Academic Advising

The mission of Academic Advising at Piedmont Technical College is to create a shared educational partnership, which involves the development of meaningful planning consistent with the student’s academic, personal and professional goals. Using a holistic approach to empower students, sharing available resources, providing accurate and timely information, and assisting students with clearly defining their goals are all essential to this outcome.

Goals of Academic Advising

Goals of Academic Advising
  • Assist students with transition to college.
  • Validate students’ career path and academic program selection.
  • Support students’ ability to meet academic program requirements.
  • Assist students to find campus resources to best help students succeed academically and personally.
  • Encourage involvement in on-campus, co-curricular activities that will increase the value of the college experience and develop interpersonal skills and leadership abilities.
  • Promote involvement in off-campus, experiential learning (volunteer services and internships) to help explore and clarify career options.
  • Help connect college experience with plans and goals for transition to the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution.
  • Provide students with information and support that will enable transfer to another institution.

Required Advising

All students must complete an academic advising appointment each semester prior to registration. This helps ensure that the student is on track and that their Academic Plan is up to date. It also provides the opportunity to identify available resources to support the student’s progress and academic success. 

Who is My Advisor

New Students

Current Students

Students who: 
- Are newly admitted to PTC for first time 
- Have transferred from another institution 
- Have been readmitted to PTC after absence of one year or more

Students who: 
- Have registered for classes at PTC within the last three semesters 
- Graduated within the last year and want to complete a new program

After completing the Admissions process, new and readmit students will meet with an Enrollment Advisor.

Current students will meet with an advisor within their Career Community or with a County Campus Advisor.

All new and recently admitted students will complete Enrollment Advising for first semester advising. After the start of their first semester, student will move to current student advising with their assigned advisor or advising team.

Current students can find their assigned advisor on the “Advisors” tile on the student page in Pathway. Depending on the Career Community, students may be assigned to a specific advisor or to an advising team.

The Enrollment Advisor will review the student’s vocational, academic, and personal goals and needs, assist the student with selection of first semester courses and provide information about the next steps in the advising process and resources for college success.

Students will meet with their Academic Advisor each semester to discuss career goals, review academic progress towards graduation, identify available resources for student success, and plan for upcoming semesters.

To schedule an Enrollment Advising Appointment

  1. Sign in to Navigate 360
  2. Select “Appointments” from the menu bar on the left.
  3. Click the blue “Make an Appointment” button
  4. Type of Appointment: Enrollment Advising
  5. Follow on-screen instructions and then click the “Schedule” button

To schedule an Enrollment Advising Appointment

  1. Sign in to Navigate 360
  2. Select “Appointments” from the menu bar on the left.
  3. Click the blue “Make an Appointment” button
  4. Type of Appointment: Advising - (your career community)
  5. Follow on-screen instructions and then click the “Schedule” button

For scheduling assistance, contact Enrollment Advising at [email protected] or 864-941-8388.

For scheduling assistance, contact your assigned advisor or advising area.

Frequently Asked Questions:

These questions are developed to answer some of the most common questions that students ask about reaching their educational goals. Click on a question that interests you to get a quick answer or a link to more information. If you need further information, please contact your advisor. 

Advising & Registration

What is the difference between Advising and Registering for Classes? 
Advisors assist with a student's transition to college and with progression to program completion. Advisors validate a student's career path and program of study. An advisor helps the student select courses and make decisions about course load and delivery methods. They support the student's ability to meet academic program requirements. Class registration is one outcome of an advising meeting.

Where do I find my Term PIN to register for classes? 
You will need to meet with your academic advisor to get your registration pin code.

If you are a new student, you will see an advisor in Enrollment Advising.

If you are a current student, you will need to see your assigned Academic Advisor. You may find your Academic Advisor's name and contact information in Pathway under the Student Tab on the Advisor card.

Do I need to see an advisor to register? 
Yes, all students must meet with an advisor each semester before they register.  

How do I make an advising appointment? 
Use Navigate to schedule your advising appointment. On the main screen, click “Appointments” on the left side of the screen. Click the blue “Make An Appointment” button and follow the prompts to schedule your appointment.

How will I meet with my advisor? 
Appointments are available in-person, virtually (video) and by phone. Although there may be more appointments available on our Greenwood campus, students may schedule advising on any campus.  

How do I prepare for my advising appointment? 
It is essential that you be able to log onto the internet on your computer or tablet during your virtual or phone advising appointments so that you can access the tools and information needed for effective advising.  

You should also look at the requirements for your program and prepare a list of possible courses for the upcoming semester. Be prepared with any questions you may have and plan to actively participate in the advising process.

Can my advisor complete registration for me? 
No, students must complete their own registration. Advisors provide you with instructions and guidance to complete scheduling and registration.  

How do I register for my classes? 
Registration is completed in Navigate. Refer to the brief video and information sheet below for instructions. For additional information or assistance, contact your advisor.

Academic Planning and Registration (Instructional Video - 4 min.)

Student Scheduling and Registration (Step-by-step Instruction Sheet)

What do I do if I receive an error message when completing registration? 
If you are still having trouble after reviewing this resource, make note of the error message you receive and contact your advisor.

Registration Errors in Navigate (Instructional Video - 4½ min.)

What do I do if I have a “hold” that prevents registration? 
In Navigate, find “Holds” on the toolbar. Click on the link for instructions to clear the hold.

Where do I find information about FAFSA and Financial Aid?   
Visit the Cost & Financial Aid page for complete information.  

Where do I find the books required for my class?   
Links to order books and view the campus bookstore website are in Pathway on the Student page. For contact information and store hours, see College Resources: Bookstore.

Where do I find my Academic Plan to complete the COL 103 assignment? 
After meeting with your academic advisor to create and accept your academic plan, you can access the plan in Navigate. Click “Planner” at the top of the Navigate main screen. Find “My Academic Plan” on the right side of the screen. Click on the dots to show a printable version of your plan. 

Course Selection

Can I repeat a course? 
In general, the College allows a student to repeat a course for any reason more than once. All attempts and grades will show on the transcript, but only the highest grade will be used in calculating cumulative GPA.

Financial Aid may have limits on payment for repeat coursework, so be sure to check with the Financial Aid office before registering for a repeat class.

Students in the clinical portion of a Health Care major should refer to the Health Care Division Handbook for policies and procedures regarding repeating courses.

How do I know which classes to take for my major?   
Refer to the Required Courses or Graduation Plan tabs for your major in the Dynamic Catalog for the courses required for your major. Pre-Health Care students should refer to the Fact Sheet for a list of their required program ready courses.

I have been told that I need to take corequisite classes with my math and/or English courses. What does this mean? 
Corequisites are courses required to be taken along with another course. The college has implemented a corequisite support model for English and math courses, for students who may need extra support with curriculum coursework.  

What does it mean if a course has prerequisites? 
Prerequisites are courses required for enrollment in a specific course. Students should carefully review the requirements for each course prior to registration. Some courses require a grade of “C” in the prerequisite course for enrollment.  

Can I take a class that is outside of my major? 
Courses not required for a student’s current program may only be taken with advisor permission and may not be covered by some forms of financial aid, including Title IV federal financial aid.

Will my prior credits expire? 
Due to changes in some technical fields and/or accreditation issues, some courses have an expiration date.

  • Courses with the following prefixes have an expiration of eight years: AOT, AMT, CPT, CGC, ECD, EEM, EET, IMT, IST, MET and SAC and courses MTT 250 Principles of CNC, MTT 251 CNC Operations and MTT 253 CNC Programming and Operations.
  • Courses with the following prefixes have an expiration of five years: EGR and EGT.
  • Courses with the HIM prefix have an expiration of two years.  
  • Prior health care coursework is reviewed by the respective department.

Most of PTC's programs are laid out in a certain sequence. Can I take the courses in a different order? 
Piedmont Tech has developed graduation plans for each degree, diploma, and certificate. Graduation plans detail the courses required and recommend when courses should be taken.

Many courses have prerequisites or are offered only during certain semesters; the graduation plans are laid out with these in mind.

It is best to ask an advisor if you have questions about what sequence will work best for you.

You and your advisor may also develop a degree plan that will help guide you in choosing your classes each semester.

I am selecting my classes. What do the different course codes and abbreviations mean?

Parts of Term 
A-Term: 8-wk term in the first half of the semester (shorter in summer) 
B-Term: 8-wk term in the second half of the semester (shorter in summer) 
T-Term (Full Term): 15-wk (10wk in Summer) course lasting the full semester.   
S-Term: Special Term, used primarily for Dual Enrollment, check dates for individual course 
 

Course Delivery Codes 
LEC: Traditional in-person class with required class meeting day(s) and time on designated campus 
LAB: Traditional in-person lab with required class meeting day(s) and time on designated campus 
WEB: Online course with assignment due dates but no required scheduled meetings 
WEBL: Online lab with assignment due dates but no required scheduled meetings 
WEX: (Synchronous Web Instruction) Online course with required online lectures at scheduled meeting day/time 
WEXL: (Synchronous Web Instruction) Online lab with required online lectures at scheduled meeting day(s) and time 
WHY: (PEN, Televised WHY) In-Person Lecture or Lab with scheduled meeting day(s) and time on designated campus. Class is broadcast to multiple campuses.   
  (Televised WHY w/instructor - Instructor is on this campus.) 
WEB Hybrid: Mixed course delivery which includes two or more course formats. Check course information carefully! 
 

Campus Codes 
Some classes (especially web hybrid and science courses) may have more than one location listed. 
AA: Abbeville Campus 
EE: Edgefield Campus 
GG: Greenwood Campus 
LL: Laurens Campus 
MM: McCormick Campus 
NN: Newberry Campus 
SS: Saluda Campus 
OC: Online Course 
 

Meeting Days 
M: Monday 
T: Tuesday 
W: Wednesday 
R: Thursday 
F: Friday 

Changes to Schedule

Can I change my schedule? 
Before the term begins and until the end of the Add/Drop period, students are generally able to adjust their schedule in Navigate. After the end of the Add/Drop period, students are unable to add classes to that term and must complete a course withdrawal if they are unable to continue in a class. Factors such as Academic Standing, Holds, and time left in term may prevent schedule changes. Contact your advisor for additional information and assistance.

What is the difference between dropping a class and course withdrawal? 
Dropping a class is only possible during the Add/Drop period at the start of each term. Classes you drop will not show on your transcript, but Financial Aid may be affected if you are required to take a minimum number of credit hours each semester. After the end of the Add/Drop period, you must withdraw if you are unable to continue in the class. Withdrawals will show on your transcript and may have an impact on your Financial Aid.  

For complete information and guidelines, refer to Withdrawal Information on the Student Records page.

What do I do if I am not able to continue attending my classes? 
This depends on when you decide to stop attending.

You can DROP during the ADD/DROP period for each term and part of term (A, B, L, and T). The last date to DROP a class, without penalty, is noted on the Student Calendar for each part of term. The course will be removed from your transcript as if you had never registered for the course. After the ADD/DROP period, you must WITHDRAW from a course and receive a grade of W on your transcript. Dropping or withdrawing from a class may affect your financial aid.

Withdrawing from a class is a serious decision. PLEASE speak to your advisor or Financial Aid counselor before you withdraw from a class or from the college completely.

For complete information and guidelines, refer to Withdrawal Information on the Student Records page.

If you have determined and accepted the risks and consequences involved in withdrawing from your course(s), you may withdraw from all but one of your courses in Navigate. To withdraw from the last course, please contact your advisor to complete the Semester Withdrawal Form.  

What do I do if I am not able to continue attending my classes?   
If you are unable to continue with a class and may need to withdraw, follow these steps: 1. Contact your instructor(s) to let him/her/them know you do not think you can continue to attend. 2. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you are receiving financial assistance to ensure that there is no penalty for withdrawing. 3. This instructional video will explain your options and how to proceed.  (Refer to the question below about course withdrawal for additional information and links.)

What do I do if I need to withdraw from a class after the add/drop period passes?   
If receiving financial aid, check in with the Financial Aid Office first to make sure that you will not owe money back for withdrawing. If you are okay to withdraw without financial penalty, you can complete the withdrawal from all but your last class through Navigate.  

Selecting or Changing Major

How do I change my major? 
If you are a current student, or have attended in the past three semesters, you will need to meet with your academic advisor to complete a Change of Major form. If you are a new student, contact Enrollment Advising.  

Please be aware that when you change your major, you are subject to the requirements listed in the College Catalog in effect at the time of the change.  

I do not know which career or major to choose. Who can help me decide? 
PTC offers Career Services and Resources to help equip students with the skills and knowledge to make career decisions.  You can schedule an appointment with a Career Services Team Member in Navigate, visit the Student Success Center in 101A on the Greenwood campus or call 864-941-8356 to schedule an appointment.

Can I have a double major at PTC? 
A student cannot be coded under two majors. However, a student may earn one associate degree, diploma, or certificate, and then complete another degree, diploma, or certificate. Once you complete one program, you will then be coded in the second program as you continue to earn credits. Meet with an advisor to complete a change of major form. 

Academic Standing

What is academic standing and what does that mean for registration?   
Academic standing is a student's academic progress and performance. It indicates whether a student is meeting academic requirements and making satisfactory progress in their classes. Students in Good Standing or Academic Warning can register for classes. You can see your academic standing in DegreeWorks.  

What are PTC’s Academic Probation Standards? 
For complete information, refer to the Student Records FAQ  page.

What do I need to do if I am on Academic Warning? 
Students whose Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 for one semester are placed on Academic Warning. Academic Success Resources are available to help the student raise their GPA to avoid Academic Probation. Speak with your advisor for assistance with a plan to raise your GPA.

How do I register for classes if I am on Academic Probation?   
Students on Academic probation will need to wait until grades are posted at the end of the semester and meet with an AP Advisor to complete an AP Contract before registering for classes. For more information see Student Records FAQ.  

I have an Academic Probation Contract for this semester. When can I register for next semester? 
Students who are enrolled and have an Academic Probation Contract for the current semester must wait until the current semester ends before registering for the upcoming semester. After grades are posted and Academic Standing is updated, the student may register if their academic standing allows them to do so. For more information, refer to the Student Records FAQ  page.

I am on an Academic Probation status, who should I see for advising? 
Students who are on Academic Probation must first meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss and select courses. To register for classes, the student must meet with an Academic Probation Counselor and complete an Academic Probation contract. Refer to the Academic Probation section of the catalog for more information. 

Academic Success Resources

Where do I go if I am having trouble being successful in a class? 
You should first speak to your instructor, who can help you determine the areas you need to work on and can make suggestions for improving your performance. 
 

PTC offers a number of resources to enhance the student experience and address student needs. Please click the links below for additional information:  

Transcripts & Transfer

How do I transfer courses to Piedmont Technical College from another college? 
You must have an OFFICIAL transcript sent from your previous institution directly to Piedmont Tech’s Student Records Office. You will need a transcript for each institution where credit was earned. The transcript can be mailed or e-mailed. If mailed, it must come in a sealed envelope. If the transcript has been sent to you, keep the envelope sealed and take it to Student Records.  

Your coursework will be evaluated, and you will be awarded equivalent transfer credit. For a course to be transferable, it must be from an accredited college or university, have a grade of C or better, and be equivalent to a PTC course in content.

A student may transfer in a maximum of 75 percent of credits toward an associate degree program at PTC.

For complete information, please refer to the Transfer Policies section of the Student Records page.

How do I transfer courses from Piedmont Technical College to another college? 
 The link below allows you to have your PTC Official transcript sent to other colleges. There is a fee charged for each transcript.  

Requesting PTC Transcripts | Piedmont Technical College  

Where do I find information about transferring to a four-year institution? 
Piedmont Technical College offers an excellent pathway for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution. To ensure you are on track, it is important to discuss your transfer goals with your academic advisor early on, so your coursework can be tailored to fit your future plans.

For more information, see the University Transfer page. 

PTC Navigate

For additional information and instructions, see the PTC Navigate page.

 How do I register for my classes? 
 Registration is completed in Navigate. Refer to the brief video and information sheet below for instructions. For additional information or assistance, contact your advisor.

Academic Planning and Registration (Instructional Video - 4 min.)

Student Scheduling and Registration (Step-by-step Instruction Sheet)

What do I do if receive an error message when completing registration? 
 If you are still having trouble after reviewing this resource, make note of the error message you receive and contact your advisor.

Registration Errors in Navigate (Instructional Video - 4½ min.)

How do I withdraw from a class in Navigate? 
See Making Schedule Changes (video) for instructions. If you need additional assistance, contact your advisor.  

For complete information and guidelines regarding course withdrawal, refer to Withdrawal Information on the Student Records page. 

Advising Syllabus

For the complete Advising Syllabus, please see: www.ptc.edu/advisingsyllabus.

Helpful Links