The Admissions Process
Admission Requirements
All students who are accepted for admission to a program of study must demonstrate the “ability to benefit” from instruction by having graduated from an accredited or approved high school or college, or having completed the requirements for a GED certificate.
The student who has not graduated from high school or who does not have a GED certificate must take an independently administered assessment test and must achieve specified test scores in order to demonstrate an “ability to benefit.” This is required by federal regulation governing Title IV programs. The ASSET/COMPASS assessment used by Southeast Community College is one of these tests approved by the U.S. Department of Education to determine a student’s ability to benefit.
Transcript requirements may be waived under certain circumstances. Contact the College Admissions Office for more information.
Any person 16 years of age or older who is not enrolled in a regular secondary school program is eligible to enroll in Southeast Community College classes provided they meet any stated class prerequisites. Eligible high school students in good standing may enroll in college credit classes with written permission from their high school principal or counselor. Students under 16 years of age will not be accepted for admission into programs of study. Students under 16 may enroll in credit classes with special permission from the College campus Dean of Student Services. Contact an SCC Student Services Office to obtain a permission form.
Students under 16 years of age may enroll in special noncredit classes which are offered by the Continuing Education division. These special classes usually are designed for youth and adults who register and attend classes together. Other special enrollment opportunities for students under 16 will be identified in the course description and/or advertisement.
High school students enrolling in distance learning classes must meet all of the College course prerequisites prior to the start of class. Contact the campus Registration and Records Office for additional information.
Some programs offered by the College may require completion of prerequisite courses, physical examinations, and other special requirements such as CPR training or a certified copy of driving record. All special requirements for admission are outlined in the individual program brochures and at the campus Admissions Offices.
Developmental course work and high school equivalency programs are available at SCC to students who do not meet College admission requirements.
All requests for information regarding admission to any program and all completed application forms should be obtained from and submitted to the Admissions Office of the campus selected by the student. SCC has the right to deny admission or continued enrollment to persons who have misrepresented their credentials or background.
Application for Admission
All new students seeking admission to a program of study at SCC must complete an Application for Admission form. Students need to complete only one Application for Admission form to attend classes at any SCC campus location. Students desiring to transfer in their program of study to a different campus location must contact the program chair at the different location to determine if openings are available. There is no Application for Admission fee. Application for Admission forms are available in the Student Services Offices on each campus and at www.southeast.edu via the Internet.
Students applying for Admission to a specific program of study with limited enrollment are required to pay a nonrefundable program reservation fee. (See Tuition & Fees information)
Steps for Admission to Programs of Study
1. Complete and submit an application form.
2. Request a copy of your high school or GED transcript be sent directly to the College Admissions Office at the appropriate campus. High school or GED transcripts are not required if a student has completed and submitted an official transcript for an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
3. Request copies of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions be sent directly from the institution to the College Admissions Office at the appropriate campus. These are used as part of the process for course placement. Individuals who present a college transcript indicating that they have taken a class that fully meets a program requirement in English or Mathematics do not have to take the Compass test to prove they are competent in that skill area. Compass testing is required when an individual has taken a course prerequisite in English or Mathematics and the course is over 5 years old.
4. Applicants for admission must be assessed for readiness in basic reading, written expressions and mathematics to determine if their skill level is consistent with program requirements. Career advising staff can help applicants determine the entrance requirements for programs. Students may be required to complete developmental course work before advancing to certain program courses. Specific information about developmental course work is available through campus admissions and career advising staff.
Initial assessment: All students entering SCC programs must complete a basic skills assessment by at least one of the following:
a. Appropriate ACT scores in each of the areas of language, reading, and math as required by specific program.
b. Providing evidence of three hours or more of transfer credit from an accredited postsecondary institution with a grade of “C” or better in each of the areas of English, math, and a course which indicates reading ability, i.e. social studies, psychology.
c. COMPASS/ASSET placement scores as required by specific program. (First COMPASS/ASSET basic skills assessment is available at each campus location free of charge ($15 charge for retests.)
Students who cannot fulfill any one of these criteria should discuss the alternatives available with a College career advisor.
5. Retesting is possible for individuals who believe their placement test scores do not reflect their current skill levels in reading, written expression and mathematics. Students have an opportunity to take the COMPASS or ASSET placement tests. If they have previously taken the COMPASS or ASSET test a $15.00 re-take fee is required (in advance) per testing session regardless if they are taking the entire test (3 parts) or subtests. If individuals want to take one section at a time, they have 5 business days to complete that testing. Each campus will post a retesting sign next to the sign-in book for COMPASS indicating the retesting fee.
a. Testing of high school students: Current high school students may test at no charge. High school students may also retest at no charge while in high school.
b. Retesting students returning after a five year absence from SCC. Individuals having test scores older than 5 years will be asked to retake the COMPASS test but will not be charged for retesting. Additional retests are $15.
c. When an SCC instructor in English, writing or math, or an SCC testing/Assessment Center staff person, requests a retest there will be no fee assessed. Program advisors must consult with the Testing/Assessment Center Coordinator regarding retest.
Remediation prior to retesting: It is strongly recommended that individuals who wish to re-take the COMPASS test study areas of difficulty before retesting. It is further recommended that students wait 30 days from the first to the second testing to allow adequate time to remediate their skills. Students will not be permitted to retest a second time within 30 days of a retest.
6. Submit any additional information required for your chosen program.
7. You will be notified as soon as possible about your admissions status.
Readmission Steps
Former Southeast Community College students who were declared and enrolled in a program of study, and who have not been enrolled for one or more years, must reapply for admission to be eligible to register for program classes. Returning former students must complete an Application for Readmission form and submit the completed application to the appropriate campus Admissions Office.
Readmission is subject to available space and current requirements established by the College and the program of study.
Pre-admission Advising and Testing
All applicants for admission are provided opportunities for pre-admission basic skills assessment, testing, advising and career planning. Applicants who desire pre-admission basic academic skills testing and/or career advising should contact the appropriate Admissions Office for arrangements. Southeast Community College promotes the philosophy that all applicants should possess certain levels of academic ability in order to succeed in their selected program of study. Applicants required to complete COMPASS/ASSET basic skills testing will be notified by the appropriate campus. Students may be required to complete developmental course work before advancing to certain program courses. Specific information about developmental course work is available through campus admissions and career advising staff.
