Virginia Community College students are required to take this one-credit course within their first 15 credit hours. Students can complete this requirement by taking SDV 100 or SDV 101. These courses are for credit and therefore can help your GPA and financial aid standing. SDV courses include the following:

SDV 100: College Success Skills
1 credit hour
This course focuses on college resources, financial literacy, academic advising, confirming your major, study skills and making a successful transition to college.

SDV 100: College Success Skills and Career Development
2 credit hours
This course covers the subjects listed above but includes a strong career development and career exploration component for students who are undecided about their career path.

Some SDV 100 courses may be offered as learning communities, where students stay in the same group for two courses. Ask your advisor whether any learning community options are available when you register.

SDV 101: Introduction to a Discipline (Major)
Credit hours vary by discipline
A variety of these courses are taught throughout the year and share the same objectives as SDV 100. The difference is that these courses include content drawn from a specific discipline (for example, Science and Technology or Culinary).

“Waiving” SDV

The Virginia Community College System waives SDV only when a student presents an official transcript showing the student has received an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college. There are no exceptions, but in some cases Credit by ABLE may be an alternative.

SDV Credit by ABLE (Assessment by Local Examination)

Students who have not previously received a failing grade in SDV and who have earned 30 or more credit hours with a 2.0 GPA may request Credit by ABLE. Students with an “F” in SDV are not eligible for ABLE.

ABLE is:

  • Student-driven, not instructor-led
  • Accepted toward graduation requirements at Reynolds (but not transferable)
  • Completed in one semester
  • Available in the fall and spring (not summer)

ABLE includes questions about career planning, money management, study skills, advising, college resources and other topics. A minimum score of 75 is required for credit. If you wish to take the ABLE exam, you should drop SDV 100 before the last day to drop.

How to Apply for ABLE

Students who wish to complete the ABLE exam should contact the Manager of First Year Initiatives.