Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) is located in Spokane, Washington. It provides educational and community services to the rural, urban, and suburban populations of the county. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Spokane Falls CC is a relatively young college founded in 1969. It is named after the waterfalls and dams found off of the Spokane River and is part of a larger community college system comprised of Spokane Community College and the Institute for Extended Learning (IEL) as well.

Videos

Information Summary

See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	Insufficient Data
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$4,681
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	26 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	N/A / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,184

Academics

Spokane Falls offers several different types of associate and certification degrees. There are the Associate in Science degrees that are designed for students that are interested in majoring in computer science or engineering for example and transferring that degree to a four year university. Spokane Falls also offers an Associate of Arts degree which is basically a general studies degree that one can use to transfer to a four year institution. This degree covers majors such as philosophy, art, mathematics, and political science.

In order to earn an AA degree, students must earn a total of 90 credits in certain areas of study such as mathematics and science, humanities, communication (English and speech, for example), social sciences, quantitative skills, physical education, and electives.

The Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) provides students with a strong background in art related courses and a combination of general education courses in order to enroll in an art school, major in liberal arts, or transfer into a fine arts degree program at a four-year institution. In addition, there is also an AFA in Music that students can use to transfer to a music program at a 4-year institution. Spokane also offers Associate in Applied Science degrees in the fields of audio technology and graphic design for example. Certificates are also offered in early childhood education and business operations.

Spokane Falls also has “direct transfer agreements” also known as DTA. These are transfer articulation agreements that guarantee junior standing upon entrance to a state public institution in Washington. Currently there are agreements in biology, business, elementary education, math education, and pre-nursing. Students are encouraged though to seek advisement from the elementary education or business advisors at their university of choice for specific transfer requirements.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Unique Programs

Spokane Falls provides the community and its students with an array of services. Spokane Falls operates a Food Bank for students to use at maximum three times a quarter. The Spokane Falls food bank has proudly served “1000 students per quarter.” Student at Spokane Falls also have access to health care through the college’s health clinic. Called the People’s Clinic and located on the Spokane Community College campus, the clinic provides: physical exams, vaccinations, prescriptions, flu shots, and testing and treatment for minor problems.

Spokane has an extensive selection of continuing education programs available to the public. These continuing education courses are designed to provide life-long learning opportunities to community members, students, and others. Continuing education classes can also be used to fulfill professional development requirements, freshen up on workforce skills, as well as learn new ones to increase one’s marketability in the workforce. Accordingly, Spoken Falls has classes available in teacher education, parenting, fitness, photography and languages to name a few.

The Spokane Falls Community College Learning Center is also available to both students and the community. This child care facility offers a Head Start Program. Individuals employed by the center are both seasoned professionals as well as students studying early childhood education.

The college also has a program called Supplemental Instruction (SI). For students enrolled in difficult classes, SI acts as a large formal study group that is led by students who have previously passed the course. In these sessions students review material covered in class. SI sessions may be offered in courses such as anatomy and physiology or microbiology, for example.

There are two unique programs that were designed specifically with transferring in mind including the aviation and interior design programs. Once completing the aviation program students are able to transfer to University of North Dakota’s Center for Airway Services and Washington State University’s interior design program.

Spokane Falls also has a program for high school students seeking to get a “jump start” on college. This program is appropriately named “Running Start.” Through this program high school students can take college level courses. In order to apply, students must complete an application available online. Students are required to take a college entrance assessment, particularly the Compass Test in order to begin classes. Students must also submit a copy of their official high school transcript. A recommendation from their high school counselor is also part of the admission process. Those accepted into the program must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Admissions

All prospective students must first submit an application online. You can also request a paper application. Once you apply you will receive your student identification number (SID). You will then be required to complete a skills assessment test in reading, math and writing. Transfer students are required to submit transcripts from any school previously attended. The deadline for fall applications is late August.

International students are admitted after fulfilling the following requirements: completing an application for admission, paying the application fee, providing proof of completing high school, submitting a bank statement and a photocopy of their passport and successfully passing the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, or TOEIC. Also, a student may choose to provide proof of completing an English language program if they have not taken any of the English language assessments mentioned above.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office offers the following types of aid to prospective students: the Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. There are also state grants such as the SFCC 3% Tuition Grant and the SFCC 3 ½% Tuition Waiver.

Students are required to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which determines your eligibility for federal financial aid. There are various forms of federal financial aid including, loans, grants, and the Work Study program.

Although Spokane Fall’s tuition and fees are not astronomical, sometimes a federal or state grant or loan is not enough to cover the entire expense of a semester or year. If your financial situation fits this scenario, you may wish to consider alternative means of financial aid including private scholarships and loans. Your financial institution such as bank or credit union can explain to you any available loan options. If a loan is not preferable, you can also research private scholarship options that may be available. There are many online sites that specialize in compiling scholarship search databases. Scholarships on these sites are available to individuals that fall into many different categories. Ultimately this means scholarships are available for nearly all individuals.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5541st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Washington.

Students

Students have access to a Multicultural Center which was established with students of colors and international students in mind. The Multicultural Center provides student with access to peer mentors, a place to socialize with friends, and even receive tutoring.

E Tutoring

Spokane Fall Community College has an innovative way of offering tutorial services: Online!

If you have ever used the Live Chat feature to speak to a customer service representative online, then you may be familiar with this type of system. The only difference is that instead of talking to a customer service rep, you’ll be able to interact with a tutor through a service known as Live Tutoring via eChat. Also available through eTutoring is an online writing lab where you can submit a paper to a tutor and receive a response within 24 to 48 hours with suggestions and comments. And lastly is the “Offline Questions” where you can leave a question for a tutor to answer in which the turn around time is about 2 days.

Military Students

Spokane Falls also provides exhaustive services for military students. There is a Veterans Services Department, where you can have your questions answered regarding the G.I. Bill and other veteran benefits. There is also a separate scholarship available to military students.

Housing

Student housing is not offered by Spoken Falls. Students instead are encouraged to find housing through the many apartment options near the college. International students also have access to these apartments, but are strongly recommended to consider the Homestay Program instead. In the Homestay Program students are able to live with host families to become immersed in American culture. For an international student, this program may be a key factor in advancing one’s conversational English skills.

Global Learning

Speaking of going global, SFCC provides study abroad options to its students as well. Student can decide between short or extended study abroad or work abroad choices. The most popular destinations include Spain, France, Germany and Japan. International students are also welcomed to study abroad at Spokane for a year, taking intensive English classes, technical or professional courses.

The Intensive English Language Program is not restricted to just international students. Any student with limited English proficiency can choose to join the program. The program is divided into four levels, from high beginner to advanced. Courses cover reading, writing, grammar, conversation, listening, and pronunciation skills.

Student Life

Spokane Falls offers many clubs for its student body to enjoy. Club choices include the Asian-American Association, Concert Band, Teachers of Tomorrow and the Young Democrats Club, for example. Furthermore, students at Spokane Falls can enjoy events such as the International Film Festival, Career Fairs and the Spring Fling.

There is also a student recreation center which has been recently remodeled. The SFCC Recreation Center has billiards, table tennis, a bowling alley, and a video arcade onsite. This is also where students gather for live entertainment, participate in intercollegiate sports, and just to experience college social life at its best.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Bibliography

Spokane Falls Community College. Web. 15 May 2011.

Visit Spokane. Web. 15 May 2011.

Spokane Falls Community College