Academic Advising and Registration Process

Step One: Planning
Prior to your registration date, assess your educational goals and determine what courses will support the accomplishment of your goals. Consider your academic program (major), course transferability, personal issues such as work schedule or financial situation, and your full- or part-time status. Review the catalog, research career options, and ask questions. You will maximize your chances of a successful semester if you approach registration prepared with choices that work best for you. Take the lead in planning your education.

Woman with books One of the best ways to begin, is by using WebAdvisor*

WebAdvisor is an online service that features a variety of functions. It is available to all current students. View the class schedule on WebAdvisor to see what courses are offered including days, times and location. (Printed schedules are available in the Office of Registration & Records)

WebAdvisor allows you to:

Check grades
Register for courses*
View your schedule
Access your transcript
Run a Program Evaluation of degree requirements

Program Evaluations will tell you exactly what courses are required for your degree and what courses you have remaining.

Running a Program Evaluation is one of the most important steps for you to take prior to registering.
* Some students with certain academic programs or restrictions do not have automatic access to the registration feature of WebAdvisor.

Additional Information:
Placement Test: If you have not yet taken the College Placement Test and have not been waived out of the requirement (by satisfactory SAT or HSPA test scores, or completion of college-level Math or English at another college), you must schedule this test (732.255.0401). It must be taken prior to registration in your 12th credit.

Obligations: Outstanding bills/payment to any college department must be resolved prior to registration. You are unable to register if you owe the college money.

Transfer Credits: If you would like to have a transcript from another college evaluated, arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Office of Registration & Records. After the transcript evaluation is complete, you will be informed as to what courses have been accepted for transfer toward an OCC degree. Keep copies of your previous college's record with you when registering or meeting with your faculty/department advisor or academic advisor until the transcript evaluation is complete.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP): CLEP exams allow students who have acquired comprehensive subject knowledge to demonstrate that they have mastered college-level material. Students can make arrangements to take CLEP tests through the OCC Testing Center. Visit the OCC Testing Center for more information.

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Step Two: Academic Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process that consists of a meeting each semester with a faculty/department member who serves as your faculty advisor. The role of your faculty advisor is to assist you in exploring short and long-term academic goals and to clarify OCC educational requirements. Your role is to make decisions concerning your educational plan, to understand OCC degree requirements, and to select suitable courses to achieve your academic goals.

Full-time students must log into their Ocean Cruiser account and then click the WebAdvisor tab to find their assigned advisor. Click on "My Profile" at the bottom left of the page. It will list a school/department as your advisor. You need to go to that school/department and the secretary will help you set up an appointment with a faculty advisor. Faculty office/advising hours are usually posted on their doors. Faculty begin advising appointments in April and November. Bring your Program Evaluation and a tentative schedule with you to the meeting.

Part-time students (with some exceptions for programs such as Nursing) are not assigned a faculty advisor. However, part-time students may visit the Academic Advising Center to meet with an advisor. Otherwise, you may register without advising.

OTHER ADVISING ISSUES:
If you have applied to graduate, you are assigned to the Registrar, for advising. If you have not applied for graduation, you have until March to apply for spring graduation.

If you’ve withdrawn from a course and have dropped below 12 credits, you are now considered part-time for advising purposes and no longer have an assigned advisor. If you wish to register full-time, please visit the Academic Advising Center.

If you have difficulty reaching your assigned departmental advisor, or have a concern regarding your advisor assignment, contact the Office of Academic Affairs or the Department Dean.

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Step Three: Registration
Once you have determined what courses you want to take, you are ready to register. You may register on the date listed on your postcard from the Registrar, or any time after this date until classes begin. View the Academic Calendar for specific semester information and registration dates. It is highly recommended you register as early as possible. Most classes will fill to capacity.

Registration can be done in one of two ways:

1. In Person (on or after assigned registration date): You may register in the Office of Registration & Records, Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.- 7:30 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

2. Online via WebAdvisor: Students with web registration access can register for classes online using WebAdvisor. Registering online is convenient and saves time! You may choose to meet with an advisor prior to registering online to review your degree requirements, however it is not mandatory.

OTHER REGISTRATION ISSUES:
High school Jump Start students attending Ocean County College must re-submit the "Green" form to OCC every semester. Jump Start students cannot register online.

Special registration students (silver edge, unemployed, certain volunteer programs) must contact the Office of Registration & Records to find out when they can register.

Many OCC courses are now held at Off-Campus sites. If you are registering through WebAdvisor be sure to check the location of the course.

PAYMENT IS DUE ON THE DAY OF REGISTRATION. Please read the Refund Policy. OCC's Refund Policy requires that courses be dropped prior to the first official date of the semester in order to receive a 100% refund. Again, view the Academic Calendar for semester information.

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