Student Services

Student Success Center

The Josephine Steiner Student Success Center offers a variety of services and programs to the entire Hood College community to assist students who want to be more effective and efficient learners.

Academic Advising

Students must take ultimate responsibility for academic planning—of each semester, of each academic year, and of degree completion.

First-year students enter the College as undeclared and are encouraged to explore various subjects or disciplines. During that time, they are advised by the instructor of their First-Year Seminar course. Students in some programs may be assigned to a staff advisor, or to a faculty advisor within the major of interest. Students must declare a major by the end of their sophomore year by completing the appropriate form with the Office of the Registrar and may declare as early as the end of the first semester.

Transfer students declare their major upon entering Hood and are assigned an academic advisor in their major field.

Improvement of Basic Skills: Reading, Writing, Mathematics

Student Success Center staff evaluate all new students’ basic skills. The following courses are offered to students who need to improve their skills: GNST 101; MATH 098 and MATH 099; and ENGL 099. Tutoring may be recommended to meet specific needs in the Writing Center and specific math needs in the Math Center. Free tutoring is offered in many other subjects and can be scheduled online through Thinking Storm. Individual academic coaching sessions are also available. Students can work with a success coach on time management, study skills, note-taking and test-taking strategies as well as goal setting and motivation.

Placement Testing

Placement tests, also referred to as the Basic Skills Inventory, are administered online by The Student Success Center. All first year and transfer students are required to take placement tests in the following three academic areas if not transferring in equivalent credit:

Placement tests are generally not required of transfer students with an associate's degree (A.A., A.A.T, or A.S. degree) as all Foundation and Methods of Inquiry areas of the core are considered to have been met. However, if the student does not have the required prerequisites for college-level mathematics classes, the Math BSI will be required.

*Please contact The Student Success Center at 301-696-3569 if you wish to take a placement test for a language other than French, Spanish or German.

English as a Second Language

International students who have a strong command of English but need additional language enhancement may be enrolled, depending on placement results, in ENGL 100E/Advanced ESL Skills, which focuses primarily on advanced-level academic writing.

Students with Disabilities

Hood College actively supports the rights of students with disabilities to have equal access to education. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Hood makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of students with diagnosed disabilities.

Students with disabilities who will need accommodations must notify the Director of Accessibility Services as soon as possible. Early notification prevents delay in the initiation of services and ensures the student full access to educational activities. Students should present documentation of a disability from a medical professional, and this documentation should state accommodations the student requires to participate fully in the educational programs at Hood College. The Director of Accessibility Services will meet with the student to prepare an individualized plan for accessing the appropriate services. The student is then prepared to take on the responsibility of advocating for themselves, with support from the Director. Visit the Accessibility Services website for more information or contact the Office of Accessibility Services by phone at 301-696-3421 or email at accessibilityservices@hood.edu.

Center for Career Development and Experiential Education

The Catherine Filene Shouse Center for Career Development and Experiential Education provides a range of services and resources to members of the Hood Community. The Center offers assistance at all stages of the career exploration and decision-making process.

• Individual career assessment and counseling;
• Direction in finding community service opportunities with the local non-profit community;
• Guidance in locating an internship experience;
• Extensive online system of job and internship opportunities;
• Graduate, law, and medical school guidance and assistance;
• Mentoring opportunities with alumnae and alumni;
• Workshops and fairs on career-related topics

Contact the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education at 301-696-3583 or careers@hood.edu for more information, or visit www.hood.edu/careercenter.

Health and Counseling Services

Access to health and wellness services is one of the most important things we can provide to you. Hood's partnership with Frederick Health provides the following health services for all Hood College students. Health services are available while classes are in session (August - May). 

• Urgent Care - including treatment for illness and minor injuries
• Sports Physicals
• Sexual Health - pregnancy testing, supportive education, and ST testing/treatment
• Health and Wellness - including immunization and referrals, as needed

In addition, we know that college is an exciting time, but it is also a time of greater independence and responsibility. Trying to manage these demands can be difficult and Hood College Counseling Services (HCCS) is available to help. We provide:

• Guided self-help
• Group therapy
• Short term, goal oriented individual therapy
• Referrals to a community mental health provider

Payments and Fees

Most health services are available at no cost to you. Flu vaccine, TB testing, x-rays, and lab processing, such as for STI testing, may have associated fees which may be billed by a student's insurance provider.

All Hood College students are required to have health insurance coverage.

Counseling Services are provided at no cost to students. HCCS does not bill insurance.

Contact

Hood College Health Services at Frederick Health Toll House

501 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Phone: 301-698-8374 - Option 1

Fax: 301-698-0182

To access the Health Center, use the ramp behind Blazer Hall to cross onto the Frederick Health campus. Use the sidewalk to reach 7th Street then use the crosswalk at Toll House Avenue to reach the urgent care building. Health Services are located inside the urgent care building.

Hood College Counseling Services

Apple Resource Building, Room 8A

401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701

Phone: 301-696-3103

Email: counselingservices@hood.edu

Hours

Health Services:

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. & Saturday - Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Counseling Services:

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (August-May)

International Student Services

The Primary Designated Officer (PDSO) and the Graduate School facilitate the successful transition for international students into the College community and support them to maximize the range and extent of their learning opportunities in academic, social, and cultural settings. The PDSO advises students regarding the maintenance of F-1 status (non-immigrant student), immigration petitions such as F-1 work permits for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, reinstatement, change of status, medical leave, and transfer procedures. Both The Graduate School and the Office of Engagement & Orientation host cultural events for domestic and international students.

On-campus housing is available for both undergraduate and graduate international students. During Thanksgiving, winter break, and spring break, housing is available at no cost for international students living on-campus. Housing during summer is available on a priority basis at a nominal cost.

The PDSO's office is located in Apple Resource Center, Room 1.