Acceptance of Transfer Credit
South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) evaluates credit earned at other collegiate-level institutions to determine transfer eligibility. The College ensures that all coursework is at the collegiate level and that learning outcomes are comparable to those of SPCC. Once evaluated, qualifying coursework may be accepted for transfer.
Institutional Credit Requirement
Transfer credit cannot be used to meet SPCC’s institutional credit requirement, which stipulates that at least 25 percent of credit hours must be earned through instruction provided by SPCC.
Transcript Submission and Evaluation Criteria
Students must submit official transcripts from post-secondary institutions attended. Credit will be evaluated based on the current SPCC catalog and awarded according to the following criteria:
- Coursework must closely align in instructional hours and content with SPCC courses required in the student’s degree, diploma, or certificate program.
- Quarter-hour courses must convert to semester hours using a 3:2 ratio (2/3) and may be considered as part of a course combination or standalone.
- Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or other nationally recognized accrediting body.
- College-level courses with a grade of “C” or better will be considered for transfer, regardless of the program of study.
- If a course is not transferred but is believed to meet requirements, student’s may submit a course description from the appropriate year’s catalog for further review. Final decisions rest with the College.
- Accepted transfer credits will appear on the SPCC transcript with grades of TA, TB, or TC.
- Time limits may apply for certain courses and programs, such as health sciences or computer technology.
Residency Requirement
Transfer students must meet SPCC’s residency requirements for graduation.
International Transcripts
- To evaluate coursework from an international institution:
- Students must provide an official English-language transcript.
- An international transcript evaluation, at the student’s expense, must be completed by an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
- The evaluation must assign U.S.-equivalent letter grades of “A,” “B,” or “C” and indicated earned credit hours for each course. Descriptive terms such as “Excellent” or “Good” are not acceptable.
- If the institution is U.S.-accredited and the official transcript is in English, a NACES evaluation may not be required.
Accrediting Agencies
Acceptable institutional accreditors in the U.S. include:
- Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle State Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Credits from regionally accredited online institutions are also considered.
Limitations of Transfer Credit
- Not all coursework may be accepted. Reasons for ineligibility include:
- Unsuccessful course completion
- Course content is outdated or no longer relevant
- No equivalent course at SPCC
- Course completed at the graduate level
- Institution is not regionally accredited
For questions or to appeal a transcript evaluation, contact the SPCC Registrar’s Office.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and Transfer Credit
South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) values students’ prior training and experiences related to their program of study. In accordance with North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) State Board Code, SPCC has established processes for awarding curriculum credit for college-level learning obtained through other institutions and various prior learning experiences.
CPL may be awarded when documentation demonstrates that the prior learning is collegiate in nature and aligns with the learning outcomes of SPCC’s programs. Students and faculty should refer to the appropriate procedure for each CPL type. Additional information is available on the Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning page on SPCC’s website.
For questions or guidance, students should contact the Registrar’s Office. Students receiving financial assistance should consult with the Financial Aid Office regarding any potential impact of CPL on their funding eligibility.
General Eligibility Requirements
To receive credit, students must:
- Meet all admission requirements for their program of study.
- Be enrolled in a curriculum program to which credit directly applies.
- Request credit that is applicable to their declared program of study (excluding general education or elective credit unless program-mandated).
- Meet the residency requirement for graduation.
- Follow SPCC’s procedures for prior learning assessment.
- Submit all required documentation (e.g., certification cards, certificates, official records).
CPL Categories
1. Continuing Education (CE)/Non-credit Courses
Students who complete approved CE courses after meeting program admission requirements may request equivalent curriculum credit.
- Courses must have been completed after the official articulation date listed on SPCC’s website.
- Submit the Non-credit to Credit form found in Student Forms.
- Credit is awarded without a grade and recorded in the student’s academic file.
2. Industry Certifications/Credentials
Students with current, valid certifications may request equivalent credit.
- Certifications must be listed on SPCC’s approved equivalency chart.
- Submit the Credential to Credit form found in Student Forms and provide official certification documentation.
- Credit is awarded without a grade.
3. High School to Community College Articulated Credit
Students may earn credit based on high school courses articulated through NCCCS agreements.
- Must enroll within two (2) years of their high school graduation.
- Must have earned a “B” or higher in the high school course and scored a 90 or higher on the post-assessment.
- Submit an official high school transcript.
- Credit is awarded with a grade of “TP.”
4. Military Education and Training
Credit may be granted for documented military education.
- Submit an official Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force transcript.
- Credit is awarded with a grade of “T.”
5. Standardized Examinations
Approved scores on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams may result in credit.
- Exam names, required scores, and course equivalents are listed on SPCC’s website.
- Submit an official College Board score report.
- Credit is awarded as “AP” for AP exams or with no grade for CLEP.
6. Challenge Exams/Proficiency
Students may earn credit for an eligible course by passing a faculty-developed challenge exam.
- Register and pay tuition for the course section (may not be covered by financial assistance-contact the Financial Aid Office).
- Exam must be completed before the 10 percent point of the term.
- Submit the Credit by Examination form found in Student Forms upon earning a “B” or better.
- Credit is awarded with a “CE” grade.
- Challenge exams are not available for clinical, developmental, or CLEP-covered courses.
- CCP students may earn college credit but not high school credit.
7. Registered Apprenticeship
Credit may be awarded for approved apprenticeships.
- Submit the Apprenticeship to Credit form found in Student Forms with official documentation (e.g., Journey Worker’s).
- Credit is awarded without a grade.
8. Public Safety Training (PST) Prefix Courses
Students with prior learning from approved NC Public Safety Training Organizations (NCDPS, NCOSFM, NCDOJ, NCCCS, NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Commission) may request credit.
- Submit official documentation of training, including minimum hours.
- Credit is awarded without a grade.
9. Portfolio Assessment
Students may earn credit by submitting a portfolio demonstrating mastery of course competencies.
- Submit the Credit by Portfolio Assessment form and a complete portfolio following published guidelines (in development).
- Upon faculty review and Registrar approval, credit is awarded without a grade.
Mathematics Direct Placement
A student may be placed directly into MAT 271 if the student has met at least one (1) of the following criteria within the past five (5) years:
- A score of 2 or higher on the AP Calculus AB Exam.
- A grade of C or higher in an AP Calculus course and an unweighted HS GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A score of 600 or higher on the SAT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
- A score of 24 or higher on the ACT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
- Local diagnostic exam or challenge exam which demonstrates proficiency in Pre-Calculus course(s) competencies.
- An unweighted HS GPA of 3.5 or higher and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
A student may be placed directly into MAT 172 or MAT 263 if the student has met at least one (1) of the following criteria within the past five (5) years:
- Local diagnostic exam or challenge exam which demonstrates proficiency in Pre-Calculus Algebra competencies.
- An unweighted HS GPA of 3.5 or higher and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
- A score of 2 or higher on the AP Calculus AB Exam.
- A grade of C or higher in an AP Calculus course and an unweighted HS GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A score of 600 or higher on the SAT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
- A score of 24 or higher on the ACT Math and a grade of C or higher in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study Pre-Calculus course or an equivalent course from another state.
Student Records
South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) complies with the Family Educational and Privacy Act (FERPA), formerly known as the Amendment to Public Law 93-380, (Privacy Rights of Parents and Students), which outlines requirements for the maintenance and release of student information.
Maintenance of Records
The following documents are maintained as part a student’s institutional records for five (5) years and are subject to all applicable state and federal regulations governing the confidentiality and security:
- Complete application
- Registration, change forms, and notices
- Veterans records
- Transcripts
- Test records (when applicable)
- Student waiver statements authorizing the release of records, including the list of authorized recipients
These records are used solely for the purpose of supporting students in achieving their educational goals at SPCC. Access to such information may be granted to appropriate College personnel as needed for institutional support and student success.
Student Right to Review Records
Students have the right to request access to their educational records, as permitted under FERPA. To do so, students must:
Requests will be honored within 45 days, and record reviews will be conducted in the presence of either the Vice President of Student Services or designated personnel in Student Advocacy and Accountability.
Catalog of Record
A student’s catalog of record is the academic catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. The program requirements listed in this catalog determine the criteria for graduation.
- If a student changes their program of study or chooses to follow revised requirements, they may opt into a newer catalog by submitting the Change of Program form found in Student Forms.
- Students who are not enrolled for one academic year must reapply and follow the catalog in effect at the time of readmission.
Continuous Enrollment
To retain the validity of placement test scores, transfer credit evaluations, and related records, students must maintain continuous enrollment, defined as enrollment in both fall and spring semesters consecutively.
- Students who break continuous enrollment must reapply to the College.
- They may be required to retake placement tests and/or repeat coursework as determined by current academic policy.
Transcripts
Official SPCC transcripts may be requested in the following ways:
- Online: Through Parchment.
- In Person: By visiting the Registrar’s Office at one of the main campuses
Additional transcript information is available on the College’s website. Please allow time for processing and mailing.
- Transcripts are issued only at the written request of the student.
- Transcripts may not be released if the student has an outstanding financial obligation to the College.
- Each transcript costs $10.
- If paying by check, the check must include a driver’s license number and phone number.
- Starter checks are not acceptable.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), a federal law administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to all institutions receiving funding from programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
Once a student turns 18 or enrolls in a postsecondary institution, they become an “eligible student,” and all FERPA rights previously held by parents transfer to the student.
Eligible Student Rights Under FERPA
Eligible students have the right to:
- Inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the College receiving the request. A fee may be charged for copies.
- Request the amendment of records they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights.
- Control disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from their education records, except where FERPA permits disclosure without consent.
- File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the College has violated FERPA.
FERPA protections apply to records maintained by the College that are directly related to a student. Observations or oral communications are not considered education records under FERPA.
Access to Education Records
SPCC must provide eligible students the opportunity to inspect and review their education records within 45 calendar days of receiving a written request. Copying records may be at the student’s expense.
To review records, students must:
Record reviews will be arranged within 45 days and conducted in the presence of the Vice President of Student Services or designee.
Amendment of Education Records
Students may request amendments to their records if they believe the information is inaccurate, misleading, or violates their privacy rights. The College is not required to grant the amendment but must:
- Consider the request
- Notify the student of its decision
- If denied, inform the student of their right to a hearing
If, after a hearing, the College decides not to amend the record, the student may submit a written statement of disagreement. This statement becomes part of the record and must be disclosed whenever the disputed record is shared.
Note: Amendment rights do not extend to substantive decisions such as grades, evaluations, or disciplinary rulings unless factual errors are present. FERPA ensures fair record-keeping but does not override academic or administrative judgment.
Disclosure of Education Records
In general, SPCC must obtain written consent from a student before disclosing PII from education records.
To authorize disclosure, students must complete the FERPA-Consent to Release Student Information form found in Student Forms.
Consent permits verbal disclosure to listed individuals presenting government-issued photo ID.
Exceptions to Consent Requirement
FERPA permits disclosure without consent in certain cases, including:
- To school officials with a legitimate educational interest
- A school official includes employees, trustees, contractors, attorneys, or high school liaisons.
- A legitimate educational interest exists when access is necessary to fulfill job duties, support student services, or maintain campus safety.
- To other schools where the student seeks or intends to enroll
- For audits, evaluations, or studies conducted on behalf of the school
- To appropriate parties in connection with financial aid
- To accrediting organizations
- In compliance with judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas
- To parents of dependent students (as defined by IRS rules)
- In connection with health and safety emergencies
- To state/local authorities under juvenile justice provisions
Disclosures made under these exceptions must meet the conditions set forth in 34 CFR § 99.31.
Directory Information
SPCC may disclose the following directory information without prior consent:
- Student’s name (legal first, middle, last, suffix)
- Student’s hometown
- Dates of attendance
- Credentials earned and dates awarded
- Honors and awards
- Major field of study or program
Directory information does not include, and therefore requires written consent to release:
- Student ID number
- Email or mailing address
- Telephone number
- Social Security Number
- Grades or GPA
- Transcripts
- Enrollment status
- Class schedule or attendance
- Academic performance or disciplinary records
- Admission, employment, or financial information
Law Enforcement Records
Records created and maintained by law enforcement solely for law enforcement purposes are not considered education records under FERPA. However, once shared with the institution, they may become protected as education records.
Complaints of Alleged Violations of FERPA
Eligible students who believe their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) have been violated may file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) at the U.S. Department of Education.
Complaints must be submitted through the SPPO website:
|
