Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

WIth thirteen locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley, Salt Lake Community College offers a wide variety of courses designed to meet the needs of a growing community. Classes at SLCC include everything from Accounting to Yoga Teaching with associate’s degrees, professional certificates, technical and career education credits, diplomas and transfer education certificates being awarded. Salt Lake Community College also offers an extensive array of non-credit classes for students who want to learn a new skill or hobby or just want to improve general education skills such as reading and math. The surrounding community offers an abundance of activities, so students seeking to relax and have fun will have no problem finding something to do. SLCC offers a unique environment in which to learn and strives to meet the goals of every student that seeks enrichment.

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Information Summary

Ranks 22nd in Utah and 3082nd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	49.9
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$4,743
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	22 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	60% / 44%
Enrollment Total (all students)	29,156

Academics

Students at Salt Lake Community College have a variety of educational options to choose from. The school offers classes both traditionally and online and offers many opportunities to work hands-on as well. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), SLCC has a comprehensive plan of assessment in place in order to maintain the highest educational standards. In 2010, Salt Lake Community College instituted five general learning outcomes with specific sets of sub-outcomes that define what students will learn while attending SLCC. Students create e-portfolios that include samples of assignments in order to demonstrate mastery of each learning outcome.

Diplomas and Certificates of Completion

Diplomas or Certificates of Completion are awarded to students who complete thirty credit hours or nine hundred clock hours or more in topic-specific classes and general education courses. These programs are generally relatively short; most are completed in a year or less. Typically, Diploma programs require forty to sixty-two credit hours while Certificate of Completion programs require thirty to forty credit hours. Completion may be measured by either clock hours, credit hours or competency tests. Students graduating from these programs are prepared to enter the workforce in entry-level positions or continue on to associate’s degree programs.

Letter of General Education Completion

Students who complete all of the general education courses as required by any Utah State Higher Education institution without completing a degree-specific program will receive a Letter of General Education Completion. This certifies to any transfer institution that the student has completed all requirements for lower division general education required by Utah public colleges and universities. More and more students are choosing to complete general education requirements at community colleges prior to transferring to a four-year institution because of the close proximity to home and the low cost of tuition.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

This degree is for students seeking entry-level positions in specialized careers. Many of the courses taken are also transferable to four-year institutions and may be applied to a bachelor’s degree. The degrees are more heavily weighted with subjective classes than with general education courses The degree is awarded on a subject-specific basis; for example, the actual degree received would be an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting instead of just an Associate of Applied Science. Students seeking this degree for the purpose of transferring credits toward a bachelor’s degree should develop an educational plan with a guidance counselor to make sure that the classes taken will indeed be accepted by the school that they wish to matriculate to. Students that are working on an AAS may take additional general education courses in order to receive an Associate of Science.

Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Arts (AA) Degrees

Though these degrees require about the same hours as an Associate of Applied Science degree, they are weighted with more general education courses and are intended to prepare the student for acceptance into a baccalaureate program at a four-year institution. Both are considered “transfer degrees” but students should be aware that completion of these programs does not guarantee acceptance into another school. Many schools still require a standard application and a competitive GPA in order to be considered for acceptance.

Associate of Pre-Engineering Degree

Students seeking to matriculate to a four-year engineering program may choose to start the process at Salt Lake Community College. This degree specifically prepares a student for upper-level engineering classes and does not require all of the general education classes that are required to complete a bachelor’s degree The student should be aware that additional classes will need to be taken at the four-year college in order to satisfy the general education requirements.

Certificates

Schools, divisions or departments at Salt Lake Community College may offer certificates to students who complete specific classes or sequences of classes. These certificates signify mastery of specific courses and are not eligible for financial aid.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

Though Salt Lake Community College is a two-year college, it works in conjunction with other schools to offer students the opportunity to earn select bachelor’s degrees and even some master’s degrees and certificates while staying on the SLCC campus. Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday evenings and may also be taken online in order to assist students who wish to further their education while still working. Tuition rates are determined by the college that the credits are being earned at and not by SLCC. Schools participating in this program include The University of Utah College of Nursing, Weber State University, Westminster College, Utah State University, Utah Valley University and Franklin University. Students wanting to participate in this program may contact Salt Lake Community College for more information.

Admissions

Admission to Salt Lake Community College is a fairly simple process. Potential students may complete the application online in just a few minutes. Once accepted, students must either take a placement test or submit recent ACT or SAT scores. Transcripts from other colleges are also accepted in place of taking the placement test. Once the required test scores are on record, students must attend orientation. This can be done either in a classroom setting or online but is required prior to registering for classes. Students that complete orientation will be then eligible for early registration. The next step to completing registration is to schedule a meeting with an academic advisor in order to determine the best path to take in order to successfully meet educational goals. Finally, newly accepted student may go onto the college’s website, develop an account and register for classes. Students will also want to submit proof of Utah residency when applying in order to receive in-state tuition rates.

Students should be aware that not all of the courses and programs require a high school diploma. Salt Lake Community College offers the opportunity for people at all levels to become better people and better employees.

Financial Aid

Salt Lake Community College offers financial aid to students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work programs. Nearly anybody that wants to attend college is eligible for some form of financial aid in order to make educational goals a reality. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Typically the form is available for completion in January or February prior to the start of the next school year. This form will require financial information from both the student and family, so applicants should have this information available prior to starting the application. Salt Lake Community College also has several need-based and merit-based scholarships that students may independently apply for. The list of scholarships and descriptions of those who may be eligible are available on the school’s website.

Student Financial Aid Details

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Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Utah.

Athletics

The Salt Lake Bruins are a member of NJCAA conference. The school offers men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, men’s baseball and women’s volleyball and softball. The Bruin Athletic Scholarship Fund makes it possible for students with athletic promise and academic success to attend Salt Lake Community College. The school takes great pride in it’s Athletics program and has numerous championship titles to show for it. Located on Taylorsville-Redwood Campus, the Lifetime Activities Center is home to Bruins athletics and also provides a state-of-the-art facility in which all students, athletes and faculty can pursue physical fitness and lifetime health. Featuring an indoor track, a dance studio, a gymnasium, racquetball courts, a strength room and a fitness center as well as basketball courts, the LAC was dedicated in 1996 and is a wonderful asset to the school. Baseball is played on Cate Field, which is located on Jordan Campus. Students interested in participating in any sport at SLCC should contact the school’s athletic department either via phone or the website.

Additional School Information

Salt Lake Community College does not offer Greek life, but there are numerous clubs that offer students an opportunity to participate in the social life of the campus. There are also many student support services offered that assist student in a variety of ways so that education is attainable for everybody. Some of these services include the Disability Resource Center, the Eccles Early Childhood Development Lab and School and the Multicultural Initiatives Program. The Disability Resource Center offers students with disabilities the opportunity for inclusion in student life by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations. The Childhood Development Lab and School is open to the students, faculty and the public and tuition is based on household size and income.

Another unique asset of Salt Lake Community College is the Grand Theatre. The Grand is a performing arts center that was originally the auditorium of the old South High School. SLCC acquired the property and renovated the building that now hosts plays, musical concerts and is available for public rental.

The Miller Business Resource Center serves as a small business support and resource center and offers workforce development services that assist employers and employees by providing basic training in skills necessary to operating a successful business. It is also home to the Women’s Business Institute and the Park City Business Institute and offers conference room rentals and other services beneficial to small businesses.

Bibliography

“Signature Assignments Become a Signature Practice at Salt Lake Community College.” AAC&U News April 2011. Web. 18 April 2011.

Salt Lake Community College. Salt Lake Community College. 2001. Web. 18 April 2011.

HigherEdUtah.org. Utah System of Higher Education. 11 April 2011. Web. 18 April 2011

Salt Lake Community College