Health Education Program Admission Requirements
LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAMS, ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS, AND CURRICULAR SEQUENCES
Most programs in the Health Education Division are limited access programs, meaning they have special, particular or additional admission and/or placement requirements beyond those normally required by the College. In many cases, these requirements include prerequisite classes that must be completed prior to the student’s placement into courses in the particular program area. Clinical seating availability is limited in all health education programs. Applicants must complete TCTC admission requirements and the additional program clinical admission requirements.
Because prerequisite requirements may exist for limited access programs, the following curriculum displays are for information only and should not be interpreted as an exact representation of course progression. The information outlines program course requirements necessary for completing a particular program of study. Students should confer with their program advisor for more specific information.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of limited access program admission, program progression and program prerequisite requirements. Students should confer with their program advisor anytime clarification or explanation is needed.
In addition to meeting general admission requirements, Health Education majors are required to meet the curriculum specific requirements outlined below:
- Students must complete recommended developmental studies courses based on course placement criteria.
- Students must have an institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher. There are additional progression requirements in the Catalog. A grade of “C” or greater is needed in all required courses within the Health Professions Department, and in the Practical Nursing and Veterinary Technology Programs. Nursing (Associate Degree and Transition Nursing) require a grade of “B” or above to progress in all NUR courses within the program. A student may repeat a maximum of two major courses. Students should also refer to individual program handbooks for additional information.
- Students must meet required divisional or program Technical Standards.
- Students who transfer into associate degree programs must have a transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5 or higher on previous college work (TCTC GPA supersedes any outside GPA). Students who transfer into any Tri-County Technical College nursing program will be required to submit a letter of good standing from their previous ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) or CHE (Commission on Higher Education) approved program department head or administrator. The letter should state that the student is eligible to continue in the program from which they are transferring. Nursing courses to be transferred must have been taken within the previous two years. Students who meet these requirements will then be required to pass both a comprehensive exam with an “80” or higher and demonstrate program skills competency for any nursing course(s) for which transfer credit is requested. If the student does not pass the exam(s), credit will not be awarded, and the student will be required to take the course and/or restart the clinical program. All students who wish to transfer into nursing programs will be required to submit an application through competitive clinical entry.
- Students who transfer into Associate Degree Nursing must have BIO 101, Biological Science I, prior to starting the clinical program.
- Students are required to carry professional liability insurance, which is obtained through the College.
- Some clinical agencies may require proof of personal health insurance. This is the sole responsibility of the student. Students should contact the Office of the Dean of Student Development for more information.
- Clinical agencies require criminal background checks for nursing and allied health educational programs. Certain clinical agencies may necessitate more than one background check and/or drug screen. The results of the criminal background check and yearly drug screen determine if a student is eligible to enter clinical agencies. A student must be able to enter and/or remain in all clinical agencies to progress within a program. Inability to progress within a major for this reason will result in administrative withdrawal from the program. Note: Most Health Education programs require certification or licensure in order to use titles and/or practice the profession. Conviction of a felony, a plea of guilty to a felony, or certain misdemeanor convictions may make the applicant ineligible for certification or licensure.
Health Education Medical Requirements
Students admitted to Health Education programs (except Veterinary Technology) must present proof of immunization or immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) and annual flu vaccine. (Health forms are available from the Division Office or Department Head.) All students in Health Education programs (except Veterinary Technology) must have documentation of Tuberculosis status. Immunization to Hepatitis B is expected as a means to avert serious illness and to meet clinical agency requirements. A student who refuses immunization to Hepatitis B is required to sign a declination form, which will be kept in the student’s file. Some clinical agencies will not require a signed declination form. Veterinary Technology students are strongly encouraged to obtain immunization to rabies and are required to have documentation of tetanus immunization. Students who refuse immunization to rabies are required to sign a declination form that will be kept in the student’s file. Clinical agencies reserve the right to not accept declination forms for certain immunizations, i.e. flu vaccine.
Entry to Clinical Program – Health Professions and Veterinary Technology
It is the responsibility of the student to track the progress of program prerequisites. The program curriculum guide can be found on the TCTC public website, www.tctc.edu. The student must meet with an assigned program advisor each semester to obtain guidance and to ensure prerequisite changes have not occurred. (Changes in program and curricular requirements can occur.) Once prerequisites are completed, the student must print and complete the “Notice of Completion” form found on the public website under each program. The student is then required to meet with the Program Coordinator or Department Head for signature verification of completion. The student must take the signed form and the required documentation to the Division Admission Liaison Office (Pendleton Campus, Fulp Hall, Room 401 for Health Professions and Veterinary Technology). When verified, the date on which this form is submitted then becomes the student’s “Complete Date,” and the student is placed on the Complete List for the specific program.
The Complete Date means the student is eligible to start the actual program classes with the next available class as long as space is available. The minimum GPA must be maintained to continue on the Complete List. Eligible students will receive an e-mail through the student’s Tri-County Technical College e-mail account of acceptance into the specific program. This e-mail serves as an official offer for a seat into the program and identifies the program deposit fee deadline date. Failure to pay the program deposit fee by the specified date will result in delayed entry. Once the student pays the nonrefundable program deposit fee, a seat will be held for entry into the next program class. The student must continue to maintain the minimum GPA even though the program deposit fee has been paid. In the event two eligible students have the same complete date, the College will use the GPA to determine who gets the seat. The student with the higher GPA would be offered a seat before the student with the same complete date but a lower GPA.
If an entrance policy changes for a particular program, the student’s requirements would remain the same unless the student withdraws from enrollment or is not enrolled for two consecutive terms. If such a withdrawal or non-enrollment occurs, the student is required to meet new entrance policies in the current College Catalog.
Entry to Clinical Program – Nursing
All students declare a program of study during the admissions process. Students may find the curriculum guide representative of their course of study by going to the TCTC public website, www.tctc.edu. It is the responsibility of the student to track the progress of program prerequisites. The student must meet with an assigned program advisor each semester for guidance and to ensure prerequisite changes have not occurred. (Changes in program and curricular requirements can occur.) If an entrance policy changes for a particular program, the student’s requirements will remain the same unless the student changes major, withdraws from enrollment or is not enrolled for two consecutive terms. If such a withdrawal or non-enrollment occurs, the student is required to meet new entrance policies in the current College Catalog.
Program Fees (ADN, LPN Transition to RN and PN programs)
- Pocket Nurse Kit: $95.00 (one-time fee for ADN and PN)
- ATI Fee: $542.00 per semester for ADN/LPN Transition to RN; $498.00 per semester for PN
- E-Value Fee: $110.00 per year
- Drug Screen Fee: $35.00 per year
- Malpractice Fee: $5.00 per clinical course
- HealthStream Fee: $15.00 per year
- Packet Fee: $12.00 per course
- Course Material Fee: $13.00 for ADN and $10.00 for PN
Other Expenses
- Entry seat fee in program: $100.00 (one-time fee) for ADN and PN; $260.00 (one-time fee) LPN Transition to RN
- Books for nursing courses: $1200.00 for ADN and LPN Transition to RN; $500.00 for PN (Book costs are estimates and may be subject to change.)
- Uniforms: $200.00 for program
- Supplies (stethoscope, scissors, hemostats, penlight, etc.): $200.00
- Background check(s): $38.00 each occurrence
Note: All fees are subject to change
Competitive Clinical Entry – Practical and Associate Degree Nursing
Competitive clinical entry guidelines have been implemented for both Practical and Associate Degree Nursing students. Competitive clinical entry allows the most qualified students to enter the clinical portion of the program. Nursing students are strongly encouraged to have certified nursing assistant training prior to the competitive clinical entry application process.
Interested students can go to www.tctc.edu and click on Programs; Career Programs; Learn More tab; then Nursing or contact the Health Education Admissions Liaison office (Pendleton Campus, Fulp Hall, Room 401, 864-646-1620) for more information. The application is an automated document found on the Get Set tab in eTC for eligible students.
To have eligibility, an Associate Degree Nursing student must:
- have minimum AITS (Adjusted Individual Total Score) ATI TEAS score;
- have a minimum transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5;
- participate in the online version of Updates to Nursing/Pre-Nursing Workshop; and
- have taken BIO 101, ENG 101, MAT 120 and BIO 210 with a grade of “C” or higher.
To have eligibility, a Practical Nursing student must:
- have a minimum AITS (Adjusted Individual Total Score) ATI TEAS score;
- have a minimum transfer or institutional GPA of 2.0;
- participate in the online version of Updates to Nursing/Pre-Nursing Workshop; and
- have taken BIO 101, ENG 101, MAT 120 and BIO 210 with a grade of “C” or higher.
Applications must be submitted each term until clinical entry occurs. Application deadlines will be firm. Information, such as detailed instructions, complete worksheet and policy, can be found at the TCTC public website for Associate Degree at www.tctc.edu/nursing.
Entry to Clinical Program - LPN Transition to RN
The program curriculum guide can be found on the TCTC public website at www.tctc.edu/nursing. It is the responsibility of the student to track the progress of program prerequisites. The student must meet with an assigned program advisor each semester for guidance and for confirmation that prerequisite changes have not occurred. (Changes in program and curricular requirements can occur.)
Once requirements are completed, the student must go to the Nursing Office, Pendleton Campus, Fulp Hall, Room 401 or 404 to submit a “Notice of Completion” form with all required documentation. (The form is available on eTC public website at www.tctc.edu/nursing.) Students must also submit a competitive entry application.
Applicants must complete the following:
- College admission procedure;
- Graduation from an ACEN accredited program or equivalent Military training;
- Have minimum scores on ATI TEAS test;
- Have a minimum score of level 2 on ATI Fundamentals for RN test;
- Participate in the online Updates to Nursing/ Pre Nursing Workshop;
- Have a current, active and unencumbered Multi-State PN license
- BIO 101, ENG 101, MAT 120, and BIO 210 with a grade of “C” or higher;
- Have a transfer or institutional GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Upon successful completion of NUR 145 and NUR 146 credit will be awarded for: NUR 104, NUR 139, and NUR 106 (9 semester hours).
Required Program Courses: 28 Semester Credit Hours (9 hours from articulation agreement*) = 37 Semester Credit Hours
*Requires a grade of “B” or better in NUR 145 and NUR 146.
NUR classes are only offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Program Notification
Accepted students will receive an e-mail through the student’s Tri-County Technical College e-mail account. This e-mail serves as an official offer for a seat into the program and identifies the program deposit fee deadline date. Failure to pay the program deposit fee by the specified date will result in non-entry. Once the student pays the non-refundable program deposit fee, a seat will be held for entry into the next program class. The student must continue to maintain the minimum GPA even though the program deposit fee has been paid.
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