ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM

Telelearning Services
St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis Community College (SLCC) is a public coeducational college supported by local taxes, state funds, and student fees. Created by area voters in 1962, the College offers freshman- and sophomore-level career and college transfer, developmental, and continuing education programs at its three campuses, four education centers, and numerous other locations throughout the city of St. Louis and the county. Nearly 130,000 students enroll each year in credit and noncredit courses. The College also serves the business community with programs offering St. Louis area business stakeholders with performance improvement, consulting, and training services. St. Louis Community College and its campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College is also a founding member of the League for Innovation in the Community College, serving on the League's Board of Directors and as a Board member of Project SAIL.

Distance Learning Program

The World Wide Web, videotapes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, e-mail, live interactive video, and streaming video are offered at St. Louis Community College in addition to face-to-face classroom instruction. Since 1973, St. Louis Community College has been offering distance education to students locally, nationally, and internationally. Approximately 5,000 students currently enroll in distance learning courseware through SLCC.

Delivery Media

Web-based courses and TeleWEB-courses: Course orientation and exams may be administered via the Web or held on campus or at instructor-approved sites, depending on the specific course. Assignments, announcements, projects, tutorials, e-mail, student discussion forums, essay submission and retrieval, operating instructions, bulletins, and library research are accomplished via asynchronous communication in distance learning courses.

Telecourses: Video lessons—televised, videocassette, or CD/DVD—accompany related readings and assignments, discussions, and examinations. When students need help, instructors are just a phone call or e-mail away. Special print materials (textbooks, study guides, and student manuals) have been prepared to accompany each course.

Interactive Television (ITV) classes enable students to participate in SLCC courses from multiple locations at the same time. High-end videoconferencing technology bridges distances and allows students and teachers to see and hear each other from remote locations. Students may participate in an SLCC course from different SLCC locations, area high schools, or other institutions.

Programs of Study

SLCC offers an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in hospitality studies and in information reporting technology as well as Certificate of Proficiency certificates in funeral directing, information reporting technology, and business administration.

Hospitality Studies

Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree program are prepared to enter the hospitality industry at a supervisory level and perform management functions and duties. Students with a Certificate of Proficiency in hotel and restaurant management are prepared for entry-level positions such as front office management, guest services, bar and beverage management, and restaurant or facility management.

Funeral Directing

This Certificate of Proficiency program prepares the student for licensure as a funeral director and entry-level employment in a funeral establishment. This is a nontechnical certificate, geared toward the business and public relations aspects of operating a funeral home. There are no courses in embalming. Graduates are eligible to take the licensing examinations for Missouri or any other states with similar licensing requirements.

Information Reporting Technology: CART and Captioning Reporting

An Associate in Applied Science degree and a Certificate of Proficiency are offered through the Information Reporting Technology Program. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), also referred to as realtime captioning, is a word-for-word speech-to-text interpreting service for people who need communication access. For students who are fascinated with words and have good English skills, manual dexterity, keyboarding experience, and the ability to hear the spoken word, CART and captioning reporting may be the perfect career. This program prepares the student for entry-level positions in realtime captioning

Business Administration:

This program, which offers a Certificate of Proficiency and a Certificate of Specialization, addresses the educational and occupational needs of several groups of people in the business field. Students can enroll in short-term, intensive training for job opportunities or they can complete specific undergraduate requirements toward an advanced degree in business.

Special Programs

St. Louis Community College offers an honors program; students are admitted based on their high school GPA and SAT or ACT scores. Students who earn 15 hours of honors credit receive the designation of Honors Program Scholar on their diplomas and transcripts.

In recognition of the importance of the United States' position within the international community, SLCC offers transcultural and international study. This includes semesters abroad and study tours. The International Education Office (314-539-5363) has additional information.

Student Services

Students have access to many student services via the Web at St. Louis Community College. Admission, registration, financial aid, library services, and a 24/7 HelpDesk are available for all students.

Credit Options

Students may be eligible for credit for academic knowledge gained outside the classroom. The number of credits earned through examination is limited by College policy that 15 of the final 25 semester hours toward the associate degree must be earned at St. Louis Community College. Students should have official transcripts mailed to the College and request an evaluation of previously earned credits at the campus admission/registration office.

Faculty

Faculty members specialize in teaching at the undergraduate level and hold advanced degrees—master's or doctoral—or advanced licensing degrees in technical fields. Career instructors have worked in business and industry and keep current with changes in their fields. Of the 570 faculty members, 32 percent are full-time.

Admission

St. Louis Community College has an open-admissions policy in keeping with its original purpose to provide a high-quality, low-cost education to area residents. Although admission to the College is not based on minimum academic qualifications, certain programs have required standards for admission and retention.

Tuition and Fees

Maintenance fees are $78 per credit hour for students in the SLCC service area, $103 per credit hour for out-of-district students, $138 per credit hour for out-of-state students, and $148 per credit hour for international students.

Financial Aid

St. Louis Community College provides a comprehensive financial aid program funded by federal, state, and private agencies. Aid awards fall into four categories—grants, scholarships, loans, and work. Although superior ability and talent are recognized through the College and other scholarship programs, most aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. Students are encouraged to apply for aid as early as possible (by April 1 for the fall semester). Students who wish to know more about their financial aid eligibility should contact the College's financial aid office.

Applying

Students can apply online, by mail or fax, or in person. Applicants must submit an official high school transcript or GED scores. International students must also submit TOEFL scores and certification of finances.

CONTACT

Daniel A. Bain, Ph.D., Director
Telelearning Services
St. Louis Community College System
300 South Broadway
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
Phone: 314-539-5056
Fax: 314-539-5125
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.stlcc.edu/distance