Requirements
General Admission for High School Graduates and Applicants 18 and Older
Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College have an "open door"
admission policy that admits any graduate of a high school or any individual who
holds a certificate of educational competence. For information regarding international
student admission, turn to the "Global Education" section of this catalog.
Applicants who do not meet the above requirements, but who are at least 18 years
of age, may be granted provisional admission by the college vice president or their
designee. Admission in such cases is based on an applicant’s level of general education
as defined by placement test scores that meet the Federal Financial Aid “ability
to benefit” option. Students admitted under ability to benefit exception may be
eligible for Federal Financial Aid after six college-level credits are completed.
Admission is 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;
so admission to the college does not guarantee acceptance in every program. Refer
to specific programs of study for further information and be aware that interest
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. Each college
has slightly different admission procedures and registration schedules.
Special Admissions for Students Under Age 18
Applicants between 16 and 18 may be admitted to a college if they are deemed able
to benefit from the college's curricular offerings. Enrollment is limited to college-level
courses numbered 100 or above. (This limitation does not apply to high school graduates
or GED certificate holders.) To take
mathematics courses, the student must place at the college level in mathematics.
Admission may be to individual courses or to a program as determined by admissions
officials.
This policy is intended to expand opportunities for younger, qualified students
who
may not be enrolled in Running Start or other local student enrollment option programs.
For currently enrolled high school applicants, a release form for attendance at
CCS that identifies approved credit classes as in signed by the student's high school
principal must be submitted quarterly. The intent of this policy is not to replace
or duplicate the functions of local public schools.
Procedures
To apply for admission, the following should be on file in the Admissions Office
of the college a student plans to attend:
- Online Application for Admission using the links below:
- 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 placement requirements and 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 SCC or SFCC are required to submit high school
transcripts.
Assessment and Placement
New and returning college students who have not received math and English placement within the last three years will participate in assessments designed to assist in the selection of appropriate classes and support college success.
Career and technical programs may use assessments as criteria for admission.
The assessment process determines current skill levels in reading, writing and mathematics. Students who have received appropriate placement within the last three years and wish to use those placements
must have their placements on file prior to registration.
Guidelines for Placement/Assessment
Math and/or English assessment may be required for:
- Students who have never received placement.
- Students who have placements that are more than three years old.
- Students who have college math credits that are more than three years old.
For more information, call the SCC Testing Center:
509-533-7074 or the SFCC Bigfoot Discovery Center: 509-533-3401.
Math and/or English assessment may not be required for:
- Students who have received an appropriate placement within the last three years.
- Students who have received a grade of 2.0 or better in college composition from
other institutions. 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 professional technical program not requiring a math
class.
Placement Reciprocity Agreement Policy
For all entering students at any Washington community and technical college, system
policy provides that:
- A student who qualifies for a specific level of pre-college math, English or reading,
either through course completion or local skills assessment, will have that course
placement level honored at another Washington CTC if the student so requests, even
if the courses may not be exact equivalents.
- A student who qualifies for entry into college-level math, English, or reading,
either through course completion or local skills assessment, will be considered
to have met the entry college-level standard at every community and technical college.
- Students requesting reciprocity must initiate the process within one year of their
initial placement assessment.
For more information, call:
Other Testing
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.
GED® Testing
Proof of age is required. Students can take classes to help prepare them for the
GED® test at several locations in Spokane, as well as rural sites.
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.
For more information regarding obtaining a General Educational Development (GED®)
certificate, call 509-533-7221.
Guidelines for Placement of English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)*
- Students currently enrolled in the SCC 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.
*Exceptions to the above listed guidelines must be approved by the vice president
of learning or designee at SFCC, or the vice president of instruction or designee
at SCC.
Dual Credit
Dual credit programs allow students to take college-level courses while still in
high school. Students may earn college credit by scoring well on year-end tests,
or by taking college-level classes at their high schools or at colleges and universities.
Running Start
Running Start is a program where high school students earn academic credit for high
school and college at the same time. This program allows high school students to
enroll in college classes to earn credits awarded by both the high school and college.
Running Start classes are limited to "college-level classes" (100 level or above).
This program is available to public high school juniors and seniors residing in the
State of Washington. Private and home schooled students must register in the public
school district where they live in order to participate in Running Start.
Running Start students purchase their own books and supplies and pay mandatory fees
and non-course related fees. Mandatory fees are waived for students who can document
that they are or have been eligible for free or reduced lunch anytime in the last
five years. Find current tuition and fees on the CCS website.
Students are eligible if...
- They are registered in a Washington public school district
- They are in 11th or 12th grade at the beginning of the school year (September)
For more information, call or e-mail:
CTE Dual Credit
CTE Dual Credit allows high school students to earn college credit toward career
and technical degrees.
Through special agreements between the high school and college, students that complete
select classes may earn college credit. Contact your high school teacher for details.
For more information, call or e-mail:
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college-level courses taken in high school. Students
scoring a 3 or higher (on a scale of 1–5) on the AP exam may be eligible for college
credit.
Refer to the Academic Credit for Prior Learning
section of this catalog for more information, or email:
SCC pla@ccs.spokane.edu
SFCC pla.sfcc@sfcc.spokane.edu
Cambridge International (CI)
Cambridge International (CI) classes give high school students an opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in the high school. Individual tests can be taken for courses completed.
Students with a CI score of E on A and AS level exams may be eligible for college credit.
Refer to the Academic Credit for Prior Learning
section of this catalog for more information, or email:
SCC pla@ccs.spokane.edu
SFCC pla.sfcc@sfcc.spokane.edu
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to test out of subjects
by demonstrating proficiency on CLEP exams. Students scoring a 50 or higher (on
a scale of 20-80) on select CLEP exams may earn college credit.
Refer to the Academic Credit for Prior Learning
section of this catalog for more information, or email:
SCC pla@ccs.spokane.edu
SFCC pla.sfcc@sfcc.spokane.edu
International Baccalaureate (IB)
International Baccalaureate (IB) classes give high school students an opportunity
to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Individual tests can
be taken for courses completed. Students scoring a 4 or better (on a scale of 1-7)
on the IB exam may be eligible for college credit.
Refer to the Academic Credit for Prior Learning
section of this catalog for more information, or email:
SCC pla@ccs.spokane.edu
SFCC pla.sfcc@sfcc.spokane.edu
Gateway to College
Gateway to College, a national dropout recovery and scholarship program, allows students
between the ages of 16 and 20 who may not have been successful in high school the
opportunity to get back on track and earn a high school diploma.
For more information call, e-mail or visit: