Academics: Accepted Students
Accepted Students
Accepted Student Information: Academics
As you prepare for your first day of college classes, it’s essential to understand that success starts with being equipped. Textbooks and academic tools aren’t optional, they’re the foundation for engaging with course material, participating in discussions, and staying ahead from day one. Having the right resources ensures you can follow lectures, complete assignments accurately, and make the most of your learning experience. Start early, gather what you need, and set yourself up for a confident and productive semester.
Helpful Links and Resources
Thad’s Pad
What is it: A hub of links and helpful resources!
How can it help me: Consider Thad’s Pad a one-stop-shop for helpful links and resources that you will use throughout your time at Thaddeus Stevens College!
Only those with a stevenscollege.edu email address can access.
Student Email
What is it: Your College email access.
How can it help me: Many offices will communicate to your College email. We suggest monitoring your stevenscollege.edu email address at least weekly!
You’ll need to sign in to your College account to access these emails.
Self Service
What is it: Your student portal while enrolled at Thaddeus Stevens College.
How can it help me: A transactional portal where you can gain information regarding your student account, financial aid, course information, and much more!
Only those with a stevenscollege.edu email can access.
Canvas
What is it: your Thaddeus Stevens College learning management system (like Schoology or Google Classroom).
How can it help me: Canvas will allow you to manage upcoming assignments, stay up to date with course content, and view assignment grades.
Only those with a stevenscollege.edu email can access.
Textbooks
Our textbooks are available to purchase via the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)-Lancaster Bookstore. Textbooks may be purchased in person at the HACC-Lancaster Bookstore or online. Bookstore hours are listed on HACC-Lancaster’s website. We’ve outlined the process to obtain your textbook ISBNs and/or order textbooks online below:
Visit the HACC-Lancaster Bookstore website.
- Select the campus term from the “Select a Campus Term” dropdown menu on the webpage (i.e. Stevens – Thaddeus Stevens – Fall).
- Select your program from the “Select A Department” dropdown menu on the webpage. Note: General education classes are listed under their subject (i.e. CHEM ‐ Chemistry; ENGL ‐ English; etc.). Your major courses are listed under their major abbreviation.
- Select the course from the “Select a Course” dropdown menu on the webpage, which consists of a list of course numbers.
- Select your section from the “Select a Section” dropdown menu on the webpage.
- Select the “Add Course to List” button and then select the “Get your Books” button.
- A list of all required textbooks will be displayed on a new webpage. Select the books you want to add to your cart, then select the “Purchase” button.
Additional Textbook Information
- A credit card must be used to pay for your online textbook purchase.
- If you notice multiple editions of the same book are listed on the website, the instructor has approved multiple editions of the same textbook and you may purchase the edition you prefer.
- If you are not ordering your textbooks through the HACC-Lancaster Bookstore, use each textbook’s ISBN when ordering through alternative sources.
Please note! Students will not be able to purchase/order textbooks until their schedule has been created.
Schedules will be available by July 1, 2026.
Tools and Supplies
Our academic programs often require tools. A list of the required tools for each program can be found on that program’s page.
We encourage students to come to class with school supplies that will support their continued academic success! Consider bringing notebooks, binders, pens, and pencils, and check with your instructor on any additional items you may need.
Computers and
Laptops
Before bringing your computer or laptop with you, verify that it includes a network port (sometimes referred to as an ethernet port). Please ensure your computer is up-to-date and includes an antivirus package if you intend to connect to our campus network.
If your major is computer intensive, you may want to bring a higher-powered PC to campus – check with your instructor to confirm.
Suggested PC Specifications:
- Intel Core i5 10th generation or newer or AMD equivalent processor (or greater)
- 1600 x 900 or higher resolution monitor
- 250 GB of hard-disk space (or greater); Solid State drive required
- 8 GB of RAM or greater(ECAD,ARCH,MET 16 GB of RAM or greater)
- Wired/Wireless network connection
- Windows 11 OS preferred
- Microsoft Office (latest version) (optional) (will be available to students free for download from Thaddeus Stevens once the student starts classes)
NOTE: Those students in the Engineering CAD Technology and Architectural Technology programs may/will need additional hardware requirements for the software used. Please contact your program instructor for additional information.
Thaddeus Stevens College has a PC purchase program through Dell. If you would like to purchase a PC through this program, please go to the following web site: http://dell.com/StevensCollege. You will need to create an account. Please use your stevenscollege.edu email address and if you are asked for a member ID, please use the following: US4189494
Stevens Grant recipients will receive tools on the first day of class and will be notified regarding textbook pick-up days and times.
Class and Schedule Information
You will register for fall classes at your summer orientation session!
Q: Is there a way to get a general idea of what your class schedule will look like now, prior to the official schedule being released this summer?
A: Yes, students can access model class schedules on their program’s webpage. Please keep in mind this is a sample, and each student’s official schedule is unique.