Admissions

Policies and Procedures

South Louisiana Community College has an open admission policy as established by the Louisiana Legislature and approved by the Board of Regents. Following the completion of the application requirements, the applicant will be classified by enrollment type.

All students applying to South Louisiana Community College must submit the Application for Admissions and updated Proof of Immunization. Anyone wishing to apply for admission in person may do so at the main campus or any site of the college.

General Admission Requirements

In addition to the application, applicants to South Louisiana Community College must submit the following items:

• Updated Immunization Records (required by Louisiana Law)
• Proof of registration with Selective Service, if applicable. (Acceptable documents include a copy of the applicant’s Selective Service registration card or a print out from the Selective Service website, https://www.sss.gov/Home/Verification, indicating the applicant’s registration status.)
• Some specific programs have additional admissions requirements

Proof/Waiver of Immunization 

As required by Louisiana R.S. 17:170, Schools of Higher Learning, and as a condition of enrollment, all South Louisiana Community College students born after 1956 must show proof/waiver of immunization by providing two separate doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccination, one dose of the tetanus-diphtheria vaccination, and two doses of meningococcal conjugate is needed if the first dose was given on or after age 16).  Proof of immunization Forms are available in the Office of Admissions and on the SLCC website.  Forms are to be completed by the student’s physician or other health care provider.  Some specific programs have additional immunization requirements.  

• Students may claim an exemption for the immunization requirement for medical or personal reasons.  A waiver statement can be signed on the Online Application for Admission or on the Proof of Immunization Form which is available in the Admissions Office or on the SLCC website. 

Military Service Act for Admission

In accordance with the requirements of Louisiana Law, specifically R.S. 17:3151 (Acts 1985, No. 185; Act 1987, No.214; Acts 1999, No. 345), and the Federal Selective Service Act, each institution within the LCTCS shall implement the following requirement for admission:

• Except as provided in parts 2 and 3 below, no person who is required to register for the federal draft under the Federal Military Service Act shall be eligible to enroll in the institution until such person has registered for such draft.  Such persons shall submit to the institution a statement of compliance and written proof of draft registration.
• A veteran of the armed forces of the United States may submit a copy of his discharge papers or his discharge certificate in lieu of the statement of compliance.
• A person who has not registered for the federal draft shall be eligible to enroll in a  post-secondary school if both of the following occur:
  • The requirement for the person to register has terminated or become inapplicable to the person.
  • The person makes a showing satisfactory to the institution, that the failure to register was not a knowing and willful failure to register and such person does indeed register.  

Admission Classification and Admission Status

Upon acceptance into the College, students are placed into three classifications: degree seeking, non-degree seeking, and high school students. Each classification includes distinct categories of students as outlined below.

• Degree Seeking Students

A degree seeking student is one who has declared the intent to earn an associate degree, a technical diploma, or a certificate at SLCC. A degree seeking student may be a first-time freshman, a transfer student, a re-entry/transfer student, or a re-entry student. Requirements for admission in each of these categories are outlined below.

• First-Time in College

  A first-time college student has never attended an accredited college or university after leaving high school. 

• Transfer Students

  A transfer student has been enrolled or is currently enrolled at another college or university after leaving high school.

• Returning Students

  A returning student has previously enrolled at SLCC after leaving high school.  SLCC students who do not attend class for a Fall or Spring semester, must reapply for re-admission as a returning student.
  • A returning student who left SLCC on academic probation will be re-admitted on academic probation in accordance with current policies.
  • A returning student who is returning after a period of suspension will be re-admitted on probation.
  • A returning student will be required to complete the requirements of the major/program a the time of readmission.

Evaluation of Transfer Credits for Degree Seeking Students

Transfer credits from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education for degree seeking students are recorded on the student’s permanent academic records.  The acceptance of transfer credits to meet degree program will be governed by the following guidelines:

The Registrar’s Office oversees the evaluation and review of official transcripts to determine whether the credit earned were earned at an accredited institution and determine which credits are acceptable to the College.  This transfer evaluation is completed no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment at SLCC.

• A grade of “C” or better is required in coursed within the student’s major.
• A grade of “C” or better is required for any course that satisfies a prerequisite.  
• The minimum grade accepted for all transfer credits in a “C” or better.
• Grades for transferred courses will be interpreted according to the South Louisiana Community College grading scale and will be recorded as follow:
• Grades of W, WA, WB, WC, WD, and WP will not be recorded.
• Plus (+) or minus (-) symbols will be disregarded.
• Grades of Pass, Credit, and Satisfactory will be treated as Satisfactory.
• Grades of NC (no credit) will not be recorded.
• Incomplete (I) grades will not be recorded.

If the transfer work was earned in quarter hours, the credits will be converted to semester hours. (The number of quarter hours times 2/3 equals the number of semester hours).

Credits in courses from foreign countries and universities may only be accepted based on an interpretation of the credits by a suitable foreign transcript translation service.

Transfer students are reminded that at least 25 percent of courses required for a degree must be completed at SLCC and that select restrictions may apply in relation to programs of study.  A student anticipating transfer credits should refer to these restrictions that are detailed below each program of study later in this catalog.  

Acceptance of Transfer Credits from Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions

Courses taken at institutions that are not accredited by regional associations are generally not directly accepted at South Louisiana Community College.  The student is advised to review the section in this catalog concerning credit by non-traditional means. 

• Non-Degree Seeking Students 

Non-degree seeking students are those who wish to enroll at SLCC but do not plan to pursue a degree at the College. These students must meet the General Admission Requirements in order to enroll.  These students may be interested in taking a limited number of courses for transfer purposes, as credit courses for personal enrichment, for job improvement, or for some other purpose. Special conditions apply for students admitted in this classification:

• Students who later decide to pursue a degree at SLCC must obtain the permission of the Office of Admissions.
• Course work pursued while in this classification may not necessarily be applicable toward a degree at SLCC.
• All course prerequisites must be met. Transcripts may be required; however, credits earned at other institutions will not be transferred. 
• Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for Veterans benefits, financial aid, or scholarships.

Two categories exist for students entering the College under the classification of non-degree seeking: Visiting and Non-Matriculating.

• Visiting Students 

A Visiting student is a student who is seeking or intending to seek a degree at another higher education institution and wishes to attend SLCC for one semester or for the summer session only. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that credits earned at SLCC will be accepted at another higher education institution.

• Non-matriculating Students

A Non-matriculating student is attending SLCC to take courses for personal enrichment, job improvement, or some other purpose and is not currently pursuing a degree or certificate from any other higher education institution.

• High School Students

South Louisiana Community College makes provisions for attendance by high school students through the policies established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR), and through programs organized by the College for specific groups of students. These provisions and programs are as outlined below. In addition to the requirements listed for each program, students must meet SLCC course and placement prerequisites for all courses to be scheduled.

• Dual Enrollment

South Louisiana Community College’s Dual Enrollment Program enables eligible students to complete college courses during their high school learning experience. Participants in the program are afforded the opportunity to earn college credit through courses taken in place of, or in addition to, the standard high school course load. Credits earned upon successful completion of a course may be applied towards a program of study at South Louisiana Community College or may be transferred to other colleges and universities, in accordance with their transfer policies.

• Student must be at least 15 years of age and currently enrolled in 11th or 12th grade at a public Louisiana high school or any private school that has a memorandum of understanding with South Louisiana Community College.
• Student must have either PreACT or ACT (or SAT equivalent) scores on file at high school.
• Student must be in good standing as defined by the high school and meet the college/university enrollment criteria.
• Student must have permission from high school and his/her parent/guardian to participate.
• Student must be enrolled in a college course for which dual credit (both college and high school credit) is attempted and recorded on both the student’s secondary and post-secondary academic record.
• A dual-enrolled student is expected to follow the same withdrawal deadlines as any other undergraduate student in the college or university.

Eligibility Criteria to Enroll in a College Level, Degree Credit Course

• College Level, Degree Credit Course: A course in an academic subject that generates post-secondary institutional credit and appears (a) as a General Education course on the current Board of Regents’ Master Course Articulation Matrix (public institutions) or (b) on a list of general education courses approved by the Board of Regents (for LAICU institutions).

• Student must be on track for completing the Louisiana Core 4 Curriculum.

• Student must have the following ACT test scores (or SAT equivalent) or have completed ALL college Developmental courses required for placement into college level degree credit courses in the English and /or Mathematics as defined by the prerequisites per course in the SLCC course catalog to enroll in college level, degree credit course:

  • A PreACT or an ACT English sub-score of at least 18+ or COMPASS 68+ or have successfully completed the developmental course required for placement into the college level, degree credit English course; and or

  • A PreACT or an ACT mathematics sub-score of at least 19 or COMPASS Algebra sub-score of 40+ or have successfully completed the developmental course required for placement into college level, degree credit mathematics course.

Eligibility Criteria to Enroll in a Technical Course

Student must be on track to graduate from high school having earned at least 11 Carnegie hours if a junior (or 16 if a senior).

• Early College Admission

The Early College Admission program is designed for high school students with appropriate test scores to earn credits applicable to a college degree.  Admission to this program is guided by the following criteria and procedures:

      The student:

• Must be eligible to enter high school and enroll in high school algebra.
• May enroll in general education courses at SLCC as determined by the EXPLORE score or Placement Test score
• May enroll in English and mathematics courses as determined by the EXPLORE scores or SLCC Placement test scores in these areas.
• Must have the recommendation of the high school principal or guidance counselor.
• Must complete all applicable admission and registration procedures including freshman orientation.
• Is subject to the rules, regulations, policies, fees, and expenses that apply to all students at SLCC.

Courses taken through this program may be used for high school credit.  Also, credit earned is entered on the student’s permanent college record at SLCC and becomes a part of the student’s continuing record if the student continues his/her education at SLCC after high school graduation.  Credit earned in this program may be applicable to a degree at SLCC and may be transferable to another college or university, depending upon the policies of the particular institution.

International Students

All international students are encouraged to complete and submit the application for admission at least ninety (90) days prior to the beginning of the semester. Credentials to be submitted to the Office of Admissions include:

• A certified English translation of high school transcript
• A certified English translation of an official college transcript
• Financial information disclosure for the full academic year
• The original TOEFL, IBT or paper-based report. SLCC placement test scores in English, reading, and mathematics

The credentials will be evaluated and a determination of eligibility of admission will be made. The appropriate immigration form will be issued after all credentials have been submitted and the applicant has been admitted to the College.

English Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)

• TOEFL Scores: Original results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 512 paper base, 170 computer-based, or 60 Internet-based is needed for admission.
• IELTS Scores: Original results of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of 6.0 is needed for admissions.

If the student’s native language is English, no TOEFL scores are required. The English ACT or SLCC placement test score will be used to place the student in the appropriate English class.

International students must maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours and are limited to a maximum 3 credit hours online course per semester. In addition, online courses should not exceed 25 percent of the total curriculum.

Permanent Residency Status Change

For international students who receive/acquire permanent residency status prior to the midsemester, changes will be reflected in the current semester and tuition will be adjusted accordingly to reflect in-state residency. For international students receiving permanent residency after mid-semester, changes will be adjusted for the next semester of enrollment to reflect in-state residency.

Documentation must be submitted immediately once permanent residency status has been granted/awarded by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the Director of Admissions for processing student information in the Student Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS).