Academic Preparation

Program Plans and Academic Maps

Not sure what classes to take for your intended program of study? GGC offers two tools to assist you in the planning process.

Tool 1: Program Plans

Program Plans assist in tracking academic progress for degrees and concentrations. They are divided by area and not necessarily in sequential order. There is a Program Plan for all majors.

<< An example of a portion of the program plan for the Business major, management concentration.

View My Program Plan

Tool 2: Academic Maps

Academic Maps suggest a four-year schedule of courses based on degree requirements in the GGC Catalog and serve as a general guideline to help build a full schedule each semester. They give students a suggested sequence of courses that would allow the student to graduate in four years.

An example of the academic map for the freshman year of the Business major, management concentration >>

View My Academic Map

Pairing these tools with the helpful advice from your mentor or advisor will help you be successful in completing your degree in your allotted time.

Understanding and Accessing your Degree Works

Degree Works is an online program map that serves as a tool that helps track your progress towards completing your degree.

^^ Degree Works displays:

Required courses for your selected focus area or major
Classes registered for/or in progress
Completed courses and earned credit hours (transfer credits, AP and CLEP credit)
GPA
Your assigned mentor's name (which be assigned to you during your first semester)

^^ Here are the steps to access your Degree Works:

Visit https://www.ggc.edu/academics/registrar/grizzly-den-within-banner
Select Grizzly Den: Student Self-Service and log in with your GGC credentials
Select Degree Works from the menu

Once you have accessed your Degree Works, you will be able to click on a course to read a brief description of the courses and the prerequisite(s) required for the course.

Important Terms

Class Load: The total number of credit hours you take in a semester. Full-time students typically take 12–17 credit hours.
Co-requisite: A course that must be taken at the same time as another course.
DegreeWorks: A planning tool in Banner that tracks your degree progress and helps you plan future classes.
Drop/Add: The period at the beginning of the semester when you can add or drop classes without academic penalty. Changes may affect your tuition and financial aid.
Hold: A restriction on your account that may prevent you from registering for classes until you complete a required task, such as orientation or advising.
Mentor (Academic Advisor): A faculty or professional advisor who helps you choose classes, plan your degree, explore majors, and prepare for your career.
Prerequisite: A course that must be completed before you can enroll in another course.
Withdrawal: The process of dropping a course after the Drop/Add period has ended. Withdrawals may affect your academic progress and financial aid.

View of list of more GGC Terms and Acronyms

Course Registration in Banner

The Banner system, also know as the Grizzly Den, is your student information system where you can check your degree audit (DegreeWorks), review your financial aid award, view your course schedule, add or drop classes, and more.

You will use your Grizzly Den Self Service Banner Account to register for classes; therefore, you will want to ensure you are able to log into the account. If you are unsure of how to log into your Banner account, view the steps in your new student task list. Please also review this video as it will show you how to use Banner for course registration.

Learning Communities

What is a Learning Community?

Learning communities are great options for you to make new and supportive friends while learning things that matter to you. Find your First-Year Learning Community, and select from a set of courses that are connected by a common academic focus area.

Key points for choosing a learning community:

Make friends quickly and develop deeper friendships through participation in small communities.
Benefit from a stronger network of support that always includes professors who want you to succeed.
Build a solid foundation that transforms your college experience and enhances your academic development and growth.
Satisfy two to four core courses that fulfill degree requirements.

How to Register for a Learning Community

Review the video to understand how to register for a learning community.

Preparing for Classes

Check Your GGC Email Daily

You are expected and REQUIRED to check your GGC email regularly. This is the main channel of communication for information from the institution and your professors. Due to privacy and policies at GGC, professional members of the GGC community will only be communicating to you using your GGC email account.

My GGC Email

Access Desire2Learn (D2L)

Before classes begin, be sure to log into your D2L (Desire2Learn) account. You can find important course information, such as class syllabi, assignments, and quizzes, within your D2L account. You can access your D2L account AFTER you register for courses.

Desire2Learn

Purchase Your Books/Materials

Materials required for each of your classes can be viewed on GGC Bookstore website. You can enter your class schedule under the "Textbooks" tab to find materials specific to your courses.

Through the GGC Bookstore you can purchase or rent textbooks and e-textbooks. It is also your one stop shop for all GGC school spirit and clothing items, textbooks, supplies, and technology items.

Did you know that the GGC Bookstore will price match textbooks through Amazon and bn.com?

GGC Bookstore

Academic Calendar

The first day of class for Spring 2027 (Full session and Session A) is Monday, January 11.

Become familiar with important dates, updates, and semester information.

View Academic Calendar

Student Affairs and Engagement

What is Student Affairs?

GGC's Student Affairs is an integrated approach to student learning. We focus on creating, providing, and assessing programs, services, and policies that empower you and propel you on toward success.
Student Affairs includes all of the following areas and offices:

Learn more about Student Affairs or email studentaffairs@ggc.edu with any questions or concerns.

Get Involved!

Whether you live on campus or commute, we encourage students to explore their interests and put classroom theory into practice – academically, socially, and through civic and service activities.

Student Life offers a variety of opportunities and experiences for you to enhance your Grizzly experience. You can join a student organization, participate in diversity or leadership training, attend a campus program or event, and so much more!

Why should you get involved?

Leadership development
Intellectual growth
Self-knowledge
Interpersonal skills
Multicultural competency
Enhance awareness of social and global issues
Giving back to the community

How can you get involved as a Grizzly:

Joining one of the 90+ student organizations
Participate in Fraternity or Sorority Life
Volunteer with other Grizzlies on and off campus
Show some spirit at Homecoming Events and Grizzly-Palooza
Cultivate your leadership skills at Grizzly LEAD conference
Participate in Student Government Association
And so much more!

Get Involved

What are the Student Life services?

Faculty Collaborative Programming
Marketing & Graphic Design Services
Marketing Guide
Lounge and Study Space
Multicultural Student Services Support
Student Organization Resources & Storage

Student Integrity

GGC promotes integrity, fairness and honesty. Adopting theses values results in a healthy and safe GGC environment, both inside and outside the classroom.

"We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate the actions of those who do."- GGC Honor Statement

What are the main areas of misconduct?

Academic dishonesty (or other acts of dishonesty)
Disorderly Conduct
Alcohol or other drug related misconduct
Sexual assault and misconduct
Theft, damage, and disregard for property
Fire safety and sanitation
Weapons
Unauthorized entry/use of college property
Violations of Student Housing and Residential Education (SHaRE)
Misuse, abuse, or theft of computer time or services
Gambling
Hazing
Interference with the student integrity process
Violation of any other college policy
Violation of law
Being associated with or knowing about any of the above

Review and read more about Student Integrity, Code of Conduct, and Honor Statement in the Student Handbook

Questions? Call:
Student Success: 678.407.5645 | Student Affairs: 678.407.5882

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Program Plans and Academic Maps

Not sure what classes to take for your intended program of study? GGC offers two tools to assist you in the planning process.

Tool 1: Program Plans

Tool 2: Academic Maps

Pairing these tools with the helpful advice from your mentor or advisor will help you be successful in completing your degree in your allotted time.

Understanding and Accessing your Degree Works

Important Terms

Course Registration in Banner

Learning Communities

What is a Learning Community?

How to Register for a Learning Community

Review the video to understand how to register for a learning community.

Preparing for Classes

Check Your GGC Email Daily

Access Desire2Learn (D2L)

Purchase Your Books/Materials

Academic Calendar

The first day of class for Spring 2027 (Full session and Session A) is Monday, January 11.

Become familiar with important dates, updates, and semester information.

Student Affairs and Engagement

What is Student Affairs?

Clubs and Intramural Sports

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Disability Services

Grizzlies Helping Grizzlies

Student Housing

Grizzly Care Team

Student Integrity

Student Life

Wellness & Recreation Center

Get Involved!

Whether you live on campus or commute, we encourage students to explore their interests and put classroom theory into practice – academically, socially, and through civic and service activities.

Why should you get involved?

How can you get involved as a Grizzly:

What are the Student Life services?

Student Integrity

GGC promotes integrity, fairness and honesty. Adopting theses values results in a healthy and safe GGC environment, both inside and outside the classroom. "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate the actions of those who do."- GGC Honor Statement

Questions? Call:Student Success: 678.407.5645 | Student Affairs: 678.407.5882

GGC promotes integrity, fairness and honesty. Adopting theses values results in a healthy and safe GGC environment, both inside and outside the classroom.

"We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate the actions of those who do."- GGC Honor Statement

Questions? Call:
Student Success: 678.407.5645 | Student Affairs: 678.407.5882