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Hagerstown Community College

Retention and Registration (formerly Academic Advising and Registration)

Retention and Registration (formerly Academic Advising and Registration)

All new students, with the exception of ESSENCE students, will need to meet with a Retention Specialist to register for their first semester of classes. Once registered, students should connect with their assigned Faculty Advisor based on their major to receive academic advising and guidance for course selection. To find the assigned Faculty Advisor, please visit Self-Service and click on the “Advising” tab under Plan & Schedule area of the Student Planning section.

Retention Specialists are available to meet with students who need help with scheduling, changing majors, academic dismissal and reinstatement, academic probation, transfer questions and any time sensitive needs. They can also connect you with resources on and off campus, which can include mental health counseling and other community and financial assistance.

If you are undecided about your future plans, we would suggest you take a career assessment. Traitify or Focus2 Career links your answers to a certificate or degree program at Hagerstown Community College.

Our Retention and Registration Office looks forward to working with you.

Contact the Team

Reach out to your Retention & Registration Specialist via our new and improved contact cards! Schedule an appointment, start a chat, or reach out directly today.

Reach out to your Retention & Registration Specialist via our new and improved contact cards! Schedule an appointment, start a chat, or reach out directly today.

Retention and Registration Office Hours:

The Retention and Registration office is located in the Student Center on campus, to the right of the lobby in suite 110. All students must have a current application on file and a photo ID in order to meet with a Retention Specialist.

Walk-in Availability

  • Mondays: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Fridays: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (for the month of August)

Appointments are available

  • Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (for the month of August there will be no appointments available on Friday)

Please call 240-500-2240 to schedule an appointment. If you arrive more than 15 minutes past your scheduled time, you may be required to reschedule. The Retention and Registration office has also posted some new instructional videos that will assist you in navigating and understanding Self-Service. Please visit our Self-Service Tutorials page.

All prospective students who have not yet applied to HCC, may contact the Admissions office at 240-500-2238 to schedule an appointment.

ESSENCE Program

If you will be in the ESSENCE program (still in high school/home school), call 240-500-2238, email admissions@hagerstowncc.edu or text 240-892-7258 to schedule a time to register for classes. Students in the ESSENCE Program register with the Admissions Office and can't register online. Registration for classes offered at local high schools will be conducted in the classroom when the class begins.

Mission statement: Hagerstown Community College’s Retention and Registration department strives to empower all students to achieve their personal, academic, and career goals by providing personalized, developmental advising to each individual student. Retention Specialists assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans that are consistent with their needs, interests, and abilities while strengthening their economic, social, and cultural life. Retention Specialists aspire to provide its diverse community of learners the guidance and support they need to be successful in the higher education environment.