How to get the most out of Orientation
Unlike a traditional orientation, the Online Orientation allows you to proceed at your own pace. This Orientation was designed with you in mind, allowing you to link with other parts of our Counseling Services Homepage and the World Wide Web. Before proceeding, you may want to review the following orientation clues:

Orientation Overview
Select the topic you would like to preview or scroll down using the down arrow. You can always return to the Orientation menu by clicking on, " Return to Orientation Menu."

Introduction
The Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) is a comprehensive educational institution within the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN). Founded in 1971, the College serves diverse audiences in Southern Nevada through five educational areas: occupational training, university transfer preparation, continuing education, developmental education, and counseling and guidance. These services are correlated with community needs to enhance the quality of the lives of the individuals residing in the College service area.

Accreditation:
The Community College of Southern Nevada is a fully accredited member of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. This status assures that the College's organization, structure, staffing, and funding are equal to its objectives, that its governing board is functioning properly and that all academic and financial plans are well designed to provide its students with a high level of excellence.

University and Community College System of Nevada:
CCSN is part of the University and Community College System of Nevada, which includes universities in Reno and Las Vegas; Desert Research Institute; Great Basin College in Elko; Western Nevada Community College in Carson City; Truckee Meadows Community College in the Reno-Sparks area; and the Community College of Southern Nevada (Charleston, Cheyenne, Henderson Campuses, and the Campus for Urban and Rural Centers) which serves Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties.

Lifetime Earnings
College graduates, on average, earn more than their high school counterparts, according to the U. S. Department of Labor. To view a chart on median earnings in 1996 Click here

Benefits and Costs
The costs of completing a degree can be overwhelming to the first time student. Long hours of studying, taking courses that seem to have little relevance to you, making choices that affect how you spend your time and no promise of a job upon graduation can deter even the most focussed individuals.

You are ultimately responsible for your education and your experience in college. You create the "A," you create the "F." Unlike being in high school, your professors will not ask why you did not turn in your assignment.

So why even bother? Unlike other investments, your education is a commodity that can never be acquired, bartered, traded or sold by anyone else. Formal education is viewed by some as being the fast track to experience and wisdom. It sets new standards of excellence and expectations; opens doors to a diversity of perspectives and opinions; and creates the fertile foundation for creativity and lifelong learning. Statistically speaking, taking a college course will significantly improve your chances of financial success.

Career Inventories
Career Inventories, also referred to as Interest Inventories, are offered by Testing and Assessment at each campus. Before taking any of the inventories listed below, it is advised that you speak to a Counselor or Testing and Assessment Staff Member.

Am I Following the Correct Degree Sheet?
When applying for graduation, you will have the option to select a degree sheet from the first semester you enrolled and earned credit, or the first semester that a new program was approved, or when you actually apply for graduation.

If it has been a few years since you first took classes, you may be affected by the six-year rule. The six-year rule would limit students who plan to graduate more than six years after they first earned credit at CCSN. For example: If a student first completed a credit class, with a passing grade, in the Fall of 1993, they would have until Fall of 1999 to follow the 1993 - 1995 CCSN Catalog. If this student were unable to complete all the degree requirements by Fall of 1999 they would be required to use the CCSN Catalog in effect at the time of graduation.

For more information, contact the Admissions Office or Counseling Office at your Campus.

Deadlines: It is strongly advised that you familiarize yourself with deadlines and other important dates of each semester that you are enrolled. These dates can be found in the first few pages of the Schedule of Classes.

Purge: If you registered early, make sure that you pay before the purge date. Students that fail to pay on time will be dropped from their classes and be required to re-register for classes. (courses originally registered for may no longer be available)

Fees: In addition to course fees, some classes require a lab fee to cover the cost of operating the learning labs. These fees usually vary between $5 and $15 per class.

Holds: A "hold" is usually placed on a student's records/registration when the Registrar has determined that money is owed.

Tips for Telephone Registration
All returning or continuing students must register by phone. When registering for your first semester, be sure to refer to the last few pages of the Schedule of Classes. Step by step instructions and a worksheet have been provided for your convenience.

College Success Course (SSK 109) Click here
One of the most popular elective courses, Study Skills for College (SSK 109) comes highly recommended by Counselors. This course covers the fundamentals of effective learning, test taking, memorization techniques, time and resource management.

Resources are usually accessible to students who simply ask, "what is available?" Learn about what CCSN can offer you. For more information you may want to visit our Student Services Homepage or go to the Counseling Resource or Other Links Page.

Online Orientation

For those of you who are pressed for time or cannot attend the scheduled Orientations, the Counseling Department offers this Online version of our New Student Orientation.

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Make a note of any questions that were not answered. Some of your questions and answers may be found in the FAQs page. You may wish to contact the Counseling Department by phone, fax, or email. See the General Information section of our webpage.

Orientation Overview
Select the topic you would like to preview or scroll down using the down arrow. You can always return to the Orientation menu by clicking on, " Return to Orientation Menu."

Introduction
            Accreditation
            University & Community College System of Nevada
            Mission Statement
            Campus Locations & Phone Numbers
            Degree and Certificate Programs (with course requirements)

Is Education Worth It?
Lifetime Earnings
Benefits and Costs

How do I Choose a Major?
            What are Abilities, Interests and Values?
            Career Inventories
            Researching Careers

What Classes Do I Need?
            Am I Following the Correct Degree Sheet?
            List of Common College Terms
            Transferring to a Four-year Institution
            How Can I Find Out More About a Class I Want to Take?

How Do I Register For Classes?
           Planning Your Schedule
            Deadlines, Purges, Fees and Holds
            Tips for Telephone Registration
            What Can I Do if a Class is Closed?

What Support Services Are Offered?
            College Success Course (SSK 109)
            Networks and Resources
            Developmental Education
            Twenty-one Steps for College to Career Success

Questions
Go to FAQ Page
Click here for the Virtual Counselor

Evaluation - How Can We Improve?
Email Us Via counseling@ccsn.nevada.edu

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