03:11:00
ADMISSIONS AND REGISTRATION
Applicants
seeking admission to
A.
Submit a
completed application for admission; with a non-refundable application fee.
B.
Provide official
academic transcripts and test results as applicable.
C.
Submit
Immunization documents
I.
Admission of First-time
Freshman
A.
Graduation
from High School
Except as
provided for below in the section on General Educational Development
Certificate (GED), applicants for degree admission as first-time freshmen must
provide an official transcript showing graduation from high school with a
regular high school diploma. A special
education diploma or certificate does not meet this requirement. The transcript of graduates of
B.
General
Educational Development Certificate (GED)
Applicants
for degree admission as first-time freshmen may present a GED certificate in
lieu of a high school diploma provided that their composite GED score is at least
450 with no individual score below 410.
C.
Standardized
Examination Scores
Applicants
for admission as first-time freshmen who are under 21 years of age must present
valid American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
scores. Applicants for admission as
first-time freshmen who are 21 years of age or older on the first day of class
must complete the placement test.
Students with valid ACT or SAT scores on the first day of class may
elect to submit their scores as the basis for placement decisions. Valid ACT/SAT scores are those earned within
three years prior to the first day of the first term of enrollment.
D.
High
School Course Requirements (University Parallel Program)
Candidates
for the Associate of Arts (AA) degree or Associate of Science (AS) degree, who
graduated from high school in 1989, or after, must have completed appropriate
courses at
E.
Minimum
High School Unit Requirements (University Parallel Program)
|
1. English |
4 |
|
2. Algebra I |
1 |
|
3. Algebra II |
1 |
|
4. Geometry
or other advanced math course with geometry component |
1 |
|
5. Natural Sciences – One must be a laboratory
course in biology, chemistry or
physics |
2 |
|
6. |
1 |
|
7. Social Studies |
1 |
|
8. Foreign Language – In same language |
2 |
|
9.
Visual/Performing Arts |
1 |
II.
Exceptions to
The minimum high school unit requirements listed above is required of
all persons admitted to the university parallel program as first-time freshmen
except as provided for below:
A.
Applicants who
graduated from high school or who received a GED certificate prior to 1989 are
admissible without regard to the high school unit requirements. However, GED recipients who have not taken
United States history in high school must complete a semester of United States
history before receiving a degree at any four-year public college or university
in Tennessee.
B. Applicants who received a GED in 1989
and thereafter or an American Council on Education External Diploma (ACE) are
considered to have met all high school unit requirements except those in
foreign language and visual/performing arts.
Deficiencies in those units must be removed within the first 30
college-level semester hours after initial enrollment or the students will not
be allowed to register for subsequent semesters.
C. Applicants with an Honors Diploma in
General Education from a Tennessee public high school (Rules, Regulations, and
Minimum Standards for the Governance of Public Schools in the State of
Tennessee, Book One, Chapter 0520-1-3-.06[1][e]) are considered to have met all
high school unit requirements.
D. Applicants who graduated from high
school and have a valid ACT composite score of 26 or higher are considered to
have met all high school unit requirements except those in foreign language and
visual/performing arts. Deficiencies in
those units must be removed within the first 30 college-level semester hours
after initial enrollment or the students will not be allowed to register for
subsequent semesters.
E. The qualifications and needs of
applicants who volunteer information about a disabling condition will be
assessed on an individual basis.
Assessment includes an evaluation of the applicant’s potential for
success in college and any exceptions that may be warranted.
F. Applicants who are residents of
states other than Tennessee are subject to the same admission requirements as
in-state applicants.
G. International applicants who
graduated from a foreign high school are admissible without regard to the high
school unit requirements.
III.
Mandatory
Placement of Degree Admission Students
Admission
to a degree program requires meeting one of the following criteria:
A.
Applicants who
are under 21 years of age on the planned first day of class must submit valid
ACT or SAT scores. Placement in
appropriate academic courses is based on ACT test scores and high school
transcripts. If a student’s high school
transcript has not been received in the Admissions and Records Office, the
student will be advised based on ACT test scores.
B. Student applicants who have never
attended college and who are 21 years of age or older on the first day of class
must complete the placement test.
Students with valid ACT or SAT scores that are less than three years old
on the first day of class may elect to submit their scores as the basis for
placement decisions.
C. Based on test scores, student
applicants who do not show basic proficiency in mathematics, English, and/or
reading are required to take appropriate developmental studies (DSP)
coursework. Students must complete
required prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in subsequent college-level
courses.
D. Transfer students whose previous
academic records from a college or university indicate appropriate English
and/or mathematics proficiency will be considered for admission. Students whose records do not include such
transfer credit in English and mathematics must establish proficiency in the
basic academic competencies by test scores according to conditions explained in
parts A, B, and C above.
E. Students admitted to degree programs
may later prove to be deficient in a basic academic competency and will be
referred to the Learning and Testing Center.
Upon verification of the deficiency through placement testing, such
students will be withdrawn from the related course(s) with a grade of W.
IV.
Admission of
Transfer Students
Any
degree-seeking applicant who has attended another college or university will be
considered a transfer student. Admission
of transfer students will be consistent with the following criteria:
A.
Official
transcripts from each school previously attended must be submitted to
Admissions and Records. A student cannot
register for a second semester without having submitted all previous college
transcripts.
B.
The applicant’s
grade-point average on transferable courses must be at least equal to that
which Pellissippi State requires for the readmission of its own students. Applicants who do not meet the College’s
standards will be admitted on scholastic probation.
C.
Applicants
with college credit earned prior to fall 1989 are admitted without regard to
the minimum high school unit requirements.
D.
Applications
with 60 or more transferable semester hours are eligible for degree admission
without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
E.
Applicants
with an associate's degree (A.A., A.S.) designed for transfer to baccalaureate
institutions are eligible for degree admission without regard to the minimum
high school unit requirements.
F.
Applicants
who enrolled in college for the first time in fall 1989 or thereafter and have
59 or fewer semester hours of transferable credit are eligible for degree
admission provided that any high school unit deficiency be removed within the
first 30 college-level semester hours after initial enrollment.
V.
Evaluation of Transfer Credit
The
awarding of transfer credit will be consistent with the following criteria:
A.
Upon completion of
a student's file and the receipt of all college transcripts, Admissions and
Records and the respective academic departments will evaluate courses
taken. No transfer credit will be
processed until all official transcripts from each school attended by the
student are received by Admissions and Records.
Transfer credit will not be computed in a student's grade point average
at Pellissippi State. Provided a grade
of C or better was made in each course, transfer credit is awarded for
individual courses that parallel Pellissippi State requirements for course
content, level of instruction, and preparation of faculty teaching courses for
which transfer credit is requested. The
following information may be required to evaluate the comparability of courses
for the purpose of awarding transfer credit:
1.
Course
Syllabus - Photocopy of the syllabus
used at the time the course was taken. A
determination of the comparability of course content and level of instruction
is made through a comparison of the following syllabus elements: course prefix,
number, and title; lecture/lab contact hours and credit hours; course description; prerequisite/co-requisite courses; course
objectives/course goals; grading scale; required textbook and other
instructional materials; and methods of evaluation. If the syllabus does not contain the
information specified above, supplemental documentation (e.g., assignment
schedules, grading policy statements) will be required along with the course
syllabus.
2.
Faculty
Credentials - Verification that
faculty teaching the course(s) for which credit is requested meet the following
academic and/or professional experience qualifications: courses designed for
transfer to four-year colleges and universities - master's degree and at least
18 graduate hours in the discipline; courses not designed for transfer to
four-year college and universities -master's degree and at least 18 graduate
hours in the discipline or bachelor's degree and work experience in a related
field.
3.
If applicable,
the names of relevant specialized or program agencies/boards may be submitted
along with the above information.
B.
The transfer
credit appeal process may be used by students to request reconsideration of
transfer credit decisions. Steps in the
appeal process are as follows:
1.
The student
contacts the Admissions and Records Office and requests a re-evaluation of
transfer credit. The student may ask
that particular courses be reconsidered for approval.
2.
Course
descriptions, course syllabi, and other documentation as described above must
be provided by the student or by the institution where the courses were taken.
3.
Copies of college
transcripts and supporting documentation are sent to the appropriate Academic
Department Dean for review.
4.
The Academic Department
Dean informs the Admissions and Records Office of the transfer credit
decision. Department Dean decisions
regarding the awarding of transfer credit are final.
5.
The Admissions
and Records Office notifies the student of the transfer credit decision. The appeal process is the same for students
transferring from regionally and non-regionally accredited, and international
colleges and universities.
VI.
Proof
of Language Proficiency by Non-native Speakers
An
applicant whose native language is not English must satisfy one of the
following prerequisites:
A.
Submit a minimum
score of 450 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
or a 133 on the computer-based TOEFL and take English placement tests. Students with valid ACT or SAT scores that
are less than three years old on the first day of class may elect to submit
their scores for consideration in placement decisions.
B.
Submit
a transcript showing graduation from an American high school.
C.
Submit
a transcript showing satisfactory completion (a grade of at least C) of college
level English Composition I from a U.S. college or university.
VII. Admission of International Applicants
A
person who is a citizen or a permanent resident of a country other than the
A.
Submit all
official transcripts, test scores, and immigration information. Documents must be written either in English
or submitted in the original language and accompanied by an English translation
and certified as official copies.
B.
For award of
transfer credit from an international college or university to be considered,
students must have their academic transcripts evaluated by an approved
credential service. Students must
provide copies of the credit recommendations from the educational credential
service. Students should consult the
Credential Evaluation policy on the PSTCC International Admissions website for
further information at: http://www.pstcc.edu/admissions/international/guide/.
C.
Applicants
needing visa sponsorship through Pellissippi State must:
1.
Provide
documentation substantiating official status with the United States Immigration
Service.
2.
Provide a copy of
their Form I-94.
3.
Submit, within
thirty (30) days from the first day of classes, a certificate from a licensed
physician or other qualified medical authority verifying freedom from
tuberculosis. Failure to submit such
certification will result in denial of admission or continued enrollment. In the event that a student has tuberculosis
or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment
will be conditional upon the determination by a licensed physician that further
enrollment is not a risk to others and upon the student's compliance with any
prescribed medical treatment program.
4.
Enroll in the TBR
Student/Scholar Health and Accident Insurance Plan (students with J, F or M
visas; students with J visas must also carry adequate medical and
hospitalization insurance for spouses and dependents).
5.
Provide evidence
of sufficient resources to pay fees in U.S. dollars. Documentation of financial resources must be
no less than six (6) months old at the time of submission and must be verified
by a financial institution; and
6.
Meet with the
international student admissions coordinator in Admissions and Records on
arrival in the United States.
VIII.
Readmission to
A
student who has not attended
IX.
Academic Fresh
Start: Criteria
"Academic Fresh Start" is a plan of academic forgiveness
provided for undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic responsibility
following their return. The Academic
Fresh Start allows the calculation of the quality point average and credit
hours toward graduation to be based only on work done after returning to
college.
Readmitted students who
were formally enrolled in the institution as well as transfer students who meet
institutional requirements for admission and who have been separated from all
institutions of higher education for a minimum of four (4) years are eligible
for the Fresh Start. Institutional
policies governing the readmission of former students and admission of transfer
students must be in compliance with TBR policy 2:03:00:00 (Admissions). This policy requires that the "transfer
applicant's grade point average on transferable courses must be at least equal
to that which the institution requires for the readmission of its own
students. Applicants who do not meet the
institution's standards may be admitted on scholastic probation or other
appropriate condition. (2:03:00:00, page 11 of 16)."
Each institution
may establish an Academic Fresh Start provision which must meet the following
minimum criteria:
A. Student Requirements
1.
Separation from
all collegiate institutions for at least four (4) years.
2.
At the time of
readmission or admission as a degree student or after the time of readmission,
but prior to the completion of 15 hours of degree coursework, formal
application to the office so defined by the institution's catalogue requesting
the Academic Fresh Start and describing an academic plan.
3.
Completion of at
least fifteen (15) semester hours of earned degree coursework with a minimum
QPA of 2.0 for all work attempted.
B.
Terms of the
Academic Fresh Start
1.
Once the student
has satisfied the above requirements, the institution may grant the Academic
Fresh Start. The student may be granted
a Fresh Start only once.
2.
The student's
permanent record will remain a record of all work; however, the student will
forfeit the use for degree or certification purposes all college or university
degree credit earned prior to the four-year separation upon the granting of the
Fresh Start. Previously satisfied
Assessment and Placement Program (COMPASS) requirements will not be forfeited.
3.
Upon degree
admission, Fresh Start applicants who did not satisfy COMPASS requirements at
the time of previous enrollment and whose academic plan includes completion of
a college-level English or mathematics course must meet current Academic
Assessment and Placement Program (COMPASS) requirements regarding enrollment in
college English and mathematics courses.
4.
The student’s
transcript will note that the Fresh Start was made and the date of the Fresh
Start. The record will also carry the
notation, “QPA and credit totals are based only on the work beginning [with the
date of the Fresh Start].
5.
The student will
apply for the Fresh Start with the understanding that all TBR institutions will
honor a Fresh Start provision granted at another TBR institution. The student should also signify understanding
that non-TBR institutions may not accept the QPA as it is calculated with the
Fresh Start.
X.
Other Types of
Admission
A.
Special
Admission – General Requirements for all Non-degree Applicants
An undergraduate
special student is one who is not working toward a degree. To be admitted as an
undergraduate special student, a person must hold a regular high school diploma
or a GED certificate or have the approval of the director of Admissions and
Records. Exceptions may be made as
listed in the high school section below.
Special students must
1.
meet the
entry-level standards for each course in which they enroll,
2.
be able to
complete assignments, and
3.
be able to read
and write at the required level.
If a student wishes to
change to degree-seeking status, the student must meet the mandatory placement
criteria for degree-seeking students.
Undergraduate special students must
1.
satisfy all
Developmental Studies Program requirements indicated by the placement test or
2.
provide evidence
that they have successfully completed all college-level prerequisites or
3.
provide evidence
of other equivalent experiences before enrolling in regular college-level
English or mathematics courses or other college-level courses that are the
second course in a two-course sequence (e.g., Accounting I and II). Special students are not eligible for
financial aid.
B.
Requirements
for High School Students
Early admission of first-time freshmen
The
following procedures apply to the admission of applicants who have completed
their junior year in high school. The
minimum requirements for admission of this category of applicants shall be the
following:
1.
Completion
of 9th, 10th and 11th grades with a minimum grade-point average of 3.2 based on
a 4.0 scale or the equivalent
2. A valid ACT composite score of at
least 22
3. Written endorsement for each semester
of attendance from the applicant's high school principal specifying the college
courses that will be substituted for the remaining high school courses needed
for high school graduation
4. Written endorsements for each semester
of attendance from the applicant's high school counselor and from the
applicant's parents or guardians.
Joint
enrollment of high school students
Joint
enrollment is the enrollment of a high school student in one or more college
courses for which the student will earn only college credit. High school students who meet the following
criteria as specified in Chapter 395 of the Public Acts of 1983 are eligible
for special admission:
Academically
talented/gifted students enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 in public or
private high schools in Tennessee, may with the recommendation and approval of
the high school principal and the director of Admissions and Records, enroll in
and receive regular college degree credit from Pellissippi State if the students
have a grade-point average equivalent to 3.2 on a 4.0 maximum basis and if such
placement is a part of the students'
planned Individual Education Program (IEP) as established by the
multi-disciplinary team process.
Dual enrollment of high school students
The
dual enrollment program is a cooperative effort between
Dual
enrollment is the enrollment of a high school student in one or more specified
college courses for which the student will be awarded both high school and
college credit; students participating in a dual enrollment program must meet
all requirements of both the high school and
Students enrolling in college-level courses must meet
the requirements specified for admission of degree-seeking students and the
requirements of the appropriate course syllabus available at http://www.pstcc.edu/departments/adv/syllabi/2008/index.html.
C.
People who
have attended other colleges but have not earned a degree
People
who earned credits but not a degree at another college and are eligible for
readmission to the last institution attended are eligible for admission to
Pellissippi State. Those who do not meet
the readmission standards of the last institution attended may be admitted on
academic probation or other established condition.
D.
People with a
college degree or certificate
People who have a
degree or certificate equivalent to the associate's degree in a particular field
who wish to take additional courses are eligible for admission.
E.
For Senior
citizens and persons with disabilities
Tennessee
Code Annotated (T.C.A.) 49-7-113 provides special legislation for people with
permanent disabilities and for
1.
Eligibility to
audit courses
People
with permanent disabilities and
2.
Eligibility
to take courses for credit
People
with total permanent disabilities and
Students
with a disability requesting accommodations and adjustments for needed services
must follow the established procedures of the college and the Services for
Students with Disabilities office.
Senior citizens must first submit to the Business Office
documented proof of age.
XI.
General
Provisions
A.
Residency
Classification
Upon admission to the
College, Admissions and Records classify each student as resident or
non-resident. Any person who has
established a permanent dwelling place in
Admissions and Records may require proof of
relevant facts regarding residency.
Application for In- State Residency forms may be downloaded at: http://www.pstcc.edu/admissions/pdf/residency_application.pdf. Students who disagree with the initial
decision may appeal to the Director of Admissions and Records for
reclassification. Students who still
disagree may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Student Success and
Enrollment Management.
B.
Advanced
Standing - Students admitted to
Pellissippi State may obtain advance standing and course credit by the
following:
1.
College-Level
Examination Program (CLEP)
–
2.
DANTES
Test - DANTES subject standardized tests
are also used to award college credit to students who can demonstrate knowledge
of subjects commonly taught in introductory college courses. The Learning and
3.
Advanced
Placement Test - Examination Board to high school
students. See current College catalog
and handbook for minimum score requirements and credits awarded. Specific information can be obtained from the
Admissions and Records Office.
4.
Tech Prep
Articulation Credit – After successfully
completing 12 college credits at
a.
Securing the
Articulation Application.
b.
Securing the
required signature on the application.
c.
Securing a copy
of the official high school transcript from the high school counselor.
d.
Submitting the
completed application to the Tech Prep Office.
e.
Successfully
passing the respective articulation exam or securing validation of the
competencies from the high school teacher.
f.
Completing 12
college credits with a C grade or better.
5.
Military
Service Credit -
6.
Credit
for Extra-Institutional Learning -
7.
Credit
for Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) Examination - People passing the Certified
Professional Secretary examination will be granted 16 semester hours of credit
at
8.
Proficiency
Credit by Examination
-
9.
Credit
for Life Experience
-
C.
Keyboarding
Proficiency - All
Business and Computer Technology students who do not type 28 words per minute
with five or fewer errors must enroll in OST 1100.
D. Non-Credit Course
Admission (CEU)
For admission
only to non-credit courses for continuing education units, an applicant must
submit a completed non-credit course registration form to Business and
Community Services. Students enrolled
only in non-credit classes who seek to take credit classes must meet the
regular admissions requirements shown under the general admissions procedures
as applicable.
XII.
Advisement
and Registration
A.
Academic
Advisement
Academic
advisement is a communication and information sharing process during which
students make planned decisions about their educational goals. The
B.
Registration
Students register online at http://mypellissippi.pstcc.edu/cp/home/loginf
or in person by visiting one of the colleges’ campuses during published
registration periods. The minimum load
for full-time attendance is 12 credit hours per semester and the maximum load
is 20 credit hours per semester.
Academic Department Dean approval is necessary for a course load above
20 credit hours. Students requesting to
take above 20 credit hours should see their assigned academic advisor; the
advisor’s Academic Department Dean will determine approval of the student’s
request.
C.
Priority
Registration
Priority registration
occurs several weeks before the end of each term (see Academic Calendar). Students are
encouraged to register during this period to take advantage of a wider
selection of classes. Degree-seeking
students should consult with their advisor to plan the following term's
schedule. New
students whose application files are complete may also participate in priority
registration. Registration is processed
in conjunction with their advising appointment scheduled through the
D.
Final
Registration
Final
registration occurs a few days before the beginning of each term (see Academic
Calendar). Students registering during
this period may obtain scheduling assistance from general advisors on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Payment
of fees is required of all students at the time of final registration.
E.
Official
Enrollment
A student
is officially enrolled when all steps of registration procedures have been
successfully completed, and confirmed with a class schedule, and all assessed
fees have been satisfied through the Business office. Only students who are
properly registered for a course (s) may attend the class. Credit will be granted only for courses in
which the student is officially registered.
Students officially registered for a class they do not attend or stop
attending and do not officially drop or withdraw will receive an “F” grade for
the course. Following any change in
registration, it is the student’s responsibility to check the change(s) for
accuracy of the revised schedule.
F.
Cancellation
of Scheduled Classes
The
College reserves the right to cancel a class or classes prior to the first day of
class. There is a 100% credit to a
student’s account for any class that a student has registered for and the class
is canceled.
Drop, Add
and Withdrawal Standards –
Source:
Tennessee Board of Regents, Policy No. 02:03:00:00 and 02:03:01:01
Tennessee Board of Regents, Guideline A-015
Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Executive Council, June 9, 1993
Editorial Changes, Oct. 27, 1992, April 19, 1993, July 11, 1994
Executive Council, July 25, 1994
Reviewed/ Recommended: President's Council, December 18, 1995
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, December 18, 1995
Reviewed/ Recommended: President's Council, May 13, 1996
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, May 17, 1996
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, September 9, 1997
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 7, 1998
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, June 21, 2001
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 8, 2001
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, January 22, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, February 25, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, November 11, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, February 10, 2003
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, November 3, 2003
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, January 10, 2004
Reviewed/Recommended:
President’s Staff, August 28, 2006
Approved:
President Allen G. Edwards, August 28, 2006
Editorial
Changes, July 2008
Editorial Changes, May 4, 2009