Student Records Policies
Confidentiality of Student Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution. These rights include:
- The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days after the day the St. Louis Community College (STLCC) receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or another appropriate official a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The school official will make access arrangements and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the school to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The school discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by STLCC in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of STLCC who performs an institutional service of function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for STLCC.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by STLCC to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
More information about records and information that may or may not be disclosed, and other information regarding the confidentiality of student records, can be found in Administrative Procedures G.14 Confidentiality of Student Records.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
St. Louis Community College participates in several programs that evaluate educational experiences gained through nontraditional college programs. These programs help the College and the student equate previously acquired knowledge to college credit.
Students should be aware that transfer policies for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) vary among institutions. STLCC cannot guarantee that CPL credits awarded by another institution will transfer.
CPL credits are recorded on the student’s transcript with a grade symbol of “R” rather than a letter grade. Students are encouraged to consult an academic advisor regarding the use of CPL in their educational planning.
Note: CPL cannot be applied toward the residency requirement for graduation.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
Students who successfully complete college-level courses in high school may be eligible for credit by earning satisfactory scores or placement on the Advanced Placement (AP) Examination, administered by the College Board. AP exams are typically given at the end of the high school course.
Students seeking college credit or advanced placement should have official test scores sent to the Registrar's Office. College credit is awarded for a minimum score of 3 on the exam.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) evaluates college-level learning, regardless of how or where the learning occurred. CLEP examinations, developed by the College Entrance Examination Board, are divided into general and subject exams. St. Louis Community College grants credit for subject exams.
- When the exam corresponds to a course offered at STLCC, credit will be applied to that specific course.
- When no course equivalent exists, credit may be granted as elective hours in the same field.
- Students with college credit should note that CLEP credit will not be awarded for a course they have already completed.
Credit by Examination
Students who have acquired knowledge in a course subject—through reading, job training, or other experiences—may petition to receive credit by examination.
Before taking the exam, students should discuss their preparation with the appropriate department chair. The chair may deny permission if the student is not sufficiently prepared. Tutoring is not provided, and passing the exam is not guaranteed.
Exams are graded on a pass/fail basis, and no letter grade is awarded. Students who pass the exam will have a grade symbol of "R" on their transcript, indicating credit by examination. Students planning to transfer should be aware that some institutions may not accept credit by examination.
Students wishing to pursue a departmental examination at STLCC should complete an Application for Departmental Proficiency Examination. Contact the department chair or the appropriate faculty person to obtain the application.
Industry Credentials
Students may earn credit for some courses by demonstrating knowledge gained through industry certifications. To request credit, students should submit the following to the department chair or program coordinator:
- Certificate of completed training
- Lesson plan or training content (if available),
- Dates of attendance
- Proficiency exam scores
- Any other relevant documentation
Some departments may also require students to demonstrate knowledge through department assessments. Credit will only be awarded for training completed within the last five years.
The most up-to-date list of Industry Certifications is available on the Registrar's Office webpage.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit
Students who have completed International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework are encouraged to send their IB transcripts to STLCC. Scores must be sent directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
There is no fee for posting IB credit on a student's transcript. The most up-to-date list of accepted IB exams and score requirements is available on the Registrar's webpage.
Military Educational and Training Credit
St. Louis Community College may award credit for military education and training through the following sources:
- Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
- Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS)
- Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART)
Credit is awarded based on the type of transcript, credit recommendations for military training schools, or ACE occupational credit recommendations.
Portfolio Evaluation
Students may request credit for a course that does not have an established method for granting Credit for Prior Learning. In such cases, the student may submit a portfolio of work for review by a faculty member or department chair, as appropriate.
The student will meet with the department chair to complete the Approval of Alternative Credit for Prior Learning form, which outlines the requirements and expectations for earning the credit.
National Student Clearinghouse Services
St. Louis Community College contracts with the National Student Clearinghouse to provide verification services to third parties and students. Third parties can obtain degree verification, enrollment verification, and verification of attendance through the National Student Clearinghouse webpage.
Students with access to Archer Connect can print enrollment verification certificates to provide proof of enrollment to health insurers, housing providers, or other organizations.
Transcripts
Official transcripts of grades and credit hours earned at St. Louis Community College are issued only by the Registrar’s Office at the following location:
Registrar's Office
St. Louis Community College
5600 Oakland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-539-5159
Transcripts may be requested online through the National Student Clearinghouse's webpage. A $10 fee is required for each transcript.
Students with access to Archer Connect may view grades and print unofficial transcripts. Unofficial, free transcripts are available through the campus advising offices.
Transfer Credit
To be eligible for acceptance of previously earned credit, students must be enrolled at St. Louis Community College as degree or certificate-seeking students with a declared program of study.
Official transcripts from other post-secondary institutions and documentation of military service should be mailed to the Registrar's Office. The College evaluates these transcripts for degree and prerequisite requirements in the same manner as credits earned at STLCC. All equivalent credits for which passing grades have been earned will be accepted if they fulfill the College's program and degree requirements.
Accepted transfer credits will be included in the cumulative credit hours at STLCC; however, grades earned at other institutions are not recorded and are not included in the cumulative grade point average.
The College is not obligated to accept another institution’s Credit(s) for Prior Learning (CPL), nor are other institutions obligated to accept CPL earned at STLCC.
Transfer students may use the College’s Transfer Appeals Process to challenge institutional decisions regarding the acceptance of credit(s) from regionally accredited Missouri public colleges and universities or those that have achieved candidacy status by the Higher Learning Commission.
Transfer to Another School
Admission regulations for transfer students vary among receiving colleges and universities. Students planning to transfer credits should contact the receiving institution prior to enrollment to confirm transfer policies. While acceptance of credit is at the discretion of the transfer school, STLCC maintains articulation agreements that can facilitate the transfer process.
Generally, courses in college transfer programs satisfy various department, elective, and degree requirements at receiving schools. Career program courses are primarily designed to prepare students for the workforce; however, some courses and programs may be accepted by other colleges and universities. Students in career programs who plan to transfer should consult the receiving institution to determine which credits will transfer.
Students who have completed the Missouri CORE 42 may request that a statement be added to their transcript by emailing registrar@stlcc.edu.
The following Missouri colleges are signatories of the Missouri CORE 42 agreement:
- Avila University
- Central Methodist University
- Crowder College
- East Central College
- Harris-Stowe State University
- Jefferson College
- Lincoln University
- Lindenwood University
- Logan University
- Metropolitan Community College
- Mineral Area College
- Missouri Baptist University
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri State University
- Missouri State University-West Plains
- Missouri University of Science & Technology
- Missouri Western State University
- Moberly Area Community College
- North Central Missouri College
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- Rockhurst University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- St. Charles Community College
- St. Louis Community College
- State Fair Community College
- State Technical College of Missouri
- Three Rivers College
- Truman State University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Missouri-Columbia
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Webster University