher Education Center, and the Fredericksburg and San Marcos centers. Students should check with their instructors on the availability of tests at the various locations.
Bookstore
http://austincc.bncollege.comThe ACC Bookstore offers an extensive selection of new and used textbooks as well as year-round buyback service. Please note:
- Buying used books can reduce students’ cost by 25 percent. Buy early because quantities are limited.
- Students who drop a class should return the textbook as soon as possible. The bookstore gives full refunds on book returns through the first week of classes if students can present the original receipt and the book is in its original purchase condition.
- For home delivery, order online at whywaitforbooks.com.
- Digital textbooks have the same content as the printed version, but cost less. Check the bookstore website for available titles.
- The ACC Bookstore buys back textbooks every day, no matter where they were purchased. Bring books and student ID to any location. The best time to sell unwanted textbooks is finals week.
- A percentage of all sales funds over 12 student scholarships a year.
Career services
www.austincc.edu/careerStudents interested in exploring career issues and options will find helpful resources on the career website, in on-campus Career and Transfer Centers, off-campus local WorkSource Career Centers, ACC library, and by meeting with an ACC counselor or ACC WorkSource advisor. Services vary by location. They include:
- Counseling to identify career goals or college majors
- Workshops on various career and job search topics such as résumé writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation
- Occupational and job market information
- WorkInTexas.com job seeker registration assistance
- Financial assistance information under the Workforce Investment Act and which ACC programs are eligible
- Student-employer interviews
- Free career and self-assessment instruments such as Discover, Strong Interest Inventory, and the Myers- Briggs Personality Inventory
- Information regarding ACC and local job listings (full-time and part-time employment)
- Access to job clubs (through WorkSource Centers)
- Free classes to develop or enhance basic skills such as computer skills or English for speakers of other languages (at WorkSource Centers only)
- Free access to computers, telephones, fax machines, and copiers for job search purposes (at WorkSource Centers only)
Off-campus career services: Off-campus career services are available through area WorkSource Centers. Visit www.worksourceaustin.com/contactus for information, or stop by the WorkSource Center locations:
- North, 6505 Airport Blvd., #101-A
- South, 4175 Freidrich Lane, #200
- East, 3401 Webberville Road, Bldg. 1000
Childcare at Eastview
The Children’s Laboratory School on the Eastview Campus is a full-day and evening, year-round preschool program that also serves as a demonstration school for ACC’s Child Development Department. Child Development students observe, practice and receive feedback from degreed and experienced classroom teachers. The Children’s Lab School offers a quality program for children ages 6 months through 5 years during the day and ages 2 through 9 years in the evening. It enrolls children of ACC students, staff, and faculty, as well as children from the Greater Austin community.The Children’s Lab School is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The program strives to provide children with a culturally enriched environment reflecting the diversity of the Austin area. For more information call 223.5200.
Childcare/ Textbook Payment Assistance
www.austincc.edu/support/financialaid/centerStudents who meet specific income-eligibility requirements may receive childcare and/or textbook payment assistance through the Support Center. The Support Center is primarily a grant-funded program. Assistance is limited to available funds.
Cultural Centers
African-American Cultural Centerwww.austincc.edu/aacc
The African-American Cultural Center at the Eastview Campus strives to increase understanding in the ACC and Central Texas communities of the culture, history, and contributions of African-Americans. The African-American Cultural Center offers many opportunities to students:
- A comfortable academic environment as they pursue their educational goals
- A respect for, knowledge of and appreciation for their heritage by offering history, and English courses with an emphasis on the African-American experience
- Opportunities for faculty members to increase their awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural dynamics of African-American students
- A variety of activities focusing on the recruitment and retention of African-American students