SWCC works with high school partners to facilitate as seamless a delivery system as possible. One method is to provide qualified high school students an opportunity for advanced standing in a vocational/technical field through articulation agreements. If your school district is interested in entering into an articulation agreement with Southwestern Community College, contact Mindy Dresback, Tech Prep Coordinator at 1-800-247-4023, ext. 307 or email dresback@swcciowa.edu.

Who Can Apply?

Any student who has attended an articulated program in an accredited school which has signed an agreement with Southwestern Community College may receive college credit for instruction received at the high school. In addition, the student must:

1. Receive a grade of “B” or better in the specified course(s) with an average score of “3” or better on agreed–upon competencies and/or critical objectives. (If more than one high school course is necesary to articulate the competencies, then an average grade of “B” or better is required in those courses.)
2. Obtain a signed form from the high school instructor indicating that he/she has mastered the agreed–upon competencies and/or critical objectives
3. Graduate from a participating program in a school district that is a member of the SWCC Articulation Project.

Students should apply for College credit at the time they make application for admission to the College and a student must enroll at SWCC within 12 months after high school graduation in order to be eligible for college credit under this agreement.

After the applicant for College credit successfully completes at least twelve credits of course work at Southwestern Community College, he/she will be notified by the Registrar that his/her request for College credit through SWCC's Articulation Project has been granted. At that time, such credit will also be duly recorded on the student’s postsecondary transcript by course title, credit hours, and grade of T. The grade(s) will not be computed in the student's cumulative GPA.

Secondary Instructor’s Documentation of Competencies

Participating teachers at the secondary school will certify in writing the areas and levels of competency achievement by the student. This will become part of the student’s permanent record and will be forwarded to SWCC upon request by the student and/or SWCC. Course competencies can be found in the Articulation Handbook, obtained from your local High School Principal or Counselor. Copies of the competencies can be made as needed.