Academic Success Classes (ACA)

The transition from high school to college can be difficult. ACA courses will teach you the skills you need to succeed in college and at work.

If you’re new to college, need a refresher after a long break from school, or are majoring in certain career and technical programs, you’ll want to take ACA-111, College Student Success, during your first semester at GTCC, where you’ll learn tricks for time management, note-taking, study skills, and more.

If you are learning more about career pathways in a career and technical education field, ACA-120, Career Assessment, may be required for your program.

If you’re transferring to a four-year university, ACA-122, College Transfer Success, will help you develop academic and professional goals, as well as create a transfer plan. Take ACA-122 in your first semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

ACA-111 is required for students in Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology, Criminal Justice, Paralegal Technology, Emergency Medical Science, and the Welding Technology Certificate.

Anyone transferring to a 4-year college or university needs to take ACA-122 in their first semester. Each university in the North Carolina system has different course requirements for the first two years of college, so one purpose of ACA-122 is for students to determine what classes they need to take at GTCC in order to transfer to a university with junior standing.

Note that ACA-111 will not substitute for ACA-122.

The North Carolina University System has a page with more information for transfer students, including links to all of the 4-year college and university baccalaureate degree plans (BDP's) and transfer 4-year guides.  Visit the NC Community College Transfer page for more information.

The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), a statewide agreement governing the transfer of credits between NC community colleges and NC public universities, requires ACA-122 for all transfer students, and GTCC requires transfer students to take it in their first semester.  Students who do not successfully complete ACA-122 with a C or better in their first semester are required to re-enroll the following semester.

While you don't need to complete an associate's degree to transfer, completing an associate's degree has several benefits, most notably:

  • transfer to a university with junior standing
  • completion of general education requirements
  • notable financial savings

As explained on CFNC: "Completing the general education core before transferring is not necessary but advisable. Students who do not complete the general education core as stated in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement will have to complete the specific general education requirements of the college or university to which they transfer."

Learn more about transferring from a NC community college to a public 4-year college or university on CFNC's Transfer Student Planner Frequently Asked Questions page.