Students will know the importance of visiting an academic counselor to discuss their goal(s), establish an Education Plan and identify support services available to ensure their success.

The Counseling Department provides academic, career, transfer and personal counseling to Oxnard College students.

The overall goal and purpose of the Counseling Department is to assist students, full and part time, with the process of determining their educational objective and developing a plan to achieve that goal. Numerous services are provided to achieve individual student educational goals including:

• academic
• career
• transfer
• social and person counseling/advising.

Attention to the individual needs of each student is particularly vital at Oxnard College, where its open door policy attracts students of diversified backgrounds, interests, abilities and needs. Cooperation between instructors and counselors is extremely important in aiding students in self-assessment, self-reliance and self-directed activities. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor during their first semester to develop an educational plan and to explore their educational options. Areas of services provided by the Counseling Center that support these needs are:

Academic Counseling

One of the primary responsibilities of Oxnard College counselors is to assist students in planning for a program of study which appropriately reflects their educational and career objectives. The counselor’s function, however, is an advisory one. Ultimately, the responsibility for knowing program requirements and enrolling in proper courses rests with the student.

Career / Life Planning

Counselors can provide students with information about a variety of career clusters and vocational fields. By enrolling in Personal Growth classes and meeting with counselors, students have the opportunity to explore relationships between career choice, decision-making procedures, and personal values. Personal Growth classes allow students the opportunity to gain insight into past and present performance of specific careers and professions while providing a supportive atmosphere for self-exploration.

The counseling department is located on the second floor of the Student Services Building. To schedule an appointment, call (805) 678-5816.

Personal Concerns

Trained professionals are available for personal counseling. Through a self-help holistic approach, counselors will help students explore immediate alternatives for crisis situations or assist in decision-making to provide for maximum student success while in attendance at Oxnard College. When further assistance is necessary, counselors can provide students with referral services for personal and social problems. Personal Counselors are available through the Student Health Center at (805) 678-5832.

The California Work Opportunities & Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program is a state-mandated program that provides educational and training assistance to student-parents who are receiving the Adult portion of TANF Benefits. The Program supports Student-Parents in achieving long-term success through the attainment of higher education, which, in turn, promotes self-sufficiency and personal growth. At Oxnard College, the objective of the CalWORKs Program is to equip the CalWORKs student with special supportive services including Course Recommendation, Academic Counseling, Childcare, Work-Study, and insuring compliance with the Human Services Agency's Welfare-to-Work Program regulations.

The CalWORKs program is the "home base" for Student-Parents who are receiving CalWORKs support from the County of Ventura, Human Services Agency.

Oxnard College CalWORKs Mission Statement

The focus of the Oxnard College CalWORKs Program is to empower student-parents within a supportive community united in bridging the gap from adversity to self-sufficiency through higher education and personal success.

The CalWORKs program at Oxnard College offers the following support services:

• Academic, career, and personal counseling
• Completion of HSA County required documentation
• Educational Plans/Course Recommendation
• Paid on-campus Work-Study/internships (based on funding availability)
• Informative/Holistic Workshop
• Priority Registration
• Referrals to other on and off campus services/programs
• Assistance with completion and fulfillment of Ventura County, Human Services Agency documents and requirements
• Advocacy with the Department of Social Services
• Assistance with the Enrollment Process
• Tutoring, Computer Lab, Printing, School Supplies (based on availability)
• Fall/Spring Orientation
• Retention for Students on Academic Probation
• Collaboration with other institutional agents such as, Academic, Student Services and County of Ventura

*Some services may be limited or paused due to CDC COVID-19 regulations.

Program Eligibility

In order for a student-parent to be eligible for the CalWORKs Program, he or she MUST:

• Be enrolled at VCCCD with semester units at Oxnard College
• Be receiving the Adult Portion of TANF Benefits, also known as Cash Aid
• Have a Ventura County CalWORKs Community College Referral Form and/or a Ventura County Notice of Action

Units of Credit

Our district, consistent with other districts across the state, adheres to the Carnegie Unit model for time spent in class and for time a student is expected to spend out of class in order to conduct required reading and homework.

• For every lecture hour that a student spends in class each week, the Carnegie Unit model calls for a student to spend two hours outside of class reviewing the material from lecture, reviewing notes, reading, and/or completing required homework.
• In courses that are “hands-on” and include lab time incorporated into the instruction, such as a word processing course or automotive repair course, there is very little homework involved. Because of the “hands on” nature of this type of instruction, the required weekly hours for such a course or program are typically on-site at the colleges. The scheduled hours are posted within the printed college schedule for the given semester. In addition, every course and program offered by the three colleges is described in each of the respective college catalogs. The course and program descriptions clearly specify whether a course/program is straight lecture or lab based.
• In cases where a CalWORKs participant has learning or physical disabilities, extra time may be needed in order to accommodate the special student success needs of such students. College counselors and/or Educational Assistance Center (EAC) personnel at each of the colleges will advise and/or assist County case workers with estimation of weekly schedules for any student with special needs.

The following Carnegie table serves to illustrate the various configurations and weekly schedules that a student, depending on the unit load, may be required to follow in order to succeed with their course of study.

VCCCD Based on Carnegie Unit Model

Total weekly number of hours based on number of lecture units being pursued by a student.

OC-Units for Credit

Academic Units for In-Class Lecture Time	Two-to-One Ratio of Hours for Outside Class Study Time, i.e. Reading Time, Homework	Total Number of Weekly Hours that a CalWORKs Student Will be Actively Dedicated to Educational Program
1 Unit	2	3
2 Units	4	6
3 Units	6	9
4 Units	8	12
5 Units	10	15
6 Units	12	18
7 Units	14	21
8 Units	16	24
9 Units	18	27
10 Units	20	30
11 Units	22	33
12 Units	24	36
13 Units	26	39
14 Units	28	42
15 Units	30	45
In-Class Lab Formula	(i.e. "Hands-on Training" Programs)
20 Lab-based Instructional hours	20 All work typically performed by student in-class, lab, shop, unless required otherwise by instructor or program	20 Weekly hours

Note: The weekly hourly schedule described above does not include any time that a CalWORKs participant may be required to conduct extra-curricular activities (i.e. field trips), student services orientations outside of class, counseling sessions, tutoring sessions, or travel time to and from campus, etc. Credit for acceptable activities will have to be determined as such by County personnel who, ideally, will discuss any related concerns with appropriate college staff.

There are some training programs, such as Air Conditioning & Refrigeration at Oxnard College that utilize both the straight lecture formula and the lab-based formula to deliver their instruction to students.

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)

EOPS / CARE students will understand the processes / resources necessary to achieve their educational goals. At-risk students will improve their G.P.A. by following their Academic Success Agreement.

EOPS was established in 1969 with the intent to encourage local community colleges to establish and implement programs directed at identifying low income and educationally disadvantaged students and increasing these numbers of students to be served by the colleges. At Oxnard College, the EOPS Program is designed to give EOPS eligible students the opportunities and assistance necessary to successfully complete their academic transfer and/or vocational program.

EOPS supplements the regular educational programs and encourages students to participate in other college programs and to maximize usage of their services. EOPS support services assist students in overcoming the many obstacles that a new environment, a new school, or a new setting can present.

How Can One Qualify For The EOPS Program And Services?

• Eligible to receive a California Community College Promise Grant (CCPG) A or B or C:
  • CCPG A: Currently receiving TANF/CalWORKs or SSI
  • CCPG B: Meet CCPG Income Guidelines
  • CCPG C: Have an Estimated Family Contribution
  • (EFC) of 0
• Full-time (12 units)
• California resident
• Less than 45 units of degree applicable credit
• Meet any one of the following educational criteria:
  • Non-high school graduate
  • High school GPA below 2.50
  • Previously enrolled in remedial courses
  • Placed in non-degree level Math course
  • Placed in non-degree level English course
  • First generation college student
  • From non-English speaking family
  • Member of an underrepresented group

Programs Under the Umbrella of EOPS

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) is a cooperative effort under the umbrella of EOPS involving the State Employment Development Department, State Department of Social Services, local county welfare departments and the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges. It is a special outreach and support effort targeted specifically to cash aid recipients.

The program provides services to EOPS eligible, single heads of households, with one child under the age of 18 that is receiving cash aid. CalWORKs students that meet CARE criteria may also be eligible for services. All CARE eligible students qualify for EOPS services as well.

How can one qualify for the CARE program and services?

• Must be enrolled in EOPS
• Single parent with at least one child under the age of 18
• Current Cash Aid/TANFs recipient
• Full time student (Minimum of 9 or more units)
• Pursuing an educational, vocational, or job training program

EOPS/CARE Services Provided

Counseling Services

• Academic/Personal counseling: Individual or Group
• Vocational decision making/Career Guidance
• CalWORKs Information
• Educational Plan development
• Transfer/Transitional services
• Study Skills, Time Management and Success Strategies
• Assistance with the financial aid process
• Retention for Students on Academic Probation

Financial Assistance ¹ in the form of EOPS and/or CARE grants are offered to eligible students with financial need as determined by Title V guidelines.

Workshops are offered that facilitate student progress and academic achievement. Special emphasis is placed on career guidance and academic success.

Pre-registration is offered each semester prior to regular registration. This enables the EOPS student to register early, and secure needed classes before campus-wide enrollment.

Book Service¹ is provided to EOPS eligible students and this assists with the cost of books.

Tutoring, Peer Advisement, College Success Class: EOPS-PG R100A, EOPS/CARE Orientations and Survival Kits are additional services provided to assist students in achieving their educational goals.

Transitional Services: EOPS Students are eligible to receive CSU/UC Application Fee Waivers when applying to Transfer. In addition, our EOPS Counselors are able to provide detailed letters of recommendations upon timely requests.

Other Services: In addition, CARE eligible students receive additional services in the form of gas cards, parking permits, books, Student Photo ID Cards and meal coupons.

• ¹Funding does not cover the full cost for books needed. Any monetary service is dependent on funding availability each year. In order to be eligible for CARE services and receive funds, students must be in good standing status.

For information and appointments, call (805) 678-5827 or visit the EOPS/CARE office upon enrollment. EOPS/CARE is located on the 2nd floor in the Student Services Building in Room 254.

Transfer and Career Information Center

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year university will clearly understand the correct general education plan they need to follow and will know how to access transfer counseling and access to visiting University Representatives.

The Oxnard College Transfer and Career Information Center offers multiple pathways that will prepare students to be transfer ready and assist every step of the way in the transfer process. Students will be able to identify their transfer pathway and access resources and support services to transfer to a four-year college or university of their choice.

The Transfer Center and is committed to helping make your transfer goal a reality, and is located in the Administration Building in AA 113. For more information please call the Transfer Center at (805) 678-5837.

Services provided by the Transfer and Career Information Center include the following:

• One-on-one Transfer counseling and planning appointments
• CSU GE-Breadth and IGETC Certification
• Group Transfer planning workshops
• Scheduled visits by university admission and recruitment counselors
• CSU and UC application workshops
• Field trips to university campuses
• Collection of college catalogs, transfer guides, articulation information and agreements, applications to four year colleges and universities, and related transfer information
• University Transfer Day
• Transfer Recognition Day
• Student use computers
• Transitional Workshops