Admissions

Advanced Standing

SCC recognizes that much learning takes place outside the traditional classroom setting and, therefore, awards credit for demonstrated competencies in areas related to College programs. Students may earn credits through the Credit by Examination Program (CLEP), Independent Study Program or the College's credit-for-work/life-experience program.

Credit for educational experiences in the military services, military occupational specialty (MOS) experience and courses sponsored by noncollegiate organizations (business, industry, professional organizations, etc.) may be accepted in transfer, according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education. Only those credits which may be applied to the students' program at SCC will be accepted in transfer. For more information, call Enrollment Services at (856) 351-2703.

Advanced Placement Program of the College Board (CEEB)

A student who completes advanced work in a secondary school may take Advanced Placement Examinations, which are based on college-level studies. SCC cooperates with the College Board in this program.

Credit may be awarded for Advanced Placement Examinations; depending upon the grades earned on the examination, students may receive three, four or five credits.

The schedule of credit awarded for Advanced Placement Examinations may be revised annually upon review by the faculty. Limitations of credit earned through the Advanced Placement Examinations are: _ the credit must be useful in the student's program of study; _ duplicate credit in the same subject is not awarded in any case; _ a student must have enrolled in and successfully completed at least one course of three credits or more at the College before any credit earned appears on the student’s record.

Credit for Work/Life Experience

Because learning occurs in many ways, Academic Affairs assesses work and life experiences as they relate to SCC's career-oriented courses. Through portfolio documentation, interviews, and theory and performance testing, students may obtain college credit in a nontraditional way for selected courses.

Credit by Examination

In limited and specific areas, a student may be granted credit for previous learning obtained through formal or informal coursework, independent study, portfolio assessment, job-related experiences or life experiences by taking departmental examination that addresses specific learning objectives. Information and approval forms may be obtained from Academic Affairs. A student registering for credit by examination must pay the regular tuition and fees.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Salem Community College is an official test center for the College- Level Examination Program (CLEP). SCC has established minimum acceptable scores to determine the award of credit for examinations in the CLEP Program. The maximum number of credits which may be earned through the program is 15. Credits will be awarded only for courses which are applicable to the student's program at SCC. CLEP information may be obtained from Enrollment Services at (856) 351-2703.

Transfer Credits from Other Institutions

An applicant who has attended another accredited institution of higher education may be admitted with advanced standing, provided he or she meets the admission requirements of Salem Community College. Official transcripts must be forwarded to Enrollment Services from all institutions previously attended. After the transcripts are evaluated, transfer credit will be granted, provided:

  • the course(s) is applicable to the applicant's program at SCC and
  • a grade of "C" or higher was received in the course(s)*.

*Prerequisite courses in biology, English, mathematics and psychology for the practical nursing and associate degree in nursing programs require a grade of C+ (78 percent) or higher in each course.

The total number of credits accepted in transfer toward an associate degree may not exceed 45. A minimum of 15 credits in the student's major field must be earned by completing courses at SCC. The maximum number of credits accepted in transfer into a certificate program may not exceed one half of the total program credits.

Transfer credits that are more than three years old and are for major courses in a student's program of study at SCC are subject to evaluation prior to the student registering for higher level major courses. Due to significant advances in some areas of study, a student could be required to retake one or more outdated major courses in order to provide an adequate current foundation for placement in more advanced major courses. Prior academic work of readmit students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.