South Suburban College recognizes that college level academic competence may be achieved many ways. Credit by examination is available at SSC through the Educational/Competency Evaluation Program (ECEP), the Advanced Placement (AP) scores, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) by contacting the Counseling Center.
The following are ways in which college credit can be granted to a student via alternative credit.
See the Assessment Center site for additional information on CLEP and DANTES tests.
Advanced Placement (AP) /International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs
The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs give high school students the opportunity to complete college level studies. The AP and IB examinations are intended to measure the achievement of the student and to determine at what point the student should begin college work in the subject. SSC offers credit for most AP/IB subjects. Credit will be posted on the student’s academic record after successfully completing fifteen (15) college-level semester hours at SSC, providing the student has maintained a minimum of 2.0 grade point average. In some instances, AP/IB credit may be posted prior to completion of the fifteen credit hour requirement to satisfy course prerequisite requirements. The number of AP/IB units accepted for credit is determined by the evaluation of the AP/IB grade report.
Equivalences can be viewed here:
- SSC AP Practices – (updated 3/16/22)
- SSC-International Baccalaureate (IB) Practices
For additional information regarding the procedure and regulations for awarding of AP/IB credits, please contact the Counseling Center.
See the Assessment Center for additional information regarding the procedures and regulations for awarding AP credit.
State Seal of Biliteracy
SSC accepts the State Seal of Biliteracy. Students must request course credit for their seal within three academic years after graduating from high school. For additional information regarding the procedure and regulations for awarding the State Seal of Biliteracy credit, please contact the Counseling Center.
| Assessments | Language | SSC Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| State Seal of Biliteracy | Spanish | SPN 101 and 102 |
Dual Credit
In conjunction with the Career Development System, articulation arrangements have been established to grant college credit for qualifying high school students. See the Dual Credit page for more information.
Educational/Competency Evaluation Program (ECEP)
Credit must be obtained by successful examination. The Educational/Competency Evaluation Program (ECEP) at SSC is designed for students in career programs who have obtained substantial knowledge or competency outside the formal classroom setting that is relevant to their chosen curriculum. ECEP credit is an alternative means to establish credit or advanced standing for students who demonstrate that they have mastered college level subjects either through previous course work, life/work experiences, or a combination of both. Students wishing to apply to take a proficiency examination should contact the appropriate academic department.
To post ECEP credit on the student’s academic record, a processing fee of $8 per credit hour must be paid before the proficiency examination is evaluated. This fee covers the privilege of taking the examination and is non-refundable. No credit by proficiency examination will be recorded until the student has earned at least fifteen (15) semester hours of college-level credit at SSC. The student must be in good academic standing (minimum of 2.0 grade point average). In some instances, ECEP credit may be posted prior to completion of the fifteen credit hour requirement to satisfy course/program prerequisite requirements. The credit may not be used to establish full-time eligibility status. No grade received through the nontraditional mode is recorded for course credit nor is the credit calculated in the grade point average.
The student’s academic record will indicate only that the credit has been earned.
Once a student has received credit for a particular course, either through enrollment or proficiency, he/ she may not apply or receive credit for a lower-level course in that sequence. A student may not take a proficiency examination for the same course more than once. The student may not take a proficiency exam for a credit course in which he/she has previously audited, received a course grade or from which he/she has withdrawn.
ECEP forms are available in the Counseling Center or from the following College offices:
- Dean of Business Programs & Computer Technology
- Dean of Fine Arts, English & Humanities
- Dean of Health Professions & Sciences
- Dean of Nursing
- Dean of Legal Studies, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Mathematics
Military Credit
Veterans who present a copy of their Separation from Military Service (DD-214) form to the SSC Office of Admissions will receive 4 semester hours of physical education credit and 2 semester hours of health science credit. This credit is posted on the permanent record as alternative credit, but will not be used to compute a grade point average.