Special Programs and Services

ADVANCE Scheduling Option

AAS Business and Management with Business Concentration

ADVANCE represents an accelerated scheduling option for completing a college degree. This option is suitable for highly motivated and mature adults that are seeking an AAS in Business and Management–Business Concentration. Many ADVANCE students obtain their AAS in two and a half years at CSCC and continue to pursue their bachelor in two additional years at selected four-year colleges or universities.

The typical ADVANCE student might be an individual that has experienced limited job promotions and wants to increase his/her opportunities for a different or higher paying career which requires a college degree. The courses are predetermined, which makes the registration process easy. Most classes meet seven times during a five-week period with evening classes. Accelerated course work (fewer classroom hours combined with team, independent or online study) and Cooperative Education credit for on-the-job learning allow completion of college course requirements for an associate degree in the accelerated time frame. Prior credit from Cleveland State, other accredited colleges or the Tennessee Technology Centers may be applicable. Also, this AAS degree program offers a number of electives, which allows the student to “tailor” his/her program for emphasis in such areas as accounting, human resources, etc.

The AAS degree can help open the door to new employment, to job promotion, to business of your own and/or further education. The AAS degree offered through ADVANCE schedule is transferable into various bachelor degree programs at many four-year colleges and universities. Articulation agreements exist for CSCC’s ADVANCE student graduate and Bryan College’s Aspire Program (BS in Business Administration, Organizational Management or Business Management). Tennessee Wesleyan College (BAS in Business Administration or General Management); and Tusculum College (BS in Organizational Management).

The ADVANCE schedule also allows students to meet full-time enrollment requirements for financial aid. For ADVANCE information or an appointment, please call Cleveland (423) 478-6245 or (800) 604-2722, Ext. 245 and Athens (423) 745-8486.

Center of Emphasis in Instructional Technology

The college embraces the continuing expansion and integration of multiple instructional technologies. The Center of Emphasis (CoE) provides instructional technology equipment, facilities, training, and assistance for the integration of instructional technology into traditional on-ground classes as well as the development and delivery of online courses, podcasting, streaming video production, phone and web conferencing, multimedia presentations, computer applications tutoring, lecture capture, and course archiving.

The CoE director serves as the college liaison to national and statewide instructional technology committees, conferences, and planning teams and with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) endeavors related to the development and delivery of online or virtual instructional materials. The director also works with other TBR colleges to monitor and improve the state-of-the-art of instructional design and delivery locally and across the state. Cleveland State has been an active member of the Regents Online Degree program initiative through these statewide relationships. As part of the commitment to enhancing instruction through engagement with technology, each summer, the CoE director and Cleveland State host one of the largest technology conferences for teachers from primary to college level.

The Center of Emphasis in Instructional Technology is made possible by a grant from the State of Tennessee and with matching funds provided by Cleveland State Community College.

Cooperative Education

The Cooperative Education Program at Cleveland State Community College strives to prepare students for the world of work, bridging the student’s academic preparation with hands-on experience in their field. A variety of independent study courses available include:

• Cooperative Education
• Workforce Development
• Job Search Skills
• Succeeding on the Job

Working in conjunction with the student and the student’s academic advisor, the Cooperative Education Office assists the student in identifying a placement related to their college major for Cooperative Education (CPE 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020). Students develop learning objectives and projects with their supervisor and complete a 150-hour placement during the semester. These 3 credit hour courses can be taken for up to four semesters. Students who need assistance in locating a co-op placement need to schedule an appointment with the cooperative education director in advance. A 2 credit hour version (CPE 2100) is also available and requires a 100-hour/semester placement.

Students working in jobs not related to their college major can enroll in Workforce Development for one semester. Students set goals with their employer to expand and improve their transitional work skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, responsibility, and time management. Course material focuses on developing a strong work ethic. A 150-hour placement is required for the 3 credit hour class (CPE 2000) and a 75-hour placement is required for the 2 credit hour class (CPE 1015).

In Job Search Skills (CPE 1011), students receive assistance in developing a resume portfolio, interviewing skills, and an individual job search strategy. In Succeeding on the Job (CPE 1012) students learn about the importance of successfully navigating the work world and the importance of communication, time management, problem solving, teamwork, and customer service skills. Both CPE 1011 and 1012 are 1 credit hour courses and like other CPE classes are offered in an independent study format.

Cooperative Education:

• Connects academic training with the work setting
• Helps in career decision-making to be sure the student’s chosen career field is a good fit.
• Enhances skills and increases the student’s expertise
• Provides valuable work experience that can help strengthen the student’s resume portfolio
• Develops workplace responsibility
• Encourages students to persevere and complete a college degree

Distance Education

Distance Education refers to the delivery of instruction, materials and academic services beyond the traditional, on-ground classroom. To accommodate the many types of students and their various learning styles, Cleveland State Community College offers distance education courses in a variety of formats employing several different technologies. The main distinctions used to describe distance education courses include traditional online instruction, virtual desk-top video conferencing courses employing real time interactive audio/video, and video courses.

Traditional Online Instruction

Cleveland State Community College offers numerous courses that are accessible any time of day through the World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet. These web-based courses utilize the “asynchronous” statewide Learning Management System called Desire2Learn, or D2L, which is accessible to Cleveland State students and faculty by clicking on the Online@CSCC icon inside the CougarNet portal. Online@CSCC courses typically carry the section label “WWW” in the class schedule; they are not the same as RODP online courses.

Online@CSCC courses offer maximum flexibility to students in terms of being available to students at any time of day, as often as they want to log on, from any location that offers Internet web access. As convenient as “anytime, anywhere” course access sounds, experience suggests that students who enroll in Online@CSCC courses need to be self-motivated, good time managers, and have a basic knowledge of computers and the Internet. For a survey to determine if web-based courses are right for you, please go to www.clevelandstatecc.edu/students/web_screening.asp.

Additionally, Online@CSCC students should have a relatively recent model computer at home and be connected to the Internet through a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP). It is strongly recommended that the minimum Internet connection be a “high speed dial-up” connection of at least 56kbps. A “broadband” or “DSL” (digital subscriber line) connection is preferred.

Students enroll in Online@CSCC courses the same as enrolling in a face-to-face ground course. Following enrollment, the student will be provided access to the online course—using the Online@CSCC icon located in the CougarNet portal—on the first day of classes for that semester. Several online courses require attendance at an orientation session held on campus, but there is no additional on-campus class attendance required after that. The date and time for an orientation is available when viewing the schedule online. Simply click on the course CRN for orientation information as well as other special messages.

Student support is a large part of online course delivery. In addition to the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week Help Desk associated with Online@CSCC, faculty members are available to students through on-campus office hours, telephone, e-mail, and, in some cases, “virtual” online office hours. The Academics tab inside the CougarNet portal provides access to a variety of guides and self-help tutorials. Additionally, help navigating and using Online@CSCC is available in the eLearn Lab located in the Media Center under the Library.

Virtual Courses (Desk-top Video Conferencing – Independent Locations)

Cleveland State community College offers a growing number of “synchronous” (real time) courses that are accessible live by way of audio/video web-conferencing on the Internet. These web-based courses utilize a special digital application called Adobe Connect. Web-based Adobe Connect courses typically are designated with a V (e.g., 7V0) in the section label of the class schedule.

Virtual web-based courses offer maximum flexibility to students in terms of being in a live class without having to travel to the college campus. Typically, there are two ways to enter a Virtual course: (1) by “invitation” from the instructor; typically you will receive an e-mail with a link that brings you directly into the live virtual classroom; or  (2) by entering your virtual classroom at Online@CSCC, where you will locate and click on an Adobe Connect link provided by the instructor. As convenient as a Virtual course access sounds, experience suggests that students who enroll in Virtual Courses need to be self-motivated, good time managers, and have a strong basic knowledge of computers and the Internet. For a survey to determine if web-based courses are right for you, please go to www.clevelandstatecc.edu/students/web_screening.asp.

The use of live online audio/visual courses places certain demands on students in terms of the hardware needed to participate. Students should have access to a recent model computer with at least: a 1.6 GHz central processing unit, a 100 GB hard drive, and 2-3 GB of RAM memory. A microphone and speaker set (or headset with microphone) is required; a good quality webcam with microphone is better, but not always necessary. The computer’s operating system must be at least Windows XP. Additional software will be needed, but that will be installed as you proceed through the Setup Wizard associated with the first time use of Adobe Connect. Finally, connection to the Internet through a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) is critically important. It is strongly recommended that nothing less than a “broadband” or “DSL” (digital subscriber line) connection be used.

In the event that you wish to enroll in a Virtual Course but do not have access to the technology required, some accommodations are available at the campuses in Cleveland and Athens. In Athens, several computer stations in the computer lab are equipped for Virtual Course participation. In Cleveland, the Library has several computer work stations equipped for Virtual Course participation; and, the Media Center has two complete web conferencing labs that students can use by reservation. Additionally, some programs have their own Virtual Course labs for students to use.

Students enroll in Virtual Courses the same as enrolling in a face-to-face ground course. Following enrollment, on or before the first day of class, the student will be contacted by email from the instructor inviting the student to join the Virtual Course. Most Virtual Courses require attendance at an orientation session held on campus, but there is no additional on-campus class attendance required after that. Tests may require physical attendance at the proctored Testing Center located at either campus; or, the instructor may employ special security software that integrates with Adobe Connect.

Student support is a large part of all online course delivery, synchronous and asynchronous. In addition to the 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. help available through the Media Center, faculty members are available to students through on-campus office hours, telephone, e-mail, and “virtual” online office hours. The Adobe Connect website provides access to a variety of guides and self-help tutorials: http://www.elluminate.com/support/index.jsp. Additionally, help navigating and using Adobe Connect is available in the eLearn Lab located in the Media Center under the Library.

Video Courses

Video courses are an alternative form of instructional delivery available at the Athens, Madisonville and Cleveland campuses of Cleveland State Community College. These offerings provide flexibility to self-motivated learners. Although the term “video” at one time was applied exclusively to VHS videotape, current video course content may be delivered in one of three ways: VHS tape, DVD, or online streaming video.

VHS tapes require the use of standard VHS videotape playback equipment; a limited number are available to be signed out and borrowed through the Cleveland State Library. Video delivered via DVD requires the student to have access to a standard DVD player. Streaming video, which is becoming the preferred method for video content distribution, uses a web-based delivery system requiring access to a computer hooked up to the Internet. It is strongly recommended that students using this delivery method have access to a computer with a 1.6 GHz central processing unit, 100 GB hard drive, 2 GB of RAM memory, and at least a DSL or equivalent broadband connection to the Internet. Video courses are designated with an “800” number in the section label of the class schedule.

Students enroll in a Video Course the same as enrolling in a face-to-face ground course. Following enrollment, on or before the first day of class, the student will be contacted by the instructor. Most Video Courses require attendance at an orientation session held on campus, but there is no additional on-campus class attendance required after that. The date and time for an orientation is available when viewing the schedule online. Simply click on the course CRN for orientation information as well as other special messages.

Tests, if used by the instructor, typically require physical attendance at the proctored Testing Center located on either campus.

Student support is a large part of all course delivery. Each Video Course is facilitated by a faculty member available at one of the campus locations: Athens, Madisonville or Cleveland. In addition, faculty members are available to students through on-campus office hours, telephone, e-mail, and, for some, “virtual” online office hours. Under certain circumstances, videos can be mailed to students. Some instructors may require student enrollment in the Cleveland State leaning management system, Online@CSCC—please read the section above related to Traditional Online Instruction. Additionally, help understanding the operation of a VHS, DVD player, or accessing streaming videos is available in the eLearn Lab located in the Media Center under the Library. 

Interactive Digital Delivery (Desk-top Video Conferencing – Assigned Group Location)

Cleveland State offers instruction via a web-conferencing technology provided by Adobe Connect. Although the use of a web-based content delivery system makes instruction available anywhere there is an Internet connection, dedicated distance learning facilities are available at both Cleveland State campuses: on the lower floor of the Library Building for the Cleveland campus and in the Athens learning center. Each distance learning facility is envisioned as a real time virtual group learning center. The centers are connected by web-conferencing hardware and software so that the instructor and students can see, hear, and text each other as well as share computer applications and desktops across multiple locations. Sessions can even be archived for later access and review.

Typically, a faculty member is physically located at one of the campus locations. The instructor’s presentation is uploaded, in real time, to the Internet, making it immediately available to students possessing the appropriate access. Alternatively, guest presenters from anywhere in the world can address students at any of the distance learning locations. In essence, using CSCC distance learning capabilities, an instructor creates a fully featured live virtual classroom supported by an interactive digital whiteboard, audio, video, text chatting, polling, content display, webpage access, and application sharing by which the instructor can release a project to students from his or her desktop to theirs. All or any part of each instructional session can be archived and made accessible to students 24-hours a day through the Internet.

Student support is a large part of the distance learning program. A trained distance learning aide is available in each of the distance learning facilities to assist students with the equipment, help with navigating the web interface, and to report connectivity or other service problems to the appropriate college departments. Faculty members are available to students through on campus office hours, telephone, e-mail, and virtual office hours that employ the same technology as course delivery.

Students enroll in an interactive digital delivery course the same as enrolling in an on-ground class. These classes are designated with a “T” in the course section number (e.g. 7T4). Day, times and locations of the group meetings are listed.

Dual Credit

The Dual Credit program was developed to:

• Guide students into courses that will provide a firm academic and technical foundation.
• Meet the need of more students to enter the workplace with a certificate or Associate of Applied Science degree.
• Prepare students for the future workforce and to be able to compete in the global market.
• Integrate secondary education with postsecondary education through Dual Credit.

The Dual Credit program is a cooperative effort between Cleveland State Community College and each of the eleven high schools in our service area allowing students enrolled at Cleveland State to receive credit for skills and competencies mastered in high school.  The program objectives are to:

• Encourage secondary career and technical education students to pursue a postsecondary education.
• Reduce repetition of mastered competencies between secondary career and technical education and Cleveland State.
• Provide a smooth transition from secondary career and technical education to community college education.
• Provide students with more advanced occupational skills.
• Reduce student time needed to prepare for entry into an occupational career.
• Build mutual respect and trust between faculty/ instructors at both educational levels.
• Align programs to compliment each other.
• Reduce student and state costs.
• Use performance-based competencies and an assessment given by Cleveland State faculty to measure the student’s skill levels.

Major areas at Cleveland State Community College where Dual Credit may be applied are:

• Business and Management
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education
• Industrial Technology
• Office Administration

There will be no charge to the student for the Dual Credit if granted. This process is subject to all current requirements at Cleveland State. Transfer of this Dual Credit to other institutions is at the discretion of the receiving institution. A complete listing of courses can be found under Dual Credit in the Admissions and Records section of this catalog. For further information about Dual Credit, please contact your high school career and technical education director or instructor, your high school guidance counselor or the Cleveland State Dual Credit office in the Technology Building; telephone number (423) 473-2314.

Library

The library serves our college community by supporting learning as an ongoing dynamic process. The library affords students and faculty the opportunity to expand their academic and personal horizons by providing access to a collection of 70,000 books, 65,000 e-books, 8,000 videos, 80,000 microforms and 150 current paper journals. A faculty video collection is available for support of classroom instruction. The ever-expanding world of electronic technology offers the Cleveland State learner access to increasingly sophisticated indexing covering not only the printed realm, but also full text and graphical digital files. Cooperative agreements such as the Tennessee Academic Library Cooperative (TALC) offer the campus community borrowing privileges and access to each college or university library within the TBR/UT system while regional Lyrasis membership allows for the delivery of resources from institutions across the world to our doorstep. Librarians work with faculty to ensure that students have access to information resources and instruction in information retrieval as appropriate within the college curriculum. Students who interact with the campus through various alternative delivery courses are also supported with informational resources and reference services. Library resources and instruction on information retrieval are available to all students at Athens, Madisonville and other remote sites. E-mail, campus network and Web access are available in library computer labs.

Tools for accessing subject and government information sources are available from the library’s home page linked from www.clevelandstatecc.edu.

Media Center

The Media Center, combined with the Center of Emphasis for Instructional Technology, is located on the lower floor of the Library Building. The Media Center/CoE includes a fully-equipped television studio and control room that is the hub of a cross-campus, multi-channel closed-circuit TV network. It is also the studio home for the only local Cleveland, TN television station, WTNB. The Media Center/CoE is more than television production. It is also a full service duplication center for most types of media including VHS, CD-ROM, DVD, and USB drives. As its name implies, the Media Center/CoE provides staff and faculty with contemporary audio/visual equipment complementing the multimedia needs of a modern, technology-enabled campus.

The Media Center/CoE coordinates the physical connectivity between two state-of-the-art training and technology labs: an LED TV-equipped, dual projector, dual camera, multimedia presentation and web-conferencing facility capable of seating 32 or more people (room L-109); a 17-seat workstation-equipped conference room complete with, Smart Board presentation equipment, and interactive PCs (room L-120).

Regents Online Degree Program

The online education offered through Regents Online mirrors the same education offered at the physical campus locations. You need to select a College Campus as your home school and meet the admission requirements. All campuses in the collaboration are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC), while several programs have national accreditation status.

Students can be enrolled in RODP and traditionally structured classes at the same time. These RODP courses are available for all Cleveland State students; however, an additional charge is added per credit hour for RODP classes.

Regents Online Campus Collaborative delivers education to your desktop — at home, at work, on the road, any place where you have a computer and internet access, any time of day and night, seven days a week. Take a class, a part-time course load or become a full-time student.

Many Instructors are located at campuses across the state and may require that you take your Mid-Term and Final exams at an approved proctor site, such as your home school.

You will need to purchase your textbook at the Regents online bookstore and log in to class at the site identified as RODP on your cougarnet account.

To learn more about RODP, please log in to the following: http://www.rodp.org/ 

If you need assistance with registering for a class, contact your advisor. The campus contact for RODP may be reached at (423) 478-6217. 

Service-Learning

Cleveland State Community College is committed to providing students with the opportunity for experiential learning through community service activities during their collegiate experience. A number of courses in various disciplines at the college incorporate service-learning activities, providing students with an opportunity to connect what they are learning in the classroom with service in the community. Service opportunities are structured to help students acquire a sense of civic and social responsibility, gain exposure to culture and socioeconomic differences, apply classroom learning, learn new skills, and reflect on their experiences. These service-learning activities are designed to advance the college’s mission of enhancing quality of life and encouraging civic involvement.Cleveland State has developed new elective courses for students who would like to be involved in a community service project as part of their college experience. SLE 2400 and 2500 are 3-credit hour courses requiring 50 hours of service for the semester and SLE 2410, 2420 and 2430 are 1-credit hour classes requiring 20 hours of service. All SLE classes are independent study courses and involve monthly reflection seminars, online discussions and reflection journals. Students may elect to work with an agency in their own community or may want to address a community need by developing their own service project. The college can assist with community service placements as well.

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center at Cleveland State Community College provides free counseling services to small businesses in our five-county area which includes Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe and Polk. The center is designed to provide management and technical assistance, as well as educational programs, to new small-business ventures and existing small business firms. It maintains a complete file of current small business management aid booklets, business startup guides and a library of small-business management books. All materials are available to clients seeking specialized information. Services are free and completely confidential. Services include:

• Counseling and advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them solve organizational, financial, marketing, technical and other problems they might encounter.
• Training and workshops on topics designed to meet specific business and industry needs.

The center is located in the Technology Building and may be reached by calling (423) 478-6247.

Training and Continuing Education

Contract Training

Cleveland State’s goal is to partner with area businesses, industries and government agencies to assess, design and deliver an array of training activities resulting in improved talent management and development at all levels of the organization. The college is available to offer credit classes, non-credit classes, workshops and seminars. Recent popular training topics have included electro-mechanical courses, Spanish for supervisors, English as a second language, computer applications, customer service and supervisory management. Classes are available at Cleveland, Athens and and Sequoyah High School or at arranged business locations. CEU’s are available when needed for professional certification and/or licensure. A nationally recognized Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is offered for all non-credit courses.