STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Academic advising services assist all students in clarifying their educational goals, developing an educational plan, monitoring their educational progress, and determining transfer pathways. These services can help students discover their interests and passions, as well as careers and majors that will allow them to pursue them.

All students are required to see an advisor each semester to select the appropriate courses to meet their educational plan before they can register for classes. The Deans are also available during office hours or by appointment to advise students on campus, or via email or phone

Responsibility: Office of Academic Affairs, Deans of Schools

CAREER ADVISING

Georgia Christian University offers comprehensive career services to the students across all undergraduate and graduate programs. These services assist students with job search-related matters, such as graduate career aspirations, concerns, and challenges, resume and cover letter writing, access to employers via seasonal job fairs, effective job search strategies, and interviewing and negotiating skills.

Responsibility: Office of Student Affairs

CAREER SERVICES       Read More

Georgia Christian University offers comprehensive career services to the students across all undergraduate and graduate programs. These services assist students with job search-related matters, such as graduate career aspirations, concerns, and challenges, resume and cover letter writing, access to employers via seasonal job fairs, effective job search strategies, and interviewing and negotiating skills.

Responsibility: Office of Student Affairs

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES       Read More

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Georgia Central University seeks to give equal opportunity and access to students with disabilities. A student with a disability who requires special attention or accommodation should contact the Office of Student Affairs to establish his/her disability and make a “Reasonable Accommodation” request. The student should submit in writing the nature of the disability or the special request(s), any documents establishing the disability or special needs, and the student’s request for special accommodation.

Responsibility: Office of Student Affairs

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES       Read More

Student Information System

The online Student Information System allows students keep track of their academic studies, performance, and progress. With a unique and secure username and password issued by the institution, students can log into their account to register for courses, withdraw from courses, check their grades, see their enrollment history, complete and submit course evaluations, and update their contact information.

Responsibility: Office of Academic Affairs, Registrar’s Office

GCU Learning Management System

GCU online Learning Management System is used for the University’s Online Education. The system provides content through video on demand and utilizes discussion boards, assignment boards, and resource boards. The video on demand consists of pre-recorded videos of lectures, recorded in an on-site recording studio. With a unique and secure username and password issued by the institution, students can access all contents of their online courses, complete and submit assignments, and communicate with their instructor as well as with classmates.

Responsibility: Office of Online Education, Office of Information Technology

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE       Read More

Cleaning, repairs, maintenance, utilities and plant upkeep are all under the supervision of the Director of Facility Management and are all outsourced to appropriate local businesses. Repairs and other major maintenance issues occur when needed, cleaning occurs 4 days a week, and utilities and plant inspection occurs regularly.

Responsibility: Faculty Management

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE       Read More

Georgia Central University is committed to assisting students and their families in their efforts to obtain sufficient financial resources. Financial aid awards are based on economic need, merit, scholastic achievement, and extracurricular activities.

There are many different sources of financial assistance available to qualified students: GCU Institutional Scholarships and Aids, Presidential Scholarship, Academic Achievement Scholarship, Senior Citizen Tuition Assistance, Spousal Tuition Assistance, GCU Merit Scholarship, Tuition Assistance for Ministers and/or Ministers’ Unmarried Child, Need-Based Tuition Assistance, Ohsan Scholarship, Korean-American Presbyterian Church (KAPC) Scholarship, KAPC Southeastern Presbyterian Scholarship, and On-Campus Employment Scholarship.

Responsibility: Office of Business Affairs

IMMIGRATION COUNSELING       Read More

Immigration counseling consists of assisting international students with their lives and studies in the United States, and particularly with information and recommendation about why and how to maintain their legal immigration status in the U.S. while they are studying at GCU. Such information includes visa-related issues, concerns, or questions, attendance or performance in class, vacation/leave-of-absence/transfer requests, application for a Driver's License, etc.

Responsibility: International Student and Scholar Office

LEARNING RESEARCH AND RESOURCES SYSTEM       Read More

Library Resources

The GCU Library provides information services and biblical resources to support the scholarly and information needs of the GCU community by organizing and maintaining an excellent collection of print and non-print resources, providing instruction on and assistance with the acquisition of information, and by creating an academic atmosphere that fosters lifelong learning and intellectual inquiry.

Responsibility: GCU Library

Computer Lab

The computer lab facilitates academic research, study, and the completion of class assignments by ensuring that workstations remain up-to-date with the latest technology resources needed by today's global learners. It enables students to develop essential skills needed to use today's latest technology tools in order create, edit, share, and publish effectively.

Responsibility: Office of Information Technology

Academic Tutoring

Individual tutoring and guidance is available to assist students with general education research and assignments, and those with limited English proficiency and writing skills. These services also assist students with study skills, time management, and test-taking strategies. Services are provided by appointment, but they may also be provided via email.

Responsibility: Academic Tutoring Center

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION       Read More

New Student Orientation occurs once in the beginning of each academic year. All new students are provided with the schedule upon enrollment and are required to attend. During orientation, students are provided with the Student Handbook and other important documents. The institution describes each unit of the University, as well as policies and procedures, general expectations, and students' rights and responsibilities. Overall, students are provided with all the necessary information that they need in order to adapt to the institution and succeed in their program of study.

Responsibility: Office of Admissions, Office of Academic Affairs

ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT       Read More

On-campus employment opportunities provide part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to help cover education expenses. This program encourages community service and work related to the student’s course of study.

Responsibility: Office Student Affairs

PERSONAL COUNSELING       Read More

Personal Counseling services help students manage stress or navigate a difficult personal situation by overseeing their spiritual or personal well-being and providing support and direction. Short-term counseling as well as referral services are provided to assist students with the resolution of issues and crises.

Responsibility: University Chaplain, Office of Student Affairs

PLACEMENT TESTING       Read More

Placement testing refers to English proficiency exams administered to students who need to satisfy the English proficiency requirement of the admissions procedures. This testing is administered by the ESOL Office, and the results determine whether or not a student is required to enroll in the ESOL program prior to attending a degree program.

Responsibility: ESOL Office

RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS       Read More

Recruitment and admissions services set the University on the initial step toward the accomplishment of its mission because they enable the institution to enroll students who are the right fit for the programs that it offers, and thus who are more likely to succeed. Such students are those who are have the required skills, knowledge, and commitment to succeed in the program that meets their educational goals. These services are guided by the University’s Marketing and Recruitment Policies and Procedures and Admissions Policies and Procedures, which are consistent with the institutional mission because they provide the standards for making appropriate, ethical, and effective admission decisions.

Responsibility: Office of Admissions, International Student and Scholar Office

STUDENT ACTIVITIES       Read More

Chapel

Chapel service is an institutional requirement for all education programs, and weekly attendance is required. This is a pass/fail course and does not award any credit. The service provides an opportunity for the student body to experience the unity of the Body of Christ. The lively and enjoyable worship is led by faculty, staff, and students, and it includes music, prayer, and the proclamation of the Word of God.

Responsibility: University Chaplain

Optional Off-Campus Activities

These are activities convened off-campus which are not required to be part of an educational program. They mainly consist of field trips or excursions that students are encouraged but not required to participate in.

Responsibility: Office of Student Affairs

Optional On-Campus Activities

These are activities convened on-campus which are not required to be part of an educational program. They mainly consist of the celebration of various types of cultural events and American federal holidays that students are encouraged but not required to participate in.

Responsibility: Office of Student Affairs

Required Outdoor Activity Week

This event occurs once a semester. It replaces regularly scheduled on-campus instructional sessions and is an integral part of the instructional program. All students are required to attend since it is part of the regularly schedule class time. It provides the opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to get together and participate in a planned, approved, and enjoyable event.

Responsibility: Office of Student Affairs