School of General Studies & Academic Support

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Last Updated: Jul 1 2015

The School of General Studies and Academic Support creates and supports foundations for life-long learning, empowers our students with necessary skills for college transfer and careers, and promotes student success.

We also offer certificates, diplomas and two-year degree programs to prepare you for transfer to a senior institution or for a fulfilling career in your chosen field.

The College Transfer Options

• Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree  
• Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree  

The College’s Associate in Arts and Associate in Science provide transfer options for students whose ultimate goal is to pursue a baccalaureate degree at senior institutions.

The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science courses are among those included in the comprehensive articulation agreement (CAA) between the University of North Carolina and its 16 institutions and the North Carolina Community College System. Increasingly several of the area private colleges and universities have also adopted courses within the CAA agreement. Students pursuing the A.A. or A.S. should consult the catalog of the institution to which they plan to transfer to guide them in selecting courses for transfer.

In the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs, the student may choose a course of study equivalent to the first two years of the four-year college or university. By completing 60 - 64 semester hours of prescribed credit work with an average grade of “C” or better, the student qualifies for an associate degree and should then be able to transfer to a senior institution with junior year status. The College provides centralized, professional advising to guide students in planning programs for transfer to the senior college or university. Students planning to transfer should consult the catalog of the institution to which they plan to transfer.

Both the Associate in Arts program and the Associate in Science program consist of courses in the following major areas: English, social science, foreign language, humanities, mathematics, natural science, and physical education, as well as electives. Students who need preparation for college-level work are provided pre-curriculum education to help them be successful in their program of study. All first time in college students with an unweighted high school GPA less than 3.0 are required to complete a student success course (ACA 090) in their first semester.

College and Career Readiness

The College and Career Readiness program administers the following programs: Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult High School (AHS), high school equivalency diploma preparation (GED® and other test options), English as a Second Language (ESL), Get REAL Alternative High School, Workplace Basic Skills, College Placement testing review classes and Compensatory Education.

Students should call to get further information about entry days and times.

1. Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a program of instruction designed to assist adults who wish to improve their skills in reading, grammar, written communications, and mathematics.
2. English as a Second Language (ESL) is a program of instruction designed for adults who are limited English proficient and whose primary language is not English.
3. Adult High School Diploma (AHS) is a program of study that consists of core courses required by the Department of Public Instruction and the local public school systems. Along with the core courses, the College offers electives. Completing these courses enables students to receive an Adult High School Diploma once all graduation requirements are met.
4. High School Equivalency is a program of instruction to prepare students for a series of tests which, when passed, certifies that the examinee has high school equivalency academic skills. The diploma is issued by the North Carolina Community College System when a student successfully completes the testing requirements in 4 subject areas.
5. Get REAL (Real Educational Achievements for Life) assists youth between the ages of 16 and 21 obtain a high school credential, job skills, and employment. The program is offered collaboratively by DCCC and DavidsonWorks.
6. Davie Campus eLink: Linking Education to Employment program serves out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 and 21 and is designed to assist students with basic skills education, life skills, and employability.
7. Workplace Basic Skills allows employers to work collaboratively with College and Career Readiness staff to customize a program targeting basic skills that improve workplace performance.
8. Achieving College/Career Entry (ACE) is a program for students who would like to review reading, mathematics, or language before taking or retaking the College placement assessment.
9. Compensatory Education (CED) offers educational opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities. These educational opportunities assist the participants in becoming more independent and self-directed.
10. Distance Learning opportunities are available online in the following programs: ABE, AHS, ESL, High School Equivalency (HSE), and ACE.
11. Backpacks to Briefcases is a program that allows students enrolled in High School Equivalency (HSE) or AHS programs to dually enroll in tuition and fee-waived college courses in identified career pathways.

College and Career Readiness Program Placement Guidelines

All students who enter College and Career Readiness programs are assessed to determine the appropriate level of placement. The assessment process determines the student’s current functional level to assure placement in the program which best meets the student’s needs and provides the appropriate instruction. Students entering ABE, AHS, and HSE, Get REAL and the College Placement Review (ACE) programs are assessed using the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). Guidelines for placement based on these assessments are as follows:

1. Individuals must score at or above each of the following grade levels on the assessment to enroll in high school completion programs:   

2. Participants who score below these levels in one or more of the three areas are referred to ABE or ACE.
3. Students enrolling in a high school completion program will be informed about both the AHS and HSE programs. Students may then choose the program that best suits their needs.
4. Students in ESL and CED are assessed using specifically designed forms of the California Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS).

College and Career Readiness program placement guidelines are subject to change at any time.

Success and Study Skills

Success and Study Skills courses are designed to enhance a student’s success in college by improving skills in listening, note taking, test taking, time management, personal development, and resource usage. DCCC offers ACA 090  and ACA 122  to develop sound study techniques and prepare for future academic opportunities.

Programs

• Arts, A.A.
• High School Career and College Promise, A.A.

• High School Career and College Promise, A.S.
• Science, A.S.

• Aquarium Science Technology
• Early Childhood Education, A.A.S.
• General Occupational Technology, A.A.S.
• Zoo Science Technology

• General Education, A.G.E

• Early Childhood Education Diploma

• Early Childhood Education Certificate: Emphasis in Administration Assistant
• Early Childhood Education Certificate: Emphasis in Early Childhood Teaching Assistant
• Early Childhood Education Certificate: Emphasis in Infant/Toddler Care
• Early Childhood Education Certificate: Emphasis in School Age Assistant
• Infant/Toddler Care Certificate (High School Career and College Promise (CCP))

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