Registering for or dropping Classes & Graduation
Secrets for Success in College - Part 1
What's Important when registering
To graduate and/or complete certificates, all of the classes that are required must be completed.
You don't want to apply for graduation and find that you didn't complete a required class, and it is not available in your last semester.
To make sure this doesn't happen...
Before you register for the next semester's classes, connect with your academic advisor.
Where do you find out who is your academic advisor?
See the Who is my Academic Advisor? section below.
If you cannot connect with your academic advisor, contact Pierpont's Student Services' academic advisors:
Sierra Spitzer shendershot@pierpont.edu 304-362-8162
-OR-
Nancy Parks nparks@pierpont.edu 304-367-4990
-OR-
Student Services 304-367-4907
Pierpont's Academic Calendar
For information about scheduled academic dates, check Pierpont's academic calendar, which is a schedule of all of the academic events that occur in an academic year. These dates include the first day of a semester, winter break, etc.
How to access the academic calendar is shown below.
On the main page of Pierpont's website, click on "Calendar."
Choose the current academic year.
STEPS TO REGISTER for classes
Step 1
If you are a new student: Activate your student ID.
If you need help with this, contact Pierpont's Student Services advisors
(304-367-4907).
Step 2
Meet with your advisor.
Make an appointment and meet with your academic advisor or Pierpont's Student Services advisors to discuss what classes you need and which are available.
Step 3
Register for your classes using Schedule Builder.
You reach your Schedule Builder by clicking on Register on the dashboard page that you reach when you log on to your Portal.
(You should do this with an advisor at least the first time to learn how to use the programs.)
To access your ROAR account, Register/Schedule Builder, Blackboard, ROAR, your student email, class registration, etc. you need to have your Student ID-username.
If you do not have it yet, click below for information.
tips and suggestions
Pierpont's Student Government - Suggestion
After you register for your classes, screenshot or print your class schedules from your class schedule or your ROAR account and highlight the building and room number to make it easier to find your classes.
Click below to find out how to go to your ROAR account.
Classes & Semesters
Pierpont has several semesters.
Fall: 15 weeks
Winter Intercession: 5 weeks
Spring: 15 weeks
Summer 1: 5 weeks
Summer 2: 5 weeks
Winter Intercession begins after the fall semester ends in December and continues through January.
Some classes in Summer 1 semester continue for 10 weeks through Summer 2.
In the Fall and Spring semesters, many classes run through the entire 15 weeks. Other classes are shorter (e.g., 5 weeks, 10 weeks). They can end earlier or start later (e.g., October).
TIP
Some classes that are shorter in the Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters are condensed. They have the same amount of content and homework as the 15-week classes, and that homework needs to be completed in a shorter amount of time. Shorter time frames are not necessarily easier.
Check with your advisor to see what are the time frames of your classes. If the class is condensed, you might see if there is another class that is not condensed that you can register for.
In-Person vs. Online Classes
Some of Pierpont's classes and programs are offered only online. Others are available in-person and online.
Since Pierpont has more than one campus, students sometimes have a choice as to where they take their in-person classes. If you have a preference, check the campus location when you register. Click the button below for information about Pierpont's Campuses.
Some online classes occasionally or regularly meet in-person, either on a campus location or on video (e.g., Teams, Zoom) These classes are called hybrid classes.
TIPS
If you tend to procrastinate, it might be helpful to take the class in person to provide motivation to do the work by the deadlines.
If you don't do well in a particular subject (e.g., English, chemistry, math), having in-person class access to the instructor and using tutoring services can make a big difference in passing the class.
Since in-person classes tend to fill up quickly, you might want to register as soon as you are able to.
Know your program's essential functions
Everyone who applies to Pierpont will be accepted as we are an open-enrollment institution.
However,
several programs are limited in the number of students that can be admitted each year. So, they have competitive entry, which means they select students who meet their programs' requirements. A student must apply and be accepted into the program.
Those programs have specific requirements (essential functions) that must be met with or without accommodations to pass the classes and the program.
These requirements can vary from program to program.
Some examples are:
needing a C or better in each program-specific class
a “C” or better is required for graduation in ENGL 1104 and ENGL 1109
ability to lift and carry 30 pounds
able to discern sounds and colors
completion of internships or clinicals
Pierpont's Catalog
Pierpont's Catalog lists all of Pierpont's programs with information about the programs themselves (ex., accredidation, Program Purpose, Admission Requirements [if any], Student Learning Outcomes, etc.) and the classes that need to be successfully completed to earn a certificate or degree.
Some programs have their essential functions list available on their page in Pierpont's Catalog. Your advisor can help you find this.
To find out what classes are required to complete the program and other information, follow the instructions below to look at the program in Pierpont's Catalog.
Contact the director of the program you are interested in for more information.
How to find a program and the program's director:
Go to Pierpont's website - www.pierpont.edu
Click on Catalog on the menu listing across the top of the page.
Open the dropdown menu by clicking the downward arrow to the right of Courses.
Click on Programs.
Type in the name of the program you are interested in and click on the magnifying glass.
This brings up a list of programs that match the words you typed in. Choose yours.
The name of the program director or coordinator name will be at the top of the page with contact information.
Pierpont's competitive programs also have specific deadlines, dates each year by which applications must be received.
For a list of competitive programs and their requirements and applications, click below.
FAQs
Who is my Academic Advisor?
An academic advisor is like a coach who works with college students.
They assist students in making sure that they meet the requirements to graduate.
Pierpont students are assigned academic advisors shortly after they enroll.
You can find who your advisor is by logging on to your ROAR account and looking at your Student Information
or by contacting a Student Services advisor.
If you are enrolling in a specific program, your academic advisor will probably be an instructor in that program. If you are not, you will probably be assigned an advisor for the General Studies program. All students can contact Pierpont's Advisors in Student Services for help.
Students should discuss problems relating to degree requirements, registration, and withdrawals from classes with their academic advisors. If this is not possible, discuss these issues with Pierpont's Student Services advisors (304-367-4907).
Sierra Spitzer shendershot@pierpont.edu 304-362-8162
-OR-
Nancy Parks nparks@pierpont.edu 304-367-4990
-OR-
Student Services 304-367-4907
____________________________________________________
Students should meet with their advisor each semester to make sure they are completing the correct classes and are on track for graduation.
I tried to register and there were "holds" or "restrictions" on my account. What does that mean?
These are reasons that you may not be able to register for certain classes, or an upcoming semester, or register in the way that you would like.
They include "incomplete" grades, unpaid account balances, needing to have completed other classes before you take one ("prerequisites"), and more.
For information about what your hold or restriction is,
contact Pierpont's Student Services advisors (304-367-4907).
Sierra Spitzer shendershot@pierpont.edu 304-362-8162
-OR-
Nancy Parks nparks@pierpont.edu 304-367-4990
What if I have any problem registering?
Contact Pierpont's Student Services advisors.
Sierra Spitzer shendershot@pierpont.edu 304-362-8162
-OR-
Nancy Parks nparks@pierpont.edu 304-367-4990
-OR-
Student Services 304-367-4907
I hear about a model schedule. What is that?
A model schedule is a guide to help you complete the required general education and program classes for graduation from your academic program.
Pierpont's model schedules are based on completing a program in two years.
If your program requires completion of some classes before you apply to a program (prerequisites), those classes will not be included in the program's model schedule.
Each academic program has its own model schedule.
A program's model schedule is found on its program's page in Pierpont's Catalog.
Use the instructions above under Know Your Program's Essential Functions to access your program in Pierpont's catalog.
The Model Schedule is under the list of required classes.
I need to withdraw from a class. How do I do that?
Contact your academic advisor or Pierpont's Student Services advisors. They will:
Discuss with you any negative results from dropping the class
Refer you to Financial Aid to make sure that dropping the class will not affect your financial aid
Check Pierpont's Academic Calendar to see when the last day to withdraw from a class is
In the shorter classes (e.g., 5 weeks) you might only have 4 weeks from the start date of the class to withdraw
If you still need to withdraw from a class, they will show you how to do this
To get to Pierpont's Academic Calendar, click below,
or go to www.pierpont.edu > calendar
How do I change my program?
There is a form on Pierpont's website that you fill out to change your major, your program - Change Your Major and/or Concentration Form.
Click below to access the form.
hOW DO I OBTAIN TRANSCRIPTS?
Requesting a transcript from another school to give to Pierpont
Each college or university has their own procedure for requesting transcripts.
The first step is to reach out to that school's Office of the Registrar or Office of Student Services and ask about their procedure is. Then follow it.
The school will probably send the transcript directly to Pierpont. Keep in touch with Pierpont's Office of the Registrar to make sure it is received and to see if any other information is needed.
registrar@pierpont.edu 304 367-4907
Requesting a Transcript from Pierpont
All requests for Pierpont transcripts are made through a link on Pierpont's website.
(Click below.)
how do i Apply for Graduation?
When you are planning on graduating at the end of a semester with either a skill set, a certificate, or an associate degree, you MUST apply for graduation.
This must be done by the deadline set by Pierpont's Registrar, which can be early in the semester in which you plan on graduating.
To apply for graduation:
Login to ROAR
Select the 'Student' option
Select 'Student Records'
Select 'Apply for Graduation'
Complete each of the questions concerning your application for graduation.
If you have questions or experience any issues with applying for graduation, contact Pierpont's registrar@pierpont.edu for assistance.
Degree Audit
Completing a degree audit is important. This makes sure you have completed all of the classes needed for graduation.
A degree audit is an ongoing process. You should meet with your academic advisor at least once a semester throughout your academic career at Pierpont. Meeting with your academic advisor before scheduling courses each semester is an important step in keeping you on track for graduation.