HOW to successfully navigate your way through lasc
As a public two year community college, Southwest is “committed to providing an environment for quality learning” by offering a wide array of classes and programs to help you achieve your educational objectives.
Matriculation
A key component for educational success is Matriculation. Matriculation is an ongoing process that enhances student access to Southwest while promoting and sustaining the efforts of students to be successful in their educational endeavors. Matriculation is designed to provide admissions, assessment, orientation, counseling, and follow-up to all enrolled students. The goals of Matriculation are to ensure that all students complete their college courses, persist to the next academic term, and achieve their educational objectives. Matriculation is an agreement between Southwest and the student. If you commit to an educational goal, we commit to helping you succeed.
As part of this agreement, Southwest provides:
- A timely admissions process
- Information about Southwest, the Matriculation Process, and policies relating to students
- Assessment of your basic educational skills and career goals
- Placement recommendations based on multiple measures
- Counseling and advisement in the selection of your classes
- Orientation on college programs, services, and policies
- Information and referrals for student support services
- Assistance with progress toward your goals
In this partnership, your responsibilities are to:
- Declare a specific educational objective
- Meet with a counselor to develop a student educational plan
- Maintain reasonable progress toward your educational goals
- Attend class and complete assigned coursework
- Complete courses and continuing to progress toward your educational, academic or career goals
State regulations require that Southwest provide you with open access to all courses, programs, and services available at the college and that we make every possible effort to assist you in planning and attaining your educational goals.
Alternative Matriculation Services
Matriculation Services works in conjunction with the Bridges to Success (SSB 205) program to assist non-native English speaking students to complete the admissions application and apply for financial aid.
Disabled Students Programs and Services will assist students with physical, visual, or communication limitations that might require special assistance for any matriculation component. Visit the DSPS Office (SSB 117) for more information on how the college can provide accommodations for you.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your assessment scores, English and math advisors are available to speak with you. Please contact the Assessment Office.
Exemption from Matriculation
Some students may be exempt from Matriculation; however, for students who have long-range educational objectives, and who have little or no previous college experience, full matriculation is strongly recommended.
You may be exempt from the matriculation process if any of the following conditions apply to you:
- You already have an associate degree or higher
- You have completed a college-level English and/or math class at another college
- You have taken the assessment at another college
- You want to take a class for personal enrichment, which does not include English or math courses
If you wish to request exemption from matriculation, you should consult the Assessment and Testing Center to see if you are eligible. However, by participating in the Matriculation Process, you will learn about the various resources & services that are available at Los Angeles Southwest College for your success. To properly register for college and participate in the Matriculation Process, please follow the steps below. The next section will provide you a full description of each of the eight registration steps.
How to Enroll in Classes
STEP 1 - SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO LOS ANGELES SOUTHWEST COLLEGE. You may apply online or you may obtain an application in the Admissions Office (Student Services Building 102). Click here to go to the Admissions & Records webpage to view application instructions and materials.
STEP 2 - ATTEND AN ORIENTATION. Attend an Orientation in order to receive the necessary information on academic programs, policies and procedures, and student support services. Click here for the current New Student Orientation Schedule. After you complete the orientation, you will be ready to take your Assessment Test.
STEP 3 - TAKE THE COMPUTERIZED ENGLISH AND/OR MATH ASSESSMENT TEST in the Assessment Center SSB 204. Don’t worry. You cannot fail this test. The Assessment Test is a computerized test that measures your current skill levels in reading, writing, and mathematics. Your assessment test scores and other criteria are used to determine your English and/or math placement which helps establish the most appropriate classes for you to take. The assessment test is not timed; however, allow yourself at least two hours for testing. Click here for Assessment Center hours and assessment information.
For students whom English is not their native language, English as a Second Language (ESL) assessments are available.
As discussed earlier, IF YOU ARE NOT A FIRST-TIME COLLEGE STUDENT, or IF YOU ARE ONLY TAKING ONE CLASS (NOT MATH OR ENGLISH), you may be eligible for exemption from one or more of these Matriculation Steps.
STEP 4 - MEET WITH A COUNSELOR. Your counselor will assist you in selecting classes and in developing an educational plan that will help you meet your educational goals. During your appointment you will also receive information regarding transfers, certificate and degree programs, majors and career planning.
Counselors can be found in various student services offices. The following is a description of all the offices that offer academic counseling to LASC students. To learn more about an individual program, please visit the corresponding office.
General Counseling—Located in SSB 227, General Counseling provides walk-in and by appointment advisement sessions. Counseling staff assist student in defining their objectives, establishing an educational plan and thus continue in the right path toward their educational goal.
EOP&S/CARE/Next Up— Located in SSB 218, the EOP&S and CARE programs provide support services to qualifying full time students. EOP&S offers a comprehensive support system that assists low income students overcome barriers to achieving their educational goals. CARE assists students who are low-income single parents by providing services such as childcare assistance and referrals to on-&-off campus programs.
GAIN/ CalWORKs—Located in SSB 217, the GAIN/CalWORKs program helps eligible students obtain the skills necessary for economic self-sufficiency and career advancement. GAIN/CalWORKs provides and coordinates a wide range of services which include tutoring, mentoring and GED preparation.
Disabled Student Program & Services (DSPS) -- Located in SSB 117, the DSPS office assists disabled students in meeting their educational and vocational goals by providing and coordinating supportive services tailored to meet the needs of each qualifying student.
Center for Retention & Transfer (CRT) -- Located in SSB 229, the CRT office provides information and assistance to students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. The Transfer Center, TRIO Scholars, and TRIO STEM programs are housed in the CRT. In addition to academic advisement, tutoring, and university application assistance, the CRT office provides other services such as coordinating university tours and campus visits.
STEP 5 - REGISTER FOR CLASSES. You may register online or in-person at the Admissions & Records office (SSB 102). For your convenience, registration instructions are also posted inside the Schedule of Classes.
In addition to helping you register for classes, the online Student Information System offers flexible, convenient and secure ways to:
- View your registration date
- Add/Drop Classes
- Check your class schedule
- View your personal information
- Change your PIN
- View your grades
- View your transcript
- View your English and/or math Placement
STEP 6 - GO TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE (SSB 104) to apply for a fee waiver and to learn about other forms of financial aid. If you qualify, the waiver can be used to pay your fees for the entire academic year. IMPORTANT: The waiver cannot be used to pay your $11 health fee. Click here to go to the Financial Aid webpage.
If you need money to help with books, supplies, food, rent, and other costs it is recommended that you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You do not have to be enrolled as a full-time student to qualify for financial aid. Part-time students who are enrolled for less than the 12.00 units required for full-time status may also be eligible for financial aid.
STEP 7 - PAY YOUR HEALTH FEE, PURCHASE A PARKING PERMIT, AND PICK UP YOUR FEE RECEIPT. Go to the Business Office (SSB 103) to pay your fees and to get a receipt. Since the Business Office also handles Parking Permit fees, you can avoid multiple trips by purchasing your Parking Permit at the Business Office when you pick up your fee receipt/class printout.
To ensure that your fee waiver is activated, review the classes listed and other information on your fee receipt/class printout to ensure that you are properly enrolled.
IMPORTANT: You must bring a copy of your fee receipt (which lists your classes) and a photo I.D. (driver's license or California ID) to get your Student I.D.
STEP 8 - OBTAIN YOUR FREE STUDENT I.D. To obtain your FREE student ID, bring a copy of your fee receipt/class printout and a photo ID (such as a driver’s license or state/work ID) to the Assessment Center (SSB 204). Your ID card must be validated for each semester or session you are enrolled. To validate your Student ID, you must visit the Assessment Center with a copy of your fee receipt/class printout.
Your Student ID gives you access to important campus resources such as the library, computer labs, and tutoring in the Student Success Center. Additionally, many businesses will often offer discounts to students when they show their school ID.
Programs at Los Angeles Southwest College
With nearly four decades of service to the South Los Angeles and surrounding communities, Los Angeles Southwest College pursues our mission of “providing an environment of quality learning to enrich the lives of our diverse population” by providing a wide variety of educational programs. As a student of LASC, you can pursue the following goals:
- Complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree,
- Train for a new job,
- Earn an associate’s degree and/or occupational certificate,
- Improve your English and math skills,
- Take courses for personal or professional development,
- Complete credits for your high school diploma or prepare for the GED exam, and
- Non Native English speakers may also seek to achieve English proficiency through our credit and non-credit ESL programs.
To learn more about the various programs that LASC offers, please review the most recent College Catalog and visit a counselor to discuss your individual situation.
The College Catalog
The Los Angeles Southwest College Catalog is one of the most important books of your college career. In it, you will find all of the following:
- A listing of the instructional programs and course descriptions for all the courses at Los Angeles Southwest College.
- Degree and Certificate requirements
- Course Descriptions
- Explanations of your rights and responsibilities as a student at Los Angeles Southwest College
- Descriptions of campus and district policies and procedures
- General Campus information
- Information regarding the various support services & programs we offer such as financial aid, Veterans Services, the Child Development Center, Bridges to Success, EOP&S, Career Center, and TRIO programs.
As long as you maintain continuing enrollment, your program requirements will be governed by the policies listed in the catalog used during your first term. This is known as your “catalog rights.”
The classes listed in the catalog of classes are not all offered every term. To determine which classes are offered during a specific semester or session, please consult the schedule of classes for that term. Click here for the most current schedule of classes.
Schedule of Classes
The Schedule of Classes is a booklet published each term that lists all the classes to be offered for that semester or session. For each class offered, the schedule lists the course description as well as the day(s), time, location, and instructor. The schedule of classes is available throughout campus and online.
Each schedule of classes includes a College Calendar which lists important dates that you need to be familiar with. The following is a list of some of these dates:
- Registration for new and continuing students
- The first day of Instruction
- Days when the college will be closed
- Dates when finals exams will be held
- A list of deadline dates called the “Last Day To.”
“Last Day To” dates are extremely important since they are the cut-off dates for certain processes. Please note: “Last Day To” Dates for short-term classes are different than for semester long classes. Contact the Admissions & Records Office for specific dates.
Below is a description of what each “Last Day to” terms means:
- Last Day to Obtain an Add Code. This is the last day an instructor can give you permission to add their class. After this day you will not be allowed to register.
- Last Day to Drop with a refund or without incurring Fees. Students who drop courses after this date are still responsible for any enrollment fees owed.
- Last Day to Drop without receiving a “W”. Any Class that a student drops prior to this deadline is not listed in the transcript.
- Last Day to drop classes with a “W.” This is the absolute last day a student can drop a class and not receive a letter grade in their transcript. A notation of “W” will still be listed in your transcript.
- Last day to Petition for Graduation or Certificate of Completion. After this deadline, students will have to wait to petition until the next term even if they have completed all coursework required.
You may drop classes in person or online or as described earlier. If you drop classes in person, it is always a good idea to save the stamped copy of your processed drop card; if you drop online or by phone, save the confirmation number provided. You may also obtain an updated class printout from the Business Office which will show your dropped classes.
Remember: Even if the instructor indicates he or she will drop you, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP A CLASS BY THE PUBLISHED DEADLINE. Failure to drop a class in a timely manner can result in a “W” or an “F” in your record. Students can be placed on academic and/or progress probation if they have an excessive number of “W’ and/or substandard grades such as “D’s” & “F’s.” Additionally, you may be held responsible for payment of all fees regardless of whether you attend class if you don’t drop before the refund deadline.
How To Read the Schedule of Classes
The Prerequisite Challenge Process
A Prerequisite is a requirement that must be satisfied before enrolling in a particular course. Los Angeles Southwest College has established a prerequisite challenge process so that a student, who does not meet a prerequisite, may seek entry into a class by providing compelling evidence that at least one of the following four conditions apply:
- The prerequisite has not been made reasonably available.
- The prerequisite is not valid since it is not necessary for success in the course for which it is required.
- The prerequisite is discriminatory or applied in a discriminatory manner.
- The student has the knowledge or ability to succeed in the course despite not meeting the prerequisite.
For more information regarding the prerequisite challenge process click here [PDF].
The Importance of Counseling
Your counselor will assist you in selecting classes and in developing an educational plan that will help you meet your educational goals. It is important you follow your counselor’s recommendations. Taking classes out of the recommended sequence may affect your chances for academic success. Discuss with your counselor any questions or concerns you may have regarding your recommended coursework and make sure to meet with your counselor at least once each semester to ensure you are progressing toward achieving your educational goal.
Preparation is key to getting the most out of your counseling sessions. Prior to meeting with a counselor, obtain unofficial transcripts of any previous college work completed and ask yourself the following:
1. Considering the responsibilities I have outside of school, such as the hours I work, my family obligations, and other commitments, how much time can I realistically allocate to school and studying?
For each hour of class time, you should be ready to devote approximately 2-3 hours for out of class studying. Be open to taking less a full load (i.e. less than 12 units). You can adjust your course load on future terms as your situation changes.
2. What are my educational goals?
- Acquire or update Job Skills
- Obtain an A.A./A.S. Degree
- Transfer
- Improve basic English or math skills
- Obtain a GED or HS Diploma
- Personal Development
- Other
- Undecided
Remember, with proper planning and counseling, you can work toward completing multiple goals at the same time.
You don’t need to have an answer for everything right away, but by thinking about these sort of questions you will be able provide your counselor with a more complete picture of your goals and factors that may affect your educational success. It is also a good idea to review the most current schedule of classes and make a list of possible courses based on your interests and English and math placement.
The various learning opportunities at LASC and your own experiences may modify your interests and goals or alter your personal situation. If so, make sure to keep your counselor informed so that they can work with you to ensure that you are taking advantage of all the resources available to LASC students.
Important Reminders
Cell Phone Policy
1 Students may not use their cell phones to accept or make calls while in class.
2. If cell phones and pagers are brought to class, they must be turned to "silent" or vibration mode.
3. Instructors must review this policy with students at the beginning of the first class period and include it as part of their syllabi.
4. Students who do not adhere to this policy will be asked to leave the class. If it happens a second time, the student will be referred to the Dean of Student Services, and will return to class only after the Dean has cleared the student to return.