May 08, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog 
  
2023-2024 College Catalog

Admissions



Administration Building (B)  •  admissions@sussex.edu  •  973.300.2223/2253

Sussex County Community College has an open enrollment policy. Admission to the College is open to all high school graduates, those holding a High School Equivalency (HSE), or other persons 18 years or older. Admission and registration are available on a rolling basis.

Eligible high school students may take Sussex classes through our Concurrent Enrollment Program and Jump Start Program.

Students under the age of 18 will be required to obtain a signed parental-enrollment consent form to take classes.

Applying to Sussex

An Application for Admission is available online at sussex.edu/apply.

Applications are reviewed for admission to the College on an ongoing basis. Whether you wish to take a single course or enroll in full-time study, all new students must submit an application.

Applicants must:

  • Provide proof of immunization per the New Jersey law. (Note: students taking less than 12 credits are not required to comply with immunization standards.)
  • Submit high school or other college transcripts or High School Equivalency (HSE) certificate.

After applying, we recommend that all students apply for financial aid.

Chargeback

Students who reside in a county other than Sussex County may be eligible for a county chargeback. To be eligible for a Chargeback, a student must be enrolled at an out-of-county NJ community college (receiving institution) in a program of study not offered at Sussex County Community College (the home community college).

Forms are available online.

County and State Residency Requirements

Any resident of Sussex County who is a high school graduate or is 18 years of age or older may apply for regular admission to Sussex. New Jersey residents who do not live in Sussex County may attend Sussex and receive chargeback assistance through their home counties if the community college in their county does not offer the program they wish to pursue. Students from out-of-county may also attend by paying the out-of-county tuition rate.

Declaration of Major

All students pursuing a degree or a certificate are encouraged to declare a major at the point of admission. Students may change majors by filing a Declaration of Major Form via student email to registrar@sussex.edu or the form is available in the Registrar’s Office, Administration Building (B) Room B217. Students cannot change a major online. Students are not required to declare a major but must declare a major to be eligible for financial aid.

Immunization Requirements

New Jersey State law requires that all full-time community college students provide proof of the following immunizations (immunization certificates required):

  • 2 doses of the measles vaccine
  • 1 dose of the mumps vaccine
  • 1 dose of the rubella vaccine
  • 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine
  • 2 doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (new for Fall 2020 incoming students)

Students born before 1957 are exempt from the measles, mumps, and rubella requirements only and need to present proof of age (i.e., a copy of a driver’s license or birth certificate).

Hepatitis B Vaccine

New Jersey State law also requires that all new, full-time, degree-seeking students enrolling at a public or private institution of higher education in this state shall be vaccinated for Hepatitis B (Three [3] doses). This includes students born prior to 1957.

Meningococcal Vaccine

As of June 15, 2020, New Jersey State law now requires that all full-time, degree-seeking students enrolling at a community college of higher education in this state shall be vaccinated for Meningitis (Two [2] doses). This includes students born prior to 1957.

Exemptions

  • Religious Exemption (J.S.A. 26:1A-9.1 and N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4): Students whose religious principles prohibit injections may request a religious exemption. An essay of explanation is required.
  • Medical Exemption (J.A.C. 8:57-4.3): Students may request a medical exemption if the vaccine is medically contraindicated; a statement by a licensed physician is required. Please refer to the form created by the State of New Jersey for medical professionals to complete for a medical exemption: https://www.nj.gov/health/forms/imm-53.pdf
  • Philosophical and moral objections are not accepted by the State of New Jersey.
  • Full-time, matriculated students who have not fulfilled all vaccination requirements may be barred from full-time registration after their first semester.

In the event of an outbreak: N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.19 Emergency powers of the Commissioner of Health, please review the policy on the Sussex website: sussex.edu/current-students/immunization-record or contact the Registrar’s Office at (973) 300-2218.

International Students

Sussex County Community College is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school and welcomes international students.

International students hold an F-1 student visa and must be enrolled full-time, for at least 12 credit hours, during the fall and spring semesters and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better at all times.

International students are not eligible for financial aid but may qualify for scholarships through the College’s Foundation. They may utilize the College’s academic support services, Advising and Counseling Center, and are welcome to participate in clubs and all student activities.

Matriculation/Enrollment Status and Classification

Any full-time or part-time student enrolled in a degree or certificate program is considered to be matriculated.

A student registered on the tenth day of classes (the official College recording date) for 12 or more credits is considered full-time. A student with 11 credits or less is designated as part-time. (Federal financial aid regulations may impose additional definitions.)

Students attending college for the first time are designated as first-time freshmen and, thereafter, freshmen through the first 29 credits. Students with 30 or more credits are classified as sophomores.

Summer and Winter Sessions

Sussex offers one winter and four summer sessions. Current students, eligible high school students, and students from other colleges can enroll in classes during these sessions. This opportunity allows students to progress more rapidly through their programs, make up classes they may have missed, or transfer credits to other colleges. Contact the Student Success Center in the Administration Building (B) for more information or visit sussex.edu.

Testing Center

Administration (B) Building, Room B317/B318 • 973.300.2155

College Placement Testing

Sussex is committed to each student’s academic success. The testing policy is designed to give all students an opportunity to succeed by beginning in the appropriate courses that will maximize learning.

Sussex does not require an entering student to take the College Placement Test in the subject areas of reading, writing, computation, or algebra; however, the College-level Mathematics Placement Test, Advanced Algebra and Functions, will be required to show proficiency in order to enroll in precalculus or calculus courses unless one of the following waiver conditions is met:

  1. The student has earned a college degree.
  2. The student is taking Sussex courses that are approved for personal enrichment.
  3. The student meets a special program standard or exception.

Results of Placement Tests do not affect admission to Sussex but are used as a measure of skill competency and other measures for appropriate placement into college-level coursework.

Based on Placement Test results, students will be eligible to register for Sussex courses based on the chart Placement Using SAT, ACT or Accuplacer Scores .

CLEP and Challenge Exams

Many students come to Sussex with in-depth knowledge acquired through independent or prior study, cultural or special interest, or skills or knowledge gained from internships and/or professional experience. Challenge Exams and CLEP Exams enable a student to forgo introductory courses, moving them to classes in their major or prospective career areas. Satisfactory scores allow students to save time, shortening the path to their goals. Not every course is appropriate for a Challenge or CLEP Exam. There is a non-refundable proctoring fee for each CLEP Exam.

A maximum of 50% of the credits required for a degree (A.A., A.S., or A.FA.) or certificate program or up to 39 credits for an A.A.S. degree may be granted for CLEP, Challenge Exams, and transfer credit or any combination thereof.

Applications for most Challenge Exams, including the Challenge Exam for COMS 110, can be obtained from the Student Success Center. To schedule the Pre-Calculus Challenge Exam, please call the Testing Center. Sussex is a national CLEP Testing Center.

High School Equivalency (HSE) Test

The High School Equivalency Test is administered each month. Tests are offered on Mondays and Saturdays to accommodate participants. Any New Jersey resident, 18 years or older, who does not have a high school diploma is eligible to take the exam. For students less than 18 years, please contact HSE Program Coordinator at (973) 300-2158.

Licensing Exams in the Medical Field

Information on licensing exams for health science certificates is available from the Health Science department.

Proctoring for Outside Institutions

Exams are proctored for students doing distance learning with other institutions. There is a proctoring charge payable through the Bursar’s Office. Visit the Testing Center page for more information.

Thomas Edison University Examination Program

The Thomas Edison Credit-by-Examination Program (TECEP) enables students to earn college credit for knowledge gained through work experience. TECEP brochures can be obtained from Thomas Edison State University, 101 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625, or visit www.tesu.edu/degree-completion/testing.