Admissions
In support of its mission, the College’s admission policies provide access to citizens who need and value “high-quality, innovative instruction and support” in an environment that “promote(s) student achievement and academic excellence (1). As a member of the North Carolina Community College System, the college must, according to the North Carolina Administrative Code, “maintain an open-door admission policy to all applicants who are high school graduates or who are at least 18 years of age” (2). The Code gives the College the authority to establish admission policies and outlines the policy for admitting students below the age of 18 (2 & 3).

The College has established and published admission polices that define access to curriculum programs including all associate degrees, diplomas and certificates; outlines admission criteria for intellectually gifted students under 16 years of age; outlines admission criteria for undocumented alien students and international students; defines admission to all Continuing Education programs including the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. All policies are published in the Policies and Procedures Manual (4 & 5). The College, as mandated by the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, “provides equal access to education for persons with disabilities” (6).

Admission to Curriculum Programs
Admission policies for curriculum programs and for international students are published in the 2005-2006 College catalog (7) and on the College’s web site (8). Applicants for admission to associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs are required to submit a completed application for admission and must produce evidence, if required, of high school completion, placement test results, or substitute credentials and transcripts from previously attended institutions of higher education. The College may accept SAT and ACT test results in lieu of scores on Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Elementary Algebra sections of ACCUPLACER College Placement Test (CPT).

Admission to the College does not imply immediate admission to the curriculum desired by the applicant, and admission to certain programs may have additional specific entrance requirements. A number of Health Science programs have selective admission requirements that are defined on the College’s web site (9) and in the College 2005-2006 catalog on pages 9 (Application for Admission to Selective Health Science Programs), 100-103 (Emergency Medical Science), 109-111 (Health Information Technology), 125-128 (Medical Laboratory Technology), 129-130 (Medical Sonography), 131 (Medical Transcription), 132-139 (Nursing Associate Degree), 150-152 (Phlebotomy), 153-155 (Physical Therapist Assistant), 156-157 (Practical Nursing), 187-190 (Radiography), 192-194 (Respiratory Therapy), 195-196 (Surgical Technology), and 199-200 (Therapeutic Massage) (10).

Admission to Students Intellectually Gifted Under 16 Years Old
A student under the age of 16 may enroll if the president or his designee finds that the student is intellectually gifted and has the maturity to justify admission to the college. The college follows the eligibility requirements and procedures outlined in NCCC numbered memo CC05-182, “Admissions Criteria for Intellectually Gifted and Mature Students Under 16 Years Old”. The policy is administered by Student Services (11).

Admission of Undocumented Aliens
Undocumented alien students who possess diplomas from North Carolina public high schools may be admitted in the same manner as U.S. Citizens, except that they will be required to pay tuition at the “out-of-state tuition rate”. These individuals will not be eligible for Federal or state based financial aid. This policy is consistent with the legal guidance provided in NCCC number memo CC04-171, “Admission or Enrollment of Undocumented Immigrant Applicants (Revised)” (12).

Admission To Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLET)
The College, through its Continuing Education program, offers a state accredited program designed to prepare entry level individuals with the skills to become certified police officers and deputy sheriffs (13). Admission policies, published on the College’s web site and in the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes tabloid, outline an age requirement, criminal background check, sponsorship and medical requirements (13 & 14).

Admission to other Continuing Education Programs
The College offers non-credit classes through the Continuing Education division to individuals 18 years or older who are not enrolled in public school. Any individual who desires to obtain education for personal enrichment or career development, is required to complete a registration form and return the form and payment (if required) either in person to the Continuing Education registration office on the Jackson campus or to offices located at the off-campus sites. Admission requirements and programs are listed in the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes publication and on the College’s web site (15 & 16).

Admission to Basic Skills programs, which includes Adult Basic Skills, GED, Adult High School, English as a Second Language and similar programs must follow the guidelines published in the Basic Skills Policy & Procedures Manual For Community Colleges. These policies specify admission requirements for students under 18 and for students 18 or older (17).