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Plan Your Courses

Whether you're building your first semester schedule or planning your full degree, we help you make informed decisions. We encourage you to meet with your advisor early and often, but here are some tools to get your started:

  • Catalog: GRCC program requirements, course descriptions, general education requirements, and more.
  • Search for Classes: Browse the database of all classes.
  • Transfer Credits Out: Transfer guides for many Michigan universities and colleges, as well as transfer equivalencies.
  • Transfer Credits In: Information on transferring AP/IB, military, or other previously earned credit into GRCC.

Meet With Your Advisor

Choose Your First Semester Classes

Step 1: Find Your Academic Placements in English and Math

  • Math: Check your Navigate Academic Plan in the Online Center created for you by the Academic Advising & Transfer Center as part of your orientation to see if math is required. Take ALEKS (math placement test) in your online center if it is.
  • English: Check your Navigate Academic Plan in the Online Center created for you by the Academic Advising & Transfer Center as part of your orientation.

Can’t find your Academic Plan? Call us at (616) 234-3900 for assistance.

Step 2: Determine Your Goal

  • I am still deciding on an academic goal (including knowing you want to transfer but are still deciding on what degree you want to earn after GRCC).
  • I know I want to transfer for a specific degree after GRCC.
  • I know I want to earn a certificate/degree and do not plan to transfer.

Step 3: Use Your Resources

GoalResourcesDirections
DecidingAcademic Pathways
  1. Choose the Academic Pathway you want to explore.
  2. Choose two or more Priority I classes
TransferPre-major (any program with the “pre” prefix)
  1. Choose the pre-major you want to follow.
  2. Choose two or more classes you want to take.
Earn a certificate/ degreeCertificate/degree (any program without the “pre” prefix)
  1. Choose the certificate/degree you want to follow.
  2. Choose two or more classes you want to take.

Step 4: Determine Full-Time or Part-Time 

Part-time is 0-11 credits and full-time is 12-15 credits. 

  • Working 30-40 or more hours a week? We recommend taking 2 classes.
  • Working 29 or less hours a week? We recommend taking 4-5 classes.
  • For every hour you are in a class, you need 2-3 hours of time set aside outside of class to complete all of your work and be successful!

Step 5: Choose Classes and Enroll

GoalRecommended Classes: If part time, choose two classes.
Deciding

English (based on placement)

Math (based on placement)

Priority I class

Priority I class

Transfer

English (based on placement)

Math (based no placement)

Pre-major program course

Pre-major program course

Earn a certificateProgram courses: choose number of courses based on full or part-time
Earn a degree

English (based on placement)

Math (based no placement)

Program course

Program course

Enroll in classes and set up an academic advising appointment to develop your full academic plan with your advisor.

Choose Classes After Your First Semester

Step 1: Determine Your Academic Goal

You may find yourself include:

  • I am still deciding on an academic goal. This could include knowing you want to transfer but are still deciding on what degree you want to earn after GRCC.
  • I know I want to transfer for a specific degree after GRCC.
  • I know I want to earn a certificate/degree and do not plan to transfer.

Step 2: Use Your Resources

Academic GoalResourcesDirections
Still Deciding
  1. Choose an Academic Pathway you'd like to explore.
  2. Use the catalog to choose which classes to enroll in for that pathway. Watch a video tutorial on navigating the catalog.
TransferPre-Major program listing (any program with the “pre” prefix)
  1. Choose a pre-major. Note that some pre-majors are aligned with a specific school and some are general transfer programs.
  2. Use transfer guides to help select your courses. Watch a tutorial on how to choose classes using transfer tools.
Earn a Degree/CertificateCertificate/degree Listing: (any program without the "pre" prefix)
  1. Choose a program.
  2. Use the catalog to choose which classes to enroll in for that program. Watch a video tutorial on navigating the catalog.

Step 2: Determine If You Would Like to Attend Full- or Part-Time

  • Are you working 30+ hours per week? We recommend taking two classes per semester.
  • Are you working less than 30 hours per week? We recommend taking four or five classes per semester.
  • For each hour you spend in class, you need two to three hours of time set aside outside of class to complete your work and be successful.

Step 3: Enroll in Classes!

It's important to register for classes as soon as possible so you're able to reserve your spot before the class fills up.

Step 4: Check In With Your Academic Advisor

Would you like an advisor to confirm you're in the right classes?

  1. Log into Navigate.
  2. Email your advisor. Please include your name, GRCC student ID and current academic program choice. If you plan to transfer let the advisor know what school you plan to transfer to as well as the major you want there.
Transfer