Register for intersession and spring classes

Posted on: Nov 21, 2019 12:00:00 AM
In: Grossmont, Cuyamaca, District
Academics
Contact: Della Elliott della.elliott@gcccd.edu

Whether it’s classes you want to take in a hurry over the winter break or a semester-length class, online or traditional courses, daytime or evening offerings – Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have something for everyone.

Open registration begins Dec. 2 for spring semester classes, which start Jan. 27. The cost is $46 per unit with most classes providing three units of credit. Financial aid, including scholarships, grants and loans, are available with information posted at Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College websites.

Registration continues through Jan. 3, 2020 for short-term spring intersession classes, which run from Jan. 2-Jan. 25.

First-time college students registering for the 2020 spring semester and attending full-time can qualify for tuition-free classes through the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Promise through spring 2021. To be eligible, students must complete orientation, assessments, devise an education plan and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. The deadline to apply for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Promise for spring 2020 is Feb. 10. More details are available at mycollegepromise.net

Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have a comprehensive offering of general education classes in Language and Communication Arts, Sciences and Engineering, Humanities and Foreign Languages and Social and Behavioral Sciences which meet the lower-division requirements of universities.

In addition to general education classes, both colleges also offer specialized career education courses for students interested in career preparation or to update work skills in areas such as accounting, administration of justice, environmental technology, information systems, ornamental horticulture, drafting, nursing, graphic design, computer science, multimedia training and many other fields.

With healthcare as a leading issue in today’s political discourse, Cuyamaca College is offering a timely class, Health and Social Justice (HED-204), for intersession. This general education class, which transfers to universities in the state university and University of California systems, provides an introduction to the health inequities in the United States that stem from unequal living conditions. The class explores how education, socioeconomic status, race and gender shape health epidemics and policy development.

This health class is a Zero-Textbook-Cost class that uses Open Educational Resources or free textbook alternatives. Both colleges are expanding their offerings of ZTC classes to lessen students’ financial burdens. Look for the ZTC notation in class schedules to determine which classes have no cost for textbooks.

Grossmont College is also offering an intersession class especially relevant for today – Social Media in the Digital Age (MCOM 210). This course examines the theory and ethics behind creating and consuming digital, social and mobile media. Students will analyze ethical standards and legal issues in social media and evaluate personal and professional uses.

The short-term courses are an efficient way to satisfy general education course requirements for university transfer, offering a compressed alternative to the semester-length schedule.

Regular spring semester classes include the district’s first-ever internship for English majors, Cooperative Work Experience in English (English 200), offered at Cuyamaca College. It provides between one and four units, with each unit representing 75 hours of work. Placements will be with marketing/public relations firms; corporations with technical writing teams; and educational institutions of all levels – elementary, high school and higher education.

“We want to show students that, yes, English majors have many career opportunities, contrary to popular opinion,” said Lauren Halsted, chair of the English Department at Cuyamaca College. “English majors develop many skills employers are looking for – good writing and communication skills, critical thinking, the ability to tell stories in many contexts. We also want our students to be employable once they leave us, and an internship is an important step in that process.”

New students must first submit an application either online or in person at the colleges’ admissions offices. New students are encouraged to go through the assessment and advisement process prior to registration. By going through assessment, students’ skill levels can be evaluated to determine suitable course levels. 

The last day to register online for the spring semester is Jan. 26. Class schedules and additional information on registering is available at www.gcccd.edu/now/

Grossmont College is located at 8800 Grossmont College Drive in El Cajon. Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in the community of Rancho San Diego.

Business Office Technology courses are just one of the many career education offerings at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. With intersession classes starting Jan. 2 and the regular spring semester starting Jan. 27, now is the time to register.