Admission and Registration

College Readiness Preparation

New students may require preparatory courses for college-level work. This need is often identified prior to or during the admission steps.

Developmental Courses

HACC offers a variety of courses to help students strengthen their skills and build confidence as they prepare for college-level coursework. Students who may benefit from these developmental courses are identified through HACC’s placement assessments, helping ensure they receive the support that best meets their academic needs.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

HACC offers instruction in English for either credit-based academic purposes and/or as a focus on community, college, and career noncredit options. For further information on HACC’s ESL opportunities visit www.hacc.edu.  

GED® Testing
The General Educational Development (GED) tests are a group of four academic subject tests (language arts, social studies, math & science) certifying academic knowledge equivalent to a high school diploma. This certification is an alternative to the U.S. high school diploma. Passing the GED test gives those who do not complete high school, or who do not meet requirements for a high school diploma, the opportunity to earn a Certificate of High School Equivalency or similarly titled credential.

HACC offers free GED classes to adults 18 years or older in preparation for these high school equivalency exams to earn the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.

To learn more about GED exams, visit www.ged.com. For information about free GED classes at HACC, email ged@hacc.edu or jmmillar@hacc.edu. 

Application and Admission Information

Applicants who meet the following criteria will be admitted to the College:

• Earned a high school diploma or received a General Education Development Diploma (GED)

• Satisfied the conditions for early admission of secondary school students

• Are 18 years of age or older

The following individuals should apply for admission to the College:

• Anyone who has never previously applied for credit courses

• Anyone who has previously applied for credit courses but never took classes

• Anyone who previously studied at HACC but has not attended for two or more years

• Anyone who is interested in taking a noncredit (workforce development) course 

How to apply for admission to the College:

Please:

• Complete and submit the online application for admission found at www.hacc.edu/admissions. Apply as early as possible to ensure that there is adequate time to complete the enrollment process.

• Submit a high school transcript or copy of high school equivalency diploma transcript if you are taking any credit classes at HACC. You may send your transcripts to admissionsrecords@hacc.edu.

• Submit an official college transcript if you are:

  • Transferring credits to HACC

  • Seeking acceptance to a selective program

  • Send your official transcript to record@hacc.edu 

Other documents may be required for the following admission types:

• College in the High School and Dual Enrollment Programs – These programs focus on students seeking enrollment into courses at HACC while attending high school. For more information about applying as a College in the High School and Dual Enrollment Programs please review this information. 

• Guest Student Admissions – Guest students are currently enrolled at other institutions and taking courses at HACC to fulfill their home institutions’ degree requirements. For more information about applying as a Guest Student please review this information. 

• International Student Admissions – Students seeking enrollment with an F-1 Visa need to complete the international admissions application. Please contact International Admissions at internationalstudent@hacc.edu for assistance with your application. For more information about applying as an International Student please review this information.

• Permanent Resident/Non-Resident – Those living in the United States who are not U.S. citizens are required to submit either a copy of their permanent resident card or a current visa with the application for admission. A non-resident is defined as a person who is not a citizen and who is in the United States on a visa or temporary basis without the right to remain indefinitely.

How to apply for financial aid:

The Financial Aid Department encourages all students to apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). Students should apply at www.fafsa.gov.

Who to contact for more information:

The College welcomes and encourages future students to visit any campus and learn more about HACC. Call 1-800-ABC-HACC and select option 4 or meet with an admissions professional by visiting https://www.hacc.edu/Admissions/Connect/index.cfm.

Where do I find an application?

To apply online, please visit https://hacc.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Create. 

Once a student is admitted to the College, an acceptance email will be sent. The acceptance email includes the student’s assigned HACC ID number as well as information on the next steps of the enrollment process. Please find more information and admissions steps located at www.hacc.edu/Admissions.

Placement

HACC ensures students have the necessary skills to succeed in college-level courses. Students may need to take placement assessments for math and English.

To be exempt from English placement, students must meet one or more of the following multiple measures (valid from previous ten years; eligible for English 101): 

• High School GPA of 3.0 (valid at start of junior year)

• Transfer in 12 credits of college-level coursework

• SAT Evidence-based Reading & Writing (ERQ) or Critical Reading Score of 480

• ACT Reading Score of 18 and ACT English Score of 21

• General Equivalency Diploma English Score (GED) of 165

• High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) Language Arts --Reading OR Writing score of 15

• PSAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Score of 450

To be exempt from Math placement testing, meet one or more of the following multiple measures (Math scores must have been recorded within the past five years; eligible for MATH 100, 103, 104, 111, 113, 114 and 202): 

• High School GPA of 3.0 and an Algebra 2 grade of a B or better,

• SAT Math Score of 530

• General Equivalency Diploma Math Score (GED) of 165

• High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) Math score of 15

Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and provide transcripts are exempt from English placement, but depending on the program of study, may need to take the math assessment.

Students who are interested in studying English for Academic purposes or are English language learners, must take the Accuplacer ESL placement tests, unless they present acceptable TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, or Duolingo scores.

A student with a documented disability who requires special assistance with testing should contact Student Access Services (SAS) to schedule testing. Contact information for SAS is listed online at www.hacc.edu. Please visit the Placement Testing page on the HACC website for information.  

New Student Experience

Welcome to HACC! Our mission with HACC's orientation programs is to help you smoothly transition into college life. The New Student Orientation team will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed and navigate college.

New student onboarding is a mandatory and important part of your educational journey. After activating your myHACC account and HAWKMail, you will receive an email from YOUR Onboarding Coach with instructions on your next steps to enrollment.

The New Student Experience team’s mission is to help students smoothly transition into college life through our comprehensive onboarding programs. We help students to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in navigating the college process. Shortly after activating myHACC and HAWKMail accounts, students will receive an email from their Onboarding Coach with next steps which includes completion of a new student onboarding course, required placement assessment(s), and attending a Level Up session. Please note this email will only be sent to the student’s HAWKMail email address. Students are encouraged to check their “All Mail” tab if the email does not appear in their primary inbox. 

Level Ups are offered both in-person and remotely to suit student’s busy schedules.To learn more about Level Ups, please visit www.hacc.edu. At Level Ups, students will learn about: 

• Financial aid and paying for school 

• Next steps to enrollment

• Tips for academic success

• Career/Transfer options

• Effective class registration strategies and course registration
  
  

If a student needs disability-related accommodations for any part of the onboarding process, please contact Student Access Services at https://www.hacc.edu/Students/AcademicSupport/StudentAccessServices/index.cfm for assistance.

Students also have access in myHACC to The HAWK Experience, a one-stop location to access need-to-know information about being a student at HACC, links to essential services and resources, and contact information for HACC offices.

For more information or to contact the New Student Experience office, please visit the New Student Experience webpage at https://www.hacc.edu/Students/NewStudentOrientation/index.cfm or contact New Student Experience nse@hacc.edu or 717-780-2513.  

Meeting with an Advisor  

Advising is an important part of the educational experience. The student and advisor can discuss program objectives and the student’s goals to develop an educational plan that fits the student’s needs. Students are highly encouraged to meet with an advisor prior to each semester until graduation or the student’s educational goals are met. Students who choose to register without seeking advice or register in classes not recommended by their advisor assume full responsibility for their actions. To learn more about advising, please visit our webpage at www.hacc.edu/advising or call us at 717-780-2498.

Students should refer to the Academic Programs of this catalog or go to www.hacc.edu for information on the suggested sequence of courses for the program they are pursuing and planning suggestions for those students who plan to transfer to another college after completing their education at HACC. Class schedules and details on the course modality options (on campus, remote, and online learning) are available at www.hacc.edu/courseschedule.

Registration

Registration includes the selection of and registration for classes, and the payment of tuition and fees. Registration generally begins several months prior to the start of classes and ends the day prior to the start of class. Early registration is encouraged, and full payment is not required until the tuition due date. Registration, dates, times, deadlines, and details about registration methods can be found online at www.hacc.edu.

In order to be considered a full-time student in a fall or spring term, a student must be enrolled in courses totaling at least 12 credit hours. Recommended sequences of classes are generally based on at least 15 credits per term in order to facilitate timely completion of a program. Students who wish to schedule more than the normal load during term must obtain approval from their academic advisor. It is recommended students plan weekly study time of at least two hours for each hour of class. It is unwise to plan work and study totaling more than about sixty hours a week.

Student ID and Parking Pass

Visit a campus Welcome Center to receive a HACC ID and parking pass. An ID card allows students to use campus services and can be shown at businesses offering student discounts. A parking pass can be used at any campus location. For more information visit www.hacc.edu. 

Purchasing Textbooks and Supplies

Course materials and school supplies are available in the campus bookstores on the Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York campuses as well as online at www.bookstore.hacc.edu. The bookstore sells HACC swag such as clothing and gift items, food and beverage, commencement items, uniforms, bus passes, and more. Students can pick up orders from the bookstore, gear shop at LVC or have them shipped. Financial aid, if available, can be used ten days before the beginning of each semester. Students are encouraged to purchase textbooks before the term begins to ensure materials can be used on the first day of class. Course materials listed as “To Be Determined” indicates a course for which the stores have not yet received an assigned textbook. HawkTech, an Apple® Authorized Campus Store, is located in the Harrisburg Campus bookstore, making the bookstore an Apple® authorized reseller and Apple® repair center. For bookstore hours and contact information visit bookstore.hacc.edu/site_about_us.asp. 

Credential Requirements by State
A variety of programs require a license or certification to work in a chosen field. The licensing and certification requirements can vary by state. For more information on any licensing and certification requirements needed for employment within a particular state, please visit www.hacc.edu.

First-Year Seminar

Degree-seeking students are required to complete a First-Year Seminar (FYS) course, designed to introduce students to essentials of college success, including goal setting, decision-making, and academic skill building. It is recommended to complete this course in the first semester, and some FYS courses are program specific. There is an opportunity to earn credit by exam for FS 102, a one-credit FYS. Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine which FYS option is best. For more information about FYS courses, visit www.hacc.edu.

Programs with Special Academic Accreditation
Multiple programs at HACC receive national accreditation. Visit www.hacc.edu for more information about those programs that have special accreditation.

Subsequent Degrees

After earning an associate degree at HACC, students need to complete at least 15 more credits at HACC to qualify for each additional degree. 

Special Application Requirements

Additional documents and procedures are required for students seeking admission into certain programs. Some programs may require students to submit to State and/or Federal Criminal Background Checks, child abuse clearance and other verifications prior to enrollment, the start of a clinical experience, testing and/or obtaining employment. Some clinical placements require physicals and proof of immunizations. Students should consider this factor before enrolling in programs which require these checks. Students should contact the chair of the appropriate academic department with questions about these requirements.

Articulated Credit

Students may also earn credits through a variety of avenues.

Credit by Examination

The College allows and encourages students who have completed advanced classes in high school or who have previous training or experience in an academic area to take examinations in those areas.

Upon successful completion of an examination and proper notification to the Registrar’s Office, the student will be awarded credit, which may be used to meet program requirements. Information on accepted exams and required scores is available for review in the Registrar’s Office. HACC honors the requirements of the Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee of the PA Department of Education (collegetransfer.pa.gov) in determining the specific tests that are accepted and the scores necessary to receive credit.

• The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, is designed for high school students who wish to earn college credits while in high school. These are national examinations which are designed to measure the competence of the student. 

• Cambridge International A Level and As Level Examinations: Some Cambridge A Level and As Level exams are accepted for transfer into HACC.

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP): Students who wish to earn credit for courses based upon previous training or experience may complete examinations offered through CLEP. 

• International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are offered by approved secondary schools throughout the world. Student performance on IB assessments may allow students to earn credit for some HACC scores. 

• DSST (formerly known as DANTES) Exams are administered by Prometric on a variety of subjects. 

• HACC Credit by Examination: Credit by an examination, similar to a comprehensive final examination, is available for many of the courses offered by the College. These examinations may be taken by students who have reason to believe that they can pass examinations of this nature because of completed formal or informal training and experience in topics presented with the rigor of a college-level curriculum. Examinations offered under this program are scored on a pass/fail basis. Students who wish to petition to earn credit by examination should contact the department chair that offers the course. A fee is required.

Experiential Learning or Prior Learning Assessment

Students may request credit for knowledge, experience or skills gained outside the normal educational structure. In such cases, the student should contact transcripteval@hacc.edu for assistance and further information. Students must be currently enrolled at the College and may not request credit for a course they have previously received a grade for (including Y, W or F). Students are required to submit credentials and/or a portfolio for evaluation. Experiential Learning includes both formal and informal learning resulting from work experience, non-credit courses, seminar training, workshops, professional licenses and certifications, community volunteerism, and unique life experiences. Upon assessment of the credentials and/or portfolio, the assigned assessor from the discipline may recommend awarding credit. A fee is required. 

Other Professional Certifications

The College also awards credit for certain licenses or certifications from professional bodies, agencies, and institutions. Professional certification/licensure may entitle a student to receive equivalent semester course credit towards a certificate or degree with the appropriate alignment of course learning outcome from recognized industry certification/licensure. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for information. The College may also award credit for training completed in the military, industry or other non-collegiate setting that has been evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) or the National Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI). Credit will be granted only when the training is directly relevant to the student’s program of study and aligns with HACC’s course outcomes and learning objectives. Credit from the military is awarded, if applicable to the student’s major. To request an evaluation of non-collegiate training contact the Registrar’s Office.

Credit by Transfer

Students admitted to HACC seeking to earn a degree, certificate or diploma and who are currently taking or have completed courses at another post-secondary school, may request to have official transcripts from other schools officially evaluated for transfer of credits. Degree-seeking students may transfer up to 45 credits from other post-secondary institutions. Transcripts from foreign educational institutions must be sent by the student to a HACC approved credential evaluation service for possible transfer of credit to HACC. 

Transcripts from foreign educational institutions must be requested by the student and be sent directly to one of the following credential evaluation services before they can be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office for transfer credits. HACC requests that a course-by-course evaluation be completed in order to determine the U.S. grade and credit hour equivalencies for transfer. Once the evaluation service completes the evaluation, an official transcript should be sent directly to HACC using an effective method to verify high school graduation as listed at https://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/Programs/HealthCareers/upload/HS-graduation-verification.pdf. 

Generally, credit is awarded only for coursework in which the student received credit with a letter grade of A, B, or C, except for Physical Education credit, which will transfer if a grade of P or S was received, where P or S grades are considered the equivalent of a C or above. Developmental Education courses do not transfer, but may be considered for placement purposes. Generally, there are no time limits for transfer of courses for students who are currently enrolled except where the College's own courses have time restrictions. Certain programs have transfer restrictions. Some allied health, education, and information technology courses may not be accepted for transfer if completed more than seven years ago due to curriculum changes and program requirements.

Students wishing to apply for transfer credit must submit an official transcript from the originating institution. In some instances, it may be necessary to provide course syllabi. The official transcript and any supporting documentation should be sent directly to the HACC Registrar’s Office. An official transcript is one that is officially authorized by the Records official at the institution and sent directly to the HACC Registrar’s Office. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the previous institution(s) to HACC. Forwarded copies, photos, and scanned documents are considered unofficial and will not be evaluated. Questions regarding transfer of credit requirements should be directed to the Registrar’s Office, phone 717-780-2373 or email at record@hacc.edu.

Articulation of Courses with Area High Schools/Career and Technical Education Centers

Secondary school students may earn college credit through articulated coursework taken at an area high school or vocational-technical school. When it is determined that work comparable to that in a college course is taught at the secondary level, HACC enters into an articulation partnership with the secondary school. These articulation agreements enable students to earn college credit while at the secondary level if they meet a designated performance standard. Students must enter a program at HACC within two academic years of completing high school in order to be awarded articulated credit. Articulation agreements are in effect at many area secondary schools. Since additional agreements are being negotiated, a student should check with a guidance counselor at his or her secondary school.

HACC is a partner post-secondary institution in the statewide articulation of career and technical programs of study with the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education. High school students who complete a career and technical education program of study may qualify for advanced credit. For more information on the articulated programs of study, contact an admissions counselor.

Unique Credit Opportunities

Auditing a Course

Students eligible to enroll in courses for credit may also audit courses. Students may change credit and audit status of a course during the tuition refund period. Students auditing courses pay the regular course tuition charge and are expected to participate in all lectures and laboratory classes, but are not required to take examinations. Students who do not meet the instructor’s attendance requirements may be dropped from the class. The audit grade does not reflect mastery of material covered in a course and no credit is awarded. Financial aid cannot be used to pay for an audited course. 

Dual Enrollment for High School Students
HACC offers dual enrollment options for high school students looking to enhance their academic profile, save money on a future post-secondary degree or just get a jump-start on life after graduation. High school juniors and seniors can earn college credit at their high school through College in the High School (CHS) opportunities by taking HACC classes taught by their own high school teachers who have been course-qualified to teach HACC classes.  They can also take dual enrollment (DE) courses at a HACC campus, remotely, and virtually through courses taught by HACC faculty. Students can choose from a variety of courses, but are not permitted to take developmental level courses and the cost is significantly reduced for both options. For more information, contact CHSandDE@hacc.edu. 

The Honors Program

The Honors Program is designed to meet the scholarly needs of students demonstrating academic excellence. Qualified students who are interested in interdisciplinary, seminar-style learning and rigorous General Education curricula are encouraged to apply. This program provides curricular, co-curricular, and experiential educational opportunities that promote student excellence. The program encourages the knowledge, skills, experience, critical thinking, and leadership abilities essential for a lifetime of integrative learning. Honors classes are small, and enrollment is limited to no more than 18 students. The classes are discussion based and interdisciplinary, linking developments in arts, humanities, sciences, and technologies. Focusing on diverse intellectual questions, students explore multiple points of view.

Students may apply to the Honors Program prior to, or at any time during, their enrollment at HACC. To apply, students should submit the online application, which can be accessed at www.hacc.edu/honors.

To be admitted to the Honors Program, incoming students must have at least a 3.5 high school GPA, or have a combined 1150 SAT score (Reading and Math), or have an ACT Composite score of 24. Current HACC students must have at least a 3.5 GPA. All English developmental course requirements (writing and reading) must be satisfied prior to enrollment in the program. Any interested and motivated student may sign up for honors courses without being enrolled in the program.

The total number of college credits to earn an Associate degree is the same as for non-honors students. The tuition is also the same as for non-honors students. The critical difference is in the depth and content of honors courses. In order to complete the Honors Program, students must complete 15 honors credit hours and maintain at least a 3.25 overall GPA. Honors students are expected to take at least one honors course each academic year to maintain their honors status. For the list of currently offered honors courses please go to www.hacc.edu/honors. Students who have completed the Honors Program as well as their Associate degree will have the “Honors Scholar Graduate” designation on their transcript. They will also receive a certificate of completion. As part of the student’s regalia, a distinctive Honors cord will symbolize successful completion of the program. To learn more about the Honors Program, email honors@hacc.edu.