Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Learning Support Services



Academic Center for Excellence

Germanna students have access to numerous free academic enrichment opportunities through the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE). These services include individual and group tutoring sessions, online tutoring, facilitated study groups, Math and Writing Centers, and a comprehensive collection of supplemental academic materials. We invite you to visit the Academic Center for Excellence website to watch a three-minute video for an overview of our programs and services.

Students who wish to schedule individual or group tutoring appointments can call the Locust Grove Center at (540) 423-9148 or the Fredericksburg Center at (540) 891-3017. Students can also submit online requests for tutoring appointments directly from the Academic Center for Excellence website.

Walk-in math assistance is available to students on a daily basis within the ACE Math Center at the Fredericksburg campus. Designated walk-in math hours are also available at the Locust Grove campus. Students can also receive walk-in assistance with writing assignments by visiting the ACE Writing Center in Fredericksburg. The specific hours and locations are listed on our website.

Students enrolled in classes at the Daniel Technology Center or the Stafford County Center are welcome to seek tutoring at either the Fredericksburg or Locust Grove Center; however, they also have the option to engage in “live” video chat tutoring sessions via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Students may call either center to schedule an appointment.

Registered students also have access to online tutoring during day, evening, and weekend hours by logging in to Smarthinking from the Academic Center for Excellence website. Students have the option of engaging in “live” online sessions, pre-scheduled sessions, or they may submit writing assignments to the Writing Center for review by online tutors. Numerous academic resources and study skill guides are also available within Smarthinking.

Students may contact the Academic Center for Excellence to learn about how to establish study groups or to register for a variety of academic tutorials and workshops offered throughout the year. To access online workshops, helpful academic handouts, Virginia Placement Test (VPT) preparation resources, and links to reputable educational resources, please visit the Academic Center for Excellence website at https://www.germanna.edu/academic-center-for-excellence/.

Academic Computing Centers

The Academic Computing Centers (ACC) provides computer support for academic instructional and research needs to GCC faculty, staff and students. The Academic Computing Centers are located at the Locust Grove campus and at the Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper. The primary goal of the Academic Computing Centers is to provide GCC faculty, staff, and students with an academic environment that enables the completion of course assignments, review of computer based tutorials, access and sending of email, and document scanning. ACC users have access to the Germanna website to apply for registration, enroll in classes,complete new student orientation online, and look-up their student information. The computers in the Academic Computing Centers are equipped with the Windows Operating System, Microsoft Office Suite, web browsing, virus protection, and various curriculum based software that allows students to access resources outside of the classroom. Equipment available includes computers, scanner and ePRINTit printing kiosks at designated areas. Information for location and hours of operation can be accessed via the college website at https://www.germanna.edu/academic-computing-centers/.

GED® Testing Center

The General Educational Development test provides an opportunity to enable individuals who have not graduated from high school to demonstrate the attainment of abilities normally associated with completion of a high school program of study. By achieving satisfactory scores on the GED® test, individuals will be awarded a General Educational Development Certificate by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may qualify for admission to college or for more advanced educational opportunities.

The new 2014 computer-based GED® test consists of four content areas: reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science and social studies. These tests are designed to measure the concepts and intellectual skills normally acquired during high school. The full test administration (four tests) takes approximately 7 3/4 hours; however, you are not required to take the test in one full sitting.

To register to take the GED® test at Germanna, individuals must meet the following guidelines:

  • Germanna’s GED® test center serves residents of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, and the city of Fredericksburg. Test candidates outside the region can register to test if seats are available.
  • An applicant normally must be at least 18 years of age.
  • To take the computer-based GED test, each applicant must register online using their previously created MyGED® account at www.GED.com.
  • There is a registration fee for the computer-based GED® test that must be paid at the time of registration. The current registration fee in Virginia, effective January 1, 2014, is $30.00 per subject area or $120 for the full test. Only credit and debit cards are acceptable forms of payment. The test fee amount is subject to change annually.
  • A current government-issued Photo ID must be presented before a candidate can take the test.
  • Upon request, special accommodations may be available for individuals with physical, emotional, or learning disabilities and should be applied for prior to test registration.

Effective January 1, 2014, a completely new GED® test was implemented nationwide. Only test scores achieved since January 1, 2014 will now count toward earning a GED® certificate in Virginia. Germanna Community College currently operates a Regional GED® Testing Center for the Fredericksburg area at the Fredericksburg Area Campus and conducts Pearson VUE GED® testing for residents of Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George.

GED® testing is also available for residents of Culpeper and Orange at the Daniel Technology Center. For more information, call (540) 937-2932.

All individuals must register through their previously created MyGED® account at www.GED.com.

The Germanna Regional GED® Test Center for the Fredericksburg area is located at the Fredericksburg Area Campus of Germanna Community College.

Interested individuals, who would like additional GED® test information, may call Germanna at (540) 834-1035 or call the Rappahannock Area Regional Adult Education Office at (540) 898-8165.

More detailed GED® testing information is available on Germanna’s web site at https://www.germanna.edu/ged-testing/.

GED® and the GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED® Testing Service. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED® Testing Service LLC under license from the American Council on Education.

High Tech Testing Services

High Tech Testing is administered by appointment at the Fredericksburg Area Campus and Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper. Many Pearson VUE, CompTIA and Certiport Microsoft certification tests are available. Also available is the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) assessment. For more information, you may visit our web site www.germanna.edu, call 540-834-1022, or email: HighTechTesting@germanna.edu.

Library Services

The library is one of the central hubs of college life at Germanna. Students have access to computers with Internet connections, printing capabilities, and software that supports coursework. Additionally, Germanna ‘s Wi-Fi network can be accessed in the library on laptops, tablets, and cellphones. Students also have access to technology-enhanced group study rooms, and quiet study spaces. Library staff are available to provide research assistance.

The library also provides access to a comprehensive collection of print and electronic books, as well as thousands of magazines, newspapers, and journals, most of which are easily accessible via online databases. Students can locate and access library materials by visiting the library’s homepage at https://germanna.libguides.com/library. From the library’s homepage, students can also access research guides and tutorials for help identifying, finding, evaluating, and using information ethically and effectively. The library’s online resources are accessible on or off campus. When accessing online resources off campus, students are prompted to log in using their Blackboard username and password.

Student Technical Help Desk

The Student Technical Help Desk at Germanna Community College fields student inquiries about online services and technology. The Student Technical Help Desk offers: phone assistance, email assistance, and an online request form for students to submit questions regarding various computer-related tasks and applications. For more information, you may visit our web site www.germanna.edu/help-desk/, call 540-891-3077, or email StudentHelpDesk@germanna.edu.

This team is dedicated to providing timely, quality service to students to ensure they have the technology assistance necessary to be successful during their academic careers. It provides technical support for students trying to access online services or those using other technologies provided by the institution for success during their coursework. Provide assistance to learners in the following areas:

  • Reset passwords for myGCC
  • Troubleshoot Blackboard issues
  • Answer general SIS questions
  • Answers to general computer-related questions

Testing Services

Testing services are provided at the Fredericksburg Area and Locust Grove campuses. Testing centers may be used for faculty assigned make-up tests, proctored tests/activities for distance education, English and Math placement, TEAS, HESI, and computer competency testing. Testing Services provides proctoring for students participating in classes at other Virginia Community College System (VCCS) institutions at our Fredericksburg and Locust Grove campuses. Information for location and hours of operation can be accessed via Germanna’s web site at https://www.germanna.edu/testing/.