STUDENT SERVICES  

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

General Admission for High School Graduates, 
GED Certificate Holders 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 General Educational Development (GED) certificate. For information regarding international student admission, turn to the “Opportunities for International Students” 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 his/her designee. Admission in such cases is based on an applicant’s level of general education as defined by ASSET or COMPASS assessment test scores that meet the Federal Financial Aid “ability to benefit” option.

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. Admission to the college does not guarantee acceptance in every program. Please refer to specific programs of study for further information, and be aware that 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. Each college has slightly different admission procedures and registration schedules. For more information or to request an application packet, please call, write, or e-mail the college directly.

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.) In order to determine a student’s readiness for college-level courses, the student will be required to take either the ASSET or
COMPASS placement test, which are both administered at the colleges. Generally, a student must place at the college level in both reading and writing in order to be eligible for courses other than mathematics. 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 and is 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.

 

Admission Procedures

Students may enter college at the beginning of any quarter (summer, fall, winter or spring). However, students should be aware that some programs of study may offer admission only during specific quarters. Please refer to individual programs of study for further information.

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).
  • 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 used to document courses the student wishes to use toward graduation. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to submit official transcripts from all colleges with their applications.

Running Start Students are required to submit high school transcripts to the

respective college.

 

Washington State Community College

Admissions Policy


In accordance with WAC 131-12-010, any applicant for admission to Washington State Community College District 17 shall be admitted when, as determined by the chief administrative officer or his/her designee, such applicant: is competent to profit from the curricular offerings of the college; would not, by his or her presence or conduct, create a disruptive atmosphere within the college inconsistent with the purposes of the institution; is 18 years of age or older; is a high school graduate; or has applied for admission under the provisions of a student enrollment options program such as Running Start or a successor program, or other local student enrollment options program.

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.


District 17 does not desire to replace or duplicate the functions of the local public schools; however, persons may appeal for special admission on a course-by-course basis. Approval for granting an appeal is made by the college vice president or his/her designee.

 
Assessment and Placement Testing


While students attend college for a variety of reasons, most attend for the purpose of acquiring the knowledge and skills needed as preparation for entering a particular field of work or to complete the first two years of a four-year degree.


With this in mind, new and returning college students who have not been tested or advised by SCC or SFCC within the last three years will participate in an assessment program 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 ASSET or COMPASS, the college will administer one of these tests and a $20 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 and/or English assessment (COMPASS or ASSET) is required for:

  1. Students who have never tested.
  2. Students who have test scores that are more than three years old.
  3. Students who have math credits that are more than three years old.

For more details, call the Testing Center at SCC 509-533-7074, the New Student Entry Center at SFCC 509-533-3401, or the IEL at 509-279-6709.

Math and/or English assessment is not required for:

  1. Students who have taken the COMPASS or ASSET within the last three years. CCS also accepts Academic Placement Testing Program (APTP) math scores from Washington public universities.
  2. Students who have received a grade of 2.0 or better in college composition from other institutions. Additionally, college transcripts must be on file to support this exception.
  3. Students taking fewer than 10 credits, not enrolling in composition or mathematics classes and not pursuing a degree or certificate.

Special Situations


Students with questions regarding credits for Advanced Placement (AP) test scores should refer to the Advanced Placement Program section in this catalog.


Guidelines for Placement of English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)*

  1. 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 admission. Placement in courses will be based on ASSET or COMPASS scores.
  2. 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 IEL, or the vice president of student and instructional services at SCC, whichever is applicable.

GED Testing

Persons interested in obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) certificate may schedule a GED test by calling 509-533-4670.

Proof of age is required. Testing sites, schedules and further information may be obtained by calling 509-533-4670. 

SCC 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.

Dual Credit Programs

Running Start
 
The Running Start program offered through CCS enables eligible high school students to seek expanded educational challenges. They may enroll 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 by the college. Classes taken at SCC, SFCC or IEL as part of the Running Start program are limited to “college-level classes” numbered 100 or above and up to a total of 18 credits.

The tuition and fees of classes not covered under the Running Start program (over 18 credits or under 100-level classes) will be calculated at “resident” rate and paid by the student. High school students who have lived in Washington state less than 12 months are eligible for resident status as a Running Start student. Running Start students who lack a residency status may be required to complete the Residency Questionnaire Form at the end of their tenure as a Running Start student. Depending on the answers, their post-Running Start residency status would be determined and their tuition would be calculated on that residency status—resident, nonresident or nonresident with waiver. 

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.

For more information, the student should contact a high school counselor or the college counseling center. Call SCC 509-533-8062, SFCC 509-533-3524, the IEL in Colville 509-685-2120 or 509-279-6710, Newport 509-447-3835, or Pullman 509-332-2706.

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 or better grade receive college credit at the same time they are completing their high school graduation requirements. Effective Fall Quarter 2007, the CCS/Northeast Washington Technical Education Consortium Tech Prep program is fee free. 

This federally-funded program helps high school students make the transition into college, save on college tuition and fees, gain occupational skills and work-related experience, and train for critical jobs. For a complete list of Tech Prep articulation agreements, go to http://ccs.spokane.edu/Future/educators/educators/classroom.aspx.

For more information, call 509-434-5164.

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.