State Authorization

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What Is State Authorization?

Institutions must obtain approval from states for local and distance postsecondary educational activities relevant to the delivery of educational programs. Activities include online learning, non-classroom experiences, faculty members who live outside of North Carolina, proctoring, professional licensure and marketing. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. H 600.9 (c).

In What States Is Southwestern Community College Authorized To Offer Online Courses?

Southwestern Community College has been approved by NC to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

The states in which the college is authorized to serve students are listed below. If you reside in a state not on this list, you are not eligible to register for online classes at SCC at this time. If you have questions, please contact our admissions office at admissions@southwesterncc.edu.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansas
ColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of Columbia
FloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdaho
IllinoisIndianaIowaKansas
KentuckyLouisianaMaineMaryland
MassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippi
MissouriMontanaNebraskaNevada
New HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew York
North CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahoma
OregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode Island
South CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexas
UtahVermontVirginiaWashington
West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

SARA North Carolina Portal Liaison

Terrence R. Scarborough, M.P.A. – Director of SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
919.248.4667
terrence@saranc.org
State Website NC-SARA

Contact and Complaint Resolution Information For Other States

Is Southwestern Community College accredited?

Yes, Southwestern Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Ln, Decatur, GA 30033, (404) 679-4500, to award associate degrees, diplomas and certificates.

What if I Need Help Resolving a Complaint?

If you have a complaint, you should attempt to resolve the complaint through the SCC Grievance Procedure.

Complaints should be addressed to the attention of the supervising dean (email and phone contact information contained in the included directory link):

Complaint Forms Will Be Mailed To:

Southwestern Community College
447 Drive, Sylva, NC 28779
828.339.4400
Website: Complaint Grievance Procedures
Form: Student Complaint Information Sheet and Form

If a Complaint Cannot be Resolved Through SCC’s Grievance Procedures

Students may file a complaint with SARA-NC (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement-North Carolina).

Contact Information

SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629 or email to
complaint@saranc.org
Phone contact: (855) SARA1NC, toll free or (855) 727-2162, toll free

These Resources May Also be Helpful in Resolving Complaints

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints Unit

Contact Information

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh NC 27603
(919) 962-4550

Websites

Regional Accreditor (SACSCOC) Complaint Process

If a student has evidence that an institution is in significant non-compliance with SACSCOC standards, policies or procedures, the individual should inform SACSCOC using the Complaints Against Institutions: Policy Sheet and Form.

President
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
404.679.4500

What About Licensure Programs Offered by Southwestern Community College?

If you plan to enroll in a Southwestern Community College program that leads to licensure or certification and you live outside North Carolina, please review the information below.

This content is updated each spring and outlines whether each program meets or does not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

Because requirements vary by state and can change, we strongly encourage you to confirm directly with the appropriate licensing agency before enrolling.

If you have questions, a local SCC contact is also provided to assist you.

Licensure DisclosureType of ProgramSCC Contact Information
Telecommunicator Certification CourseProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Advanced EMT LicensureProfessional/Continuing Education and Academic DegreeCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
BLET CertificationProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Clinical Medical AssistantProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
CosmetologyAcademic DegreeDanell Moses – Dean of Career Technologies  
dmoses@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4341
CPR and First AidProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Culinary ArtsAcademic DegreeDanell Moses – Dean of Career Technologies  
dmoses@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4341
Dental AssistingAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Dental HygienistAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Detention OfficerProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Early Child EducationAcademic DegreeDanell Moses – Dean of Career Technologies  
dmoses@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4341
Electronic Health Records CertificationProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
EMRProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
EMSProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
EMTProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Flagger TrainingProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Firefighter Levels I and IIProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
General Contractor Continuing Education ElectricalProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Insurance Pre-LicensingProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Medical RadiographyAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Medical SonographyAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
National Parks ServiceProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Notary PublicProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Nursing (Nurse Aide I and I)Professional/Continuing Education and Academic DegreeScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Nursing (ADN)Academic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Nursing (RIBN)Academic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Nursing (LPN)Academic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Occupational Therapy AssistantAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
OpticianryAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
OSHA-10Professional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
ParamedicProfessional/Continuing Education and Academic DegreeCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Pharmacy TechnicianProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
PhlebotomyProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Physical Therapist AssistantAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Radiologist Technologist LicensureAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
NC Real Estate Pre-LicensingProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
Rescue TechnicianProfessional/Continuing EducationCurtis Dowdle – Dean of Public Safety Training  
cdowdle@southwesterncc.edu – 828.306.7040
Respiratory TherapyAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Surgical TechnologyAcademic DegreeDr. Tim Dean – Dean of Health Sciences  
t_dean@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4331
Veterinary TechnicianProfessional/Continuing EducationScott Sutton – Dean of Workforce Continuing Education  
scotts@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4296
WeldingAcademic DegreeDanell Moses – Dean of Career Technologies  
dmoses@southwesterncc.edu – 828.339.4341

Questions? Please submit a Help Ticket to SCC E-Learning
(under “Select Type of Help,” choose “Moodle Assistance”)

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