Admissions

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The Admissions and Records Office oversees activities relative to student admittance, enrollment, grade reporting, academic standards, transcripts, and graduation.

Admission to a Degree/Certificate Program

Northeast State subscribes to an open door admissions policy. However, some academic programs have specific admission criteria, and admission to Northeast State does not guarantee admission to these programs.

Students seeking admission to Northeast State to enroll in regular credit courses for a degree or certificate should comply with the following procedures:

• Complete and submit an Application for Admission and a non-refundable application fee.
• Provide official academic transcripts and test results as applicable. Prior to being permitted to register, all documents required for admission should be received by the Admissions and Records Office.
• The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee mandates that each public or private postsecondary institution in the state provide information concerning Hepatitis B infection to all students matriculating for the first time. Tennessee law requires that such students complete and sign a waiver form provided by the institution that includes detailed information about the disease.
• Effective fall semester 1998, proof of immunization with two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines, administered on, or after, the first birthday, will be required for attendance to all universities and colleges with an enrollment greater than 200 students. This rule applies to all new students born after Jan. 1, 1957. Immunizations are not required if they conflict with the student’s religious tenets and practices, affirmed under the penalties of perjury. The immunization is not required if a qualified physician certifies that administration of such immunization would be in any manner harmful to the person involved. Other conditions for exception include: 1) Those with written documentation of a physician-diagnosed case of the disease, and 2) Those with laboratory confirmed immunity to the disease.

Admission of a First-Time Freshman

Graduation from high school – An applicant for degree or certificate program admission must provide an official transcript of high school credits showing graduation from high school with a high school diploma. The transcript of graduates of Tennessee public high schools must include a notation that the student passed the required proficiency examination. Applicants who have not graduated from high school may be admitted on the basis of satisfactory GED scores or the American Council on Education (ACE) External Diploma.

Standardized Examination Scores – Applicants for admission as a first-time freshman who are under 21 years of age must present enhanced American College Testing Assessment Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. Northeast State will not use the scores for admission purposes but shall use them for advisement and placement purposes. The scores must not be more than three years old from the date of the student’s entry to the college.

Minimum High School Unit Requirements – All applicants who graduated from high school in or subsequent to 1989 and plan to enter the university parallel program must have earned the following high school units.

*One (1) unit must be in a laboratory course in biology, chemistry, or physics.

Removal of Admissions Deficiencies -Applicants who have not earned the units in high school may remove deficiencies in social studies, history, visual/performing arts, science, and geometry/advanced mathematics by completing the appropriate blocks of subject categories in the TBR Forty-One Semester Hour General Education Curriculum. Courses taken to remove deficiencies in the affected subjects also apply toward fulfillment of general education requirements.

Students who have deficiencies in English or Algebra may remove the deficiencies by scoring at college-level on assessment tests used for placement or completing Developmental Studies Placement requirements.

Students may remove deficiencies of one or two units of a single foreign language through completion of an approved semester course in a single foreign language for each unit deficiency. Courses used to complete deficiencies in foreign language may be designated as electives and apply toward fulfillment of graduation requirements; however, in certain courses of study with restricted ranges of electives, these courses may become add-on hours.

Students whose primary language is not English will be deemed to have satisfied the minimum unit requirements in foreign language if they demonstrate proficiency in English through achieving satisfactory scores on the TOEFL Examination.

Questions regarding this policy should be forwarded to the Dean of Admissions and Records.

Limitations of Applicability (University Parallel Program) – The minimum high school unit requirements listed above are required of all persons admitted to the university parallel program as a first-time freshman except as provided for below:

• Applicants who graduated from high school or who received a GED certificate prior to 1989 are admissible without regard to the high school unit requirement. 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 .
• Applicants with an Honors Diploma in General Education from a Tennessee public high school are considered to have met all high school unit requirements.
• 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/performing arts. Deficiencies in those units should be removed within the first 30 semester hours after initial enrollment.
• Applicants who received a GED certificate in 1989 and thereafter are considered to have met all high school unit requirements except those in foreign language and visual/performing arts. Any admissions deficiencies must be removed after admission as required in TBR Guideline A-015.
• The qualifications and needs of applicants with disabilities will be assessed on an individual basis. Assessment includes an evaluation of the applicant’s potential for success in college and of any exceptions that may be warranted.
• Applicants who are residents of states other than Tennessee are subject to the same admission requirements as in-state applicants.

Academically Talented/Gifted Program

Academically talented/gifted students enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 in a high school may, with the recommendation and approval of the high school principal and/or counselor, and the Northeast State Admissions and Records Office, enroll in and receive regular college degree credit from Northeast State if the student has a grade point average equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and if such placement is a part of the student’s planned Individual Education Program (IEP) as established by the multi-disciplinary team process.

Interested individuals should satisfy the following applicable requirements at least three weeks prior to the start of the semester of enrollment:

1. Complete and submit a Northeast State Application for Admission and transcript.
2. File with the Office of Admissions and Records the multi-disciplinary team evaluation form.

Dual Joint Enrollment Programs*

JumpStart and Career Fast Track are enrichment programs for juniors and seniors in high school. Students in these programs will complete all Northeast State admission requirements (with the exception of the high school diploma) prior to enrolling in college classes. The details are as follows:

1. Students must have junior or senior standing in high school.
2. Courses may meet specified high school graduation requirements.
3. Students must complete an Application for Admission, and provide a high school transcript, and ACT or SAT scores.
4. Students enrolling in general education courses (English composition, history, math, psychology, etc.) or in courses requiring English, math or reading as prerequisites must have a minimum ACT composite score of 19 with a minimum sub-score of 19 both in reading and in either math or English (depending on the intended course). Equivalent requirement for SAT is a minimum 910 composite score with a minimum score of 450 in math and 460 in verbal.
5. Students seeking to enroll in technical education courses must consult with their high school counselor, CTE Coordinator, or the Office of Evening and Distance Education prior to enrolling.
6. Under certain circumstances, dual enrollment students must provide a written statement from their high school principal specifying the college course(s) that will be substituted for courses required for high school graduation.
7. Dual enrollment home school students must provide a written statement from the umbrella school specifying the college course(s) that will be substituted for courses required for high school graduation.
8. Joint enrollment students must provide a written statement from the high school principal indicating approval for the student’s concurrent enrollment in college courses.
9. Students must consult with the Assistant Vice President of Evening and Distance Education prior to enrollment in JumpStart courses.
10. Students requesting to enroll in more than 10 semester credit hours must have prior approval from the Assistant Vice President of Evening and Distance Education.
11. The Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve any exception to the above criteria.

* See Definition of Terms

Admission of Transfer Students

Any applicant who has attended another college or university shall be considered a transfer student. Admission of transfer students shall be consistent with the following criteria:

• Upon the receipt of all college transcripts, the Admissions and Records Office will evaluate the student’s coursework. High school transcripts may be required for complete analysis of transfer credit. Transfer credit is awarded for individual courses that are determined to be comparable to those offered at Northeast State provided a grade of “C” or higher was earned in each course. Based on the evaluation of the transcript, additional assessment and placement may be required. Transferred credit will not be computed in a student’s grade point average at Northeast State. All transfer credit will be computed in the student’s Tennessee Education Lottery System grade point average.
• If transfer credit for a particular course is not granted, the student may appeal this decision by filing a “Petition to Evaluate Transfer Work” in the Admissions and Records Office. The student should attach supporting documentation to the petition such as a course description, course syllabus, and faculty credentials. Course equivalency credit may be awarded only after review and approval by the appropriate academic department or dean. A course competency examination or other evidence may be required as part of this process.
• The applicant’s grade point average must be at least equal to that which Northeast State requires for the readmission of its own students. Applicants who do not meet the college’s standards may be admitted on academic probation.
• Applicants with college credit earned prior to fall 1989 are admitted without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
• Applicants with 60 or more transferable semester hours are eligible for degree admission without regard to the minimum high school unit requirements.
• Applicants with an associate 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.
• Applicants who enrolled in college for the first time in fall 1989 or thereafter and who have 59 or fewer hours of transferable credit are eligible for degree admission provided that any deficient high school unit requirements be removed within the first 30 semester hours after initial enrollment.
• Applicants must submit an application with a non-refundable application fee and must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities by midterm of their first semester at Northeast State. A student cannot register for a second semester without submitting all previous college transcripts.
  
  The institution assumes responsibility for the academic quality of any course work or credit recorded on the institution’s transcript.

Admission of Transient (Visiting) Students

A transient student is one who is enrolled at another postsecondary institution and is admitted to Northeast State for purposes of taking a limited number of courses. A transient student must submit an application, including the non-refundable $10 application fee, and an official transcript from his/her resident institution. A transient student who wishes to take remedial/developmental courses must also submit appropriate test scores or make arrangements to be assessed.

Admission of Non-Degree (Special) Students

Applicants who do not wish to work toward a degree or certificate may be admitted as non-degree students. This includes:

• Students who meet the minimum requirements for admission (high school graduation or GED) but who do not wish to work toward an associate degree.
• Students who do not meet requirements for admission as a regular student and who wish to audit coursework at Northeast State.
• Students who have passed their 21st birthday and who do not have a regular high school diploma or GED.
• Students who have passed their 18th birthday and are not currently enrolled in high school.
• Students admitted under the advanced studies and/or academically gifted criteria.

Students may complete up to 30 credit hours with a special student classification. Students who wish to continue as a special student after earning 30 credit hours must apply to the Admissions and Records Office.

Special students may not enroll in college-level math or English courses until one of the following criteria has been met:

1. Appropriate ACT/SAT scores have been submitted;
2. The math or English requirements of the COMPASS assessment have been completed; or
3. Credit for a college-level math or English course with a grade of C or higher as determined by a transcript evaluation has been submitted.

A student who desires to become a degree seeking candidate must meet all regular admission requirements to include academic assessment. A student must be classified as regularly admitted for the final 24 semester hours required for an associate degree or the final nine (9) semester hours required for a certificate. Credit earned as a special student may be applied toward a degree/certificate program.

Foreign and International Student Admission

Northeast State is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students on “F-1” student status in associate degree programs. Applicants must file complete credentials before July 15 for fall admission; November 15 for spring admission; or March 15 for summer admission. Complete credentials include all the documents listed below:

1. Submission of a completed Application for Admission and a $10 nonrefundable application fee.
2. Submission of a certified or notarized copy of authenticated academic records in English translation. The applicant is responsible for arranging for and paying any cost of the official translation of foreign language transcripts. These records should describe the courses of instruction in terms of years spent in school and the type of subject matter covered, with grades earned in each subject. The education level attained must be comparable to a high school diploma in the United States.
3. Submission of an official transcript from each college or university that the international applicant has attended.
4. If the international applicant is under 21 years of age, an official copy of his/her ACT score is required.
5. All international applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit official scores to Northeast State. A minimum score of 173 on the computer-based TOEFL, 500 on the paper-based TOEFL, or 61 on the new internet-based TOEFL is required for admission. Northeast State does not give the TOEFL test but will accept official scores. For more information, contact TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151, call 609.771.7100, or visit www.toefl.org. Coursework completed at another United States College or university or graduation from a United States high school may be used in lieu of TOEFL.
6. International students with valid ACT/SAT scores must complete the entire COMPASS test. Additional institutional placement assessment may be required of all international students.
7. International applicants must show satisfactory evidence of financial capability to meet the expense involved while studying at Northeast State. Applicants must complete the appropriate form, provided by the college, showing financial capability and indicating who will provide funds for the applicant’s educational and living expenses while he/she is enrolled at Northeast State. International students automatically pay out-of-state fees based on their residency status and are not eligible for Title IV funds. Northeast State does not provide housing for any of its students. Housing, meals, and transportation are solely the responsibility of the student.
8. International applicants should submit a certificate from a licensed physician or other quality medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis. This certificate must be submitted to the Office of Admissions within 30 days from the first day of classes to continue enrollment. Failure to furnish such a certificate shall result in denial of further enrollment or admission. In the event that the applicant either has tuberculosis or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment will be contingent upon the determination by a licensed physician that further enrollment does not present a risk to others and upon the applicant’s compliance with any prescribed medical treatment program.
9. All international students born after January 1957 must provide evidence of having received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Exceptions are made for students who are pregnant or allergic to the vaccine.
10. International students must become familiar with the regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and assume responsibility for complying with the regulations.
11. As a condition of admission and continued enrollment, all foreign nonimmigrant students must purchase health insurance through the Tennessee Board of Regents Student/Scholars Health and Accident Insurance Plan.

Readmission to Northeast State

A returning student who has not attended Northeast State for one semester (not including summer term) must complete an Application for Readmission and submit an official transcript of any postsecondary credits earned while not enrolled at Northeast State.

Academic Fresh Start

Any person who has not been enrolled in a college or university for a period of four years and who, upon re-enrolling at Northeast State, maintains a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) and completes 15 semester hours of college-level coursework at Northeast State may petition to have grades on all prior coursework disregarded in calculating his/her cumulative GPA. Removal of grades means removal of all credits; however, previously satisfied placement requirements will not be forfeited. Upon the completion of 15 semester hours at Northeast State with a 2.00 cumulative GPA, the student should complete the Application for Academic Fresh Start in the Admissions and Records office. When processed, the request will be submitted to the Registrar for approval.

High School Dual/Articulated Credit

The Office of High School Transition Programs coordinates the articulation of high school career/technical education programs with technical education programs offered by Northeast State. The articulated credit is acceptable for up to two years beyond high school graduation. Northeast State currently offers 29 articulated courses among the 16 service area high schools.

Students may earn Northeast State college credit for articulated courses while still in high school by demonstrating mastery of course competencies through articulation assessment. The assessments are administered by Northeast State instructors at the campus or in some situations, at the student’s high school. Students may earn eight (8) hours of college credit to Northeast State Technical Community College through articulated high school credit.

The following process will be used for students wishing to participate in this program:

•  The students will take the articulated class/classes while still in high school.

•  Upon completion of the articulated course, the student must possess a minimum “C” average for the course and pass a competency assessment administered by Northeast State faculty or designated proctor.

•  The High School Transition Programs office will send a student information spreadsheet with the names of students passing the articulation assessments to each respective high school.

•  Students wishing to acquire additional credit hours may take the Credit by Exam for $15 per credit hour awarded.

•  The high school administrators/teachers will complete a Pathway Form for students having passed the exam and wishing to receive college credit. This Pathway will then be sent to the High School Transition Programs office at Northeast State .

•  The High School Transition Programs office will validate all documentation and create a spreadsheet for successful students to be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records, where the articulated credit is escrowed until students enroll at Northeast State .

•  Qualified students may receive benefit for the articulation assessments for up to two years after graduation from high school. If students refuse the original exam score and enroll in the articulated course, he/she may not request the original grade if a lesser grade is received for class work.

• College articulated credit will be awarded the semester that qualified students are enrolled at Northeast State.

For more information about earning college credit through articulation while still in high school, please contact your high school guidance counselor, Director of Career Technical Education, or contact the Director of High School Transition Programs at Northeast State.

Residency Classification

All applicants are classified as in-state or out-of-state for fee purposes as part of the admission process. Any person who has established a permanent dwelling place (domicile) in Tennessee is generally classified as in-state. Ordinarily, a person entering Tennessee from another state or country to attend college is classified out-of-state. The Office of Admissions and Records will notify an applicant who is classified out-of-state. The applicant will have the opportunity to present evidence of in-state domicile.

If evidence presented prior to open registration of a term supports an in-state claim, the applicant may enroll at in-state rates. The final reclassification will be completed prior to the 14th day of the term. If the decision is to deny reclassification, the student must pay out-of-state fees or be administratively withdrawn for the term. Applicants who request reclassification after open registration must pay out-of-state fees for that term. If reclassification is then approved, future enrollments will be at the in-state rate.

The Admissions Sub-Committee may consider appeals of reclassification based on mitigating circumstances.

Proof of Language Proficiency

An applicant whose native language is not English must satisfy one of the following prerequisites:

1. Submit a minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or 130 on the electronic version (TOEFL) and take English placement tests.
2. Submit a transcript showing graduation from an American high school.
3. Submit a transcript showing satisfactory completion (a grade of C or higher) of college-level English Composition I from an accredited college or university located in the United States.
4. Take an English placement examination and/or writing test to be used in determining the courses the student may take.

Advanced Standing

Students enrolled in degree or certificate programs at Northeast State may obtain advanced standing and course credit as listed below.

Advanced Placement Program of the College Board (AP) - Northeast State recognizes and accepts credit derived from the Advanced Placement examinations.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) - Northeast State recognizes and accepts credit derived from general and subject area examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board. Northeast State offers computer-based CLEP examinations. Interested students may contact the Student Success Center (C2407) to receive testing information and a registration form.

Credit for four general examinations is awarded if a student achieves a scaled score equal to or above the 50th percentile. No credit is awarded for the general examination in mathematics. Advanced standing is allowed for the following courses at the time of this publication:

• Nontraditional credit is available only to enrolled, degree/certificate seeking students.
• This policy is subject to change.

Credit for Evaluation of Professional Credentials - Students may be awarded credit for activity recognized by national accreditation groups. Typically, the American Council of Education has evaluated these programs and made recommendations for the award of credit. Students who are awarded such degree credit remain subject to the college residency requirement that 24 of the last 30 degree credit hours for a degree program or 30 percent of the total degree level credit hours of a certificate program must be completed at Northeast State.

Military Service Credit - Northeast State will grant credit for appropriate educational experiences in the armed services. The American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services will be used to determine credit awarded by Northeast State. Credit for military experience will be granted only if Northeast State offers comparable courses which relate to experience gained through the military education process. Students who are awarded such degree credit remain subject to the college residency requirement that 24 of the last 30 degree credit hours for a degree program or 30 percent of the total degree level credit hours of a certificate program must be completed at Northeast State.

Credit by Examination - Under certain conditions a student may be awarded credit by taking departmental proficiency examinations and/or standardized tests in a particular subject area. Applications for credit by examination should be completed at least two weeks prior to the test administration. All credit by examination requests must be approved by the dean. Grades less than C are not considered passing and no credit will be awarded. The nonrefundable cost for the examination is $15 per credit hour.

Academic Advisement

Advisement at Northeast State is a continuous interactive process between an advisor and a student which facilitates the development and achievement of the student’s overall goals. Advisement is a distinct part of a student’s educational experience. Discussions between a student and advisor should assist in exploring and clarifying educational, career, and life goals. Students should consult with their advisor before making decisions that affect academic progress and success. Such areas of decision include dropping a class, withdrawing from college, selecting courses, and understanding degree/certificate requirements.

All students are assigned an advisor upon enrollment. This assignment is made depending on the student’s declared major or concentration. (The student may change his/her advisor by contacting the dean of the student’s major.) When a student changes his/her major, a change of advisor routinely occurs.

All students with declared majors and/or concentrations are assigned an advisor within that major or concentration. Special students or students who have not declared a major are assigned an advisor within the university parallel division. Students required to complete Developmental Studies courses or courses to remove high school deficiencies should develop a plan, along with their advisor, to complete such requirements as soon as possible.

Students enrolled at off-campus teaching sites, in telecourses, or Internet classes are assigned an advisor based on their declared major. They may contact their advisors in person, by phone, or by e-mail to arrange a meeting.

The Student Success Center (C2407) serves as support in the college advising process. This office, in cooperation with the faculty, assists in the advisement and registration of new and returning students during the open registration periods of each term. The center provides a location for student inquiries concerning course selection, choice of major, academic major requirements, and transfer information. Such inquiries may result in referrals to the appropriate faculty advisor or dean.

Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms – A student may register for both day and evening classes at the beginning of the term with the understanding that the state policy regarding refunds and registration fees will apply. A student will not be officially enrolled until all fees have been paid and a receipt has been issued by the Business Office. Students will not be permitted to register if any of the following apply:

• Fees or other financial obligations are owed to the college;
• The student is academically dismissed from previous attendance;
• High school deficiencies have not been removed within the first 30 hours after enrollment;
• Financial aid program repayment is due;
• The student has failed to submit all required admission documents;
• The student has failed to complete a loan exit interview;
• Library books or materials are overdue; or
• Previous disciplinary action by the college prohibits enrollment.

Early Registration – Early registration for returning students occurs each term. To register early, students should obtain the next semester’s schedule of classes from the Northeast State web page (www.NortheastState.edu), the Admissions and Records Office, or other designated areas and consult with their advisor to plan the following term’s schedule.

Students should refer to the College Calendar for the last day to pay for early registration each semester. Students who register early and are then dismissed after grades for the current semester are processed will be notified of a status change before the next term’s official registration period and automatically withdrawn.

Open Registration – Open registration will be held at the beginning of each term (see College Calendar). Payment of fees is required of all students at the time of registration. Students who have not paid fees prior to the first day of classes will have their registration purged.

Cancellation of Scheduled Classes - Any scheduled class may be discontinued by the college. The right is reserved to cancel a class when the student enrollment is deemed insufficient or for other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the institution.

Drop, Add and Withdrawal Standards - After the registration period is over, students may make adjustments in their schedules by adding and/or dropping courses. A student may drop or add courses for fall, spring, or summer semesters as published in the College Calendar. Courses dropped within the add period are not recorded on the student’s transcript.

Following the last day to add, and not later than two-thirds of the term beginning with the first day of classes, a student may officially drop a course(s) or withdraw from Northeast State and receive a grade of W. After the drop/withdrawal deadline date, no student will be permitted to drop/withdraw from the college or classes and receive the designation of “W” without providing documented evidence of unusual and verifiable circumstances which compel the student to discontinue enrollment after the published last date to drop/withdraw. Examples of unusual circumstances that may warrant a late drop/withdrawal are:

1. serious personal illness of the student verified by the attending physician,
2. serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family verified by physician’s documentation or a copy of an obituary, or
3. a necessary change in work schedule or new employment verified in writing by the student’s employer.

In all circumstances, the student must file a Request for Late Drop/Withdrawal in the Student Success Center on the main campus in Blountville no later than the last day of the subsequent semester; petitions received after that time will not be considered. Students must submit all of the following information in order for the request to be processed:

1. Request for Late Drop/Withdrawal form
2. Drop/Withdrawal form
3. Official documentation of mitigating circumstances which proves that the circumstances occurred after the deadline to drop/withdraw
4. Letter from the student explaining the mitigating circumstances.

Withdrawal Policy for Students Called to Active Military Service - Students who must withdraw from classes due to military service activation must:

• Submit a copy of active service orders to the Office of Admissions and Records, and
• Meet with the Coordinator of Veterans Affairs in P203.

Dismissals - A student may be dismissed from Northeast State for adequate cause, including the following:

• Failing to meet minimum academic standards.
• Exhibiting conduct of an unacceptable nature, including the violation of local, state or national laws.
• Giving false or incomplete information on the Application for Admission form.
• Possessing, selling, furnishing or using illegal drugs or alcohol on a Northeast State campus or teaching site.
• Failing to meet financial obligations to Northeast State.
• Violating standards of conduct as set forth in the Student Handbook.

The Office of Continuing Education coordinates and administers continuing education programs and services designed to meet the needs of community, governmental, business, and industrial organizations. Students taking non-credit courses are not required to follow the same admissions procedures as those students in degree courses. Registration is continuous, convenient, and customer-oriented with classes starting throughout the year. A current listing of non-credit courses is available on the website or by mail. For more information, see the Public Service Programs section of this catalog.