Workforce Continuing Education
Workforce Continuing Education is committed to the concept of lifelong learning. It is the purpose of Southwestern Community College to provide an opportunity for citizens to develop their fullest potential in whatever vocational, intellectual or cultural areas they desire. It is also the purpose of Southwestern Community College to offer low-cost educational opportunities to any adult regardless of educational background.
Workforce Continuing Education offers courses at various locations throughout Jackson and Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary. Workforce Continuing Education welcomes requests for courses and suggestions for providing improved services to the three-county area.
Workforce Education courses offered through Workforce Continuing Education are designed to prepare students for entry into an occupation, to upgrade the occupational competency of current employees or to work toward self-improvement.
These courses do not earn academic credits that are recognized in a degree or diploma program; however, a certificate is sometimes awarded upon successful completion of a course or series of courses. For some courses, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded. One CEU may be given for each ten contact hours of participation in an organized Continuing Education class.
INFORMATION
Admission is open to individuals who are at least 18 years of age and who are not enrolled in public school.
16 to 18-year-olds may enroll in some courses (when space is available and pending proper permission). Students under 18 years of age may enroll in summer classes designed specifically for younger students.
Only individuals officially enrolled may attend class.
There is no registration fee for Basic Skills, GED, Compensatory Education, or Customized Industry Training classes. Firefighters, rescue personnel, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers are fee exempt for occupational extension classes that relate to those areas of training.
The registration fee for continuing education occupational classes is based on the length of the course. Fees are as follows:
- $70 for a course up to 24 hours
- $125 for a course of 25 to 50 hours
- $180 for a course with more than 50 hours
Some classes are contracted on a self-supporting basis and are not fee exempt for any group of individuals.
Other Fees
Computer use and technology fee (per Occupational computer class) $5 per class. Public Safety classes are fee exempt.
Registration Fees
Registration fees are due at the time of registration. Students are not enrolled until all registration fees are paid. Registration fees, supplies fees, technology fees, insurance fees, and book fees, if required, are listed with each course listing.
Effective Sept. 1, 1993, the NC Community College System established a Course Repetition Policy requiring students, including senior citizens, who take occupational extension courses more than twice within a five-year period, to pay the full cost of the course. This provision is waived if course repetition is required by standards governing the certification or licensing program in which the student is enrolled. Students may enroll in community service/personnel enrichment courses as many times as necessary to accomplish their individual educational/training goals, provided they continue to show progress, do not prohibit others from participating, are willing to pay fees and do not violate policies of the NC Community College System.
Preregistration is essential on or before the date designated on course announcements or quarterly schedules. Students may preregister by calling or visiting the closest Continuing Education office.
| Jackson Campus | phone 828.339.4000 fax 828.339.4495 Toll free: 800.447.4091 ext. 4426 |
| PSTC | phone 828.306.7041 fax 828.369.2428 |
| Swain Center | phone 828.366.2000 fax 828.366.2008 |
Registration fee refunds are granted only under the following circumstances:
- A student who officially withdraws from an extension class(es) prior to the first class meeting shall be eligible for a 100% refund. Also, a student is eligible for a 100 percent refund if an applicable class fails to “make” due to insufficient enrollment
- After the respective class begins a 75% shall be made upon the request of the student if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to or on the 10% point of the scheduled hours of the class. Note: This rule is applicable regardless of the number of times the class meets or the number of hours the class is scheduled to meet.
- A 100% refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from a contact hour class prior to the first day of class of the academic semester or term of if the college cancels the class. A 75% refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from a contact hour class on or before the 10th calendar day of the class.
- Self-supporting classes are not eligible for refunds.
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