Proof of immunization with two doses of Measles, Mumps
and Rubella (MMR) vaccines, administered on or after the first birthday,
is required from full-time students born after December 31, 1956,
unless contraindicated because of pregnancy, allergy to a vaccine
component, or other valid medical reason. By State law (TCA 49-6-5001),
immunizations are not required if they “conflict with the parents’ or
guardians’ (or individual’s over 18) religious tenets and practices,
affirmed under penalties of perjury.” They are also not required if
a qualified physician shall certify that administration of such
immunization would be in any manner harmful to the person involved.
Applicants for admission to Southwest may volunteer information as to
their medical or health conditions for the purpose of obtaining reasonable
assistance in mitigating the effects of conditions that may otherwise
limit participation in Southwest programs. The information shall be
reported to the Student Disability Services Office and shall remain
confidential. The student has the option to accept or decline any
recommended program or service offered.
II. PROVISIONS FOR SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. Admission of Non-Tennessee Residents Admission
requirements for non-Tennessee residents are the same as those for
Tennessee residents.
2. Residency Classification - Each student shall be
classified as a resident or non-resident of the state of Tennessee
according to TBR Policy No. 3:05:01:00 [6].
3. Admission of Foreign Non-Immigrant Applicants - An
application for admission to Southwest Tennessee Community College and a
$5 non-refundable application fee are required along with documentation to
support the following:
a. Educational Level
The educational level of foreign non-immigrant applicants must be at
least equivalent to that of a U.S.A. high school graduate. Certified
translations of foreign high school and college transcripts are
required, and transcripts from U.S.A. high schools and colleges must
also be submitted. Applicants under age 21 must submit ACT test scores
(SAT also accepted).
b. Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) - If the applicant’s native language is not English, a Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 500 pencil-based test
or 173 computer-based test is required. If the applicant has completed
coursework for regular academic credit at another U.S.A. institution,
it may be used in lieu of the standardized examination score.
c. Financial Statement
The applicant must provide evidence of financial capability to pay
registration fees, non-resident fees, living and other expenses.
d. Immigration Service Regulations
The College shall adhere to all Immigration Service regulations in the
admission, enrollment, and readmission of foreign non-immigrant
applicants.
e. Certification of Freedom from Tuberculosis and
Proof of MMR2 Vaccination All foreign non-immigrant students applying
for admission pursuant to a student visa shall 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 shall 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 conditioned 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. Proof of two doses of Measles, Mumps and
Rubella (MMR) is also required.
f. Medical and Hospitalization Insurance
I. Foreign non-immigrant applicants with J, F, or
M visas must have Accident and Sickness insurance with provisions
for hospitalization, basic injury and sickness treatment, medically
supervised repatriation, return of mortal remains and emergency
evacuation. The Accident and Sickness Insurance for Students
Attending Member Institutions of the State University and Community
College System of Tennessee is recommended at annual approximate
costs of $466/student, $1140/spouse, $566/each child.
II. Acceptable proof of insurance coverage shall
be a canceled check or
money order from the recommended provider, a payment at Southwest
for the TBR insurance program, or an insurance card or policy from
any other provider.
III. A student will be enrolled automatically in
the TBR insurance program if no proof of adequate coverage is
available, and the enrollment fees will be added to other College
fees. For the purposes of this policy, “adequate coverage” shall
mean that the student’s coverage meets or exceeds the level of
coverage provided to participants in the TBR’s Accident and Sickness
Insurance for Students Attending Member Institutions of the State
University and Community College System of Tennessee plan.
g. Holders of Visas Other than J, F, or M
Southwest is authorized to accept holders of visas other than J, F and
M. Applicants with other visas must meet admission requirements in an
appropriate category according to intended enrollment. A copy of the
applicant’s visa, I-94 (for refugees), or resident alien card is an
admission requirement and must be on file in the Admissions, Records
and Recruitment Office.
4. Admission to Specialized or Limited-Enrollment
Programs The College has specific admission policies and procedures for
admission of students to these programs: Dietetic Technician, Medical
Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy
Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and
Nursing. Limitations are based upon selective criteria appropriate to
each program and apply equally to all prospective students, provided
that preference for admission, when all else is equal, is given to
residents of the State of Tennessee. See the catalog section of each
program for specific admission requirements.
5. Admission to Nursing and Allied Health Programs
The Allied Health and Nursing programs require that all persons
admitted:
a. Provide evidence through a health verification
form that they are in good health and free from communicable diseases
b. Are, with reasonable accommodation, physically
and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the
program as defined in writing by the academic department
6. Advanced Standing and Placement
The College has policies and procedures for granting admission with
advanced placement or standing based on examination, experiential
learning, and active duty in the armed services, credit earned in armed
services schools, and credit earned through non-collegiate sponsored
instruction. See the catalog section entitled Alternative Credit [7].
7. Readmission
Southwest requires a former student who has not been enrolled for
consecutive spring and fall terms to submit an application for
readmission.
Degree seeking students must have all credentials on
file prior to being
readmitted. Each readmitted applicant who is degree seeking must submit
official transcripts from all institutions attended during the period of
nonenrollment. If the student is returning in a different admission
category, he or she must meet requirements of the new category.
Applicants must meet academic standards consistent with TBR Policy No.
2:03:01:01[8] and Southwest Tennessee Community College Policy No.
2:03:01:01/10 [9] titled Retention and Progression Standards.
8. Application Fee
Southwest, with the approval of the Tennessee Board of Regents, charges
a one-time non-refundable application fee of $5.
B.UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE ADMISSION
1. Admission of First-Time Freshmen
Applicants for degree admission as first-time freshmen shall be admitted
using the following four (4) criteria:
a. High School Graduation
Except as provided for in the next section (b), applicants for degree
admission as first-time freshmen must provide an official transcript
showing graduation from high school.
The transcript of graduates of Tennessee public high
schools since 1983 must include a notation indicating that the student
passed the required Proficiency Examination. The transcript of a Home
Schooled applicant must be an official copy from an affiliated
organization as defined by state law (TCA 49-50-801) or be accompanied
by a certificate of registration with the superintendent of the local
education agency where the student would otherwise have attended. The
transcript of an American Council on Education (ACE) External Diploma
awarded by a state-approved high school will also be accepted.
b. General Educational Development (GED) Certificate
Applicants for degree admission as first-time freshmen may present a GED
Certificate in lieu of a high school diploma provided that their score
is passing as indicated by the administering agency.
c. Standardized Examination Scores
Applicants for admission as first-time freshmen who are 20 years of age
or younger must present Enhanced ACT or SAT scores. Southwest will not
use scores for the purpose of admission but for advisement and as a
component in the placement decision.
d. High School Course Requirements
It is the policy of the College that the 14 high school unit
requirements designated by the Tennessee Board of Regents be met prior
to the awarding of a transfer degree.
I. Minimum Unit Requirements
The high school units required are Algebra I, II; Geometry; English I,
II, III, IV; Foreign Language I, II; Natural/Physical Sciences I, II
(one laboratory course); U.S. History; One of these Social Studies
Courses - World Geography; World, Ancient, European or Modern History;
Visual or Performing Arts.
II. Limitations of Applicability
All units are required of students graduating in 1989 or thereafter
who plan to earn a transfer degree except as noted below:
(a) Applicants who graduated from high school or
who earned a General Educational Development (GED) certificate prior
to 1989.
(b) Applicants with an Honors Diploma in general
education from a Tennessee public high school are considered to have
met all high school unit requirements.
(c) Applicants who graduated from high school and
have an Enhanced ACT Composite Score of 26 or higher are considered to
have met all high school unit requirements except those in foreign
language and visual or performing arts.
(d) Applicants who received a General Educational
Development (GED) certificate in 1989 and thereafter are considered to
have met all high school unit requirements except those in foreign
language and visual or
performing arts.
(e) Handicapped applicants who volunteer
information to the Disabled Student Services Office about a special
condition will be assessed on an individual basis and any exceptions
warranted will be made.
(f) Out-of-state applicants are subject to the same
high school unit requirements as in-state applicants.
2. Early Admission of First-Time Freshmen
For the admission of applicants who have completed their junior year in
high school, the College requires:
a. High School GPA
Applicants must have completed the 9th, 10th and 11th grades with a
minimum grade point average of 3.2 based on a 4.0 scale or the
equivalent.
b. Standardized Examination Score
Applicants must have an Enhanced ACT composite score of at least 22.
c. Prescribed Courses
Applicants must provide a written statement from their high school
principal specifying the college courses that will be substituted for
the remaining high school courses needed for high school graduation.
d. Endorsements
Applicants must provide written endorsements from their high school
counselors and from their parents or guardians.
3. Admission of Transfer Students
a. The applicant must provide official transcripts
of credits attempted from all institutions of higher education
previously attended. Courses equivalent to Southwest’s will be
accepted in the student’s major if the grade of “C” or higher was
earned. A maximum number of credit hours equivalent to two thirds of
the student’s academic program will be accepted.
b. The applicant’s grade point average on
transferable courses must be at least equal to that which the College
requires for the readmission of its own students. Applicants who do
not meet the Southwest standards may be admitted on scholastic
probation. Please see Southwest Policy No. 2:03:01:01/10, titled
Retention and Progression Standards [10].
institutions, examinations, military training and
experiential learning.
Policies and procedures are consistent with national standards of good
practice and the requirements of appropriate accrediting bodies, and
are outlined in this catalog.
d. Applicants with college credit earned prior to
Fall 1989 are admissible to Southwest without regard to the minimum
high school unit requirements.
e. Applicants with 60 or more transferable semester
hours are eligible for degree admission at Southwest without regard to
the minimum high school unit requirements.
f. Applicants with an associate degree designed for
transfer to baccalaureate institutions are eligible for degree
admission without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
g. 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 to programs
designed for transfer to baccalaureate institutions, provided that any
high school unit deficiency be removed within the first 30 semester
hours after initial enrollment. These applicants must submit a high
school transcript in addition to college transcripts.
4. Alternative Standards for Degree Admission
Southwest has an open admission policy and does not need to grant degree
admission by TBR alternative standards.
5. Admission of Non-degree Students to Degree
Admission Status To be eligible for Degree Admission status at
Southwest, nondegree students, as defined in Section II. D below, must
meet all the applicable provisions of Section II. B.1.a-d (Admission of
First-Time Freshmen) or II. B.3 .a-g (Admission of Transfer students)
6. Admission to Nursing Programs
a. Accreditation and professional certification
standards, limited clinical and classroom space, faculty availability
and a concern for appropriate student progress influence the selective
admissions process to the Southwest nursing program. Students must
meet the application criteria outlined in Southwest Policy No.
2:03:00:00/7 entitled Admission to Allied Health and Nursing Programs,
be reviewed and accepted for admission, and make satisfactory progress
to be continued in the nursing program [11]. Requirements at Southwest
are based on the College’s analysis of student success
characteristics. Admission is based on the requirements set and the
available spaces in the nursing class.
b. Southwest has adopted core performance standards
proposed by the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing
(1993). Admission to and progression in nursing programs are not based
on these standards; instead, they will be used to assist each student
in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary.
Each of these standards is reflected in nursing course objectives and
provides an objective measure for students and advisors to make
informed decisions regarding whether the student is “qualified” to
meet requirements. Copies of these standards are available to every
applicant and student. If a student believes that he or she cannot
meet one or more of the standards without accommodations or
modifications, the nursing faculty or the ADA Officer will determine,
on an individual basis, whether or not the necessary accommodations or
modifications can be made reasonably. Students will be provided
assistance and guidance by the ADA Officer should they identify
potential difficulties with meeting the standards.
c. Core Performance Standards for Admission and
Progression: (Nursing)
I. Critical thinking ability sufficient for
clinical judgment
II. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to
interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of
social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
III. Communication abilities sufficient for
interaction with others in verbal and written form
IV. Physical abilities sufficient to move from
room to room to maneuver in small spaces
V. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to
provide safe and effective nursing care
VI. Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and
assess health needs
VII. Visual ability sufficient for observation
and assessment necessary in nursing care
VIII. Tactile ability sufficient for physical
assessment
C. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREE ADMISSION
Southwest does not have graduate and professional degree programs.
D. NON-DEGREE ADMISSION
Southwest admits applicants who do not qualify for or do not wish to
apply for degree admission. Non-degree students are not eligible to
receive federal financial aid. Non-degree students who wish to change to
degree seeking status must meet all requirements as stated in section
II.B.5, including high school units. Students must meet all course
prerequisites and may enroll in an unlimited number of credit hours
provided that no more than 18 are taken each fall or spring semester or 15
during the summer. Applicants who are eligible for non-degree admission
include:
1. Persons Not Previously Enrolled in College
a. High school graduates.
b. Persons 21 years of age or older who have not
earned a high school
diploma and are not currently enrolled in high school.
c. Persons 18 years of age or older who have not
earned a high school diploma or are not currently enrolled in high
school and wish to enroll in GED preparatory courses only.
d. High school students who meet the following
criteria as specified in Chapter 395 of the Public Acts of 1983:
“Academically talented/gifted students enrolled in grades 9,10, 11, or
12 in public or private schools in Tennessee may, with the
recommendation and approval of the high school principal and appropriate
higher education institution personnel, enroll in and receive regular
college degree credit from a Tennessee post secondary institution; if
such a student has a grade point average equivalent to 3.2 on a 4.0
maximum basis and if such placement is a part of the student’s planned
Individual Education Program (IEP) as established by the
multidisciplinary team process.”
e. High school students who have completed their
sophomore year of high school. Such students may be admitted for either
joint enrollment or dual enrollment or both. For the purposes of this
policy, the terms joint and dual enrollment are defined as follows: 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. 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.
2. Persons with College Credit but not a Degree
Persons with college credit but no degree, may be admitted to non-degree
status who are eligible for readmission to the last institution
attended. Those who do not meet the readmission standards of the last
institution attended may be admitted on scholastic probation.
E. AUDIT AND NO-CREDIT ADMISSION
Students who wish to audit and receive no credit for a course must
meet requirements. The following provisions shall apply to those
applicants who wish to audit or take courses at Southwest on a non-credit
basis:
1. Space Available Basis
Admission will be limited or denied based on the availability of space
in the individual classroom. Registration for audit (non-credit) is
limited to the late registration period. Registration for audit can be
changed to credit no later than the last day of late registration.
Registration for credit cannot be changed to audit.
2. Senior Citizens
Senior citizens age 60 or older may audit and take credit courses on a
noncredit basis free. Students must pay application and campus access
fees.
3. Disabled Persons
Totally and permanently disabled persons may audit and take credit
courses on a non-credit basis free. Students must pay application and
campus access fees. In the case of disabled persons, to audit a course
free of charge, Southwest requires an affidavit or certificate of
disability from a physician or from the agency compensating the disabled
person to be on file in the Disabled Student Services Office.
F. GED PREPARATORY STUDENT
The General Education Development Preparatory Program is open to
persons 18 years of age or older. The non-credit study course reviews all
subject matter covered in the GED test. Students are not required to
meetregular admission standards to participate in the GED Preparatory
Program. GED students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.
G.CONTINUING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
(CECP) STUDENT
A CECP student is one who is not a candidate for a degree, is 18 years
of age or older and enrolls at Southwest in a course, seminar, or workshop
offered through CECP. CECP students are not eligible to receive federal
financial aid or veteran’s benefits.
To be admitted as a CECP student, the applicant must
submit:
• A completed application for admission/readmission
• A $5 non-refundable application fee (unless readmitting)
• Proof of two doses of MMR vaccine if enrolling as a fulltime student
For additional information, refer to the section titled
“Continuing Education and Community Partnerships.”
To become a degree-seeking student, a CECP student must
apply for regular admission and meet the requirements of a first-time
college student or a transfer student.
H. STUDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The applicant’s social security number will be used as his or her
permanent student identification number at the College. If an applicant
does not have a social security number, the individual should obtain one
from the local Social Security Office. Members of the Admissions, Records
and Recruitment Office will assign an identification number for students
who are not eligible for social security numbers or for any student
requesting not to use his or her Social Security Number. Students seeking
federal financial aid must use social security numbers. Students choosing
not to use social security numbers must always remember the assigned ID
number and must use it when requesting academic records.
I. RESIDENCY
Information provided on the admissions application will be used to
determine the initial residency classification of a student. Such items as
graduation from a Tennessee high school, parent’s legal state of
residence, military service discharge honor of records, and reasons for
being in Tennessee will be reviewed. Any student who is classified as a
nonresident, but who claims to be a resident, may request a review of
documented evidence to prove his/her claim. All claims are to be filed in
the Admissions, Records and Recruitment Office prior to the first term of
enrollment. An Application for Residency Classification form is available
to assist in this process. Residency, for the purpose of fee payment, is
considered to be the permanent domicile of an applicant. When admission to
academic areas of study is competitive, if all else is equal, residents of
Tennessee receive priority. Under provisions of the work rule,
nonresidents who are employed full-time in the state of Tennessee and who
wish to pay at the in-state rate may do so provided that they enroll
part-time. Students must provide a statement of full-time employment from
employers as evidence. Non-residents who are employed full time in the
state of Tennessee and enrolled full-time must pay out-of-state tuition.
Non-residents who live in Crittenden or Mississippi counties in Arkansas,
or in DeSoto or Marshall counties in Mississippi may be considered for
certain fee waivers. Waiver request forms are available in the Admissions,
Records and Recruitment Office and should be completed prior to enrollment
for the term. Students who live in one of the four counties and work
full-time in the state of Tennessee must provide proof of employment along
with the waiver request form. There are a limited number of fee waiver
slots available each term. A new waiver request must be submitted each
academic term. Fee waivers are granted on a first-come, first serve basis.
The first day of early registration for a term is the first day that
applications for fee waivers will be accepted. Please refer to the
academic calendar in the front portion of this catalog for applicable
dates.”
