Southwest Virginia Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established as a part of a statewide system of community colleges serving primarily the residents of the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell and Tazewell. The College operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and a Local College Board. The institution is financed primarily by State funds supplemented by contributions from the participating localities.
The College operates on the semester system and is open on a year-round basis. Classes normally are held from 8:00 am through 9:50 pm. The availability of college credit courses in the evening allows the student who must work while going to college the opportunity to coordinate college activities with employment.
Southwest is an open-entry institution. The following pathways exist Advanced Manufacturing & Skilled Trades, Agriculture, Art & Communication, Business & Hospitality, College Transfer, Computer Information Technology, Education, Outdoor Tourism & Recreation, Science, Math, Engineering, Health Care, Public Service & Safety.
History
The 1966 General Assembly of Virginia authorized the establishment of a statewide system of comprehensive community colleges and appointed a separate State Board to develop a Master Plan for a statewide system of community college education in Virginia. The Master Plan designated a community college to be established in the area serving the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell, and Tazewell.
A delegation of local citizens met with State officials to determine the feasibility of immediate development of a community college for the region. A local College Board was appointed in the summer of 1967. The Local Board recommended that the college be named Southwest Virginia Community College and that Dr. Charles R. King be appointed as president.
The College opened to students in the fall of 1968 with an initial enrollment of 710 students. Fall 2023 credit enrollment was 2,288 unduplicated headcount students.
Vision
Southwest Virginia Community College transforms lives, strengthens communities, and inspires excellence.
Mission
Southwest Virginia Community College, a comprehensive two-year institution, provides quality educational and cultural enrichment opportunities for lifelong learners, workforce and community.
Core Values
SWCC is guided by steadfast core values. As a community of educators, we value:
- Student Centered Learning - SWCC believes that students are the primary reason we exist and our purpose is to help them achieve their goals and aspirations.
- Student Success - SWCC recognizes the potential in individuals and assists them in obtaining their highest level of attainment.
- Excellence - SWCC strives for excellence in instruction and service through rigorous academic and professional standards.
- Inclusiveness and Collaboration - SWCC reaches out to the communities and partners it serves, supporting and assisting them in achieving their goals.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION
It is the policy of both Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to maintain and promote equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, sex or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, disability, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors. Inquiries concerning affirmative action and equal opportunity policies should be addressed to the Dean of Student Success at 276-964-7220.
Title VI and Title VII
The college is subject to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; Federal Executive Order 11246; Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA); Virginia’s State Executive Order Number Two; and all other applicable rules and regulations.
Information about the campus, workplace violence prevention, and Title IX ( https://sw.edu/title-ix/) is available online.
Individuals with questions or concerns about any of these regulations or related issues should contact:
SWCC Campus Police
campus.police@sw.edu
Office: 276.964.7221
Emergency: 276.964.4357 or 4357 (“HELP”) from any campus phone
Buchanan Hall
OR
Lisa Haywood
Interim Dean of Student Success and Title IX Coordinator
lisa.haywood@sw.edu
276.964.7677
Buchanan Hall, Room 151.
Accreditation
Southwest Virginia Community College, a part of the Virginia Community College System, is approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and by the Virginia Community College System. The associate degree curricula of the College have also been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Southwest Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Southwest Virginia Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Southwest Virginia Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Students and prospective students may find the information resources of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) of use in planning for college and careers. SCHEV has created an institutional profile for each Virginia public college and university, and for each independent college or university participating in the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program. Our profile is available here at the SCHEV profile page for Southwest Virginia Community College.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and related costs are set by the State Board for Community Colleges and are subject to change.
See the SWCC Tuition & Fee page for the most recent tuition and fee rates.
The applicant will be required to complete the Domicile Determination Form (included as a portion of the Admission Application) to determine state residency eligibility for tuition purposes.
Student Comprehensive Fee
Overall student comprehensive fees are currently $4.75 per credit hour, per semester. $3.00 of the $4.75 is allocated as a parking fee to support maintenance and other enhancements to campus parking areas. The remaining $1.75 of the $4.75 is a student activity fee allocated to support numerous college student activities.
All student fees are reviewed and approved by the college’s Student Government Association, Local Board, and the Virginia Community College System State Board, and subject to change pending action by those governing bodies, usually on an annual basis. Any such changes in fee amounts will be communicated through the various college communication channels and platforms, registration and billing documentation, and within updated/future catalog versions.
Special 30-Mile Radius Tuition Rate
The Domicile Determination Policy provides information on this special tuition rate and a link to the 30-Mile Radius Application form which must be completed and submitted to the Admissions office for determination of status.
Dishonored Check Fee
The College will assess a $35.00 service charge for checks returned for any reason.
Waived Tuition
The Virginia Military Survivors & Dependent Education Program (VMSDEP) provides benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who have been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a result of military service. Benefits are available for up to eight semesters to eligible students attending Virginia’s public colleges and universities.
Students who are eligible for the tuition waiver under this law must provide documentation from the State Division of War Veterans Claims to SWCC’s School Certifying Official located in the Financial Aid Office in Dellinger Hall, Room 215.
Tuition and required fees are also waived for children of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and rescue squad members killed in the line of duty.
Waived Tuition for Students in Certain Dual Enrollment Courses
Tuition shall be charged at in-state rates for any high school or magnet school student not otherwise qualified for in-state tuition, pursuant to Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia, who is enrolled in courses specifically designed as part of the high school or magnet school curriculum in a community college for which they may, upon successful completion, receive high school and community college credit pursuant to a dual enrollment agreement between the high school or magnet school and the community college.
Senior Citizens’ Tuition and Fees Waiver
Under provisions of the Virginia Senior Citizens Higher Education Act, a person who is sixty years of age with legal domicile in Virginia for one year before the beginning of a semester may enroll in a state institution of higher learning at no cost (tuition and required fees) provided all tuition-paying students are given first priority for class spaces. Senior citizens who have completed 75% or more of their degree requirements may be allowed to enroll in courses at the same time as tuition-paying students.
If a senior citizen had a taxable individual income not exceeding $23,850 for Virginia income tax purposes for the year preceding the year in which enrollment is sought, the individual may take a course for academic credit without paying tuition. If the person’s taxable income exceeded $23,850, the individual may only audit the course for free. All audits must be approved by the appropriate division dean. A senior citizen, regardless of income level, may take a non-credit course at no charge.
No limit is placed on the number of semesters in which a senior citizen may register for tuition-free courses. The law places no restriction on the number of courses that may be taken for credit in any semester. Credit courses, audit of credit courses or noncredit courses cannot exceed three courses per semester.
To apply for waiver of tuition and fees, senior citizens must be admitted to the college and complete waiver forms each semester in which classes are taken. Waivers must be submitted to the Admissions Office. Once the Admissions office completes class verification, the form will be forwarded to the Business Office for final processing.
Other Fees, Charges, and Fines
Continued enrollment at the College is dependent upon proper settlement of all debts owed the Institution. Should the student fail to satisfy all due and payable amounts for tuition and fees, college loans, college fines, or other debts owed the College, They may be suspended and will not be allowed to register in any succeeding semester until all current debts owed to the College have been satisfied.
A student who damages or loses school property (laboratory or shop equipment, library materials, etc.) must pay charges for such losses. In addition, a student must pay fines for improper parking, or other such infractions as determined by the College administration with the approval of the Virginia Community College System.
Transcripts, certificates, or degrees will not be issued, nor will a student be permitted to register, until all the student’s accounts have been paid in full.
Tuition Refunds
Students shall normally be eligible for tuition refund for credits dropped during the add/drop period of each term. The official add/drop periods for academic semesters of normal length are published in the Schedule of Classes and the College Catalog. Refund deadlines for shorter terms, such as some summer terms, will vary. Students are advised to check with the Office of Admissions and Records for specific refund deadlines prior to making the decision to withdraw.
Electronic or written notification of the student’s intent to drop or withdraw from courses must reach the Admissions and Records Office by the last day of the add/drop period in order for the student to be eligible for a refund. Full refunds are made when the College cancels a course. (Courses may be dropped without academic penalty through the tenth week of the fall and spring semester. However, students will not be eligible for refunds.)
To be eligible for refund under any of the circumstances set forth in the foregoing paragraph, a student must execute an official electronic or written notification to the Office of Admissions and Records. Official withdrawal for a student shall become effective on the date that the electronic or written notification of intent to resign is received by the Office of Admissions and Records and not the date of the last class attended unless the two dates coincide. Course withdrawal notifications should be presented in person, or by the student’s authorized representative. The College cannot undertake to accomplish contact with the student’s instructors except for the most serious of reasons.
All services shall be withheld from a student who owes money to the College for any reason or who has books or materials outstanding from the College.
Student Records
Southwest Virginia Community College complies with the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 regarding confidentiality and student’s access to student records.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, is a federal law which allows students access to their educational records and prohibits the release of information from students’ educational records by the institution without the written consent of the student, with certain specified exceptions.
SWCC accords all rights under the law to students who are declared independent. No one outside the institution will have access to, nor will the institution disclose, any information from students’ educational records without the written consent of students, except to personnel within the institution, to officials of other institutions in which students seek to enroll, to persons or organizations providing students financial aid, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation functions, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. All these exceptions are permitted under the Act.
The Act allows the College to report substance abuse violations to parents of students under 21, to disclose the results of College disciplinary proceedings in cases of violent crimes, and to release student records to the courts in the case of a parent/student lawsuit against the College.
In accordance with the provision of the Act, the college may provide directory information. Directory information will be withheld for students who notify the Admissions and Records Office in writing within two weeks of the first day of class.
Directory information shall include:
- Student’s Name
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- The most recent educational agency or institution attended
- Number of credit hours enrolled
- Photos
Southwest shall not disclose the address, phone numbers or email addresses of a student as Directory Information or pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request without prior written consent of the student, unless the disclosure is to students enrolled in the college for educational purposes or institution business and the student has not opted out of such disclosure.
Students may prevent the disclosure of Directory Information by requesting a FERPA Block be placed on their account through the Admissions & Records office. Students may also go into the Student Information System (SIS) and edit the Personal Information Privacy Settings by enabling FERPA/Directory restrictions.
Hours for College Offices and Facilities
Administrative Offices - Monday - Friday` 7:45 am to 4:30 pm
Advising Monday - Friday` 7:45 am to 4:30 pm
Library Monday - Thursday 7:45 am to 7:00 pm
Friday 7:45 am to 4:30 pm
Sunday (Fall and Spring Semesters only) 1:00-5:00 pm
Holiday, Delayed & Summer schedules are posted on the Library website
Instructors Posted engagement hours and by appointment
Revisions to Published Information
Southwest Virginia Community College must reserve the right to make any necessary but previously unannounced revisions, additions, or deletions in services, program offerings, program requirements, course content, scheduled course offerings, instructors, meeting times and dates and locations as may be required without notice.
Administrative Information
Admissions Requirements
General Admission to the College
Individuals are eligible for admission to Southwest Virginia Community College if they are high school graduates or the equivalent, or if they are eighteen years of age or older and able to benefit academically from study at the community college, as demonstrated by assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics. Minimum scores are noted in the chart below. Colleges may allow students who are in their final semester of high school or home school to enroll in summer courses. These students must provide documentation of graduation in order to enroll in subsequent semesters.
VPT
| Reading |
EDE 10 |
| Writing |
EDE 10 |
| Math |
MDE 10 |
Exceptions to this policy may be made by the college president only for documented reasons.
Individuals may be admitted to Southwest Virginia Community College as curricular or non-curricular students. Curricular students are those placed in degree, certificate, career studies certificate, or diploma programs. All other students are considered non-curricular.
High school transcripts are evaluated when they are received in the Admissions office. At that time if there are any concerns about the validity of the transcript, Admissions will reach out to conduct additional research.
The following would prompt additional research (not limited to):
- No apparent state legal authority to grant HS diploma/equivalent
- Limited Curriculum and instructors
- HS Diploma is received after a short time period
- HS Diploma/ place not consistent or not available
- HS Diploma or equivalences that have been written or corrections made.
Should any reasonable doubt exist the admissions office will:
- Reach out to the high school for clarification or research the school to determine the school’s accreditation via an internet search.
- Conduct research via the internet to see if the transcript, diploma, or equivalency was purchased from an agency requiring little/no work standards.
- Reaching out to the VCCS for additional information if the transcript is still in question.
- SWCC will confirm with the relevant department or agency in the state in which the secondary school is recognized as a provider of secondary school education.
Documentation of the findings are scanned to the student’s folder and the student is informed if there are any issues with the validity of the high school Any determination made by Admissions after the research has concluded is final and cannot be appealed.
Placement testing is not required at Southwest.
After you have submitted your application to the College, just complete the direct enrollment survey at https://desurvey.vccs.edu/. This will indicate what level of Math and English that will best serve your needs, You will need to know your MYSouthwest username and password in order to access the survey, and we encourage you to save a copy of your results to share with your Student Success Advisor. Meet with a Student Success Advisor to verify your readiness for English (reading & writing) and Math. In rare cases, you may have to enroll in prerequisite or co-requisite developmental courses, which do not count towards your credential, but are needed to prepare you for program success. these courses are financial aid eligible.
Student Success Advisors will use one of the following direct enrollment methods to verify your readiness.
- Multiple Measures: Students who have graduated or completed their GED within the last 5 years may enroll directly in gateway/college-level mathematics and English classes depending upon high school GPA and courses taken in high school.
- Informed Self-Placement (ISP): Adult who have graduated or gotten their GED more than 5 years ago may use this method. This requires meeting with a Student Success Advisor to cover examples of material in each course to inform your decision.
- Alternate Tests: Submit official SAT and ACT scores to Admissions. The following scores indicate that you are eligible to register for college-level coursework:
- SAT scores equal to or higher than: 480/Reading & Writing; 530/Math
- ACT scores equal to or higher than: 18/Reading & Writing; 22+Math
- GED scores equal to or higher than: 165/English; 155/Math
The College does not discriminate in the evaluation of any person’s application on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or religion. The College, however, reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant when, in the College’s opinion, the applicant’s presence in the College community will pose a serious threat to the continued safety or welfare of the campus and community, or when the College is of the opinion that the applicant will receive no significant educational benefit by attending the College. Such a determination will be based upon objective criteria such as prior record of criminal activity, prior academic record at other institutions, or the applicant’s ability to benefit. These criteria are set forth as examples and not for purposes of limitation.
The following items must be received by the Office of Admissions of the College before final action is taken on the application.
Curricular Students
- A completed “Application for Admission as a Curricular Student” (no fee required).
- Official transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities attended.
- Registration for any examinations used as admission counseling tools by the College.
Non-Curricular Students (those not enrolled in a certificate, diploma, or degree program at the College
- A completed official application for admission (no fee required).
- If anticipated enrollment will be in more than one course and/or for more than one term, non-curricular students are requested to provide transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities attended.
Non-curricular students desiring to enroll in a course with certain academic prerequisites should submit official transcripts for all high schools, colleges, and universities attended.
Anyone wishing to apply for non-credit community service programs should contact the College for additional information.
Applicants for admission to the College as a curricular student are scheduled with one of the College advisors (a) to discuss the applicant’s educational interest, (b) to determine if additional tests are needed, and (c) to plan an application for admission to a specific curriculum or program at the College.
Admission to Specific Curricula
In addition to the general admission requirements listed above, specific requirements are usually prescribed for certain curriculum of the College. In particular, Nursing, Practical Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiography, Administration of Justice, and Emergency Medical Services Technology programs have additional admissions requirements, as noted in the curriculum offerings section of the catalog. The specific requirements for each curriculum in the College are listed in the curriculum offerings section of this catalog. A person who does not meet the requirements for a specific curriculum or course may be eligible to enter the curriculum with the agreement that they will enroll in prescribed developmental or preparatory courses.
A student entering the College, or planning to take English or mathematics courses, must complete the direct enrollment survey at https://desurvey.vccs.edu/. SAT or ACT scores may be substituted for the Direct Enrollment Survey unless the applicant is seeking entry to one of the College’s health care programs. Test scores below specified levels indicate students are not ready for certain college courses. In such cases, students will be required to complete co-requisite courses along with specified courses in their program of study. Dual enrollment/high school students taking college courses may be exempt from this requirement.
The individual applying for admission to an associate degree (Associate of Art, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science) program must be a high school graduate or the equivalent or have completed approved developmental or preparatory programs.
Admission Priority
When enrollments must be limited for any curriculum, priority shall be given to all qualified applicants who are residents of the political subdivisions (Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell, or Tazewell counties), supporting the College and to Virginia residents not having access to a given program at their local community college, provided such students apply for admission to the program prior to registration or by a deadline established by the College. In addition, residents of localities with which the College has clinical-site or other agreements may receive equal consideration for admission.
Admission Requirements for International Students
In addition to the general admission requirements of the College, the international student must demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral English through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The international applicant is also required to submit with the application a signed statement (form provided by the College) verifying that they have adequate resources to meet all financial needs for the duration of enrollment at the College. The international student desiring admission to the College should direct requests to the College Admissions Office.
Admission of Student Transferring from Other Colleges
Usually, a student transferring from another institution is eligible for admission to the College if the student is eligible for immediate re-enrollment at the most recent college attended. If academically ineligible to return to a previous college, a transfer student generally will not be allowed to enroll in the College until one semester elapses or until completion of an approved developmental or preparatory program at the College. The Admissions Appeal Committee will decide on each case and usually impose special conditions (including placement and probation) for the admission of such a student.
Each student transferring from another college should consult with the Admissions & Records Office at the College for an assessment of credits in order to determine academic standing before registering for classes. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office. Generally, no credit will be given for courses with grades lower than “C” or for courses from colleges and universities not accredited by a regional accrediting association.
Re-Admission to the College
If a student in “good academic standing” has not been enrolled within the last three years (9 terms) they will be required to complete a new application for admission.
Applying for Credit or Waiver of Requirements
The student who has reason to believe that previous educational studies, training programs, or work experience may entitle him or her to an adjustment in the course requirements for a particular curriculum should contact the Admissions & Records office to determine procedures before registering for classes.
Classification of Students
All students are classified according to the following categories:
- A curricular student is one whose file in the Admissions Office contains all the information required for general admission to the College as a curricular student and who has been admitted to a curriculum of the College. A curricular student is:
- A full-time or part-time student working toward completion of an associate degree, diploma, certificate, or developmental studies program;
- A full-time or part-time student taking credit courses for transfer to another college or university.
- A non-curricular student is one who is permitted to register under special conditions. A non-curricular student is:
- A part-time student taking course(s) as audit for no credit;
- A high school student who, with the written permission of his or her high school principal, is concurrently enrolled in a college course;
- A student assigned to one of the College’s “unclassified student” categories.
- A part-time student not enrolled in an associate degree, diploma, or certificate program who may be taking a course(s) for credit (such a student may later apply to the College for admission to a program as a curricular student);
- A student who has not yet fulfilled all of the requirements as a curricular student but who is admitted under special consideration by the Admissions Committee of the College. Such a student must fulfill all requirements prior to the midterm of the semester of admission or face dismissal from the College.
A full-time student must carry 12 or more course credits per semester.
A part-time student carries fewer than 12 course credits per semester.
Freshman. A student is classified as a freshman until completion of 30 course credits in a designated area.
Sophomore. A student is classified as a sophomore after completing 30 or more course credits in a designated associate degree or diploma curriculum. Transferred credits are included, providing they apply toward the requirements of the student’s curriculum.
Credits
A credit is equivalent to one collegiate semester hour credit or one and one-half of a collegiate quarter hour credit. Usually, the student receives one credit for a course of approximately three hours of study weekly as follows:
- One hour of lecture plus an average of two hours of out-of-class study, or
- Two hours of laboratory or shop study plus an average of one hour of out-of-class study, or
- Three hours of laboratory or shop study with no regular out-of-class assignments.
Variable credit (1-5 credits), variable hours, and behavioral objectives are assigned to each developmental course (number 01-09). Also, variable credit (1-5 credits) is assigned to all supervised study, seminar and project, and coordinated internship courses.
Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates
Southwest Virginia Community College offers the following degrees, diplomas, and certificates for students who successfully complete approved curricula at the College.
- The Associate of Art and Associate of Science Degrees (AA & AS) are awarded to graduating students majoring in liberal arts, business administration, engineering, education, general studies, science, social science, and other pre-professional programs and who may plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after completion of the community college program.
- The Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) is awarded to the graduating student majoring in one of the occupational-technical curricula and who plans to obtain full-time employment immediately upon graduation from the College.
- A Diploma or Certificate is awarded to the graduating student who completes one of the approved non-degree curricula which are usually less than two years in length.
Grading System
| Letter Grade |
Meaning |
Description |
| A |
Excellent |
4 grade points per credit |
| B |
Good |
3 grade points per credit |
| C |
Average |
2 grade points per credit |
| D |
Poor |
1 grade point per credit |
| F |
Failure |
0 grade point per credit |
| P |
Pass |
No grade point credit; applies only to non-developmental studies courses. |
| S |
Satisfactory |
No grade point credit; used only for satisfactory completion of a developmental studies course. |
| U |
Unsatisfactory |
No grade point credit (applies to specialized courses and seminars, primarily Developmental Studies). |
| I |
Incomplete |
No credit. Used for verifiable, unavoidable reason. Since the “incomplete” extends enrollment in the course, requirements for satisfactory completion will be established through student/faculty consultation. Courses for which the grade of “I” (incomplete) has been awarded must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester or another grade (A, B, C, D, F, P, R, S, U, or W) may be awarded by the instructor based upon course work which has been completed. In the case of “I” grades earned at the end of Spring Semester, students shall have through the end of the Summer Semester to complete the requirements. In exceptional cases, extensions of time needed to complete course work for “I” grades may be granted beyond the subsequent semester, with the written approval of the chief academic officer. A “W” grade should only be awarded under mitigating circumstances which must be approved by the chief academic officer and documented. A copy of this documentation must be placed in the student’s academic file. |
| W |
Withdrawal |
No grade point credit. A grade of “W” is awarded to students who withdraw or are withdrawn from a course after the add/ drop period but prior to the completion of 60% of the session. After that time the students will receive a grade of “F,” except under mitigating circumstances, which must be documented and a copy of this documentation must be placed in the student’s academic file. |
| R |
Re-enroll |
No grade point credit. The “R” grade may be used as a grade option, interim in nature, in those courses which employ a mode of instruction characterized by explicit terminal objectives covering the various content areas in such a way that specific determination of student progress toward total course completion can be made. Examples of this mode are as follows:
a. Individualized, self-paced instruction; or b. Modularized, group-paced instruction.
The “R” grade may be given only in courses which will be offered in any semester and which will employ a mode of instruction described in a. and/or b. above.
|
| X |
Audit |
No credit. |
The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses by the total number of credits attempted.
Developmental course credits are not included in credits attempted when computing GPA.
Graduation Honors
A student who has fulfilled the requirements for graduation is eligible for graduation honors. Honors are based on overall scholastic achievements and are recorded on the student’s transcript as follows:
Cumulative Grade
| Point Average |
Honor |
| 3.2 |
Cum laude (with honor) |
| 3.5 |
Magna cum laude (with high honor) |
| 3.8 |
Summa cum laude (with highest honor) |
Graduation Requirements
Associate Degree Requirements
To be awarded an associate degree from the College, a student must:
- Have fulfilled all of the course requirements of his or her curriculum as outlined in the College Catalog. The student continuously enrolled in credit courses at SWCC (excluding summer terms) may have the option of fulfilling course requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment, or requirements outlined in the current catalog, should specific requirements differ;
- Have fulfilled all of the course and credit-hour requirements of the degree curriculum with 25 percent of the credit hours acquired at the College;
- Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.0 on all courses attempted which are applicable toward graduation in the student’s curriculum;
- Have filed an application for graduation in the Office of Admissions and Records;
- Have resolved all financial obligations to the College and returned all library and other College materials.
Diploma and Certificate Requirements
In order to graduate from a diploma or certificate program, the student must complete the general education requirements applicable to his or her respective programs in addition to other specified courses, with a minimum overall grade point average 2.0.
A diploma or certificate candidate must also comply with items 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the above requirements for associate degrees. A minimum of 25 percent of the credits required for a diploma or certificate must be earned at SWCC.
VCCS Computer Ethics Guideline
Thousands of users share VCCNet computing resources. Everyone must use these resources responsibly since misuse by even a few individuals has the potential to disrupt VCCS business or the works of others. Therefore you must exercise ethical behavior when using VCCNet resources.
State Law (Article 7.1 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia) classifies damage to computer hardware or software (18.2-152.4), unauthorized examination (18.2-152.5), or unauthorized use (18.2-152.6) of computer systems as (misdemeanor) crimes. Computer fraud (18.2-152.3) and use of a computer as an instrument of forgery (18.2-152.14) can be felonies. The VCCS’s internal procedures for enforcement of its policy are independent of possible prosecution under the law.
The complete VCCS Computer Ethics Guideline, including definition, guidelines, and enforcement procedure, is located in each College Vice President’s office, the offices of the Division Deans and the College Library (and at the VCCS Information Technology website.)
Inquiries
Inquiries and requests for information pertaining to admission to the College should be addressed to:
Office of Admissions
Southwest Virginia Community College
Post Office Box 1101 Richlands, Virginia 24641-1101
Office Hours: Monday through Friday- 7:45 am to 6:00 pm during registration/add period; otherwise, Monday - Friday - 7:45 am to 4:30 pm. Telephone: (276) 964.2555, (800) 822.7822 (Toll-Free), (276) 964.7235 V/TDD.
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