Academic Services and Testing

The mission of the Office of Academic Services and Testing (AS&T) is “to support students in pursuit of their academic goals by providing programs and services that enable students to realize their individual potential.” Located in Hudson Hall, Room 315, AS&T provides programs and services designed to help students prepare, enhance and achieve in their college courses. The three key functions of the office are tutorial services; academic support services, which include learning assistance, study strategies workshops and college readiness programs; and testing services offered through the Testing Center in Student Services Center, Room 104.

Tutorial Services in the Academic Success Centers: The Academic Success Centers play a central role in tutorial support at DCC. The tutoring program is staffed by peer and professional tutors. Tutoring is free for all currently enrolled students. Individual and drop-in sessions are available according to student need or preference. Study rooms and computers also are available for students. Open “Let’s Talk” sessions, with professional tutors, are available for targeted courses and allow students to drop in and review course content, assignments, or just ask questions about the material. At DCC South, students will find these services replicated to meet their needs.

Academic Support Services: One-on-one learning assistance is offered to help students learn more effectively to appropriately approach course materials and develop learning strategies to adapt to college-level learning expectations. Study strategies workshops designed to prepare students for success in college also are offered. Academic Services’ college readiness and skill development programs provide access to higher education to students who will benefit from additional preparation for college-level course work.

SmartStart is a four-week, intensive summer program designed to ensure a seamless transition from high school or work life to college.  It is intended for full-time, first-semester students who need support to further develop their writing skills.  SmartStart is free, fun, rewarding, nationally recognized for excellence and provides students the opportunity to advance English course placement from ENG 091 to ENG 101.  The SmartStart program benefits students by:  enhancing their writing skills in a supportive environment, developing college-level study strategies, familiarizing them with campus life and college resources and fostering critical thinking skills. At the conclusion of the program, students take a final exam to assess their writing skills to determine changes in their English course placement, with the goal of moving into ENG 101.  Ongoing support services, such as learning assistance, tutoring in the Academic Success Center, peer mentoring and enrichment activities, are available to students beyond the summer program.  Students do not pay any fees for this valuable program and all textbooks and supplies are included. 

Reclaim My Math provides a review of math skills for all levels from arithmetic to calculus, including beginning and intermediate algebra. This individualized program is designed to increase math confidence, using MyMathTest,™ an internet-based program. Independent skill development is reinforced with faculty-led instruction and tutoring coordinated by the Office of Academic Services and Testing at DCC. Participants can choose from the listed class meeting times, attending a minimum of two hours per week. Sections are offered throughout the year. Program Fee: $20.

Refresh offers options for review of writing, reading and/or math at all skill levels, utilizing ComFit Online Learning Center, an internet-based program. Based on assessments, customized learning modules are developed to ensure appropriate skill development. Enrollment is ongoing with access for a six-week period. Students gain access by contacting the Office of Academic Services & Testing to arrange for an introductory session. Program Fee: $20 

Testing Services: The Testing Center in the Student Services Center, Room 104, provides proctoring services for DCC students’ testing accommodations and make-up tests, and placement testing, proficiency and CLEP testing, high stakes certification testing and for students from other colleges taking online courses. Proctoring fees do apply for some exams; please see the College’s fee schedule page for more information. Appointments are highly encouraged and can be made through the Testing Center’s webpage on the Dutchess Community College website. For further information, please contact the Office of Academic Services and Testing at (845) 431-8090.

MyDCC/Blackboard

MyDCC is the college web portal. It provides online access to library databases, campus email, student grades and student schedules. Online registration and online learning systems also are accessible through myDCC. MyDCC is the place to find out about activities on campus, important dates and class cancellations. 

The Math & Science Center

The Math & Science Center, in Washington Center rooms 224 and 226, is a place for students to work on math or science related homework and projects. There are tables for students to work in groups, on their own or one-on-one with a peer or professional tutor, as well as a room of fully networked computers with a printer and a scanner.

The Math & Science Center offers walk-in tutoring in biology, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, mathematics and physics. The hours when tutors are available for each subject can be found on our website. In addition to walk-in tutoring, we also offer appointments for Statistics, Precalculus, Calculus I, and Calculus II through Starfish.

The computers in the Math & Science Center are equipped with the necessary software for students working on math and science assignments and projects. Textbooks and calculators are available for use while in the Center, and a limited supply of calculators may be taken out for quizzes and tests. For more information, call (845) 431-8538 or visit our website at www.sunydutchess.edu/mathcenter.

The Francis U. and Mary F. Ritz Library

The DCC Library is a vital educational resources center for the College community. Located on the 3rd floor of Hudson Hall, the Library contains a diverse collection of books, media, computers and electronic resources. Our multiple databases contain academic journals, electronic books, streaming media, newspapers, as well as magazines and cover general subject areas as well as specialized ones. All electronic resources are available on campus and off campus as long as an internet connection is present.

DCC’s knowledgeable reference staff provides assistance locating, analyzing and applying information. Students and faculty have reciprocal access to other SUNY libraries through the SUNY Open Access program. Interlibrary loan allows our campus community to borrow from other libraries, especially if a title is unavailable through our purchase on demand e-reader program. The library also offers general and customized information literacy presentations at faculty request.

The Ritz Library creates online research guides to support the curriculum at DCC. These guides help students to choose appropriate resources within a particular class or discipline, and are easily translatable into multiple languages. Downloadable mobile library applications exist so that students may continue to explore academic resources while on the go.

Students have access to the Library’s AskUs24/7 chat service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week which allows them to connect with an academic librarian and ask for assistance. For further information on library services, please call (845) 431-8630 or check myDCC and click on the library link.

The Writing Center

Located in Hudson Hall, Room 503, the College Writing Center is home to tutoring services and a full computer lab. The Center offers a friendly, informal atmosphere where students work one-on-one with professional and peer tutors on any writing assignment or task. Students visit during various stages of their writing process to clarify assignments, brainstorm, outline, review rough drafts, plan revisions, or consider final editing. In addition, the Center provides a resource library of reference books and handouts, files of sample student essays from various courses, a space for readings and other special events like “Write All Night,” and a quiet place to write. Online tutoring is available through the Writing Center’s website. Throughout the semester, the Writing Center conducts workshops for students on various topics, such as writing scholarship and college application essays, writing research papers and MLA/APA formatting guidelines, and using applications and technology aids to support collaborative projects and peer review. Also, the Center’s professionals assist College educators with their writing assignments and classroom writing activities.

The Center’s computer lab offers computers, printers, a scanner, a variety of word processing programs, course‑related software, and Internet access for research purposes. A teaching lab assistant and student aides orient students to computer operations and demonstrate programs for word processing, spreadsheets and computer‑based research. For more information about the Writing Center, visit www.sunydutchess.edu/writingcenter or call (845) 431-8095.

Online Tutoring

On myDCC/Blackboard you’ll find NetTutor, a free online service that connects students to professional tutors in a variety of subjects, including writing, world languages, economics and more. Tutors are available evenings and weekends, with select subjects available 24/7.

The Dr. Mary Louis Van Winkle Teaching Learning Center

The TLC serves to promote active teaching and learning by making current instructional technologies available and accessible to the faculty and professional staff at Dutchess Community College. The TLC provides a resource and support center where faculty and professional staff can obtain technical assistance and training on the use of various technologies that can enhance, augment, organize and manage online and on-campus course content. Training and materials to support faculty use of administrative educational software also is provided.  The TLC is on the lower level of the Francis U. and Mary F. Ritz Library in Hudson Hall.