Attendance
Students at Pasadena City College are expected to attend every class meeting. It is especially important to attend the first two class meetings or make prior arrangements with the instructor because nonattendance may result in being dropped from the class. It is equally important to maintain attendance throughout the semester or intersession because instructors may drop students who have missed 1/9th (11%) of the total number of class meetings for excessive absences. Three “tardies” (late arrivals) may be considered the equivalent of one absence. See “Academic or Administrative Drop” section.
Course Examinations
Final semester examinations are required in each course. All students must take these examinations at the scheduled time and place.
Examinations, other than the final examination, are given during class with the requirement that a midsemester grade can be determined and reported to the student.
Distance Education
PCC offers Distance Education (DE) courses where some or all of the course is completed online (via the internet) in Canvas, the College’s learning management system. These fully online or partially online (hybrid) courses offer the same quality instruction, cover the same material, and maintain the same expectations of student participation and engagement as face-to-face courses. This learning modality requires access to a computer and the internet and PCC can support students in obtaining access to these technologies via lending programs and on-campus computer lab access. Available DE courses can be found in the Schedule of Classes. For more information, go to https://pasadena.edu/academics/pcc-online/.
Independent Study
Under the independent study program, the student may pursue topics or problems of special interest beyond the scope of a regular course under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The work is of a research or creative nature, and normally culminates in a research paper, production or comprehensive examination. Regular progress meetings and reports are required throughout the semester. Completion of the project is required before credit is earned. Before registering for independent study, the supervising instructor and division dean must approve the student’s plan or project.
Textbooks
Students are required to buy books needed for courses and may do so at the College Bookstore. Supplies for specialized curricula such as drafting, cosmetology, nursing, photography and sign arts will require additional expenditures.
Although costs for textbooks vary depending on the classes in which students enroll, some classes utilize Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are textbooks and course materials that can be accessed online for free. Classes at PCC are increasingly using OER to reduce the overall cost of college. Starting Spring 2018, course sections that are using OER can be found through the online Schedule of Classes. For more information about OER at PCC, see: libguides.pasadena.edu/oer.
PCC Honors Transfer Program
The PCC Honors program is designed to engage and challenge motivated students to prepare them for successful transfer from community college to university. The program offers special sections of a wide variety of UC transferable courses that fulfill general education requirements for transfer. These Honors classes are open only to students participating in the program and offer a variety of special opportunities, including student research projects, special field trips, service learning, and other enhanced learning enrichment. Completing the Honors Transfer Program strengthens transfer applications and gives students priority consideration for transfer to many universities.
To be part of Honors program, a student must have a GPA of 3.2 or above either from high school (unweighted) or college with 9 units or more of UC transferable courses completed. Honors students must maintain a 3.2 or above GPA in UC-transferable courses while at PCC and enroll in at least one Honors course per semester until the program is completed. Completion of the program requires a total of 15 units of Honors coursework with a grade of “B” or better in all courses. Completing the Honors program is noted on the college transcript and strengthens a student’s transfer application to many universities and gives students priority consideration for transfer to participating universities (UCLA, UC Irvine, and others). For more information contact the Honors program at honors@pasadena.edu or visit the program website: http://www.pasadena.edu/honors.
Honors
Dean’s Honors is posted to the student’s transcript each semester. It includes all students whose semester grade-point average is 3.500 or higher, with A, B, or C grades in 12 or more units of courses other than those in the 400 series.
Administration Honors are awarded to graduates who have completed at least 36 units at Pasadena City College and who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.670 or above in work at Pasadena City College and in all work attempted. Courses taken on a pass/no pass (P/NP) basis are not included in the required 36 units at Pasadena City College. Non-degree applicable courses numbered 400 and above are also excluded from the required 36 units.
Valedictorian Award recognition is given to the graduate(s) with the highest grade-point average among the recipients of Administration Honors.
Alpha Gamma Sigma is a California state honor organization the purpose of which is to encourage and recognize scholarship on the community college level. Pasadena City College has the Alpha Chapter. Counseling Services is responsible for providing students with the membership requirements.
Dean’s Honors, Administration Honors and Alpha Gamma Sigma are recorded on the student’s transcript.
Study Abroad Programs
(626) 585-3365
PCC Study Abroad offers rewarding, transformative, educational experiences for our students and community. Our study abroad programs combine engaging courses with cultural excursions and activities as you live and learn in a different country. Choose from semester or short-term program options in a variety of destinations. Information about these programs is available on the College website.
Fall Semester Study Abroad: Florence, Italy. Study for a semester in the birthplace of the Renaissance. Complete 11-20 units of transferable credit, live in shared student apartments, and explore the cobblestone streets and museums of this stunning city set amidst the golden hills of Tuscany. The program is accepted by the PCC Honors Program. For more information, call (626) 585-3365 or visit www.pasadena.edu/study-abroad.
Spring Semester Study Abroad: Oxford, England. Spend the semester in the “city of dreaming spires”, a center of learning since the 13th century. Complete 12-18 units of transferable credit, live with a British homestay family, and explore the halls of one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The program is accepted by the PCC Honors Program. For more information, call (626) 585-3365 or visit www.pasadena.edu/study-abroad.
Winter and Summer Study Abroad Programs. PCC offers 2-6 week study abroad programs in various locations during the winter and summer intercessions. Previous programs have traveled to Spain, Ireland, Vietnam, China, Costa Rica, Austria, Mexico, and South Africa. For information about future programs and study locations, call (626) 585-3365 or visit www.pasadena/edu/study-abroad.