FLC's Counseling department is here to help! Below are the answers to some of the most frequent inquiries we receive, along with a glossary of helpful terminology for new students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enrolling in classes is easier than ever! After your application is processed, you will receive an enrollment date and time. Your enrollment date and time is the earliest you can enroll – you can also enroll any time after your enrollment date.
You can enroll online in eServices, where we have new tools that make it easy to plan your schedule. You can also enroll in person in Admissions and Records.
All college courses are completed in one semester or less. A semester is 16 weeks in length; however, eight week and other short-term or "fast-track" courses are also offered. Note that short-term and fast-track classes meet the same number of hours and cover the same amount of material as the same class that meets for the full semester.
For a typical full semester class, the hours the class meets per week usually equals the number of units the class is worth. That means that most classes will meet three hours per week. The hours may be in a three hour block or spread out in a variety of combinations. A three-unit class will usually meet either for one hour a week, three times a week; or for one and a half hours a week, twice a week.
You may arrange your time schedule to meet your needs. However, be advised to adhere to the following guidelines. You may take classes which meet for consecutive hours, but be sure that consecutive classes are at the same location. If one class is at another campus, you will need to allow for travel time. If your classes are at the same location, it is fine to take a class from 9:00 to 9:50 am and one from 10:00 to 10:50 am. It is not necessary to take classes consecutively; some students prefer to have study time directly after each class. Be careful not to sign up for classes which overlap in time. For example, you may not sign up for a class that begins at 9:30 am if you have a class that ends at 9:50 am. You may take both day and evening classes.
Courses numbered 300-499 are generally transferable to CSU, UC, and private university systems. Courses numbered 1-299 do not transfer to the above mentioned school systems. For transferability of specific courses, refer to the college catalog. In addition, courses numbered 100-299 apply toward the associate degree and courses numbered 1-99 do not. More information.
A full time student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units. Your status as a full-time student is important if you are involved in Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS) and/or are receiving financial aid. Your status may also be important if you are receiving Social Security, veteran's benefits, or have automobile or medical insurance which requires full-time status.
The college policy for the maximum number of units per semester is 18 (full-time status is 12 units). The maximum number of units for summer session is 8 units. Students wishing to take more than 18 units during a semester must obtain approval from a counselor and submit appropriate documentation to the Admissions & Records office.
It is difficult to answer this question because so much depends on how much time you have to devote to school. Remember, many classes are offered during summer sessions. Taking summer classes can help you achieve your goal more quickly.
It is to the student's benefit to repeat a class in which they received a grade of D or F in order to raise their GPA. In order to satisfy major and General Education Requirements for IGETC and Areas A and B4 of the CSU GE Breadth Pattern, the student must have a minimum of C grade.
As a student, you are responsible (not the instructor) for withdrawing from classes in which you are officially enrolled. The student should drop the class online via eServices. If you fail to attend a class in which you are officially enrolled and do not drop the class, you are still liable for the fees and may receive an F or W grade. Be sure to check the Academic Calendar & Deadlines page. Deadlines vary for dropping short-term classes.
PASS (Program for Academic Success & Support) is a comprehensive program which provides support for students who fall into probation or dismissal. There are specific requirements for students on probation or dismissal. The goal of PASS is to help students develop success strategies, return to good standing, and continue working towards their education and career goals. For more information, please call (916) 608-6730.
Yes, by taking the courses required for transfer, you will more than likely meet the requirements for an associate degree as well. Additional requirements that you may need to meet are a physical education course, multicultural course, and fulfillment of reading competency. Check with a counselor for assessment of your specific needs.
IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) is a general education pattern which community college transfer students can use to fulfill lower-division general education requirements in either the CSU or UC systems. You must complete the entire IGETC in order to have it accepted as meeting the general education requirements at the transfer institution and to have it certified. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. IGETC is not appropriate for all majors; make an appointment to see a counselor.
All California state colleges and universities accept a common pattern of general education. If you complete courses in accordance with the pattern prior to transferring to one of the 23 state universities, you may request that Folsom Lake College Admissions & Records certify the general education on your official transcript. General education certifications must be done via appointment with a counselor. All state universities will honor this certification stamp; that is, you will not be required to take additional lower division general education courses in those areas certified.
It is not necessary to declare a major the first semester you register. However, it is to your advantage to decide on a major so that you can make a plan to earn a degree or certificate and/or complete transfer requirements. We also recommend that you take a career exploration class and/or consult with a counselor to help you with major and career choices.
To be eligible for a refund, classes must be dropped by appropriate deadline dates. It is the student's responsibility to drop the class as well as submit a refund request form. Refund forms must be filed by the last day of the semester or session.
Parking permits may be purchased online at eServices or in person at Admissions & Records. Daily parking permit are available to purchase for $2 at kiosks in the college parking lots.
No. One parking permit is valid for every location in the Los Rios Community College District. For example, a FLC semester parking permit can be used at ARC. Note: Daily parking permits may only be used at the location it was originally purchased from.
Grades are available on eServices, the online registration system.
Glossary
Advanced Education: A high school student who is enrolled in college courses.
Accredited: A college or program which is recognized by a professional association as maintaining certain standards. Accredited programs qualify graduates for admission to higher or more specialized programs, and for professional practice. (Folsom Lake College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.)
Articulation: A connecting link between two or more schools. Articulation agreements between Folsom Lake College and other schools list courses that transfer and meet general education and/or major requirements leading to a bachelor of arts degree.
Catalog: The catalog is the official college publication with general reference information and specifics regarding course descriptions, major and degree requirements. Every student is responsible for understanding the information in the catalog. Catalogs may be purchased at the FLC College Store or in the Admissions & Records office. Note: Not all courses listed in the catalog are taught at FLC/EDC/RCC each semester. Refer to the class schedule for current course offerings.
Certificate: A certificate is an award for the successful completion of a specified number of units in a career education/vocational/technical program. General education courses are not required for a certificate. Upon completion of the required units, a petition for the certificate must be completed with a counselor or via the online form.
Class Schedule: A list of courses and sections offered each semester and summer session. The days, hours, location, and name of instructor are also listed in the schedule.
Counseling/Advising: Counseling assistance is available to students by a staff of professional counselors which enables students to establish and meet their educational goals and objectives. This includes personal and vocational counseling, career guidance, adjusting to college, developing study skill,s and many other services. Students may see the counselor of their choice.
Credit: See Units below.
Pass/No Pass: A policy of granting credit, but no grade, for satisfactory completion of a specific course. See the catalog for specific information.
Deficiency: A lack of credit in a required course or graduation requirement.
Degree: A degree is an official college recognition for the completion of requirements for graduation. At Folsom Lake College, you may receive an Associate of Science (AS), an Associate of Arts (AA), or an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT). Upon completion of all requirements for the degree, a petition for graduation must be completed with a counselor.
Dismissal: A student is subject to dismissal when they have earned a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in all units attempted in each of three consecutive semesters. A student must see a counselor to petition for readmission.
Electives: Courses taken that do not fulfill general education or major requirements. May be taken for interest and/or to fulfill unit requirement for graduation or transfer.
Full-Time Student: A student who is enrolled in a minimum of 12 units for the semester.
General Education: Courses outside of the major that all students must complete to obtain a degree. See the catalog for further information and specific lists of courses.
Lower Division: Courses at the freshman and sophomore levels of college work, available at the community college as well as the four-year universities.
Major: A major is a student's primary field of study or area of concentration. Choosing a major is important for students working toward an associate degree and/or transfer to a four-year institution.
Matriculation: The process that all new students follow to help ensure success in meeting educational goals. Matriculation includes: assessment, orientation, counseling, registration, and follow-up.
Occupational Programs: Programs of study emphasizing job skills.
Part-Time Student: A student enrolled in fewer than 12 units for the semester.
Prerequisite: A prerequisite is a preliminary requirement that must be met before a certain course can be taken. The course descriptions in the catalog and the course listings in the class schedule include course prerequisites.
Probation: When a student is not progressing satisfactorily, they may be placed on either academic or progress probation.
Semester: The Folsom Lake College academic year is organized into two periods of 16 weeks each., the fall and spring semesters. There is also an optional summer session.
Transfer Program: A series of courses designed to match the lower division courses at a university and which may be transferred to that university.
Units: A basis of measurement for courses. One hour per week for 16 weeks is equal to 1 unit of credit. A 3 unit lecture class may meet 3 times a week for one hour or twice a week for 1 ½ hours or once a week for 3 hours or some other combination to equal 54 hours for the semester. Lab classes and physical education classes vary in the way in which units are equated.
Upper Division: Courses at the junior and senior levels of college work. Upper division courses are not available at the community college.