CREDIT INFORMATION 

Credit Hour And Load 

The “quarter credit hour” represents one class hour per week for the entire quarter. Laboratory and activity courses usually meet an additional hour each week per credit hour. 

Most academic courses carry a credit range of 1-5 credits. Some career and technical courses exceed 5 credits because of program requirements. Students planning to enroll for more than 21 credit hours must obtain permission from a counselor, the student services dean over enrollment services, the registrar or a designee. If the cumulative overload credit hours are taken through CCS institutions, permission is required. 

To make normal progress toward graduation in liberal arts, a student must earn a minimum of 45 credits a year in appropriate college-level courses. In career and technical programs, the student must satisfactorily complete the hourly credit requirements of the program. 

For tuition and fee purposes, a full-time student is defined as a student enrolled for 10-18 credits. Part-time students, for tuition and fee purposes, are those enrolled for 1-9 credits. A full-time student receiving financial aid or veterans benefits, for tuition and fee purposes, is defined as a student enrolled for 12-18 credits. (See our Tuition and Fee Schedule.)

Transfer Credit 

Community Colleges of Spokane follows the statewide policy for transfer of credits as endorsed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Credits from other accredited institutions in degree, diploma and certificate programs may be transferred upon approval. For more information on transfer credit and degrees, refer to the Academic Programs section of this catalog. 

Cooperative Education/Work Experience

Students can earn credit through work experience.

Cooperative education is an organized program of study and educational work experience available throughout the student's college career.

To enroll in cooperative education the student registers for supervised cooperative work experience and the related seminar in the department appropriate to his/her academic or occupational goals. An instructor/coordinator is assigned who interviews the student and assists in locating appropriate full- or part-time paid employment as needed. In the case of those already employed, the instructor/coordinator interviews the student to determine eligibility for cooperative education. Students also may receive cooperative education credit for some types of nonpaid job experience.

Three work options are available for earning credit:

  • The student works part-time and attends classes on a daily basis.
  • The student works full-time and attends classes part-time. This is of particular interest to evening students.
  • A student may leave the campus to work full-time for a quarter, then return to resume his/her studies. This option is desirable where work experience is located outside the service area of the community college.
A student must be registered for cooperative education work experience to receive credit.

The following courses may be offered in each academic discipline at the discretion of the vice president of instruction. Specific requirements and limitations concerning courses are available from the appropriate campus instructional administrator.

Cooperative Education Seminar 266 and Cooperative Education Work Experience 267 or Cooperative Education Work Experience 288 (no seminar) can be used to meet graduation requirements for professional/technical programs with the approval of the appropriate dean.

Cooperative Education is available in many programs. For specific information call SCC (509) 533-7249 or SFCC (509) 533-3545.

266-Cooperative Education Seminar (1-2 credits)
267-Cooperative Education Work Experience (1-18 credits)
288-Cooperative Education Work Experience (no seminar) (1-18 credits)

Distance Learning 

Distance learning courses (online courses, hybrid courses, telecourses and interactive video courses) offer students an alternative to on-campus classes. The content, college credit, and transferability of distance learning courses to other institutions are equivalent to traditional courses on campus.

Distance learning courses are best for individuals who can work independently, effectively budget their time and set priorities. They are helpful for students whose job or home responsibilities limit the time they can spend traveling to or attending a conventional class. Motivation, study habits, communication with the instructor and organization are the keys to distance learning success. 

Distance learning instruction may involve the use of computers, televised lessons, text materials and/or on-campus sessions. Some courses require on-campus visits for discussion sessions, laboratories or testing. Students may enroll through SCC, SFCC or the IEL. See the Online Courses and Telecourses sections below for more information. For current course listings, check the quarterly class schedule; call SCC 509-533-8110, e-mail dl@scc.spokane.edu, or www.scc.spokane.edu/dl/, or SFCC/IEL 509-533-3216, e-mail sfccdistancelearning@spokanefalls.edu, or www.spokanefalls.edu/distancelearning. 

Online Courses

Online courses provide the flexibility and opportunity for time-and-place-bound students to pursue their educational goals. Online courses have scheduled start and stop dates, regular assignments and project due dates, but since the classroom is online, you can work on your class at the time and place most convenient for you. 

Although online courses are more convenient, they are not necessarily easier. They have been developed with the same learning outcomes as regular on-campus college classes. Even though you do not attend class at a specific time and place each day, you will need to spend several hours working on the class five out of every seven days (for a 5-credit course) and you will need to have access to a computer with a connection to the Internet. Please visit the web sites listed above for current course listings and the distance learning section of the quarterly class schedule. 

Hybrid Courses 

A hybrid course meets on campus periodically and uses online delivery for the rest of the class. Students often will find lecture material, tests, discussions and other resources online for a hybrid course. Please visit the web sites noted above for current course listings. 

Telecourses 

A telecourse is a regular college credit course incorporating video/television to teach concepts, supplement textbook information and enables students to communicate with instructors or other telecourse students. Rather than a conventional class setting, telecourses rely on communication media to free students from time and location constraints. 

A quarter-long telecourse includes up to 30 video lessons broadcast on cable TV over a period of 10-12 weeks. One to four new videos are broadcast each week and repeat throughout a one-week period. Videos also are available for viewing at the SCC media center, SFCC library and the IEL centers outside of the Spokane area. 

On-campus discussion sessions may be scheduled during the quarter. Please refer to the course syllabus for testing and on-campus attendance requirements. Visit the web sites listed previously and the distance learning section of the quarterly class schedule. 

College Credit By Nontraditional Means 

Community Colleges of Spokane is concerned about the educational needs of all people within its six-county district, not only those who attend the formal educational institutions, but also those who are striving to advance educationally outside the formal school environment.

CCS recognizes several methods by which students may receive college credit outside the traditional program of class attendance. Methods for evaluating nontraditional learning include credit by articulation; Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) evaluation; Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) evaluation; departmental challenge examinations; prior learning/life experience evaluation; Advanced Placement Program, sponsored by the College Board; and military education and experience evaluation.

Students who have made application to attend SCC, SFCC or the IEL shall be eligible for nontraditional credit evaluation. Credit awards will not be granted until the student has completed one full quarter of enrollment with at least 10-quarter credits earned. (Exception: Police Academy or Fire Officer or Tech Prep students who may have credits transcripted for career and technical courses while still in high school with a valid articulation agreement.) 

The student must initiate a request for nontraditional college credit at SCC 509-533-7026, SFCC 509-533-3506, or IEL (509) 279-6001. A student wishing to pursue nontraditional credit must first be interviewed and approved through the counseling center or the appropriate instructional department. 

Nontraditional Credit Awards: 

 May be used to meet any appropriate graduation requirement.
 Do not count toward the residency requirement of 30-quarter credits.
 Will not satisfy credit hour requirements in the veterans benefit program or any other 
    financial assistance program.
 May be granted for prior learning/life experience following completion of a portfolio class 
    and evaluation of the learning/life experience portfolio. (Additional costs for portfolio 
    evaluation may be assessed.)
 Must be approved by the appropriate department chair or designated department faculty 
    member in the discipline for which credit is sought. 

After an interview and approval for nontraditional credit, students complete the application for Nontraditional Credit form (form CCS 4062). There is a nonrefundable $10 nontraditional credit application fee for the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) evaluation, departmental challenge examinations, and prior learning/life experience evaluation at the Cashier’s Office (Section A of the form). No fee is required for Advanced Placement Program credit or military education and experience evaluation.

Fees Are Charged At The Following Rates:

     Certified Professional Secretary (CPS).................... $5 per credit
     Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)............. $5 per credit
     Credit by Articulation ................................................ $5 per credit
     Departmental Challenge Examinations...................... $5 per credit
     Prior Learning/Life Experience.................................. $5 per credit
     Military Education and Experience Evaluation..................... No fee
     Advanced Placement Program............................................ No fee

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) Or
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) 

A student who has successfully completed 15 to 30 quarter hours of credit at SCC and/or SFCC may be granted further credit of up to 60-quarter hours upon completing the requirements of the CPS or CAP examination. Upon completion of 15 credits, at SCC, SFCC and/or the IEL, 30 credits may be granted. Upon completion of the 30 credits at SCC, SFCC and/or the IEL, 60 credits may apply toward the requirements of an associate in applied science or associate of arts degree at SCC or SFCC. The designation as a CPS or CAP may permit specific credit to be given up to 60 credits. 

The request for granting these credits by nontraditional means should be directed to the dean of instruction for business at SCC or SFCC. The student applying for CPS or CAP nontraditional credit must pay a nonrefundable $10 nontraditional credit application fee. CPS credit fees are charged at the rate of $5 per credit. 

Credit By Articulation
 
Agency — Individuals who have completed training through nondegree awarding agencies or institutions may apply for evaluation for credit; for example, recognized nursing and fire service training, law enforcement/corrections or fire science academies, certifications, licensing, etc. Official documentation of training or licensing is required. Training documentation will be evaluated by instructional faculty in the appropriate department. The student must pay a nonrefundable $10 nontraditional credit application fee. 

The following procedures will be used for credit by articulation: 
Students wishing to apply for credit by articulation must first be interviewed and approved through the Counseling Center — SCC 509-533-7026, or SFCC 509-533-3506. At the interview, students should have justification for their request, a high school or college transcript and/or other information pertinent to the request for credit. The interviewer will refer the student to the instructional department chair or appropriate faculty, whose approval also is necessary. 

Fees are charged for credit by articulation at the rate of $5 per credit. Payment of fees certifies that the grade and credit awards have been accepted as recorded on the Application for Nontraditional Credit form (form CCS 4062). Grade and credit awards will be posted to the student’s academic transcript. 

Departmental Challenge Examinations or
Prior Learning/Life Experience Evaluation 

Students who wish to apply for a course challenge or prior learning/life experience evaluation must be interviewed and approved through the instructional department. At the interview, students should have justification for their request, a high school or college transcript and/or other information pertinent to the request for credit. A course may not be challenged if the student is currently enrolled in, has previously earned credit in or has previously audited the course. A student may challenge a course he/she has previously enrolled in and received a grade only with the permission of the appropriate dean and department chair and/or designated department faculty member in the discipline for which credit is sought. (For transfer courses, please check with the receiving institution for policies concerning challenge credits.) 

Nontraditional credits for prior learning/life experience may be granted following completion of a portfolio class and evaluation of the learning/life experience portfolio. (Additional costs for portfolio evaluation may be assessed.) 

The student must pay a nonrefundable $10 nontraditional credit application fee before taking an examination or having prior learning/life experience evaluated. Fees are charged at the rate of $5 per credit for the departmental challenge examinations. Fees charged for prior experience evaluation credit are at the rate of $5 per credit. 

Advanced Placement Program 

Students who do college-level study in high school can receive appropriate credit or placement or both on the basis of performance in the Advanced Placement program (AP). The AP program is sponsored by the College Board. 

Students wishing to apply for high school AP credit must first be interviewed and approved through the Counseling Center at SCC or SFCC. At the interview, students should present a copy of the AP College Grade Report and/or other information pertinent to the request for credit. 

AP credit awards will not be granted if the student is currently enrolled in or has successfully completed or earned credit for the course. 

There are no fees for the AP credit awards. 

Subject AP
Score		 Advanced Placement Action

Art

    

   Studio Art Drawing

 5 Art 101 -- 4 credits
   Studio Art 2D Design 5 Art 105 -- 5 credits
   Studio Art 3D Design 4 Art 106 -- 4 credits
   Art History 4, 5 Art& 100 (formerly 107) -- 5 credits
Biology 3, 4, 5

BIOL& 160 (formerly BIOL 101) -- 5 credits granted after completion of another life science laboratory course with a grade of 3.0 or better.
Chemistry 3 CHEM& 161 (formerly CHEM 101) -- 5 credits
  4 CHEM& 161, 162 (formerly CHEM 141, 142) -- 10 credits granted after completion of CHEM& 163 (formerly CHEM 143) with a 3.0 or better
  5 CHEM& 161, 162, 163 (formerly Chemistry 141, 142, 143) -- 15 credits
Computer Science A 3, 4, 5 CS& 141 (formerly Computer Science 201) -- 5 credits granted after completion of CS 142  (formerly Computer Science 203) with a grade of 3.0 or better
Economics    
   Macroeconomics 4, 5 ECON& 202 (formerly ECON 201) -- 5 credits
   Microeconomics 4, 5 ECON & 201 (formerly ECON 202) -- 5 credits
English Lang/Comp

3, 4

 ENG& 101 (formerly ENG 101) -- 5 credits
  5 ENG& 101, 102 (formerly ENG 101, 201) -- 10 credits
English Lit/Comp 3, 4, 5 ENG& 101, 111 (formerly ENG 101, 131) -- 10 credits
French 3 FRCH& 121, 122, 123 (formerly FRNCH 101, 102, 103) -- 15 credits
  4, 5 FRCH& 221, 222, 223 (formerly FRNCH 201, 202, 203) -- 15 credits
German 3 GERM& 121, 122, 123 (formerly GERMN 101, 102, 103) -- 15 credits
  4, 5 GERM& 221, 222, 223 (formerly GERMN 201, 202, 203) -- 15 credits
Government & Politics 3, 4, 5 POLS& 202 (formerly POLSC 111) -- 5 credits
History -- European 3 HIST& 116 (formerly HIST 101) -- 5 credits
  4 HIST& 116, 117 (formerly HIST 101, 102) -- 10 credits
  5 HIST& 116, 117, 118 (formerly HIST 101, 102, 103) -- 15 credits
History -- U.S. 3 HIST& 136 (formerly HIST 121) -- 5 credits
  4, 5 HIST& 136, 137 (formerly HIST 121, 122) -- 10 credits
Calculus AB 3, 4 MATH& 151 (formerly MATH 124 -- 5 credits granted after
completion of MATH 152 (formerly MATH 125) with a
grade of 2.0 or better
Calculus AB 5 MATH& 151, 152 (formerly MATH 124, 125) -- 10 credits
Calculus BC 3 MATH& 151 (formerly MATH 124) -- 5 credits granted after
completion of MATH& 152 (formerly MATH 125) with a 
grade of 2.0 or better
Calculus BC 4, 5 MATH& 151, 152 (formerly MATH 124, 125) -- 10 credits
Music    
   Music Theory 4 MUSC& 141, 142, 143 (formerly MUSIC 101, 102, 103) -- 10 credits
   5 MUSC& 141, 142, 143, 241, 242 (formerly MUSIC 101, 102, 103, 201, 202) -- 25 credits
Physics -- B or C 3 PHYS 101 -- 5 credits
  4 PHYS 101, 102 -- 10 credits
  5 PHYS 101, 102, 103 -- 15 credits
Psychology 4, 5 PSYCH 101 -- 5 credits
Spanish 3 SPAN& 121, 122, 123 (formerly SPAN 101, 102, 103) -- 15 credits
  4, 5 SPAN& 221, 222, 223 (formerly SPAN 201, 202, 203) -- 15 credits
Statistics 3, 4, 5 MATH 221 -- 5 credits

Other subject area scores may be considered with instructional department approval.

Evaluation Of Educational Experiences In The Armed Services

The Armed Forces of the United States provide military personnel with a great variety of educational opportunities through formal service school training programs and off-duty educational activities. Since before World War II, the American Council of Education, in cooperation with other national educational organizations, has been interested in the development and evaluation of off-duty educational programs as well as the evaluation of the formal service training courses. In response to a need expressed by civilian educational institutions throughout the country, the council established in 1945 its Commission on Accreditation of Service Experiences as an agency to assist institutions by providing continuing evaluations of military educational programs in terms of academic credit. 

For CCS to establish a means of management, evaluation, and award of credit for educational experiences in the Armed Services, the following procedures will be adhered to: 

1. The student will request the vice president of student services or his/her designee 
    to evaluate the student’s experiences in the Armed Services.
2. All students who have made application to attend CCS shall be eligible for credit 
    evaluation. Credit awards will not be granted until the student has completed one 
    full quarter of attendance at CCS with at least 10-quarter credits earned. 
    (Students do not need to be enrolled during the quarter the credits are awarded.)
3. The following list will be considered educational experiences in the Armed
    Services:
         Credit for military service including basic training.
         Defense Activity Nontraditional Educational Services (DANTES) and College 
            Level Examination Program (CLEP) courses and/or subject exams, ACT 
            Proficiency Examination Program (ACT PEP) and the Regents College 
            Examination Program (RCEP).
         Training and service school training with the following departments:
                Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, National Guard,
                Coast Guard, Navy and Department of Defense
4. The appropriate edition of A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in 
    the Armed Services (ACE Guide), published by the American Council on 
    Education, and/or the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript and 
    catalog, and/or Army/ACE Registry Transcript System (AARTS) shall be 
    accepted  by CCS as the basis on which it evaluates and awards college-level 
    credit for military training.
5. The student will verify his or her educational experiences by official records that 
    must provide:
         Full and correct title of course completed
         Course numbers
6. Military experiences that cannot be equated to the current college catalog, but 
    evaluated as college credit, shall be recorded as military credit without grade 
    points awarded and counted towards degree and certificate programs as elective 
    credit as indicated in the guide.
7. The college official evaluating the service training shall be responsible for 
    documenting the awarding of credit by submitting an Application for Nontraditional 
    Credit form with attached copies of documents verifying training. Copies of 
    originals, dated and initialed by the college official, will be sent to the Registrar’s 
    Office to be filed in the student’s permanent folder. A copy will be sent to the 
    student.
8. Credit recommendations will not be provided by correspondence to individual 
    veterans or service personnel on active duty, unless he/she has made application 
    with CCS.
9. There will be no fees for the evaluation of educational experiences in the Armed 
    Services. 

Evaluation Guideline For Armed Services

Community Colleges of Spokane does not award credit for CLEP tests. However, students who complete acceptable CLEP scores while eligible for a Servicemember’s Opportunity College (SOC) Program will be evaluated and awarded credit under a special contract. Official DANTES test scores or transcripts reporting DANTES and/or CLEP scores must be submitted to verify scores and military status at the time of the test. Scores not reported on DANTES forms will not be accepted unless documentation is provided, which verifies military status at the time of the test. 

Pass/fail grades will be used for DANTES, CLEP Exams, ACT PEP and RCEP. 

Guidelines from the Intercollege Relations Commission (ICRC) for the state of Washington for the associate of arts (AA) degree limit the use of credits granted for vocational training, military training including test, life and work experience, etc., to 15 credits—all to be counted as electives for the AA degree, with the exception of up to 5 credits of the 15 which may be used to meet section VI. HEALTH-RELATED/PE/RECREATIONAL/LEISURE ACTIVITIES, group A and group B. The AA degree for Spokane Community College (SCC) and Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) will comply with these state guidelines for all military-related credit posted to a SCC or SFCC transcript (effective summer quarter 1999). AA degrees with more that 15 “restricted” credits within the 90 credits required may have the degree refused by four-year institutions in Washington.