Mastering Registration:
A Dual Enrollment Student’s Guide
Planning your dual enrollment journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
Understanding the registration process is key to staying on track with your academic and career goals.
Whether you’re a university-bound student selecting transferable courses, a student-athlete balancing academics with sports, or a Career and Technical Education (CTE) student working toward an industry-recognized credential to enter the workforce, this guide will help you navigate the registration process with confidence.
From viewing your pathway and selecting the right courses to understanding registration dates, waitlists, and scheduling considerations, this page is your go-to resource for making the most of your dual enrollment experience.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Understanding the CCP Registration Process
- Taking Ownership of Your College Experience
- How to Select the Right Courses for Your Pathway
- Understanding Advising and Registration Dates
- Understanding Course Locations
- Online vs. In-Person
- Athletes and Those with Extracurricular Commitments
- Planning vs. Registering: Understanding the Difference
- Credits vs. Classes: Understanding Your Pathway Evaluation
- Ensuring You’re in the Right Pathway
- Using Transfer Guides for Course Selection
- Dual Credit Allowance & GPA Weighting
- Course Waitlists: How They Work & What to Do
- Course Repeat Policy: What You Need to Know
Understanding the CCP Registration Process
The Career & College Promise (CCP) Program at CFCC operates on a limited self-registration window, meaning students have a set period to register for their courses independently once registration opens.
However, at a designated point in the registration term, self-registration will close so that our team can carefully review each student’s record to ensure pathway compliance. If any adjustments are needed, we will make them at that time.
Students who need to modify their schedule after the self-registration window closes can still do so with the assistance of their CCP liaison.
This process ensures that all enrolled courses align with the student’s approved pathway.
Self-Registration Opens
Students Independently Register for Courses.
Record Review
Self-registration closes. CCP team reviews records for compliance.
Adjustments Made
Necessary adjustments are made.
Schedule Modification
Students modify schedules with liason help.
Taking Ownership of Your College Experience
At CFCC, we expect CCP students to take an active role in their education, including self-registering for their courses. This is a critical skill that will benefit you whether you continue at CFCC after high school or transfer to a four-year university. One of the core goals of the CCP Program is to provide early access to college while fostering the maturity and responsibility necessary for post-secondary success.
How to Select the Right Courses for Your Pathway
The best way to ensure you’re choosing the correct courses for your CCP pathway is by using the “My Progress” section in Self-Service. This tool helps you stay on track by displaying your designated pathway and identifying courses that align with it.
Need a tutorial video to walk you through this? No problem! We made one just for you. Click here to watch a step-by-step tutorial on how to self-register. Click here to watch a video that helps you ensure the courses you are selected are compliant with your pathway (so they are not dropped)!
- Log in to my.cfcc.edu
- Navigate to Self-Service
- Click on Student Planning
- Under View Your Progress, click “Go to My Progress” to view your pathway requirements
- Choose a course from your pathway availability
- On the left side of the screen, filter by the appropriate term, preferred campus, and class format
Know When to Register:
Understanding Advising and Registration Dates
Staying on top of key dates is essential to securing the courses you need. The Academic Calendar is your go-to resource for determining when Advising Opens for an upcoming term. This is the date when you can log into Self-Service and view all available course offerings for the next semester—usually about a month before registration begins.
Registration opens at midnight on the dates listed in the Academic Calendar, so be sure to mark your calendar and plan ahead! You can find the CFCC Academic Calendar here .
- Priority Registration: Current CCP students—those who are actively enrolled in courses—get a one-week head start before general registration begins.
- General Registration: New CCP students, as well as those returning after taking a semester or more off, must wait until the second week when registration opens for new and returning students.
Understanding Course Locations:
Finding the Right Campus for You
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the different locations where our courses are offered to ensure you select the one that best fits your needs. Whether you prefer to take classes on campus or online, understanding the course location options will help you make an informed decision based on convenience, accessibility, and scheduling. We’ve provided tutorial videos and a breakdown of the location codes to guide you through the process. You can find them here .
While general education and college transfer courses are available across all campuses, our Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are taught at specific locations. Understanding these offerings will ensure you select the campus that aligns with your pathway. You can view the CTE CCP pathways offered at select campus locations by following this link .
Here’s a quick overview of our campus options in proximity to local high schools:
- Wilmington Campus (Downtown): Closest to New Hanover High School, Hoggard High School, and Ashley High School
- North Campus (Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne): The closest option for Laney High School, Heide Trask High School, and Pender High School students
- Surf City Campus: Conveniently located near Topsail High School
- Burgaw Campus: We also offer limited course options at our Burgaw Campus which, when available, can be very convenient for Heide Trask and Pender High students
- Online Courses: We have a wide array of asynchronous online courses. Asynchronous means that while you will be expected to adhere to due dates and other deadlines outlined in your course syllabus, you do not have a designated meeting day and time and instead complete your work on your own preferred schedule.
Choosing the Right Course Format:
Online vs. In-Person
As you plan for the upcoming semester, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to take your courses online or in-person. While online courses offer flexibility, it’s essential to think about which format will best support your academic success. At CFCC, we are committed to your success, and we encourage you to choose the course delivery method that fits your learning style and personal goals.
Online courses can be a great option for students who are self-motivated and can manage their time effectively. They provide convenience and flexibility but may present challenges for students who need more structure or thrive on in-person interaction. If you find it hard to stay on top of coursework or engage fully in a virtual environment, online courses might not offer the support you need to succeed.
In-person classes, on the other hand, offer a dynamic learning experience. Sitting in a classroom with peers of various ages and backgrounds provides opportunities for rich discussions, networking, and deeper connections with both classmates and instructors. These interactions can enhance your learning and give you perspectives you might miss in an online setting.
Each format has its strengths, and the best choice for you depends on your personal learning style, academic goals, and ability to balance your high school and extracurricular commitments. We offer many in-person courses across our campuses, along with a range of online options, so you can decide what best supports your success.
Remember, the choices you make at CFCC will have a lasting impact on your academic record and future opportunities. Prioritize your success by selecting the format that aligns with your strengths and sets you up for achievement in and out of the classroom.
Considerations for Student Athletes and Those with Extracurricular Commitments
As a dual-enrolled student at Cape Fear Community College, you’re likely balancing high school coursework, college classes, extracurricular activities, and perhaps athletic commitments. We understand that this is no small feat, and we want to make sure you’re set up for success in all areas of your life.
When planning your course schedule, it’s important to consider your extracurricular obligations carefully. Unlike high school, CFCC courses do not excuse absences for extracurricular activities such as sports events or club meetings. The academic standards at CFCC require consistent attendance and active participation in your courses.
If you’re involved in a sport or extracurricular activity that requires you to miss afternoon classes for away games or competitions, it’s essential that you choose your courses accordingly. Missing class due to these commitments can lead to academic consequences, including the risk of failing the course.
To avoid this, we strongly encourage you to select in-person courses that meet in the morning, or consider online courses, if this aligns with your learning style and academic goals. While online courses offer flexibility, it’s important to evaluate whether they are a good fit for you.
Ultimately, we want you to succeed both in your academics and extracurricular pursuits, so please carefully plan your schedule to support your responsibilities. Your academic performance at CFCC has long-term impacts, and we want to ensure you have the resources and strategies to succeed.
Planning vs. Registering:
Understanding the Difference
Planning Your Courses
It’s important to understand the difference between planning and registering for courses. Simply adding a course to your plan does not mean you are registered!
During the planning phase, you can add courses to your academic plan. When you do, these courses will appear on your schedule highlighted in beige with the status marked as “Planned.” This step helps you prepare for registration but does not secure your seat in the class.
Registering for Courses
Once the registration period opens, you must take action to officially enroll:
- Log into your account when your registration window is open.
- A blue “Register” button will appear next to your planned courses.
- Click “Register” to finalize your enrollment.
- Once successfully registered, the course will be highlighted in green, and the status will update to “Registered but not started.”
Need Help? Watch our Registration Tutorial Video for a step-by-step guide!
Credits vs. Classes:
Understanding Your Pathway Evaluation
When selecting courses, it’s essential to understand the difference between credits and classes to stay on track with your academic pathway.
Credits: These refer to the units of value assigned to a course based on the amount of work or study required. Courses with more credits often require more hours of work, whether it’s in-class instruction or homework.
Classes: These are the individual sections or meetings of a specific course that students can register for during an academic term. They represent the subjects that form the core curriculum required to complete a degree, certificate, or program of study.
Understanding Credit Hours – Most college courses carry 3 credit hours, but some math and science courses may carry 4 credit hours each. When reviewing your pathway, you may see a requirement to complete 9 credits from a list of courses. This does not mean you should take 9 separate classes! Instead, this typically means selecting three 3-credit courses or a combination that fulfills the credit requirement.
Ensuring You’re in the Right Pathway:
Using Transfer Guides to Stay on Track
We want you to feel confident in your chosen Career & College Promise (CCP) pathway. While Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways are designed to align directly with specific career interests, selecting the correct College Transfer Pathway can sometimes be confusing.
To help you make informed decisions, we encourage you to use Transfer Guides—valuable resources that act as roadmaps, ensuring you take the right courses for your intended major and university transfer goals.
How to Confirm You’re in the Right Pathway:
- Access the UNC Transfer Guides ( linked on this page ).
- Input your intended university and/or major.
- View or download the transfer guide(s) to see which associate degree is recommended.
- Match your CCP Pathway to the recommended degree:
- If the guide recommends an Associate in Arts (AA), you should be in the Associate in Arts CCP Pathway.
- If the guide recommends an Associate in Science (AS), you should be in the Associate in Science CCP Pathway.
Need to Adjust Your Pathway?
If you realize that your current pathway doesn’t perfectly align with your academic or career goals, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Reach out to your assigned CCP liaison for assistance and, if justified, we can adjust your pathway for the upcoming semester. Our goal is to ensure you’re on the best path for your future success!
Using Transfer Guides for Course Selection
Why Use Transfer Guides?
When reviewing a transfer guide for your intended university and major, you will see a clear outline of which courses to take at the community college level to align with that major. Following these recommendations is crucial because it ensures that:
- ✔ You are not just earning college credit through CCP, but also taking the right courses to get a head start in your intended major.
- ✔ You avoid taking courses that may not transfer or apply to your chosen degree, maximizing the efficiency of your course selection.
- You can access the UNC Transfer Guides on this page .
Important Considerations When Selecting Courses
While transfer guides are powerful tools, it’s important to remember that your CCP pathway parameters always take priority in course selection.
Just because a course is listed on a transfer guide does not mean you can take it right away! The course must also be an approved option within your CCP pathway.
However, many additional courses will become available to you once you complete your structured pathway. Finishing your CCP pathway unlocks access to a broader range of elective courses – but finishing your pathway is first.
We encourage you to explore these transfer guides as you prepare for registration. Even if you don’t have a specific major or university in mind yet, reviewing and comparing multiple transfer guides can help you make informed decisions about course selection.
Taking the time to research now can make a significant difference in your academic planning, ensuring you stay on the right track toward your educational and career goals.
Understanding NCDPI
Dual Credit Allowance & GPA Weighting
As a Career and College Promise (CCP) student, it’s essential to understand how your college courses apply toward your high school graduation requirements and how they will be weighted on your high school transcript. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Dual Credit Allowance policy provides the official guidelines for how college courses can be used to satisfy core high school graduation requirements.
What Is the Dual Credit Allowance?
The dual credit allowance policy outlines the specific course combinations that can replace high school core graduation requirements with college courses.
Key Points to Know:
- ✔ All CCP courses three credit hours or more will transfer to your high school transcript as an elective credit.
- ✔ If you want a college course to count toward a core high school graduation requirement, you must follow the Dual Credit Allowances Chart . We find the chart view that begins on page 9 of this document to be most helpful in understanding the combinations of CCP credits required in order to meet core high school graduation requirements.
- ✔ Dual credit allowance courses must be taken at the community college. Credit earned through AP, CLEP, or other methods does not count toward this policy.
- ✔ Your CCP pathway takes priority. If your pathway does not allow for a specific combination of courses outlined in the dual credit chart, you cannot override your pathway’s restrictions to meet those requirements.
- ✔ Courses worth only one or two credit hours do not count toward high school graduation credit but still earn college credit.
Since dual credit allowances must fit within your CCP pathway, it’s important to plan your course selections carefully if you are trying to meet both college and high school graduation requirements.
How Are CCP Courses Weighted on Your High School Transcript?
As stated above, courses taken through CCP will appear on your high school transcript if they are three or more credit hours, but their GPA weight may vary based on the type of course.
NC State Board of Education policy (GRAD-009: High School Transcript Standards) states that, for college courses taken through dual enrollment, the state weighting system adds the equivalent of one (1) quality point to the grade earned in community college courses included on the most recent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement Transfer List.
All courses in CCP College Transfer Pathways are included in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) Transfer List, meaning they are weighted one additional quality point on the high school transcript.
Most Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathway courses do not receive this extra quality point. Only certain CTE courses are on the approved CAA Transfer List, and these are the only ones eligible for the additional weighting.
If you are in a CTE pathway and want to check whether any of your courses qualify for the extra quality point, you will need to access the most recent CAA Transfer List ( linked at the bottom of this page ). If your CTE course is not on that list, it will receive regular weight on your high school transcript instead of the additional quality point.
Plan Ahead for Dual Credit & GPA Weighting
Understanding how your CCP courses impact both graduation requirements and GPA weighting is crucial for making informed decisions about your schedule. If you need assistance with course selection or pathway adjustments, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!
Course Waitlists:
How They Work & What to Do
Sometimes, when you try to register for a class, you might find that it is already full. When this happens, you may have the option to join a waitlist, which means you are in line for a spot if another student drops the class. Waitlists also help the college identify high-demand courses and, when possible, add new sections based on instructor availability.
However, just joining a waitlist does not guarantee you a seat in the class. If you wait for a spot to open and don’t register for another available section in the meantime, you could end up without any options once registration closes.
It’s always best to secure a solid schedule by registering for a course with open seats rather than relying on the uncertainty of a waitlist. While a waitlist offers the possibility of getting into your preferred section, there is no guarantee that a spot will become available. If you only waitlist and don’t enroll in an available section, you risk being left without the course entirely once registration closes. By registering for a section with open seats first, you ensure that you stay on track with your academic plans. Then, if a seat opens in your preferred section, you can easily switch—but you won’t be left scrambling for alternatives at the last minute.
What You Should Do Instead:
- Register for a backup section that has open seats.
- Then, add yourself to the waitlist for your first-choice section.
For example:
- If PSY-150-I04 is full and has a waitlist, but PSY-150-I06 still has open seats, register for I06 first and then join the waitlist for I04.
Why This Order Matters:
- If you join a waitlist first and then register for another section, the system will remove you from the waitlist, assuming you no longer need it.
- But if you register for an open section first and then join the waitlist, you will stay on the waitlist while still having a backup plan.
Important Reminder:
- If a seat opens in your waitlisted class, you will receive an email notification to your CFCC account and have 24 hours to claim your spot. If you don’t check your email in time, the seat will go to the next person on the list. Be sure to check your CFCC email every day!
Course Repeat Policy:
What You Need to Know
While the vast majority of CCP students excel in their coursework (our success rates in CCP are consistently at or above the state average), we understand that setbacks can happen. The key is knowing your options. If you find yourself needing to repeat a course, this policy gives you a clear path forward to improve your academic record and achieve your goals.
At CFCC, courses fall into the following categories when it comes to course repeats. If you earned a C or better, you can retake the course up to two times. If you received a D, F, W, WP, XF, or WF, you can retake the course as many times as needed until you successfully complete it.
One of the biggest benefits of retaking a course is CFCC’s Grade Replacement Policy, which states:
“When a course has been repeated, the higher grade will be used in the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation. Lower grades will be removed from GPA calculation; however, these grades will continue to appear on the academic transcript.”
This means that if you struggled in a class the first time, retaking it and earning a higher grade will replace the lower grade in your GPA calculation. This can be particularly helpful if you are on academic warning or probation and need to raise your CFCC GPA to 2.0 or higher as soon as possible. It’s also beneficial for college transfer students who may have received a D in a course, since only grades of C or higher will transfer to a university.
However, it’s important to remember that the course must be the same for the grade replacement policy to apply. If you didn’t pass HIS 112, for example, you must retake HIS 112—not HIS 111—for the new grade to replace the old one. That said, you do have flexibility in how you retake the course. You can choose a different instructor, format (in-person or online), or schedule that better fits your learning style. You can read the course repeat policy (and related grade policies) here .
The vast majority of courses taken through CCP at CFCC result in grades of A, B, or C. However, for those who may need it, this policy provides a valuable opportunity to improve their academic standing. Additionally, many high schools have their own grade replacement policies that determine how CFCC courses appear on high school transcripts. Some schools also have dual enrollment policies that apply to students who receive Ds or Fs in CFCC courses. We strongly encourage you to consult with your high school counselor to understand how your CFCC course performance may impact your high school record and eligibility. Again, the policy described above is the CFCC policy. You need to consult with your high school to determine what their policies are concerning retaking a CCP course.
Conclusion
We hope this registration guide has been a valuable resource in helping you navigate the dual enrollment process with confidence. Our goal is to equip you with the key information you need to make informed decisions about your courses, ensuring a smooth registration experience and setting you up for success. Whether you’re mapping out your academic journey, selecting the right courses, or finalizing your schedule, this page is designed to be your go-to resource. By mastering the registration process and becoming comfortable with self-registration, you are not only setting yourself up for success in dual enrollment but also building skills that will serve you well in all your future academic endeavors—whether at a community college or a four-year university. Taking initiative in these types of responsibilities will also translate into success in your career, where proactivity and self-sufficiency are key to reaching your goals.
