Academic Services
Academic Advising Services
Academic Advising Services, located on the Douglas and Sierra Vista campuses, coordinate several key services supporting student learning: academic advising, counseling, career exploration, testing, tutoring, referrals for experiential learning and Career Technical Education Programs (CTEPS) programs. Counselors and advisors assist students in defining, planning, and achieving success by helping them develop decision-making skills and personal strengths. Students can plan their program of study, learn about work/career options, explore transfer programs, and learn about college resources.
Placement Assessment
Students entering Cochise College programs are expected to possess basic academic proficiency in English, mathematics, and reading before taking college-level courses. Those students who do not demonstrate this proficiency may need to take courses which will not necessarily count toward their degree. Lack of academic preparation is one of several factors affecting students’ ability to complete their programs in a timely fashion while maximizing the advantages of financial aid.
All new students are required to demonstrate their skill levels in English, mathematics, and reading prior to registration. Students are encourages to take the Directed Self-Placement (DSP) assessment. DSP is a widely-used tool for placing student in their first-year English, math, and reading classes. The DSO process guides students to choose the course they feel is best aligned with their sense of readiness for college English, math, and reading. Through the DSP, students are able to take an active role in the decision about their first-year courses. All of the DSP assessments can be completed on an internet-ready devise. https://www.cochise.edu/dsp/
This is usually done by taking the college placement assessment. Students who place at the developmental level in any of the three areas above should consult an advisor to select the right courses designed to prepare them for college-level work. These courses currently include the following:
The above developmental courses all count toward meeting full-time status for financial aid purposes but any course numbered 099 and below cannot be used to meet graduation requirements. Any student registering in his or her first developmental course(s) must enroll concurrently in CPD 150, Student Success Strategies, and complete it successfully.
ACCUPLACER
Applicants to Cochise College are required to complete the ACCUPLACER placement assessment or submit ACCUPLACER, ACT, SAT or GED College Ready scores which are no more than three years old before registering for any courses that have academic skills prerequisites. Transferred scores must come directly from the institution previously attended or from the testing agency.
Normally, students must complete placement assessments in English, mathematics, and reading after which they meet with an advisor prior to registering in any course with an English, mathematics, and/or reading prerequisite. However, this placement testing may be waived for students who provide a transcript or diploma showing completion of an accredited associate or higher degree, or for transfer students whose official transcripts show completed coursework in a corresponding subject with a grade of C or better.
Developmental Course Sequencing toward College Level
English pathway
ENG 095 > ENG 096 > ENG 101
Mathematics pathways
Most AAS degrees: MAT 081 > MAT 132
Most AA degrees: MAT 081 > MAT 142
ABUS degrees: MAT 081 > MAT 142 > MAT 151, or MAT 167 > MAT 212
Most AS degrees: MAT 091 > MAT 151, MAT 182, or MAT 187 > MAT 220 > MAT 231 > MAT 241, MAT 252, or MAT 262
Reading pathway
RDG 020 > RDG 092 > Reading Exemt
Typical English, Mathematics, and Reading Program Requirements
English requirement
AA, AAEE, AAS, ABUS, AGS, AS: ENG 101 and ENG 102
Mathematics requirement
AA and AAEE: MAT 142 or higher
AAS: MAT 132 or MAT 142 or higher
ABUS: MAT 212 or MAT 220
AGS: MAT 132 or higher
AS: MAT 220 or higher
Reading requirement
AA, AAEE, ABUS, AS, AGS, AAS: RDG 092 or exemption
Tutoring
Cochise College provides free tutoring in a number of academic areas. Professionals, para-professionals, and peer tutors work with students individually and in small groups to support them as they sharpen their academic skills. Staff members at the Tutoring and Learning Centers help students prepare for tests, understand mathematical concepts, generate ideas for essays, work through the writing process, conduct research, build confidence, and more. Tutoring services are also available online. More information is available at www.cochise.edu/tutoring.
Career Technical Education Programs (CTEPS)
CTEPS offers a variety of support services to students enrolled in career and technical education programs, including academic advising, advocacy, career exploration, and financial assistance. More information is available at www.cochise.edu/cteps.
TRiO Student Support Services
The TRiO program helps students overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to their college education. To qualify, a student must be enrolled or accepted for full-time enrollment at Cochise College, be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, demonstrate a need for academic support, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- First-generation college student (parents or guardian did not receive a bachelor’s degree);
- Low-income student as established by the Department of Education; or
- Learning or physically disabled student registered with the Office of Accessibility Services.
More information is available at www.cochise.edu/trio or at the TRiO Student Support Services Office on the Douglas Campus.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education is required in some academic programs This requirement consists of experiential learning under the direction of a faculty member and the appropriate department. Refer to the program of study academic map indicating cooperative education credits are required. Further guidance will be provided by the department overseeing the academic program.