Acceleration for Program Completion - Procedure: 4.0303

Purpose:

In accordance with Florida State Statute and Florida State Board of Education Administrative Rules, enrolled students at Seminole Community College can utilize the following mechanism to accelerate degree completion.

Procedure:

SCC students may select from the following acceleration mechanisms; however, he or she may receive no more than a total of 45 credit hours through the combination of all acceleration programs or through any single acceleration program. Credit awarded by SCC through acceleration mechanism and termed "Institutional Credit," may or may not be accepted at other colleges or universities.

Institutional credit earned at other institutions will be matriculated only by formal agreement(s) with Seminole Community College. The credit must be identified on the student's transcript as Institutional Credit. The student is responsible for providing documentation of how such learning was evaluated and the basis on which such credit was awarded.

1. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - A series of tests developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and offered by testing centers throughout the nation. CLEP enables students to demonstrate their competencies in certain subjects and thereby earn college credit for particular courses without attending classes. To assist members of the community in taking advantage of this opportunity, SCC serves as a CLEP national test center. Students interested in receiving college credit through the CLEP at the College must use the following procedures:
   
   • Application to take an examination must be made directly to SCC. Students should contact the Assessment Center for the proper forms or download the application from the SCC website (www.scc-fl.edu).
   • Official scores from Educational Testing Services should be mailed to the Director of Enrollment Services and Technology, who will determine the number of credit hours to be awarded based upon the examination results.
   • To receive maximum benefits it is suggested that students take advantage of this program prior to their initial registration. Credit will not be awarded in areas covered by the CLEP examination when it would duplicate credit already awarded to the student for successful completion of college level work.
   • It is the student's responsibility to contact the senior institution to which they wish to transfer to determine the acceptability of CLEP credit.
   • e. Forty-five (45) semester hours of credit for CLEP examinations or a combination of credits from any and all acceleration mechanisms approved by the College is the maximum a student may receive.
   • Gordon Rule courses given credit by CLEP shall be treated no differently from credit earned by students taking the course. College credit may be awarded for acceptable scores at or above the 50th percentile. There are 33 CLEP examinations and a student may earn from 3 to 10 credits by passing any one exam.
   
   
   CLEP Registration Guides, which include application forms, are available in the SCC Assessment and Testing Center and the SCC Assessment and Testing website. These Registration Guides also contain other pertinent information such as detailed instructions for completing the application, test fees, dates on which tests are given, and the method for reporting scores. This Registration Guide should be studied carefully before applying to take a CLEP test.
2. The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program - SCC cooperates fully with accredited high schools and colleges in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. AP courses are available to juniors and seniors in most Seminole County high schools. To qualify for college credit, students must earn a score of three (3) or higher on the nationally administered examination in May. Credits will not be awarded for examinations that duplicate coursework or other exam credits previously posted to a student's academic record. In order to award credit, SCC needs an Official Grade Report. Students are awarded credits only; they are not given grades for AP courses and AP courses are not included in the grade point average. Forty-five (45) semester hours of credit for AP examinations or a combination of credits from any and all acceleration mechanisms approved by the College is the maximum a student may receive.
   
   Students are responsible for making test arrangements with the College Entrance Examination Board, P.O. Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08541. Students should contact their high school guidance counselors regarding the cost of examinations and verification of examination centers. Additional information can be obtained from high school guidance counselors or the SCC Assessment and Testing Center.
   
   For additional copies of AP test results, write, AP Exams, P.O. Box 6671, Princeton, NJ 08541 or call, toll free 888-225-5427; or email apexam@info.collegeboard.org. There is a fee for AP copies.
3. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program - Students who successfully complete the International Baccalaureate examination with grades of four (4) or higher will be granted credit toward an associate degree. An official IB transcript is required and must be received by the SCC records' office directly from the International Baccalaureate Office in New York. Awarded credit will appear on the student's permanent record as earned credit only, without any indication of grades or quality points. Evaluations of IB examinations are made after the student has been admitted to the college. Forty-five (45) semester hours of credit for IB examinations or a combination of credits from any and all acceleration mechanisms approved by the College is the maximum a student may receive.
4. Defense Activity of Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) Examination/DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST)
   Military personnel and former military personnel may request credit based on results of their DANTES examinations, including DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) after they have been admitted to the College. Credits will not be awarded for examinations that duplicate coursework or other exam credits previously posted to a student's academic record. Forty-five (45) semester hours of credit for DANTES/DSST examinations or a combination of credits from any and all acceleration mechanisms approved by the College is the maximum a student may receive.
5. Excelsior College Examination Equivalents - Excelsior College Examinations (formerly known as Regents College Exams or the Proficiency Examination Program/PEP), are developed by Excelsior College using national committees of faculty consultants and national studies to assess how well the tests measure the performance of students in actual college courses. Excelsior College Examinations are approved by the American Council on Education and Excelsior College itself is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS). More detailed information about Excelsior College Examinations, including detailed test descriptions, can be found on-line at http://www.excelsior.edu. For official copies of the Excelsior or PEP exam call Excelsior College at their toll free number 888-647-2388 or write to: Excelsior College; Attention Business Office; 7 Columbia Circle; Albany, N.Y. 12203. There is a fee for transcripts.
6. Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Examination Equivalents - The AICE program is an international, advanced pre-college curriculum and assessment program modeled on the British pre-college curriculum and "A-Level" examinations. Florida's public community colleges and universities provide college credit for successfully passed exams. Students in Florida's public secondary schools enrolled in AICE courses do not have to pay to take the exams. More information can be found at (http://www.fldoe.org/flbpso/otherpubschopt/advinternational.asp).
7. Credit for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certifications - Students who have passed any or all of the Automotive ASE Certification tests and can provide proof of work experience in the certified areas can be awarded credit for technical courses as outlined in the SCC Automotive Service Excellence Agreement. Students wishing to apply for college credit under this agreement must contact the department chair for Automotive Services Technology. The request for college credit must be made in writing and approved by the chair before credit can be granted. The student must submit official transcripts of the ASE test results to the Office of Enrollment Services.
8. Specified Credit earned while in military service - A student who has served continuously six (6) months or more of active duty in one of the regular military services (not reserve) may request college credit for training and experience in accordance with the recommendation of the American Council of Education. To receive such credit at SCC, the request must be for similar courses offered at the College.
9. Seminole Community College instructor created "credit-by-exam" - Credit-by-exam for a course is offered by some faculty in some departments. Evidence of proficiency in a subject area, when presented to the appropriate department chair, instructor, or director, may qualify a student to request an examination for credit, if available. Students should use the following procedures to request an examination:
   
   • An application must be filed with the Office of Enrollment Services and Technology, signed by the instructor who is giving the examination, and by the department chair or director. The application must be submitted a minimum of four weeks before the last day of the term.
   • A fee per course is charged, payable prior to taking the examination. The credit does not affect maximum load limitations nor affect part or full time status. Please see Residency and Fee Section in College Catalog for appropriate fee.
   • A grade of "P" is assigned and the appropriate credit is awarded for an examination marked "passed." No other letter grade is assigned. Examination for credit does not affect grade point averages.
   • Students must apply for admission to the College and complete at least one college level course before credit by examination can be posted to a student's permanent academic record.
10. Early Admissions - Early Admission is a form of Dual Enrollment through which eligible high school students enroll into a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis in courses that count toward credit for a high school diploma and the Associate or Baccalaureate degrees. High school students who have completed the required 24 high school credits for graduation may enroll into a postsecondary institution for one semester of early admission. Early Admissions students shall be exempt from the payment of all application, registration, matriculation, laboratory, and textbook fees. To be eligible, students must submit appropriate test scores that meet course requirements and meet the following criteria:
    
    • The student must have achieved at least a 3.0 cumulative unweighted high school grade point average.
    • The student must have the recommendation of the high school principal or appropriate designated representative.
    • . The student must complete an application for admission to the College.
    
    Courses taken under early admissions are subject to the same requirements as dual enrollment courses.
11. Dual Enrollment - Dual Enrollment is a program by which qualified high school students may enroll in college credit or vocational credit courses that apply toward their high school diploma. Students shall be exempt from the payment of all application, registration, matriculation, laboratory, and textbook fees. Once enrolled in a dual enrollment course, students may not withdraw. To be eligible students must submit appropriate test scores, which meet course requirements and meet the following criteria:
    College Credit General Education Dual Enrollment of High School Students
    
    • Students must have completed the 10th grade and be enrolled in at least four (4) high school credit courses during each term, excluding summer.
    • Students must have a cumulative unweighted high school grade point average of 3.0 or better and the approval of their high school principal.
    • Students desiring to enroll in college credit courses at the high school must meet the same entrance requirements, including taking the placement test (CPT), as students desiring to enroll in the same courses on the college campus prior to beginning the courses. Students may enroll, without meeting the minimum placement test scores, in courses that do not require English or mathematics pre-requisites.
    • Students will initiate their application for Dual Enrollment courses with their high school guidance department. The high school guidance department and the College's Office of Admissions are responsible for screening students prior to enrollment.
    • Approval by the College's Vice-President for Educational Programs (or designee) or the appropriate Academic Dean (or designee) is needed before an exemption can be granted. The high school guidance department will notify the College, in writing, of the reasons why the principal wishes to exempt a student from the stated criteria. It is the responsibility of the Vice President for Educational Programs (or designee) or the Academic Dean (or designee) to notify the principal of the approval or disapproval of the exemption within ten (10) working days from receipt of the exemption request.
    • High school guidance personnel will provide Seminole Community College's Director of Admissions a completed college application and an Advanced Instruction (Dual Enrollment) Contract for each student pre-registered in a dual enrollment course offered at a high school facility.
    • To obtain the Seminole Community College dual enrollment transcripts, it is mandatory that the high school student submits an official final high school transcript to the SCC Records Department.
    
    
    College Elective or Career Preparation Dual Enrollment of High School Students
    • Students must have completed the 10th grade and be enrolled in at least four (4) high school credit courses during each term, excluding summer.
    • Students must have a cumulative unweighted high school grade point average of 2.0 or better and have the approval of their high school principal to enroll.
    • Students desiring to enroll in college credit or career credit courses at the high school must meet the same entrance requirements, including taking the placement test (CPT), as students desiring to enroll in the same courses on the college campus prior to beginning the courses. Students may enroll, without meeting the minimum placement test scores, in courses that do not require English or mathematics pre-requisites.
    • Students will initiate their application for Dual Enrollment courses with their high school guidance department. The high school guidance department is responsible for screening students prior to enrollment.
      
      Exemptions to the criteria set forth above may be initiated by the high school principal. Approval by the College's Vice-President for Educational Programs (or designee) or the appropriate Academic Dean (or designee) is needed before an exemption can be granted. The high school guidance department will notify the College, in writing, of the reasons why the principal wishes to exempt a student from the stated criteria. It is the responsibility of the Vice President for Educational Programs (or designee) or the Academic Dean (or designee) to notify the principal of the approval or disapproval of the exemption within ten (10) working days from receipt of the exemption request.
    • High school guidance personnel will provide Seminole Community College's Director of Admissions a completed college application and an Advanced Instruction (Dual Enrollment) Contract (The 868 Form), transcripts and test scores for each student pre-registered in a dual enrollment course.
12. College credit and vocational Tech-Prep credit - The 4+2 Tech-Prep articulated programs are designed to function as a partnership between Seminole Community College and the Seminole County Public Schools' School-to-Work initiative. Students who come to Seminole Community College after four years in the Tech-Prep Program at the high school level may be awarded college credit or vocational credit upon successfully completing the requirements outlined in the specific articulation agreements.
13. Formal articulation agreements with other educational institutions - A list of all agreements, including scanned copies of agreements, is available at both of the following Web sites:
    
    • http://www.scc-fl.edu/articulation/college-credit.php
    • http://www.scc-fl.edu/articulation/listing.php
14. Formal Internal Articulation Agreements - Some formal internal articulation agreements exist between some programs at Seminole Community College. Students may check with appropriate department chairs and program managers for information.

Did you know?

Seminole Junior College was founded on July 1, 1965. The name was changed to Seminole Community College on July 1, 1975.