Transitional Education
- Laker Learning Commons
- 541-888-1593
- Tioga Hall, 3rd Floor
- The Transitional Education program is for students and community members who are ready to make a positive change in their lives! We provide information, practice skills, and resources to help participants earn their GED, improve their English language abilities, and brush up on reading, writing, and math skills.
We prepare students for success in their families and communities, the workforce, and future education programs. Classes for Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED), and English Language Acquisition (ELA) are offered every quarter. Services are also provided at our Curry campuses in Brookings, Gold Beach, and Port Orford for those who live outside of Coos County.
Adult Basic Education (ABS)
If you have a high school diploma or GED and need some extra help in reading, writing, or math, the Adult Basic Skills faculty and staff can help. ABS classes can help you improve your reading and writing skills, improve math comprehension, enhance your job skills, learn to write a resume, and learn computer skills. Fee for classes is $57 per term.
General Educational Development (GED)
GED is a high school equivalency exam that is accepted as a substitute for a high school diploma. The purpose of GED classes is to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math to prepare students to take the GED exam. The GED exam consists of four individual tests - Social Studies, Science, Reasoning through Language Arts, and Mathematical Reasoning. Day and evening classes are available on both Coos and Curry County campuses and provide large group, small group, and individualized instruction. Fee for classes is $57 per term.
A GED can be earned by anyone who has not completed high school and who is at least 16 years old. Students who are 16 or 17 must obtain an official release from the last school district they last attended before they are permitted to take the GED exam. Home schooled students must obtain an official release from the Educational Service District before they are permitted to take the GED exam.
GED testing is available on the main Southwestern campus and the Bandon Library. Contact GED.com for more information and to schedule testing. Additional fees for testing apply.
English Language Acquisition (ELA)
If your native language is not English and you wish to learn English, Southwestern offers beginning and intermediate level ELA classes. Students will receive instruction in speaking, reading, writing, and listening English in a fun, safe classroom atmosphere and through experiential field trips.
College Now
- 541-888-7271
- College Now
Southwestern’s College Now program provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credits while fulfilling high school graduation requirements. College Now programs include: Dual Credit, Expanded Options, Enhanced Options, and Alternative Options.
Dual Credit: This program provides students the opportunity to take college level coursework while still in the high school leading to a smooth, clear transition to the higher education setting. Student success in the program helps to define educational and career goals.
Expanded Options: The Expanded Options program provides eligible high school students early entry into post-secondary education. It also emphasizes specific provisions and priorities for at-risk students. The program’s goal is to create a seamless education path for students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 to:
- Have additional options to continue or complete their education;
- Earn concurrent high school and college credits; and
- Gain early entry into post-secondary education.
Enhanced Options: Enhanced Options are college courses taught by a Southwestern faculty on the high school campus through a partnership between a local high school and Southwestern. There is no tuition cost to the student for participating. A school district may or may not cover the cost of textbooks or other fees. This program promotes a seamless education for 11th and 12th grade students. It provides them with additional options to continue or complete their education, earn concurrent high school and college credits, and gain early entry into post-secondary education.
Alternative Options: Home School students are eligible to earn college credits too - possibly through your sponsoring district or on a self-pay basis. Contact the College Now office for more information about your options. It’s easier than you think! Southwestern currently offers classes through service area high schools in allied health, business, culinary, information technology, manufacturing and nursing. These courses are dual credit as students receive both high school and college credit. Courses offered vary by high school.
Earned credit will be on students’ Southwestern transcripts. Earning Southwestern credit at a high school does not automatically enroll a student into a Southwestern certificate or degree program. Southwestern admissions procedures and requirements must still be met. Credit transfer acceptability is at the discretion of the receiving institution.
For more information, and a listing of courses offered in a specific high school contact Southwestern’s In-District High School Relations Coordinator at 541-888-7271. Also contact the high school counseling office. Courses can be limited to high school juniors and seniors.
eLearning
- 541-888-7345
- Tioga Hall, 3rd Floor
The eLearning program offers a variety of online credit courses for students who are unable to attend traditional, on-campus courses due to time constraints and/or distance from the campus. Online courses allow students to obtain lectures, complete assignments, take quizzes, and work cooperatively with other students on class projects via the Web. Some classes, referred to as hybrid courses, combine online and face-to-face classroom work.
To take an online or hybrid class, students must have access to a computer, Internet Service Provider, and web browser. Students must be able to use the Internet, check e-mail, and be able to upload and download files. Our online and hybrid credit courses are transferable and can be taken in combination with traditional, on-campus courses. For complete information, please visit our website.
Honors Program
contact phone: 541 888-7498
email honors program coordinator
The Honors Program offers dedicated students the opportunity to become part of a cohort of scholars, pursuing academic excellence in preparation for the rigors of university and beyond. Qualifying students will, in a great variety of courses, be challenged to delve more deeply into subject matter, conduct research, develop depth of understanding, work more closely with instructors and apply new learning to academic and service projects.
To be eligible for the program, students will enter Southwestern having graduated high school with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, or complete two Honors Option courses with a grade of A or B and have a cumulative college GPA of 3.5.
Honors Seminar Courses (1 credit each)
- Introduction to Honors
- Honors in Arts & Letters
- Honors in Math & Science
- Honors in Social Sciences President’s Honors Seminar
- Honors Capstone Seminar
Honors Options
Each term, honors students will enroll in one or more courses designated with the honors option. In these courses, in addition to the regular requirements, honors students will be given special assignments, class duties and or research projects. For a list of courses with honors options, check the course schedule each term.
Honors Student Benefits
Individualized attention and help with Honors Options projects in courses
Honors Seminars that explore current issues in different disciplines.
Guidance in developing an e-portfolio
Enriching activities
Opportunities for service-learning projects that strengthen resumes
Opportunities to explore areas of interest in greater depth
Membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
Honors advising
Guidance in completing a capstone project that serves the college or community
President’s Seminar in leadership
Honors activities and cultural field trips
Honors Student Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate between the habits and values that lead to academic excellence and those that do not
- Work collaboratively on projects that serve the community, transcend academic disciplines, or explore career goals
- Reflect on and think critically about contemporary issues in different disciplines
- Support the development of a campus culture that values and showcases critical thinking, debate, scholarship, and creativity
Honors Program Completion Requirements
A cumulative, graduating grade point average of 3.5 or better.
Completion of at least three of the six one-credit Honors Seminars with an A or B. Completion of 30 credit hours of Honors Options and Honors Seminars. Completion of a capstone project and an e-portfolio.
Southwestern Small Business Development Center
- 541-756-6866
- 2455 Maple Leaf, North Bend
The Business Development Center provides practical information and services for business success. We provide specialty assistance to both rapid growth businesses and start-ups.
The Center can design training tailored to meet the needs of your business or organization. No matter the size of your operation, training can be provided that will enable you and your employees to learn or improve skills and learn new technologies. We are here to help you make your business a success!
Southwestern Foundation
- 541-888-7211
- Tioga Hall, 5th Floor
- email Foundation Office
- The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to receive, hold, and disburse private funds in support of the educational programs and students of the college. The direction of the Foundation is vested in its board of directors, composed of citizens from a broad spectrum of the community. Working in small groups and committees, Foundation members assist in forming, developing, and promoting a number of worthwhile objectives, such as scholarships, equipment purchases, and support for faculty development projects.
Course Placement
The placement process assesses academic skills and helps place you into the right level of courses and also allows students to meet program/course prerequisites. More information about Southwestern's placement process can be found by contacting ESPS (under Testing Services) in Stensland Hall at 541-888-7371.
Tutoring & Writing Centers
Laker Learning Commons
541-888-1593
Tioga Hall, 3rd Floor
email Tutoring & Writing Services
The Laker Learning Commons houses the Tutoring & Writing Centers and offers qualified student tutors and professional writing tutors to assist with all general course needs. Tutoring is a free service for enrolled students in credit or non-credit programs. Skype and online tutoring are also available for distance learners. For more information, please call the Commons at 541-888-1593.