Be one of a kind. We are the Country’s only self-contained community college serving only deaf and hard of hearing students.
SouthWest College for the Deaf
We are pleased to invite you to join a diverse faculty and staff in a unique learning environment, which offers Associate degrees and certificate programs. The opportunities we offer will allow you to achieve your educational goals. We are a barrier-free campus. American Sign Language is the communication primarily used that gives you freedom to focus on your studies and to interact with classmates and faculty, both in and out of the classrooms. No matter what your family or educational background, we assure you will find SWCD an ideal place for learning, teaching, and living a college experience; where you can freely discuss ideas and perceptive with faculty, staff, and peers. SWCD also provides you with leadership and fellowship opportunities that will help you become a more confident person and reach your future career goals.
Your experience at SWCD will be enriched through participation in athletic programs, a variety of student organizations, class internships, as well as residential activities on both our SWCD and Howard College campuses for your future, friends and life-long memories.
We look forward to your visit on our SWCD campus. If you have questions, please contact the Enrollment Services Office or Outreach Office at the SWCD campus at swregistrar@howardcollege.edu . Thank you.
Complete a SWCD Admissions Application including residency information. | |
Submit a high school transcript, GED certificate and/or all college transcripts, if applicable. | |
Determine your TSI (Texas Success Initiative) status and schedule an assessment if required. | |
Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination – Senate Bill 1107 requires all students under 22 years of age entering a public, private, or independent institution of higher education in Texas as of January 2012 and thereafter to provide documentation that they have had a meningococcal vaccine or “booster” dose within the past five years and at least 10 days prior to the first day of class. Click for further information about this requirement and a list of exemptions for this requirement. | |
Submit audiogram (deaf / hard of hearing students only). | |
Approximately 2 weeks from the time your application is received and processed, you should receive an enrollment packet. If you do not, contact the Registrar’s Office. |
Each undergraduate student entering Howard College / SWCD, unless except or under exceptional circumstances, will be required to test for reading, writing, and math skills before enrolling in college-level courses. Check the Howard College Catalog or a Howard College / SWCD Admissions office for a list of exemptions.
TSIA/TSIA2 Update
An updated TSIA exam will launch on January 11, 2021. The TSIA2 will take the place of the current TSIA exam. If you meet the college readiness benchmarks with the current TSIA exam, the scores will be valid for five years from the date that you took the exam. The same will apply to the new TSIA2 exam. The TSIA2 will differ from the TSIA by having reading and writing combined into one section which will be called the English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) section. The TSIA2 will still have an essay portion and the mathematics section.
The Pre-Assessment (PAA) will still be required before taking the TSIA2. On January 11, the new Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) will be updated for the new exam.
College-Level Classes Taken Without Testing
If you were placed into college-level classes only without taking the TSIA due to COVID restrictions, you may be required to take the TSIA/TSIA2 before the start of the spring semester.
- Students who passed the college-level classes do not have to take the TSIA.
- Students who did not take a corequisite class and did not pass the college-level class will need to take the TSIA or TSIA2 before the start of the spring semester..
Please check with an advisor if you have questions.
- Apply through ApplyTexas using these Special Instructions
- Registration on Campus
- See an advisor for completion of Schedule Card
- MUST return Schedule Card to Registrar’s Office for OFFICIAL Registration
- See Financial Aid if needed
- Please note payment dates on the bottom of Billing Statement or Important Dates.
Have questions about admissions or the admission process? Contact the registrar’s office. Need an official SWCD transcript? Arrange for official transcripts to be sent from your high school (as well as any colleges that you may have received credit from). Simply contact the school(s) and request for official transcripts to be mailed to:
Enrollment Services
Southwest College for the Deaf (SWCD)
3200 Avenue C
Big Spring, TX 79720
1 (432) 218-4045
1 (432) 264-3729 fax