2020-2021 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Transfer Information



Complete the first half of a bachelor’s degree here, and transfer your credits to a four-year university.

Southwest offers the Associate of Arts & Sciences degree in Business Administration, Education, Engineering, General Studies, & Science, in addition to several specialization areas.

Southwest Virginia Community College makes it convenient and easy for you to transfer credits to almost any bachelor’s degree program you desire.

We have Guaranteed Admission agreements with more than 20 colleges and universities in Virginia, so your credits transfer easily. Most private and out-of-state colleges accept our transfer credits, too, so you can continue your education almost anywhere.

We’ll help you plan ahead so your credits transfer smoothly to the four-year school of your choice. You can transfer up to 60 credits from SWCC-half the total you need for a bachelor’s degree.

Why do so many students choose to start at Southwest Virginia Community College before transferring into a bachelor’s degree program?

You’ll earn high-quality transfer credits that are widely accepted. As an accredited community college, Southwest Virginia meets the same academic standards as four-year schools.

You’ll get personalized advising and support. Your assigned academic adviser will help you map out the courses you’ll need to take before transferring. We’ll also help you contact the transfer school you wish to attend, guide you through the paperwork, and help you make financial plans.

You’ll earn credits affordably and conveniently. SWCC charges lower tuition and fees than most four-year schools. And by staying close to home while you earn your first two years’ worth of credits, you can save on housing, meals and other expenses.

You’ll get direct attention and support from our faculty. Our instructors devote all their time to students. They’re not distracted by big research projects, publications, grant-writing, or other initiatives. You’ll attend small classes taught by senior faculty who care about your success, and you’ll never have to compete for their attention

Guaranteed Admission Agreements Make It Easy to Transfer Credits

Under SWCC’s Guaranteed Admission Agreements, you can easily transfer community college credits to a four-year school as long as you maintain a minimum grade-point average.

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) maintains system-wide credit transfer agreements that are available to students at all VCCS community colleges, including Southwest Virginia Community College.

Contact Dr. Susie Mullins, Chief Transfer Officer, to get started at Southwest, so you can work on a credit transfer plan that’s right for you. Call 276.964.7231, or send email to susie.mullins@sw.edu.

Each of our associate degrees incorporate universal courses required during the first two years of a four year degree, specific courses for a major, and a number of free electives.

With the AA&S Degree, the Southwest graduate should transfer with junior status to the majority of senior institutions.

Transfer College Resources

If you are interested in the medical field, SWCC has a robust pre-med program and agreements with 4 year schools such as Appalachian College of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry. Learn more at the Science-Math Department website.

Please review the important information about transfer at these links.

  1. VCCS System-wide Transfer and Articulation Agreements (listing of all available transfer colleges)
  2. VCCS Guaranteed Admission Agreements (with a VCCS associate’s degree and a minimum GPA, students may obtain GUARANTEED admission to more than 20 of the commonwealth’s schools)
  3. College Transfer Grant Program (see if you are eligible)
  4. Transfer Planner Tool (provides a checklist to plan your transfer to a four-year college or university.)

How to Request an Official Southwest Transcript

A Southwest Virginia Community College transcript may ONLY be requested through the Parchment Transcript Request Service
We will no longer be accepting online transcript requests via SIS or written requests for transcripts.  

If you want to view your unofficial transcript from all terms, follow the steps below.

LOGIN to MYSouthwest >Select Student Information System >Click on Self Service> Click on Academic Records >Click on View Unofficial Transcript >Select the Institution >Select the report type >Unofficial Transcript >Click on GO

Your full unofficial transcript will display to view/print.

Transferring TO Southwest Virginia Community College

If you are transferring college credits TO Southwest for program graduation purposes, please have your previous school send your official transcript in a sealed envelope to:

ADMISSIONS OFFICE, PO Box 1011. Richlands, VA 24641 Fax:276.964.7716

The College Catalog contains information on Alternative Ways to Earn College Credit at Southwest.

General Credit Transfer Policies  

  • International Students 
     
  • Alternative Ways to Earn College Credit
     
  • Prior Learning/Credit by Experience
     
  • Directed Independent Study
     
  • Military Service Credits
     
  • Credit by Exam Alternatives