MC Academic Advising Guide Navigation

A clear understanding of enrollment, advising, and registration—along with the timelines for securing your benefits—is key to your success in the program. By becoming familiar with these timelines for registration and degree completion, you’ll be better prepared to stay on track.

This site provides helpful tools such as How to Register at Your Institution, an Academic Timeline, information on MC Signing Days, Summer Enrollment, and On-Time Graduation—all designed to guide you toward completing your program successfully.

• MC Student Academic Timeline
• Priority Registration
• MC Signing Days
• Summer Enrollment
• On-Time Graduation Timeline
• MC Student Success Team

How To Register at your Institution

How To Register at JCTC

Step-by-Step Registration Guide 

1. Log In: Go to the JCTC Student Homepage and log in to your Student Self-Service account with your KCTCS username and password.

2. Access Student Center: From your Student Center, find the "Enroll" link or the "Search For Classes" button.

3. Find Your Course:

   • Enter Class Number: If you know the specific course number, enter it into the provided field.

   • Search for Classes: Use the drop-down menus to select the desired semester, campus, subject, and course number.

4. Select and Add: Review the search results and select the class(es) you wish to add.

5. Finish Enrollment: Confirm your choices and click "Finish Enrolling" to complete the process.

6. Confirm Registration: Check the results for a green checkmark next to the class(es), indicating successful enrollment.

How To Register at UofL

Register for Classes

• Log In to ULink: Go to UofL's ULink portal. 

• Access CourseLeaf Path: Beginning Spring 2026, use CourseLeaf Path for class registration. You can access it from the "Accounts and Tools" menu on the UofL homepage, by going to courseleafpath.louisville.edu, or by finding the "Manage Classes" tile and selecting CourseLeaf Path. 

• Search for Classes: Use keywords, subjects, or Cardinal Core areas to find classes. 

• Add to Cart & Enroll: Add your chosen classes to your shopping cart and then proceed to enroll. 

MC Student Academic Timeline

MC Student Academic Timeline

What is it?

An academic timeline is a semester-by-semester roadmap that outlines the key steps, deadlines, and milestones students need to complete in order to stay on track with their college journey. It highlights when to register for courses, sign agreements, meet with advisors, submit financial aid forms, and focus on major academic responsibilities like midterms and finals.

Why it matters?

For Metro College students, an academic timeline is especially important because their success depends on carefully balancing third-shift employment at UPS with full-time college coursework. The timeline helps them:

• Plan ahead for priority registration so they get class schedules that fit overnight work.
• Stay on top of Student Agreement deadlines and deferment requirements to secure tuition benefits.
• Anticipate busy times like UPS peak season while still managing academic responsibilities.
• Use summer and fall planning strategically to graduate on time.

By following the academic timeline, Metro College students can reduce stress, avoid missed opportunities, and build the consistency they need to succeed both at UPS and in college.

July & August

📦 Begin working at UPS (start new sleep routine! 😴)
🎓 Complete STP (Student Transition Program)
🧭 Attend orientation & enroll in college courses (🏫 UofL or JCTC)
✅ Complete Employment Verification after first UPS shift
🖊️ Sign Student Agreement as soon as possible after beginning UPS employment
📚 Fall courses begin mid-month of August

September 

✅ Complete CAPP requirements
🚧 Remove any institutional barriers
👩🏫 Meet with academic advisor to prepare for Spring courses

October 

📌 Priority Registration opens:
📅 JCTC: Early October
📅 UofL: Late October
📝 Enroll in Spring courses
🖊️ Sign Spring Student Agreement
💰 Submit FAFSA for next academic year

November 

📚 Focus on classes, finals, and finishing the semester strong 💪

December 

🎄 Enjoy holiday break from school
📦 Work Peak Season at UPS
⏳ Current MC Students Spring Deadline for GUARNTEED Tuition Deferment: Dec. 15 

January 

📚 Start Spring courses

February 

✅ Complete CAPP requirements again
🚧 Clear any remaining barriers
👩🏫 Meet with advisor to prepare for Summer/Fall enrollment

March 

✅ Complete CAPP requirements again
🚧 Clear any remaining barriers
👩🏫 Meet with advisor to prepare for Summer/Fall enrollment

April

📚 Focus on classes, finals, and finishing the semester strong 💪
⏳ Current MC Students Summer Deadline for GUARNTEED Tuition Deferment: Apr. 25 

May 

📚 Start Summer courses

June 

🖊️ Sign Student Agreement for Fall semester

July & August

🖊️ Sign Student Agreement for Fall semester
⏳ Current MC Students Fall Deadline for GUARNTEED Tuition Deferment: July 25 
📚 Fall courses begin mid-month of August

🔁 Cycle repeats with continued support! 🤝💫

Priority Registration

Priority Registration

Metropolitan College students are provided priority registration at the University of Louisville and Jefferson Community and Technical College.  Priority registration ensures the best selection of courses that supports a third shift work schedule at UPS.  MC students should prepare for priority registration by meeting with their academic advisor well before the start of priority registration. 

• University of Louisville Priority Registration:

  • Summer and Fall Priority Registration: First 5 business days after UofL opens registration (April)

  • Spring Priority Registration: First 5 business days after UofL opens registration (November 1)

  • To be eligible for UofL priority registration, MC students must sign their agreement by the signing deadline (Fall: October 15 and Spring: March 15).

• Jefferson Community and Technical College Priority Registration:

  • Summer and Fall Priority Registration: First 45 days of JCTC registration (March 1)

  • Spring Priority Registration: First 45 days of JCTC registration (October 1)

  • MC Priority Registration Days

    • MC Student Success Counselors and JCTC Academic Advisors will be available during select dates at JCTC downtown and JCTC southwest for "MC Days".  See your school email or contact your assigned MC Student Success Counselor for more information. 

    • MC Days offer a one-stop opportunity for MC students to register for classes as well as sign an MC agreement.

MC Signing Days

MC Signing Days

MC Signing Days are dedicated events at Jefferson Community & Technical College (JCTC) and the University of Louisville (UofL) where you officially sign your Metro College Student Agreement. Signing this agreement is what locks-in tuition benefits and deferment, allowing you to attend classes while working third shift at UPS without having to pay tuition upfront.

Attending an MC Signing Day ensures you as a student can:

• Secure your tuition benefits: Without a signed agreement, tuition deferment isn’t guaranteed.
• Remove barriers early: Staff are available to help with holds and other issues that could block enrollment.
• Stay on track with registration: You must be enrolled in courses before signing your agreement. These events align with priority registration, making it easier to lock in schedules that work with UPS shifts.
• Avoid last-minute stress: Advisors and staff are overwhelmed during peak times—by attending, you get support in real-time and avoid delays.
• Plan ahead: You can prepare your class schedule (shopping cart) in advance and leave the event with their benefits secured and their enrollment confirmed.

Check out event details for both JCTC and UofL here! 

Summer Enrollment

Summer Enrollment

Metropolitan College participants may enroll in summer courses up to the maximum number of credits allowed by their academic institution (JCTC or UofL). Students should meet with their academic advisor to determine the appropriate number of credits for their individual academic plan.

Why Summer Enrollment Matters:

• You work year-round, so use your benefit year-round. Students continue working at UPS through the summer, and tuition benefits remain available. Skipping summer courses means leaving money on the table.
• Lightens your academic load during Fall and Spring. By spreading out credits across the summer, you can take fewer courses each major semester, making your schedule more manageable.
• Keeps you on track for graduation. Summer enrollment helps ensure you’re earning the credits needed to progress toward your degree on time.

Addressing Concerns About “No Break”:
Many students worry that taking summer courses means giving up their break. In reality, summer courses are offered in shorter, flexible terms—ranging from 4 weeks to 10 weeks—compared to the traditional 16-week semester. This structure often leaves students with downtime before, between, or after classes, while still making progress toward their degree.

Bottom line: The benefits of summer enrollment—using tuition coverage, staying on track academically, and reducing semester stress—far outweigh the drawbacks of not taking courses.

On-Time Graduation Timeline

On-Time Graduation Timeline

Graduating on time means finishing your degree in four years. For most bachelor’s degrees, that’s about 120–128 credit hours. Following a steady plan helps you reach this goal without extra stress.

Here’s why it matters to you:

• You’ll make the most of your tuition benefit. Since you’re working at UPS and part of Metro College, your tuition is covered. By graduating on time, you use this benefit fully and avoid paying for extra semesters later.
• You’ll avoid overload. Taking classes in the summer lightens your Fall and Spring schedule. Instead of cramming 18 credit hours into one semester, you can spread things out and keep a healthier balance with your UPS work schedule.
• You’ll save money. The longer it takes to finish your degree, the more extra fees, living expenses, and costs you’ll have. Graduating on time helps you move forward without the extra bills.
• You’ll keep your momentum. Staying on track keeps you motivated. Each year builds toward your degree, and you’ll see progress without losing steam.
• You’ll get to your career faster. The sooner you graduate, the sooner you can start working in your chosen field and earning more.

Year 1

📚 Fall (Start): 10 credit hours

📚 Spring: 12 credit hours

📚 Summer: 6 credit hours

✅ Year 1 Total = 28 credits

Year 2

📚 Fall: 15 credit hours

📚 Spring: 15 credit hours

📚 Summer: 6 credit hours

✅ Year 2 Total = 36 credits

Cumulative Total = 64 credits

Year 3

📚 Fall: 15 credit hours

📚 Spring: 15 credit hours

📚 Summer: 6 credit hours

✅ Year 3 Total = 36 credits

Cumulative Total = 100 credits

Year 4

📚 Fall: 15 credit hours

📚 Spring: 15 credit hours

🛑 Summer Optional – not needed unless catching up or exploring extras

✅ Year 4 Total = 30 credits

Final Total = 130 credits 🎉 (with cushion!)

MC Student Success Team

MC Student Success Team

Questions on how to navigate these resources? Reach out to us through your MyMC Page, or give us a call at 502-213-4520.