ADMISSIONS POLICY
Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) offers "open door" admission for any graduate of a high school or any individual who holds a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
Those students ages 16 through 18 who meet the provision of Title III—Adult Education Programs may enroll in certain adult basic education classes with a release from the common school district. Individuals admitted into such classes will be allowed to continue as long as they are able to demonstrate measurable academic progress.
Applications to Spokane Community College (SCC), Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) and the Institute for Extended Learning (IEL) are due three weeks before the start of the quarter and are granted on a "first-come, first-served" basis for as many students as the various programs can accommodate. Some programs may require satisfactory completion of certain prerequisites prior to admission or have special selection procedures; admission to the college does not guarantee acceptance in every program. Refer to specific programs of study for further information. Waiting lists do occur for programs in high demand.
It is important to begin the application process well in advance of the quarter for which admission is desired to allow time for application processing.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
To apply for admission, the following should be on file in the Admissions Office of the college a student plans to attend:
- State of Washington Community College Application for Admission Form (obtained from a high school counselor, Admissions Office, or the college web site) or official CCS Application for Admission form,
- Official transcripts from other colleges are not required for admission, but may prove beneficial for purposes of general advising, verifying successful completion of intermediate-level algebra and English composition, and verifying courses that may fulfill prerequisites for other courses and/or programs at the college to which a student applies. Official transcripts can be submitted if the student wishes a review and evaluation for transferable credit toward degree completion and graduation purposes. Students are strongly encouraged to submit official transcripts from all colleges with their applications.
Running Start students applying to SFCC are required to submit high school transcripts.
ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT TESTING
New and returning college students who have not tested within the last three years will participate in assessment designed to assist in the selection of classes for proper placement and college success.
The assessment process includes an evaluation for the purpose of determining current skill levels in reading, writing and mathematics. For those who have not taken the appropriate assessment tests, the college will administer one of these tests and a fee will be charged. Students who have taken either of these tests within the last three years and wish to use those scores must have their scores on file prior to registration.
Some career and technical programs use test scores as criteria for admission.
GUIDELINES FOR PLACEMENT/ASSESSMENT
Math (at SFCC MyMath Test [MMT], at SCC ALEKS) and/or English assessment (COMPASS or ASSET) is required for:
- Students who have never tested.
- Students who have test scores that are more than three years old.
- Students who have math credits that are more than three years old.
For more details, call:
- SCC Media Services Assessment Testing: 509-533-7074
- SFCC Testing Center: 509-533-3401
- IEL: 509-279-6709
Math and/or English assessment is not required for:
- Students who have taken the COMPASS or ASSET within the last three years. Community Colleges of Spokane also accepts Academic Placement Testing Program (APTP) math scores from Washington public universities.
- Students who have received a grade of 2.0 or better in college composition and mathematics classes from other institutions. Additionally, college transcripts must be on file to support this exception.
- Students taking fewer than 10 credits, not enrolling in composition or mathematics classes and not pursuing a degree or certificate.
- Students who are pursuing a Vocational Technical Program not requiring a Math class.
- Students who took Pre-Calculus in high school and earned an A or B for two semesters. A high school transcript is required for verification and must be submitted to the Testing Center within one year of graduation.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Physical examinations are required of students entering some college programs. Health appraisals generally are valid within a six-month period prior to acceptance and enrollment at the college and for the two years following.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Students with questions regarding credits for Advanced Placement (AP) test scores should refer to the Advanced Placement Program section in this catalog.
GED TESTING
Persons interested in obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) certificate may schedule a GED test by calling 509-279-6200. Proof of age is required. Testing sites, schedules and further information may be obtained by calling 509-279-6000.
Spokane Community College and SFCC provide additional services in vocational achievement, guidance and interest survey testing for those who want or need help, individual information or evaluation. For more information, refer to the Counseling and Special Services section of this catalog.
Students can take classes to help prepare them for the GED test at several locations in Spokane, as well as rural sites. For more information, call 509-533-4600.
GUIDELINES FOR PLACEMENT OF ENGLISH SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL)*
- Students currently enrolled in the IEL program English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) must satisfactorily complete a Level 6 English program before being permitted to enroll in courses at SCC or SFCC. A SLEP (Secondary Level English Proficiency) score of at least 50 is required to qualify for admissions. Placement in courses will be based on ASSET or COMPASS scores.
- For ESOL students not currently enrolled in the IEL Level 6 English program, the placement guidelines are:
- All students who call to schedule an assessment test will be advised of the placement tests for native and non-native speakers of English and will be scheduled accordingly.
- When English is not their first language (as self-identified), they will be required to take the SLEP test before they are eligible for admissions. Placement in courses will be based on ASSET or COMPASS scores.
- Students scoring below 50 on the SLEP may reapply to take the SLEP upon completion of a Level 6 program and with the recommendation of their ESL instructor.
*Exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the vice president of learning or designee at SFCC, or the vice president of instruction or designee at SCC and the IEL, whichever is applicable.
DUAL CREDIT PROGRAMS
RUNNING START
Running Start is a college credit program that allows high school juniors and seniors to earn credit simultaneously for high school graduation and toward a college degree.
Spokane Community College, SFCC, the IEL and the high schools in the CCS service area (Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties) offer this program to expand the educational opportunities of junior and senior high school students. Students should contact their public high school counselor for procedures to enroll in a course(s) under the Running Start program. The high school determines if the course meets the high school graduation requirements.
The Running Start program enables an eligible high school student to seek expanded educational challenge. The student enrolls simultaneously in high school and college classes (or solely in college classes) for the purpose of earning credit to be awarded both by the high school and the college. Classes taken at the college as part of the Running Start program are limited to "college-level classes."
Exempt from having to pay tuition, Running Start students shall pay all other mandatory fees unless eligible for a fee waiver, beginning fall quarter 2009. A Verification of Eligibility letter for free or reduced-price lunches in the last five years is the required documentation to receive a fee waiver. View current tuition and fees.
Entrance requirements
All students who apply to the Running Start program must be tested for eligibility by taking the COMPASS test and, if appropriate, the MMT placement test for math at SFCC and the ALEKS math assessment at SCC. Testing fees will be paid by the student. Admission to the Running Start program is based on the student meeting the college-level cut-off scores that are currently in effect for college-level courses. Students are allowed to retest in unqualified area(s) one time for each quarter. There is a fee for tests and retests.
For more information, contact:
- SCC: 509-533-8062
- SFCC: 509-533-3524
- IEL:
- Colville Center: 509-685-2120 x6710
- Inchelium Center: 509-279-6300
- Ione Center: 509-442-4290
- Newport Center: 509-447-3835
- Pullman Center: 509-332-2706
- Republic Center: 509-775-3675
TECH PREP
Tech Prep allows high school students to earn college credit toward career and professional certificates and degrees without ever leaving high school. Through articulation agreements between the high school and SCC or SFCC, students who register in and complete designated high school courses with a B grade (3.0) or better and meet required competencies receive college credit at the same time they are completing their high school graduation requirements. To be eligible for credit, students must be currently enrolled in the high school class as credit is not awarded retroactively. To register for credit, contact your high school teacher.
This program helps high school students make the transition into post-secondary education, save on college tuition and fees, gain occupation skills and work-related experience, and train for demand careers. Click for a complete list of eligible high school classes. For more information, call 509-434-5164.
