The Educational/Competency Evaluation Program (ECEP)

Credit must be obtained by successful examination. The Educational/Competency Evaluation Program (ECEP) at SSC is designed for students in career programs who have obtained substantial knowledge or competency outside the formal classroom setting that is relevant to their chosen curriculum. ECEP credit is an alternative means to establish credit or advanced standing for students who demonstrate that they have mastered college level subjects through life/work experiences. Students wishing to apply to take a proficiency examination should contact the appropriate academic department.

To post ECEP credit on the student’s academic record, a processing fee of $8 per credit hour must be paid before the proficiency examination is evaluated. This fee covers the privilege of taking the examination and is non-refundable. No credit by proficiency examination will be recorded until the student has earned at least six (6) semester hours of college-level credit at SSC. The student must be in good academic standing (minimum of 2.0 grade point average). In some instances, ECEP credit may be posted prior to completion of the six credit hour requirement to satisfy course/program prerequisite requirements. The credit may not be used to establish full-time eligibility status. No grade received through the non-traditional mode is recorded for course credit nor is the credit calculated in the grade point average. The student’s academic record will indicate only that the credit has been earned. ECEP credit is not intended to be transferable to other institutions.

Once a student has received credit for a particular course, either through enrollment or proficiency, he/she may not apply or receive credit for a lower-level course in that sequence. A student may not take a proficiency examination for the same course more than once. The student may not take a proficiency exam for a credit course in which he/she has previously audited, received a course grade or from which he/she has withdrawn.

The Advanced Placement (AP) program sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board gives high school students the opportunity to complete college level studies. The AP examinations are intended to measure the achievement of the student and to determine at what point the student should begin college work in the subject. SSC offers credit for most AP subjects. To receive college credit at SSC, a student must earn a score of three (3) or higher. Credit will be posted on the student’s academic record after successfully completing six (6) semester hours at SSC, providing the student has maintained a minimum of 2.0 grade point average. In some instances, AP credit may be posted prior to completion of the six credit hour requirement to satisfy course prerequisite requirements. The number of AP units accepted for credit is determined by the evaluation of the AP grade report. For additional information regarding the procedure and regulations for awarding of AP credits, please contact the Counseling Center.

The CLEP and DANTES examination programs are methods by which college credit may be earned for prior knowledge acquired through independent study, non-academic classes, the armed forces, or on-the-job experiences. SSC accepts 15 hours of CLEP or DANTES credits towards degree and certificate programs. General credit may be awarded for the following examinations: English, natural sciences, humanities and social science-history. Course credit may be awarded for subject exams. CLEP and DANTES credit will be posted on the student’s academic record after successfully completing six (6) semester hours at SSC, providing the student has maintained a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average. In some instances, CLEP and/or DANTES credit may be posted prior to the completion of the six credit hour requirement to satisfy course prerequisite requirements. Students must achieve the minimum score requirement established by SSC to qualify for CLEP/DANTES credit. Minimum scores required vary between subjects. The cost for taking an exam is $65 plus an additional processing fee of $25. The cost for taking a DANTES exam is $60 plus an additional processing fee of $25.

Veterans who present a copy of their Separation from Military Service (DD-214) form to the SSC Office of Admissions will receive 4 semester hours of physical education credit and 2 semester hours of health science credit. This credit is posted on the permanent record as alternative credit, but will not be used to compute a grade point average.

South Suburban College and the Career Development System have developed articulation agreements granting college credit to qualifying students for courses taken in high school.

To be eligible, a student:

1. Must have completed appropriate high school courses with an average of "B" or better.
2. Must go through High School Counselor.

Credit will be posted on the student’s SSC transcript upon completion of the course. The student is responsible for finding out if such credit will transfer to another college or university and if the credit will be applied toward a specific degree or certificate program.

For an updated listing of articulated courses with district high schools, please refer to the Career Development System website.