Academic Advising

What is advising?

Advisors guide you through the enrollment process, give you additional educational information, and are a key element to your success. During your first visit, we will help you review your assessment, select appropriate courses, review degree/certificate requirements, and identify resources to help you achieve your educational goals. Through regular contact with an academic advisor, we assist you in planning educational goals, completing degrees, and achieving successful transfer to four-year colleges and universities.We can help you each step of the way -- from getting started though graduation, transfer and anywhere in-between.

What should I bring with me when I see an advisor?

For your first visit, it is helpful if you can bring either your ACT/SAT or Accuplacer Test scores if taken within the last 5 years and/or your unofficial transcripts from other colleges you have attended if you have them. Many colleges allow you to print transcripts from their websites if you don’t have them. Unofficial transcripts can be used in advising, to meet course prerequisites, and to get registered. Official transcripts must be sent to CCA directly from the college(s) you attended in order to grant you transfer credit for courses taken.

What should I expect from my advisor?

Advisors work to assist and empower students in the development of meaningful educational plans that are compatible with their life goals. The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about educational plans and life goals rests with the individual student. Advisors assist by helping to identify and assess alternatives and the consequences of decisions.

What is the difference between an AA, AS, AGS, AAS and a certificate program

• The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science (AA/AS) degrees are designed to transfer to a four-year college.
• Articulated Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees are designed to transfer to a certain institution in a particular area. A few examples of articulated degrees include:  AGS in Criminal Justice with an articulation agreement at Metro State College, AGS in Film Video Technology with an articulation agreement Regis University. For an entire list of Articulated Associates degrees refer to Transfer Guides.
• The Associate of General Studies (AGS) Generalist degrees are for the student who wants an associate degree with the freedom to choose from many types of classes for personal goals/enrichment. The AGS Generalist degree is not designed to transfer to a four-year college although some classes may transfer.
• The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are designed to develop skills for entry-level employment or to upgrade skills to improve your opportunity for advancement within an existing position.  An AAS is not designed to transfer to a university, although some classes may still transfer.  
• Certificates are designed to develop skills for entry-level employment. Typically they take one year or less to complete.

Advising hours

Advisors are available on a drop-in basis Monday-Thursday, 8-5:30pm, and Fridays, 8-4:30 at Enrollment Services, CentreTech campus, or at the 1-Stop Student Services office at Lowry, West quad. Extended hours during registration may also be available. Check the Semester Schedule of Classes for dates and times.

How to contact us

Advising is always open via email. Contact an advisor at onlineadvisor@ccaurora.edu for general advising questions. You can expect a response within 24 business hours. Military and veterans should send email to veteransadvisor@ccaurora.edu and international students should send email to internationaladvisor@ccaurora.edu. Or, you can reach us by phone at (303)360-4700.