Course Repetition

Expenses

Locations

Refund Policy

Off-Campus 
Educational Programs 

Southeastern Community College plays an active role in the continuing education of the citizens of Columbus County. The College's Continuing Education programs provide courses for those individuals who did not graduate from high school, for those who need to retrain and update themselves in a vocational or professional area, and for those who desire instruction enabling them to grow in basic knowledge, improve in home and community life, and develop or improve leisure time activities. 

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools became the first regional accrediting agency to require all member institutions to award CEU s to document non-credit special activities. 

Students may request copies of their transcript by writing the Continuing Education office, providing their name, address, and social security number. 

Admission and Registration
Any adult, 18 years of age or older and not enrolled in public school, may be admitted to a continuing education class. In extenuating circumstances, and upon the approval of the appropriate public school principal and superintendent, a person 16-18 years of age and enrolled in public school may take certain courses. A course schedule is published and made available to the public prior to the beginning of each quarter. Courses which begin during a quarter are announced through the local news media. Information about these courses may be obtained by calling the Continuing Education Division at the College. 

Occupational Extension Course Repetition
Special provision legislation states that Community colleges may permit a student to repeat a course more than once if that student demonstrates that the course repetition is required by standards governing the certificate or licensing program in which the student is enrolled. 

Individuals who have taken an occupational extension class no more than twice in a five-year period will be charged a minimum of $50, unless they are exempt. A predetermined rate based on the current year's funded amount per scheduled hour will be charged to those who have taken an occupational extension class more than twice and are not otherwise exempt. 

Course Descriptions
Although course descriptions for continuing education courses are not provided in this publication, examples of the types of courses that are offered are listed. Specific course descriptions are furnished upon request. Courses in addition to those listed in this publication may be offered to meet expressed needs of the community when evidence of these needs is presented to the College. 

Expenses*
Registration fees are required for occupational extension, continuing education classes, and Community Service classes. The registration fee is waived for students enrolling in special classes for fire service, rescue personnel, and law enforcement officers, and North Carolina residents age 65 and older. Some continuing education classes are subject to insurance fees on a quarterly basis. 
 
 

Continuing Education Fee Structure

Effective August 1, 1999, the fee structure for Continuing Education courses will be as follows:

Occupational Extension:                    Community Service:

0 - 10 hours             $50                       0 - 10 hours          $30  11 - 30 hours           $55                       11 - 30 hours        $40  31 - 100 hours         $60                       31 - 100 hours      $50  >than 100 hours       $65                       >than 100 hours    $60

Supplies and Materials
In special cases, students may be responsible for purchasing supplies and materials for continuing education classes. Books and many supplies are available through the college Bookstore. 

Continuing Education Refund Policy*
Registration fee refunds shall not be made except under the following circumstances: 
 

• For classes that are scheduled to meet four times or less, a 75% refund shall be made upon the request of the student if the student officially withdraws from the class(es) prior to or on the first day of the class(es).
• For classes that are scheduled to meet five or more times, a 75% refund shall be made upon the request of the student if the student officially withdraws from the class(es) prior to or on the official 20% point of the class(es). Requests for refunds will not be considered after the 20% point.
• For classes beginning at times other than the beginning of the quarter, applicable provisions as noted in (1) and (2) apply. For contact hour classes, ten (10) calendar days from the first day of the class(es) is the determination date.

*Subject to change by the North Carolina General Assembly 

There are no fees or charges of any kind. All materials have been especially prepared for adults with emphasis on individual needs and interests. Adult Basic Education is offered at two levels: Level I (0-4 grade level) and Level II (4-8 grade level). Level I focuses upon the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic. This program of study is designed to bring adults to a functional level where individual study is possible. Level II provides more individual study and a greater scope of subject matter, including science and social studies. Upon the completion of Level II the adult should be equipped to enter one of the Adult High School Completion programs. 

Adult High School Completion
The Adult High School Completion program, consisting of the Adult High School Diploma program and the High School Equivalency Diploma program, provides two ways to complete requirements for a high school credential: 
 

1.	Adult High School (AHS)Diploma Program This program is provided through a cooperative arrangement between Southeastern Community College and the Columbus County and Whiteville City Boards of Education. This program generally attracts those who have plans for additional education or training beyond the high school level. Students are placed in courses in English, mathematics, social science, and natural science based on their previous high school record and tests administered at the beginning of the program. Upon completion, students are issued an Adult High School Diploma from the respective school system.
2.	High School Equivalency Diploma program This program provides a second method of high school completion. Those receiving an acceptable passing score on all five sections of the test will receive a High School Equivalency Diploma. This credential is generally accepted on a basis equal to a high school diploma as a qualifying factor for purposes of employment. The equivalency diploma is awarded by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. The General Educational Development (GED) Test may be taken at SCC by adults who have not completed high school. The GED consists of five sub-tests: reading, writing (English grammar and written essay), social studies, science, and mathematics. Each test has a maximum time limit, with the entire testing period not exceeding seven hours and 35 minutes. Those achieving a minimum score of 225, with no one test score less than 35, will receive a High School Equivalency Diploma from the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges. Persons interested in the GED are encouraged to take a free pre-GED test, given upon request in the Basic Skills Lab or in extension classes. Results from the pretest are used to identify students strengths and weaknesses and to develop individual study programs in preparation for taking the official test. The GED is given approximately every six weeks at SCC. A first-time fee of $7.50 is charged for the test. Those who fail the essay portion of the test must pay a fee of $2.50 to retake that section; those who fail other section(s) may retake the non-essay portion at no additional charge. A six-month waiting period is required before retaking the test. This waiting period may be waived by the college s GED examiner if a person enrolls and studies in one of SCC s GED classes.

Compensatory Education (CED)
Southeastern Community College provides instruction for certified mentally handicapped individuals at Columbus County Industries, Whiteville CLS, and on the College Campus. Individuals enrolled in this program learn skills that will enable them to function better in society. Areas of instruction include Consumer Education, Community Living Skills, English, and math. For more information contact the Continuing Education Division. 

English as a Second Language
The English as a Second Language program is designed for individuals whose native language is not English. These classes provide instruction in conversational communication. Interested students are encouraged to enroll  in the college s Basic Skills Lab (B-103) and at locations throughout Columbus County. 
 

New skills are taught and present skills are updated in order to make an employee more efficient on the job or to improve the chances for advancement to a new job. Courses are offered from such fields as: 

Electrical-Electronics Trade	Building Trades
Machine Trades & Welding	Business Management
Automated Office Skills	Secretarial
Computer Skills	Notary Public
AutoCAD

Other courses may be added as the need arises. 

Health Education
Health education courses are designed to assist individuals desiring employment or retraining in health institutions or related fields. Additionally, classes are offered to the public to improve their home and family life. 

Nurse Assistant and Medical Terminology courses are typical of the offerings in this area.

Customized Programs
The following special extension courses are offered to increase individual competencies in specialized occupational areas. 

Emergency Medical Services Training
Classes are designed to meet the needs of local rescue squad units and ambulance attendants with emphases on emergency first aid and safe transportation techniques. 

Fire Service Training
Fire Service Training is taken directly to the individual fire fighting group. Training sessions are held in the local fire departments allowing personnel to be trained as an organized group utilizing equipment they would ordinarily use in controlling fires. Fire Service classes include: 

Rope Practices	The Company Officer
Forcible Entry	Arson & Unlawful Burning
Portable Fire Extinguishers	Ventilation
Fire Apparatus Practices	Rescue Practices
Ladder Practices	Fire Fighting Practices
Salvage & Overhaul Practices

Related courses in Fire Service Training include industrial brigade training, home fire safety, and ambulance attendance training. 

Law Enforcement Training
Law enforcement courses are specially designed as in-service and pre-service education for those engaged in law enforcement activities and are provided at the request of these agencies. Program emphasis is on legal and technological law enforcement advancements. Workshops and courses such as the following are offered in many areas: 

Laws of Arrest, Search & Seizure	Criminal Investigation
Traffic Accident Investigation	Fingerprint Identification
Motor Vehicle Laws	Juvenile Law
Narcotics Investigation	Police-Community Relations
Court Structure & Procedure	Firearms Training
Police Administration	Coping with the Drinking Driver
Riot & Crowd Control	Computerized Speed Detection
Operators School	Chemical Tests for Alcohol

New and Expanding Industry
Southeastern Community College cooperates with new or expanding industries to provide a supply of trained personnel unique to the needs of these industries. Most often training is conducted in the industry where the trainee is to be employed and, depending upon the program objectives, may consist of both classroom and on-the-job training. All training programs are established to meet the specific needs of a particular industry. 

Focused Industrial Training
Industry, throughout the area, is increasing in number and expansion of operation. Training the new-hire and retraining of employees is constant. A major emphasis of the College is to serve this portion of the community in assisting industry in meeting the training needs. Because of the diversity of training needs, courses range from basic fundamental skills to highly sophisticated technical skills, supervisory and management training, office management and computer operations. 

Management Development Programs
In an effort to meet the supervisory and managerial needs of business and industry, a progressive program in management development training is offered by Southeastern Community College. Emphasis is placed on improving the competency of supervisory and mid-management personnel as well as developing the potential of persons interested in becoming supervisors. Programs are tailored to meet local needs and are conducted on the campus or within an individual plant or organization. 

Topics/programs include: 

Zenger-Miller Frontline Leadership	Team Building
Communication Skills	Quality
ISO 9000	Problem Solving

 

JobLink Career Center
Designed to provide employment and training services to all citizens, the JobLink Career Center works with job seekers, job changers and employers.  Services include career and personal assessment, employment readiness and preparation, short-term skills training, literacy referral, job placement and follow up, financial assistance for child care services and transportation, and a self-help resource center for job seekers/changers.  Employers can access labor market information, applicat resumes and referrals, and interview assistance. 

Chartered by the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board, the Center brings together numerous state and county agencies: 

• Southeastern Community College
• Employment Security Commission
• Department of Social Services
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs
• Telamon Corporation
• Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
• Columbus County and Whiteville City School Systems

The Columbus County JobReady Partnership office is located in the JobLink Center at Southeastern Community College. JobReady is North Carolina's school-to-work system which ensures that all students, from kindergarten to postsecondary, understand the many career possibilities available to them, the relevance of what they are learning in school to the world of work, and the steps they need to take to fulfill their career ambitions. The Columbus County Partnership Council consists of local employers and educators who are working hard to link school to work through job shadowing opportunities, internship and apprenticeship opportunities, business/industry tours, business speakers in the classrooms, curriculum integration, and more. Under the umbrella of the Governor's Commission on Workforce Preparedness, JobReady brings together Southeastern Community College, the Whiteville City School system, the Columbus County school system, and employers. 
 

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) 

On January 1, 2000, the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) became the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). It's goal is to increase the employment, retention and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency and enhance productivity and competitiveness of the nation. 

Key principles are streamlining services, universal access, empowering individuals, increased accountability, new role for local boards, state/local flexibility and improved youth programs. 

WIA programs are administered and/or operated through JobLink Career Centers in North Carolina. 

Small Business Center 

In 1986, SCC was funded for a Small Business Center through the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges. The mission of the Small Business Center is to help owners and their employees or would-be owners of small businesses through training and educational programs, professional counseling and referral services, and information dissemination. 

The Center works cooperatively with business and civic leaders and organizations, state and local governments, universities and other colleges in promoting assistance to small business firms. It provides facility management and technical support for the Business Development Center (small business incubator) in the town of Brunswick in cooperation with Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation; operates a Microenterprise Loan Program that provides technical training and access to loans from $500 to $25000 on a group lending basis for business start-up or expansion in the four-county area of Brunswick, Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson; and offers entrepreneurship training for adult students through a six-semester continuing education program entitled REAL--Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning. 

For more information, call the coordinator of SCC's Small Business Center at 642-7141, ext.419. 
 

Continuing Education 

SCC constantly strives to make classes and programs accessible throughout the county. Classes are offered in places such as the Columbus County and Whiteville school systems' facilities, rescue squad facilities, fire departments, industrial training centers, business locations, churches, community centers, and, on special occasions, private homes. The courses offered in an off-campus setting fall under the same criteria as do classes being offered on campus. 

Columbus County Industries 

The Columbus Country Industries, located in downtown Whiteville, is a public non-profit organization offering vocational and personal development programs for mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, and physically disabled adults sixteen (16) years of age or older who cannot maintain competitive employment and/or function effectively in the community. SCC provides instructors who teach consumer education and community living skills. 

The program has been in existence since 1974. It is a subdivision of Southeastern Regional Mental Health and is associated with the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as well as with SCC. 

Self-Supporting Classes 

The college occasionally offers self-supporting classes. These classes normally fall in the recreational-type activities category. Fees for self-supporting classes are based on the actual cost of instruction divided by the number of students taking the course. 

Department of Corrections 

SCC sponsors a training program at the Columbus County Correctional Unit, a medium security prison for felons in Columbus County. Curriculum and non-curriculum courses are offered. Inmates may earn high school or vocational diplomas through courses offered by SCC.