Support Services

Academic Support/Tutoring

www.southwest.tn.edu/asc/
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4107
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5054

The ASC provides services and resources to help Southwest students successfully reach their academic and career goals. These include tutoring, open academic computer labs, instructional resources (DVD’s, video tapes, textbooks, etc.), and study areas. Currently, the ASC has locations at the Gill Center, Macon Cove Campus, Maxine A. Smith Center, Union Avenue Campus, and Whitehaven Center.

The ASC offers Wi-Fi networking and also disability compliant facilities for special needs students.

Service hours may vary by location and are posted at the ASC website.  For more information about the ASC, visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/asc.

Advising and Counseling

www.southwest.tn.edu/counseling/
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4594
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5122

The success of all students depends on a large extent upon their involvement in learning and academic processes. One vital process of the educational experience is academic advising. The Advising and Counseling Offices at Southwest assist with the full realization of the student’s academic aspirations. To that end, academic advisors, along with assigned faculty mentors and Career Services, provide students with a high caliber of advising essential for their academic success. Entering students will receive a team that will guide the student through the educational experience to graduation.

Advising Online

Need information on specific majors? What about general education requirements? If you have questions or are interested in courses of study and/or certificates, please complete the form at www.southwest.tn.edu/counseling/advise-form.htm. A member of the advising office will contact you. Online advising is not available on weekends and holidays.

Change of Major

If you decide to change your major, you should discuss your academic goals and the programs with your academic advisor. To change your major, you must log in to your student account and choose the option, “Change Major”. The change of major request will be processed within 3-5 business days. If you change your major(s) and are receiving financial aid, the number of hours you have attempted in one major may affect your financial aid status. This may be the case especially if you change from a degree program to a certificate program. See the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Transfer Guidelines

If you plan to transfer to a baccalaureate institution, you should:

• review the catalog of the intended institution
• check foreign language requirements of the intended transfer institution; some institutions have special requirements regarding course selection and admission
• review Equivalency Tables and/or Articulation Agreements at http://www.southwest.tn.edu/counseling/Transfer.htm.
• complete all appropriate courses at Southwest Tennessee Community College
• submit an admissions application to the transfer institution as early as possible

Students who receive an associate degree or technical/academic certificate from Southwest will ensure that a higher percentage of credits earned at Southwest will transfer to a four-year institution to enable them to further their education.

Transfer

Students interested in information regarding transferring to another institution after completing the associate degree at Southwest may contact the Transfer Advisor at (901) 333-6484. Throughout the academic year, local colleges/universities visit Southwest. Please contact the Transfer Office for dates of future visits. In addition, each Spring semester Southwest hosts “Transfer Days” at which college admissions officers speak with students about transfer options. To review Transfer Equivalency and/or Articulation Agreements, visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/counseling/Transfer.htm. Partnership Enrollment Agreements (PEP): PEP agreements provide Southwest students with the opportunity for guaranteed admission to a four-year college or university. Participants in these co-admissions programs are guaranteed admission upon graduation from Southwest with an associate’s degree. While each agreement may vary, students generally receive:

• coordinated Academic Advising from the Southwest Transfer Office and the participating four-year college
• waiver of college and university admissions fees

Please contact the Transfer Office for a current list of participants and to begin the process.

Transient Student

A transient student is one who transfers from another college and who seeks admission to Southwest for a limited number of courses. This admission category is designed for students who do not wish to pursue a degree at Southwest but plan to return to their home institution. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid. See the catalog for specific provisions listed under this category.

University Parallel Associate Degree

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are designed to transfer to baccalaureate institutions.

Career Services

www.southwest.tn.edu/career-services/
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4180
Union Avenue Campus (limited hours; call Macon Cove office for schedule)

In Career Services, we understand that the #1 reason students attend college is to prepare for or further their career. We invite you to access our career exploration tools, take an assessment, and meet with our staff during your first semester to discuss your career plans.

Career Choice, Assessment and Planning Services

Whether you are trying to decide on a major, unclear about career options or want to make a career change, Career Services can help. The following career exploration and assessment tools simplify the process of choosing your career path:

• Career Coach ~ Explore Careers and Access Real-time Labor Market Data
• Kuder® Career Assessments ~ Identify Careers Based on Your Interests, Skills Confidence and Work Values
• Memphis Works ~ Gain Insight into Local Jobs in a Variety of Businesses

Job and Career-Readiness Services

• Optimal Resume™ and Resume Review Services

  Students and alumni can create and customize a professional resume to fit their specific career interests with OptimalResume™. The free online resume builder provides step-by-step instructions, examples, and a wide variety of formatting options. After you create your resume, contact Career Services to schedule an appointment to have it reviewed.

• On-Demand Interview Training with Big Interview

Watch short videos to learn helpful tips and information before for your next interview. Training videos are now available in both Fast Track and Mastery Track formats to fit your needs.

• Mock Interviews

Feeling a little nervous about your upcoming interview?Contact Career Services to schedule a “mock” or “practice” interview and we will customize the questions so that they are related to a position in your field of study.Get helpful tips and feedback immediately afterwards.

• Job Listings and Job Search Strategies

Check out full and part-time job listings from Mid-South employers interested in hiring Southwest students and alumni on the Career Services website. To apply for a position on the list, just follow the employer instructions at the end of each job posting. Be sure to check back frequently as job listings are updated every few days.

• Career Fairs

Meet with several area employers all in one location to learn about job openings and hiring expectations. Dress professionally and bring several copies of your resume to make the best first impression. Career Fairs are held on the Macon Cove and Union Avenue campuses each spring and fall.

• Job-Readiness Presentations

Listen to professionals present on a variety of career-related topics, such as how to make the most of a Career Fair, where to look for jobs and how to create a resume. For a current list of topics being presented, visit the events calendar on the Career Services website.

• Career and Employment Counseling

Need help developing a career plan or just sorting things out? Contact Career Services at (901) 333-4180 to schedule an appointment to discuss your career plans.

• Career e-Portfolios

Students are encouraged to create an electronic portfolio to document their college and career experiences, skills, abilities and achievements.

Experiential Learning

Students can gain real-world experience related to their intended career field through the following options: 

• Internships
• Cooperative Education (Co-op)
• Work Study
• Job Shadowing
• Service Learning

Child Care

www.southwest.tn.edu/childcare/
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4500
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5233

The Child Care Centers provide a well-supervised program for six-week old to five-year-old children. They provide a warm, secure environment that encourages parental involvement and meets the cognitive, physical, social and emotional needs of children from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Campus Child Care is a fun place where emphasis is placed on learning through play and developmentally appropriate practices are used.

LEAP

Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5523

The Learning Early Academic Program (LEAP) is intended for students whose assessment scores indicate a need for remediation in reading, writing and/or mathematics prior to enrollment in Learning Support. Students are given a diagnostic assessment to determine an individualized mastery study plan. Each student, based on a diagnostic assessment, will master skills needed to enroll in Learning Support. Emphasis is placed on the following: basic grammar, usage, punctuation and other mechanics with an emphasis on paragraph writing, vocabulary skills with an emphasis on reading for comprehension and mathematical topics of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, introduction to Algebra and Real Number system, ration proportion and measurement. Computer laboratory setting.

Library

www.southwest.tn.edu/library/
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4706
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5135
Gill Center (901) 333-5979
Maxine A. Smith Center (901) 333-6037
Whitehaven Center (901) 333-6442

Five libraries are available for student, faculty and staff use:

• Bert Bornblum Library (Macon Cove Campus)
• Parrish Library (Union Avenue Campus)
• Gill Center Library
• Maxine A. Smith Center Library
• Whitehaven Center Library

The InfoNet Library provides the following services:

• A significant print collection designed to meet faculty and student curriculum needs
• Electronic resources, consisting of databases (http://www.southwest.tn.edu/library/ebases.htm) and online books (http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com/) (http://www.netlibrary.com/) which are accessible remotely
• Subscriptions to selected print and digital periodicals and journals.
• Ask the Librarian allows you to ask questions via email.
• Media resources, including videocassettes and DVDs (popular movies and instructional tapes), and sound recordings (music and books)
• Online catalog (CyberCAT) with capabilities of renewing and requesting materials 24 hours a day
• Computer access, copier and TV/VCR/DVD combos for viewing instructional materials
• Library instruction sessions are provided upon request to orient users on library services, and staff provides individualized and point-of-use instruction daily.
• Online Orientation http://www.southwest.tn.edu/library/orientation.htm is available for distance learners.
• Interlibrary loan services are available to secure items not owned by the InfoNet Library.
• Borrowing agreements are maintained with Baptist College Health Sciences, Christian Brothers University, Harding School of Theology, Memphis College of Arts, LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis Theological Seminary, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Rhodes College, Southern College of Optometry, University of Memphis Libraries, University of Memphis - Cecil C Humphreys School of Law, and the University of Tennessee Health Sciences.
• Annual cultural activities are provided to enrich the college experience.

Retention and Student Success

www.southwest.tn.edu/student-success
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4324
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5013

Retention and Student Success offers innovative, student-centered support systems in the following areas:

• Professional Academic Advising (course selection; registration for classes)
  • Retention Intervention (early Alerts, academic probation and suspension)
• Academic Support (tutoring and supplemental instruction, SMARTS)
  • Academic Progress Reporting
  • Academic Coaching
• Career Services (assessment, exploration, and job readiness)
• Counseling Services (mental health and social services)
• Student Disability Services
  • Accomodations, Accountability, and Advocacy
• Student Development (leadership, engagement, advocacy, and judicial affairs)
• Testing Services
  • Entrance & Exit Exams including, Accuplacer, ACT National, ACT Residual, ETS, CLEP, DANTES, Major Field Exams, etc.
  • Test taking tips and strategies
• Retention Liason for special populations: Tennessee Promise and Graduate Memphis
• Student Success Workshops and Co-curricular Programming

In addition to providing leadership for all of the above student support units on campus, the Executive Office of  Retention and Student Success provides intentional focus for the entire College in developing, implementing, monitoring, and assessing student retention and success initiatives aligned with the College mission “to provide the citizens of Shelby and Fayette counties and the surrounding Mid-South region with a high quality and affordable post-secondary education that prepares them for associate degrees, future educational opportunities, and successful employment.”

Resources and Scholarships

Chromebooks are a great tool that students can checkout throughout the semester to assist with class assignments, study materials, and projects.  If you are interested in checking out a Chromebook, please complete a request by visiting http://www.southwest.tn.edu/student-success/chromebook.htm.

The Office of Retention and Student Success serves as a liaison for Tennessee Promise and Graduate Memphis. For Tennessee Promise retention questions, please contact Jivanta Farmer at (901) 333-4324, and for Graduate Memphis, please contact Rachel Newman at (901) 333-5013. 

Southwest Tennessee Community College offers additional resources and scholarships to currently enrolled students. Some of these scholarships include the Access and Diversity Scholarship and the Student Emergency Fund Scholarship.

Student Disability Services (SDS)

www.southwest.tn.edu/sds
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4223
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5116

The Student Disability Services Office (SDS) serves as an advocate for students with documented disabilities to ensure equal access to the College. In order to benefit from the services, a student must provide written documentation of his or her disability. The documentation is evaluated and the needs of each student are assessed. Various support services have been established to assist students, according to their documented needs. Every effort is made to help students make a smooth transition to college as well as to succeed throughout their college experience. Students are encouraged to contact the SDS Office prior to the beginning of each semester.

Testing Center

www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/
Please call (901) 333-4170 for all Testing inquiries.

The mission of the Testing Center is to provide high quality academic testing services that observe nationally recognized professional testing in order to meet the growing needs of our students, faculty, administration and community. For a complete listing of all exams administered by Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Testing Center, please visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/tests.htm. A valid picture ID is required for admittance into all exams. All test dates, times and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Test fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable to future test dates. Special accomodations are made through Sherri Scott, Coordinator of Student Disability Services (Union Office 901-333-5116 and Macon Office 901-333-4223) for individuals with documented disabilities.

Transfer Office

www.southwest.tn.edu/counseling
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4594

Each year hundreds of students transfer from Southwest to four-year schools all over the country. Students who are thinking about transferring after graduation from Southwest should visit the Transfer Office to make sure classes will transfer and to learn about guaranteed admissions agreements with four-year colleges and universities.

The Transfer Office is designed to help you plan continued education after graduation from Southwest. The Transfer Office provides a variety of services designed to make transfer from the community college as easy and efficient as possible.

The Transfer Office assists you in determining:

• Transferability of courses
• College options in and out of Tennessee
• General education and lower division course preparation focused on your major and four-year school of choice

The Transfer Office provides the following services:

• Academic advising to new students who plan to transfer to a college or university upon completion of a degree at Southwest
• Assistance with researching transfer options and articulation agreements
• Hosts the Annual College Transfer Days that bring representatives from regional Colleges and Universities to campus to visit with Southwest students who are interested in transfer
• Hosts monthly visits from representatives of local colleges and universities
• Initiates paperwork for Partnership Enrollment Agreements (PEP) for Southwest students wishing to participate in a special guaranteed transfer admission agreement with a participating college or university

Partnership Enrollment Agreements (PEP)

PEP agreements provide Southwest students with the opportunity to guarantee admission to a four-year college or university. Participants in these co-admissions programs are guaranteed admission upon graduation from Southwest with an associate degree.

While each agreement may vary, students generally receive:

• Coordinated Academic Advising from the Southwest Transfer Office and the participating four-year college
• Waiver of college and university admission fees

Please contact the Transfer Office for a current list of participants and to begin the process.

ACT - Residual

The ACT Residual exam is required for applicants who are under age 21 for admission to Southwest. Students who were unable to take the ACT in high school or the National Test can register for this exam. Scores from this test cannot be transferred to other institutions. The ACT sub-scores will be used to determine college-level placement or appropriate developmental studies courses.

ACCUPLACER

High School Equivalency Exams

The GED an HiSET (High School Equivalency Exam(s)) are designed for individuals who have not earned a high school diploma and are officially withdrawn from high school.  Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and must have completed the Official Practice Test (OPT).  Local agencies that administer the Official Practice Test include HopeWorks and Collierville Literacy Center. 

Graduate Exit Exam 

Educational Testing Service (ETS) Proficiency Profile

All Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree graduating students are required to take this test. The ETS^® Proficiency Profile test is 40 minutes in length and given onsite as a paper-and-pencil test. A valid photo identification is required to take the test. Please bring a copy of your graduation application to the Testing Center to schedule the ETS^® Proficiency Profile test.

Major Field Examination

All Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree graduating students are required to take an examination in their major field of study. This is a state mandated graduation requirement. The exam is 2 hours in length. Please bring a copy of your graduation application to the Testing Center to schedule the Major Field Examination.

TN eCampus Program 

Students enrolled in TN eCampus courses at TBR institutions may be required to complete proctored midterm and final exams.  Email notifications will be sent to all Southwest Tennessee Community College students detailing the exam periods and deadlines for scheduling appointments.  Please check your Southwest email regularly for these updates as well as important notifications from various areas within the College.  Each semester all available TN eCampus testing dates and times are listed at  http://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/TN-eCampus.htm.  Please contact the Testing Center at (901)333-4170 to schedule appointments. 

Limited Enrollment Programs 

Students seeking admissions to certain limited enrollment programs such as Nursing and the Allied Health Sciences, additional testing may be required.  Exam registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable to future test dates.

Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic Program

 Pre-Paramedic/MMPI Examination

 Please visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/tests.htm for Pre-Paramedic/MMPI examination dates.

Nursing Program

National League for Nursing Pre-Admissions Exam (NLN)

Please visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/tests.htm for NLN examination dates.

Pharmacy Technician Program

Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE)

Please visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/tests.htm for TABE examination dates.

Radiologic Technology Program

Health Occupations Aptitude Examination (HOAE)

Please visit hhttp://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/tests.htm for HOAE examination dates.

The following are national assessment and/or certification tests administered at Southwest.

ACT - Residual and National
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)

Veterans Affairs

www.southwest.tn.edu/veterans/
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4174
Union Avenue Campus (901) 333-5115

Veterans Affairs (VA) provides counseling and outreach services to assist veterans in becoming acclimated to college life while obtaining veterans education benefits and/or other available resources. This office, the link between the College and the Department of Veterans Affairs, assists eligible veterans, dependents, reservists/guardsmen and disabled veterans (military service-connected disabilities) with applying for educational funding, and offers guidance on VA regulations.

Southwest Tennessee Community College is approved for the training of veterans and their eligible dependents. VA does not certify payment for non-degree seeking students unless in a transient status. Transient students must provide an authorization letter from the VA official at their primary institution. In addition, all previously earned credits, as appropriate, must be applied to the enrolled program. Only course(s) included in the requirements for the degree program being pursued will be certified for educational benefits. Developmental courses may be certified if indicated as necessary by the results of the COMPASS. These courses may not be taken online.

Service members, veterans and dependents of veterans who are eligible for VA benefits or other governmentally funded educational assistance may submit an application to defer payment of tuition and fees until the final day of the requested semester.

*Effective November 30, 2016, the COMPASS exam will no longer be offered. Students who do not have placement scores or transferrable credit from another institution, will need to schedule the ACT National/Residual or approved testing alternative (TBA at a later date). For more information, please visit http://www.southwest.tn.edu/testing/tests.htm.