Southwest Tennessee Community College

Learn what degree programs Southwest Tennessee Community College offers. Research its academics, and read about its admissions and financial aid to make an informed decision.

About Southwest Tennessee Community College

Southwest Tennessee Community College serves more than 12,000 students through its two Memphis campuses and five Shelby County and Fayette County centers and sites. The Macon Cove Campus has a suburban setting and emphasizes technology programs. The Union Avenue Campus, close to the city's downtown area, emphasizes allied health science, nursing, and fine arts programs. In 2000, Shelby State Community College and State Technical Institute at Memphis were merged to create Southwest Tennessee Community College. The school is also home to the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.

Academics

Students at Southwest Tennessee Community College can enroll in one of more than 20 technical certificate programs, which typically take less than one or two years to attain, or they can enroll in one of more than 100 associate's degree programs to prepare for transfer to a 4-year school or career entry. In 2011, the greatest number of certificates were awarded in health professions and related programs while the greatest number of associate's degrees were awarded in liberal arts, with health professions and business not far behind. In addition to on-campus classes, students can take classes through web-assisted, hybrid or online formats; some associate's degree programs are also available completely online. Corporate training, continuing education, and Certified Professional Secretary programs are also offered.

Admissions

The open enrollment policy means that any student who may benefit from a Southwest Tennessee Community College program is granted acceptance as long as they have proof of their previous academic experiences: high school transcripts, official GED scores, or transcripts from any other postsecondary schools attended. Students younger than 21 need to submit ACT scores; students older than 21 must complete COMPASS or ASSET placement tests.

Tennessee residents may receive preference for some programs. The dietetic technician, laboratory phlebotomy assistant, medical laboratory technician, nursing, paramedic, pharmacy technician, physical therapist assistant, and radiologic technology programs have additional admission requirements or procedures beyond the school's general college admission requirements.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For the 2012-2013 school year, the tuition for in-state students was $135 per credit hour. Students who reside out-of-state paid $557 per credit hour. Out-of-state students enrolled in online classes paid only $203 per credit hour. Additional fees apply to the nursing and allied health programs.

Students who want financial aid must submit their applications by the priority deadline to receive consideration for the appropriate semester or term. For students who will be studying in the summer of 2013, the financial aid application deadline is April 1, 2013. The school's scholarship programs may have different deadline or application procedures in addition to completion of the required Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE QUICK FACTS
School Type	2-year, public*
Degrees Offered	Certificate of less than one year, certificate of one but less than two years, associate's degree*
Religious Affiliation	None*
Academic Calendar	Semester*
School Setting	Large city*
Student Body	12,958 (all undergraduate)*
Student Housing	None*
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	More than 100 degree programs and more than 20 certificate programs**
Student-Faculty Ratio	22 to 1*
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2011: <1-year Certificate: Emergency Medical Technology (98) 1-year to <2-year Certificate: Emergency Medical Technology (48) Associate's: Registered Nurse (86)*
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	5%* (for students who began in Fall 2008)
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	Open admissions**
Entering Class Size	3,369 in 2011***
First-Year Retention Rates	46% (full-time students)*
Application Due Date	Spring registration begins on November 14**
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition	From 2011-2012: $3,381 for in-state students; $13,005 for out-of-state students*
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Full-Time Beginning Students Receiving it)	In 2011: Federal grants (74%), Pell grants (74%), State-local grants (22%), Federal student loans (0%)*
Percent of Full-Time Beginning Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	81% in 2011*

Sources: *College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, **Southwest Tennessee Community College, ***IPEDS Data Center, National Center for Education Statistics.

School Contact Information

Address: 737 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Phone: 901-333-5924
Website: www.southwest.tn.edu