Find Out More
Academic Departments
College courses are broken down into various departments such as: History, English, Philosophy, Human Services etc. Each department will also have a 3 or 4 letter abbreviation. For example:PSYC = Psychology
COMM = Communication
BIOL = Biology
ACCT = Accounting
NURS = Nursing
PARA = Paralegal
Explore each department's listing of courses as well as the course description.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Departments > Academic
Academic Planner
Academic Planners (monthly and weekly calendar) are available in the bookstore for a nominal fee. Student Life publishes the planners so you can easily find key dates such as registration timeframes, club meetings and recreation sports activities. Have important information at your fingertips and use it to manage your time effectively.
Key sections include:
- Monthly and weekly calendars
- Directory of Student Services
- Hours of operation
- GPA calculator
- Future course planner
Accelerated Courses
Concentrated! That's probably the best definition for an accelerated course because the material is no different than any other class. Experience the same material and learn from the same faculty members, but in a briefer period of time. Many students, particularly working adults, have found this format to be beneficial because it allows the opportunity for more focused study. Semesters are broken in half so taking one class the first half and another the second half would be the same as taking two classes during the entire term.
Many of the accelerated courses are offered at locations that may even be closer to your home. All Inver Hills students are eligible to participate in Accelerated courses.
Download the accelerated schedule or use the search for classes tool to see the number of open seats.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Search for Classes
Activities/Clubs
Take advantage of great leadership opportunities such as:
- Student Senate
- Phi Theta Kappa (Honors Society)
- Student Ambassadors
Also, see if there's a club that suits your interest. With over 30 to choose from it shouldn't be too difficult. You can even start your own club. Explore the Activities, Clubs page and get involved!
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Student Life > Activities, Clubs
Adult Success through Accelerated Programs
ASAP is designed for adult students who typically work full-time and need options to complete their two year degree because they may not be able to attend school by following the traditional day schedule. We offer accelerated options to complete a two-year degree. These options include:
- Evening courses that meet one night a week for 8 weeks. These accelerated courses allow students to take several courses during a 16 week semester.
- Credit for prior learning - getting college credit for demonstrating your skills and knowledge in a subject instead of taking the course. Students demonstrate their "competencies" or skills and knowledge attained through work and life experiences.
- Design your own degree. The Individualized Professional Studies (IPS) degree is an AS degree earned in a career field that is not targeted by existing degree programs at IHCC. You may choose your own concentration to plan a degree.
Learn more at the ASAP website.
Ask Inver
Can't find the information you're looking for? Then Ask Inver. Some of the most common questions students have are already answered through the ASK INVER service. If you can't find the answer then submit your question and a staff member will reply to you. It's that easy!
Ask Inver is located in the menu bar of each webpage.
Assessment / Placement Results
After completing the Inver Hills Assessment/Placement exam you should have been given a copy of your test results. Your placement results for English, math and reading will be found towards the bottom of the page.
All new degree seeking students are required to take the Assessment/Placement exams. Your results will indicate your readiness for courses in: English, math and reading. If you plan to enroll in an English, reading or math course, you must demonstrate that you meet the required prerequisites for these courses as specified by a new Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policy. Students will NOT be allowed to register for English and math classes without meeting these course prerequisites.
You can also demonstrate that you meet course prerequisites in these areas by:
- Transferring equivalent coursework from another college (official transcripts are required)
- Taking the same Assessment Test at another college and forwarding the results to Inver Hills
- Submitting ACT scores of 24 or higher in all categories
- Students wishing to take course higher than College Algebra such as trigonometry, pre-calculus or calculus will still need to take the IHCC math assessment. An ACT math score of 24 will only allow you to take math courses up to Math 1118 College Algebra.
Review the full assessment policy for complete details.
If you have questions related to:
- assessments you completed at Inver Hills, please call (651) 450-3650.
- assessments you completed at another college/university, please call (651) 450-3862.
Note: Some two-year career programs do not require you to make a math course, so carefully review your program requirements before enrolling in a math class.
Career Development and Employment Center
The Career Development and Employment Center is located in the Counseling Center and is open for walk-in use or counselor assisted appointments during scheduled hours. The center houses a wide range of resources and services to help you learn more about yourself, the world of work and job search techniques. The resources include printed, video and computerized career guidance and exploration materials. Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) and Bridges Career Explorer are computerized resources available to you in the center.
Career Planning Books
The Inver Hills Career Development Center has a hundreds of books on all types of career planning topics. Come to the center and discover books on: majors leading to careers, self assessment, deciding on a college major, and many more.
Here's a sample of some books you?ll find in the Career Development Center. You might even want to purchase one from a local bookstore.
Luck is no Accident: Making the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career
By John D. Krumboltz, Ph.D and Al S. Levin, Ed.D
What Color is Your Parachute?
By Richard Nelson Bolles
Whistle while You Work: Heeding Your Life?s Calling
by Richard Leider and David Shapiro
What Can You do with a Major in Psychology? Real People. Real Jobs. Real Rewards.
by Jennifer A. Horowitz
Child Care Center
Welcome to The Campus Child Care Center, a place where children have fun learning while their parents attend college classes. We provide quality child care, with flexible scheduling to meet the needs of the student. Our program offers a variety of learning experiences for the children including story time, art, science, cooking, music, movement, outdoor activities.
Additional information about the Child Care Center:
- Our teachers are first aid and CPR certified.
- We are located on the north side of the college campus.
- Care is provided Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- We care for children 16 months to 5 years (pre-Kindergarten)
Feel free to email Deb McCoy (dmccoy@inverhills.edu) at the Child Care Center with any questions, or call (651) 450-3627.
Child Care Grants
Child care grants are available to qualified students. The funds may be used at any qualified day care facility. Please inquire with the Office of Financial Aid for further information and an application.
Consider your Learning Style
Choosing the course format that works for you requires some insight into your learning style. You can learn more about your learning style by completing the Self Scored VARK Inventory and/or the Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire from North Carolina State University.
Hopefully these self assessments will provide you some insight in helping you choose a course format that is right for you.
Regardless of the format, research has shown that the more time and effort you put into the course, the more you will get out of it. Course formats that require less time in class will require more reading and more assignments to compensate for not providing classroom instruction.
Contacting your Counselor
You are not assigned a counselor at Inver Hills. Instead you're given a choice. Find a counselor that you want to work with regularly or meet with any counselor available during convenient times for you. Ask a brief question during walk-in hours or schedule a half hour appointment. Counselors are available during the day M-F and in the evenings M-Th.
Call 651-450-3508 to schedule an appointment or inquire about daily walk-in availability.
Counselors are available to assist you with:
- Academic/Degree Planning
- Career Counseling
- Personal Concerns
- Transferring
- Student Success Strategies
- Identifying Resources for Adult Learners
Visit the counseling websiteto find great resources.
Course Sequencing
You may need to take courses in steps based on the prerequisite requirements. It is important that you follow the prerequisites before taking certain courses. Sequencing is important when you have a series of courses that you need to complete prior to taking a course or a set of courses for your major. Majors in health, math, sciences, engineering often have sequences that students need to take into consideration when choosing their classes by considering the requirements and planning ahead.
Here are some examples:
AS Nursing Degree -- Nursing is a competitive admission program. All new students should discuss their plan with a counselor at the registration assistance session.
Sequence:
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester |
| BIOL 1120 or 1154 | BIOL 2201 | BIOL 2202 |
Remember: Counselors are available to assist you with this process!
Directory/Phone Numbers
Find phone numbers, email addresses and office locations for faculty and staff around campus by utilizing the Staff Directory (found on the bottom of all college websites).
Enrichment Classes
Inver Hills offers several classes to enrich and enhance your learning opportunities. In the future, browse through the college catalog and review all the classes offered at the college. In the meantime, here are a few classes to consider:
CRDV 1100 - Life/Career Planning, 1 credit
STSK 1101 - College Study Skills, 2 credits
INTS 1000 - On Course, 1 credit
INTS 1001 - College Success, 2 credits
HLTH 1124 - Alcohol and College Life, 1 credit
Faculty Office Hours
Each faculty member has designated office hours each week. These are times set aside for students to come and ask questions and work more closely with the faculty. If you can't make the scheduled office hours you may want to call or email your instructor to set up a different time.
Tip: You may also find faculty members in their offices in addition to these scheduled times.
How do I find the schedule?
Typically you'll find the faculty members office hours posted on their office door, in the course syllabus, and on the faculty websites.
Faculty Web Pages
Many instructors have their own faculty websites where you can learn more about what they teach and also link to course material such as assignments and syllabi.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Departments > Faculty Web Sites
Info Shortcuts
Utilize Info Shortcuts to easily navigate the college website. You'll find quick links to essential information found on the web. If you have a question about something, this would be the first resource to start with.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Current Students > Info Shortcuts
Key Dates
The official dates for registration, payment deadlines and holidays are posted on the college's website. Also find important dates listed in the class schedule and the Academic Planner (available in the bookstore).
Tip: Register early for the best course selection, but don't forget to meet the payment deadline! No one likes to be dropped from their classes.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Calendar/Office Hours
Learning Communities
Verified Results
Students are choosing to attend Inver Hills because they want the opportunity to enroll in the success initiative called Learning Communities. The concept is simple and the results are astonishing. Students are more successful when they take a core of classes with a group of peers.
How does it work?
A group of students (usually 25-30) enroll in the same 2 or 3 classes together. Students work more closely with one another and faculty members are able to better coordinate material and assignments. Often the community will be centered on a common theme. For example, Pre-Health Sciences/Pre-Nursing group might include key classes such as Biology and Psychology.
Where can I find out more?
Visit the Learning Community webpageto learn more about this opportunity.
What's the schedule?
Visit the course schedule and in under academic department select LCOM. This view may be a bit confusing so read it carefully and ask questions.
Maintaining your GPA
Maintain a strong grade point average (GPA)
Grade point average (GPA) is a short-cut measure of how strong a student you are and determines your academic standing. The GPA scale is as follows:
| Letter Grade | General Rating | Quality Point/Credit Hour |
| A | Excellent | 4.0 |
| B | Good | 3.0 |
| C | Adequate | 2.0 |
| D | Partially Adequate | 1.0 |
| F | No grade or credit | 0.0 |
To determine what grades you will need to improve or maintain your GPA, you can use a GPA Calculator.
Multicultural Affairs
The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides cultural programming, international student advising and exists as a campus wide resource on cultural diversity issues. The Office also serves as a support and resource for students from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Student Life > Multicultural Affairs
MySpace
Inver Hills' MySpace sitecan connect you with the many services provided through Student Life (Health Services, Recreational Sports, Student Clubs, Leadership Programs, and Campus Events. No username or logon is required to view the page or its contents. If you have a MySpace account sign-up to receive automatic updates when a new blog entry is added to the site or connect yourself by becoming a "friend" of the college.
In short, Inver Hills' MySpace site is your one stop shop to learn about the happenings on campus.
On Course
Former students say it best:
"With the help of this class, instructor, and the other students, I have the self confidence to know that I am going to successfully make it in college."
"Through On Course I was able to find positive solutions to my problems and challenges. I realized I needed an attitude adjustment and now for the first time in my life I am succeeding in school."
"I know when I came to a community college I would need a plan for my future. With the help of the On Course class, I now have a 4 year plan and have set goals for my next step in life."
Enroll in INTS 1000 - On Course during your first semester and you will:
- Learn strategies to help you create success in college and in life
- Identify your motivation and opportunities for personal growth
- Make career decisions and create an academic plan
- Explore and utilize campus resources and services
All new degree seeking students are expected to enroll in INTS 1000 - On Course
Search for open sections of On Course.
Performing Arts
Participate in the Performing Arts - join the choir - act in a play - or take some great music and/or theater classes.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Student Life > Performing Arts
Prerequisites
Often it is required that you take a particular course before you are able to take a more advanced course. This is known as a prerequisite. When you register for classes, it's important that you follow the prerequisites in order to have a better chance of successfully completing the more advanced class. Course Descriptions will list any course prerequisites. If there is nothing listed in the course description, then you are free to take that class. Otherwise, you must follow the prerequisite.
Following the prerequisite will also help you with appropriate course sequencing!
Example of Course with a Prerequisite:
ENG 1114 WRIT The Research Paper, 3 credits
Emphasizes critical analysis of fiction or nonfiction texts, at least one book-length, resulting in a research paper that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources. Prereq: ENG Composition 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.
Recreational Sports and Fitness
Recreational Sports and Fitnessoffers a comprehensive program of quality recreation and wellness activities. Activities include intramural, extramural and club sports competition such as basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, flag football, golf, soccer, weightlifting and ice hockey. The Fitness Center includes Nautilus machines, stationary bikes, Stairmasters, a Nordic-Track, treadmills and weight room.
Through the Outdoor Rental Center students may rent recreation and camping equipment at reasonable rates.
Learn the link
www.inverhills.edu
> Student Life > Rec Sports and Fitness
Security/Escort Service
The college is deeply committed to ensuring the personal safety and well-being of the entire college community. The college maintains a full-time director of security to help accomplish this objective and also provides an escort service for students.
Awareness of security-related issues can considerably reduce crimes against persons and/or property. Students are encouraged to stop at the Dean of Students office to obtain a copy of Inver Hills "Crime Awareness and Campus Security" brochure. Campus crimes and emergencies should be reported immediately to the Director of Security (daytime) or the Learning Center receptionist (evenings).
To request a security escort on campus
Students can request an escort, available evenings, through the receptionist in the Learning Center (2nd Floor of Library building). Dial 0 from any campus phone or call 651-450-3340. A campus security escort is available to accompany you to parking lots and from building to building on campus. This service is only available during class contact times (no service when classes are not in session).
For additional information, view the campus security policies and reports.
Study Guides
Study Guides and Strategies is a free educational public web site that provides student guides in areas such as preparing, learning, studying, reading skills, taking tests, writing basics and more. These student guides are collaboratively maintained across institutional and national boundaries, and are provided in a number of languages. Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt, and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners.
Syllabus
On the first day of class, instructors will distribute a syllabus. The syllabus is the outline of the course and it includes important information such as:
- Grading parameters
- Test Dates
- Class Schedule
- Course Objectives
- Faculty Contact Information
Tip: Successful students refer to the syllabus regularly.
Transfer Guides
Transfer Guides list courses students can take at IHCC to will fulfill the general education and/or pre-major coursework.
Often these guides are developed by the receiving institutions as an aid for you to choose courses appropriately. These guides are available in the Counseling Center and many are linked to directly in the Transfer Resources section of the Counseling department website.
Transfer Representatives
Representatives from four-year colleges visit campus regularly. The visits give students interested in transferring an opportunity to learn more about the colleges. The IHCC Student Bulletin, which is published weekly, announces any upcoming Campus Visits.
Veterans Resources
Inver Hills Community College is a "military/veteran friendly" campus providing extensive support to all veterans. The staff will make every effort to ensure that you are able to use your military benefits to attend college. Among the many resources available you'll find:
- Veterans Coordinator: Sue Flannigan, 651-450-3862, sflanni@inverhills.edu
- Veteran Services webpage: info for current, transfer and prospective students
- Veteran's Resource Center
- Veteran's Support Group: "It's all about military people helping other military people!"
- Possibility of receiving academic credit for military education: Submit a DD-214 & SMART or AARTS transcripts to IHCC Enrollment Services Office.
- Tuition deferment upon request
- Classes designed for vets including various start dates
- Coming Soon: Staff Psychologist