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General Information

Achieving College Credits through 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) 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 non-collegiate 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 the Office of Enrollment and Transition Services at 856-351-2703.

Advanced Placement Program of the College Board

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, and
  • 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 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 a 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. Call the Administrative Secretary in Academic Affairs at 856.351.2670 for more information.

 

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

 

Transfer Credits from Other Institutions

Official transcripts must be forwarded to Enrollment and Transition Services from all institutions previously attended. After the transcripts are evaluated by Academic Affairs, transfer credit will be granted, provided:

  • the course(s) is applicable to the applicant's program at SCC,
  • a grade of "C" or higher was received in the course(s)*,
  • the course(s) has not exceeded the allowed time period if applicable** and
  • the institution is accredited to offer college-level courses.

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

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

**Statistics classes must be less than 10 years old; computer classes must be less than five years old; microbiology classes must be less than five years old; and Human Anatomy & Physiology classes must be less than five years old.

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. For details, call the Administrative Secretary in Academic Affairs at 856-351-2670.

Applying College Credits from Programs for High School Students

For the following programs for high school students, the application fee is waived, and lab fees are waived if the course is taught off-campus.

Academy Programs

Students interested in pursuing careers in the sciences, engineering and communications can enroll in one of three programs that Salem County high schools have created with Salem Community College. Students take high school and college courses in their specialty area. Salem County students enrolled in the following academy programs take college-level courses:

  • Academy of Biological and Medical Sciences (Salem County Vocational-Technical High School)
  • Academy of Engineering and Technologies (Penns Grove High School)
  • Academy of Graphic Design in Multimedia Technology (Pennsville Memorial High School)

Students should check with their high school guidance counselor about the academy programs.

Dual-Credit Agreements

Salem County high schools may have a dual-credit agreement with Salem Community College that would allow their students to receive college credits for approved courses taken at each high school. For more information, call the Office of Enrollment and Transition Services at 856-351-2703.

High School Advanced Placement Courses

Currently, all Salem County high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses in various disciplines that might be dualcredit approved. These may include calculus, chemistry, English language and composition, English literature and composition, U.S. government and politics, modern European history, music theory and Spanish. For details, call 856-351-2703.

School-to-Careers Program

Run by the Pennsville School District, this program allows qualified students from all Salem County high schools to take SCC courses three afternoons a week and gain real-world experience in a job the other afternoons. Students may be able to transfer their credits to a four-year college or continue toward an associate degree at Salem Community College. For details, call 856-351-2703.

Tech Prep

The Tech Prep program -- offered through a partnership with SCC and the Salem County Vocational-Technical Schools -- allows high school students to take approved courses and earn college credits towards an SCC degree while still in high school. Students in the program may choose from several areas of study. For more information, call the Office of Enrollment and Transition Services at 856.351.2703.

The 12th-Grade Initiative (Senior Options)

This program encourages Salem County high school seniors to take college-level courses such as General Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Introduction to Sociology, Contemporary Social Problems, Criminology, The Family and Western Civilization I and II. The Senior Options program allows students to take courses at SCC or at their Salem County high school, where an SCC instructor will conduct the course.

Upon graduating from high school, students may have earned 6 to 12 college credits and be able to transfer those credits to the four-year college of their choice or continue towards an associate degree at SCC. To begin the planning process, high school juniors must speak to their high school guidance counselor when creating their senior schedule.

Upon high school graduation, students may transfer their college credits to a four-year college or continue toward an associate degree at SCC.

Process for Non-adult Attendance (Non-adult is defined as under age 18)

  • The student must demonstrate readiness for college-level work by meeting established standards for college-level English, reading and math.
  • The student must complete and sign the Acknowledgement Form, certifying that he/she understands the College’s expectations.
  • The Acknowledgement Form must include a signature from ahigh school guidance counselor, principal or designated staff member validating the student’s preparation for admission and the appropriateness of his/her course selection at the College. For a home-schooled student, the acknowledgment form must be signed by an educator who is familiar with the student’s academic abilities.
  • A responsible parent or guardian must sign the Acknowledgement Form indicating that the student/parent has been advised regarding the expectations of the College.
  • Final approval for enrollment rests with the Dean of Student Affairs.