Educational Goals

What type of goal may I pursue at Southwest?

At Southwest Tennessee Community College you can take courses to learn a new skill or for personal development.

You can also work towards a specific educational goal:

Obtain an Academic Certificate or choose from one of the many technical certificate programs.
Obtain an Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, or an Associate of Science degree.

*NOTE: These degrees are granted to a student upon completion of specific courses for a major, as well as, competencies and general education requirements.

Business, Career Studies and Technology

The Business, Career Studies and Technology Division offers a broad range of programs for students training for entry-level positions, for workers upgrading their employment skills and student transferring to four-year institutions. Associate of Applied Science degrees, an Associate of Science degree and Technical Certificates are offered. Each A.A.S. degree program consists of two years of college-level courses to prepare individuals for entry-level positions in a specific area. The two-year A.S.–University Parallel degree prepares students to transfer to baccalaureate programs in the business field.

Liberal Studies and Education

The Liberal Studies and Education Division offers courses in the humanities and education to help students prepare for careers, further education and personal development. Departments in this division offer many of the courses in the general education curriculum.

Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Health Sciences

The Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Health Sciences Division offers courses and programs in Allied Health Sciences and Nursing to prepare students for a career as a health professional. Graduates of these programs are ready for licensure and for immediate employment within the health-care community. The Division also prepares students for successful transfer to four-year institutions in pursuit of baccalaureate degrees in allied health and nursing, engineering, mathematics and natural sciences. An Associate of Science degree, an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Technical Certificate of Credit are offered. For additional information regarding the A.A.S., A.A., and A.S. requirements, please refer to your catalog or contact the Advising and Counseling office.

Prepare for transfer to a 4-year college or university

Units and GPA for Transfer

How many units do I need to transfer?

Applicants must submit official transcripts of credits attempted from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Courses equivalent to Southwest’s will be accepted in the student’s major if the grade “C” or higher was earned. The maximum number of credit hours acceptable in transfer towards a student’s academic program is two-thirds of the required program credit hours.

Students who enrolled in college for the first time in Fall 1989 or thereafter and who have 59 or fewer semester hours of transferable credit are eligible for admission to programs designed for transfer to baccalaureate institutions provided that any high school unit deficiency be removed within the first 30 semester hours after initial enrollment.
These applicants must submit a high school transcript in addition to college transcripts.

University Parallel

Students seeking an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science (university parallel) degrees require a minimum of 64 credit hours for graduation. Students are required to complete both general education and elective courses to qualify for either degree. Each degree program requires 49-52 credit hours of college-level courses in the core curriculum related to the arts and sciences. Additionally, each degree program requires the completion of 12-18 credit hours of college-level electives related to each student’s major.

Are there a maximum number of units I can transfer?

As a general rule, the maximum number of units accepted for transfer from a community college will be 64 semester hours. Please consult with the college to which you plan to transfer.

What is the Grade Point Average (GPA) for transfer?

The GPA needed to transfer varies from institution to institution. However, the completion of the Associate of Arts (A.A) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree (University Parallel) with a minimum 2.0 GPA is generally accepted.

Although it is possible to earn a degree while meeting transfer requirements, preparation for transfer may require different or additional coursework. You should meet with a counselor to assist you in developing a transfer program which will also meet the degree requirements for Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Articulation Agreements

What is articulation?

Articulation is the process of evaluating courses to determine whether coursework completed at one college will meet the requirements for admission, transfer credit, general education, or major preparation at another college.

The University Parallel (Transfer) articulation agreement provides a smooth matriculation to colleges and universities under the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the University of Tennessee and other accredited colleges and universities systems.

Can I get college credit for articulated courses taken in High School?

Students may be awarded college credits for courses completed prior to high school graduation (Early Admission) or through Advanced Standing and Placement.

Southwest Tennessee Community College Campuses and Centers

Macon Cove campus - 5983 Macon Cove Memphis, TN 38134 (901) 333-4000	Whitehaven Center Southeast Center 3035 Directors Row, Bldg. 6 5396 Mendenhall Square Memphis, TN Memphis, TN 38115 (901) 398-0901 (901) 333-6005
Campus Union Avenue campus 737 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 333-5000	Fayette Center @ Somerville 13520 Highway 59 West / P.O. Box 369 Somerville, TN 38068 (901) 333-6005 or (901) 465-9838
Millington Center Naval Support Activity Mid-South Bldg. 241 Millington, TN 38054 (901) 872-8117	Elbert T. Gill Center 3833 Mountain Terrace Room 125 Memphis, TN 38127 (901) 333-5970

Academic Certificate Program

A Certificate of Achievement is a sequence of courses leading to a specific area of employment. The coursework is in a vocational program and does not include general education requirements. Certificates are designed for those students who wish to specialize in a particular employment-oriented area.

Southwest offers a variety of certificate programs, many of which can be completed in one year of full-time study. The requirements for the certificate programs are listed in the catalog. Two examples are listed below:

1. Academic Certificate Program available in Police Science.

2. Technical Certificate Program available in Accountancy.

General Education Requirements

What is General Education?

General Education is a program of courses in the arts and sciences that provide a broad educational experience.

Students who plan to transfer can normally complete all lower division General Education requirements required by the four-year college prior to transfer.

*Note: For more detailed information regarding the General Education Program, please refer to the Southwest catalog or you may see an academic advisor .

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