Admission Requirements for Health-Related Programs

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Program Requirements

Since students who are enrolled in Nursing or Health-Related Programs have increased responsibilities due to their direct contact with patients in health care settings, certain additional standards for admission and progression through these curricula, as well as regular college admission and progression standards, are required. For a complete discussion of criteria for admission and progression through each of the programs offered, see the discussions on the following pages. Listed below are general requirements and standards that apply to all Nursing and Health-Related Programs.

  1. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to Nursing and Health-Related Programs. Advisors are available to direct students toward studies or procedures that may improve eligibility for admission to a program.
  2. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) on prerequisite general education courses used for admission (ENG 101, math elective either MTH 116 or 100 and science elective BIO 103 or 201 or CHM 104) to the MLT program. For admission into the Radiologic Technology program, the GPA must be a 2.5 or higher. A grade point average of 2.50 on prerequisite general education courses in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program is also required for admission to the PTA program. Students must maintain a grade-point average of 2.00 (4.00 scale) on all college credit and on Jefferson State credit to maintain progress in these programs. Programs require at least a grade of “C” in each course in the prescribed curriculum.
  3. Since students have direct contact with patients and other health care workers in affiliated health care agencies, they are expected to have and maintain a satisfactory level of health, which includes freedom from chemical dependency and communicable diseases. Students must also be able to fully participate in the approved program of classroom studies and campus and clinical laboratory learning experiences and responsibilities. Nursing and Health-Related Programs require proof of a satisfactory level of health, and prior to or following admission, may request that the student demonstrate physical abilities to perform campus or clinical laboratory procedures or skills safely, effectively and without potential endangerment to the student, faculty, patients, or other health care workers. If a student’s level of health is unsatisfactory, or if the student is unable to demonstrate physical abilities to perform campus or clinical laboratory procedures or skills safely, effectively, and without potential endangerment, the student may be denied admission or progression in a division program. The Center Professional, Career and Technical Education and their programs will make final determinations regarding an applicant’s eligibility for participation in program activities. Information on technical performance standards for Nursing and Health-Related Programs is outlined in the program discussions in the next section.
  4. Certain dress codes, insurance requirements, and codes of conduct must be met by students in Nursing and Health-Related Programs. These requirements will be explained to students upon entry into a specific program.
  5. Due to the limited number of spaces available within Nursing and Health-Related courses and in clinical areas at affiliated health care agencies, programs reserve the right to give registration preference to students in regular progression. Students who withdraw from a program or whose progression through a curriculum is interrupted are considered to be “out of progression.” These students must reapply to have eligibility for readmission evaluated. Any changes in the program’s curriculum, policies, or procedures will be applicable if the student is readmitted. Readmission of out of progression students is not guaranteed. Alterations in the sequence of a curriculum for students who are out of progression or are in regular progression must be approved by the program in which the student is enrolled.
  6. Students in Nursing and Health-Related Programs are required to participate in off-campus clinical experiences at affiliated health care agencies. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites and, when required, pay associated housing costs.
  7. During clinical experiences in affiliated health care agencies students must abide by the same regulations and policies as employees of those agencies. These regulations and policies, which include requirements for pre-clinical and/or random drug and alcohol screening and background screening, are in addition to those of Jefferson State and its individual programs of study.

Progression Requirements

In order to successfully progress through and complete Nursing or Health-Related Programs, the student must fulfill all of the following requirements:

  1. Progress through all required general education courses in the program curriculum, including prerequisites and corequisites, in a sequence approved by program faculty.
  2. Progress through all required major courses, including prerequisites and corequisites, in a sequence specified by program faculty.
  3. Attain grades of “C” or above in each of the required major and general education courses in the curriculum without repeated withdrawals, audits, or failures.
  4. Maintain a grade-point average of 2.00 or above (4.00 scale) on all Jefferson State credit. Radiology requires a 2.5 minimum grade point average.
  5. Refrain from conduct that violates the College’s Academic Honesty Code, the Code of Student Conduct, and the Drug and Alcohol Free Campus Policy.
  6. Refrain from conduct that violates policies of the appropriate licensing or credentialing body and that which leads to a major breach in safety, confidentiality, legality, or accountability.
  7. Maintain current health and student liability insurance.
  8. Submit required medical forms by the required date.
  9. Maintain a satisfactory level of health, including freedom from chemical dependency.

Nursing or Health-Related students who fail to comply with the above listed requirements may be “out of progression” (temporary suspension) or dismissed from the program. In order to be considered for readmission, out of progression students must have their eligibility for readmission evaluated by program faculty. Readmission is based on space available, academic record, health status, successful completion of required courses, and compliance with college and professional codes of conduct, and cannot be guaranteed. Any changes in the curriculum or program policies and procedures are applicable to any readmitted student and remediation or skills validation may be required.

Licensure and Registration

Students who meet college and program graduation requirements and requirements of certifying agencies are eligible to take the licensing, registry, or certification examination in their field of study. According to legal statutes and regulations, applications for licensure, registry, or registration may be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony, has been convicted of any violation relating to controlled substances, is chemically dependent or mentally incompetent, or for other reasons authorized by law or regulations. More detailed information is available from program coordinators.

Transfer of Credits

Students who have been enrolled in Nursing and Health-Related Programs in two-year or four-year colleges and wish
to transfer into one of these programs at Jefferson State are evaluated on an individual basis by each program. Transfer students are required to meet the same admission and progression requirements as regularly enrolled students. Transfer students should consult the appropriate program director for information or guidelines regarding transfer.

Graduates of Jefferson State’s Nursing and Health-Related Programs earn credits that are transferable to four-year colleges or universities. Although these programs are designed to be terminal degrees, which prepare graduates to become credentialed in a specialized field of study, all these programs provide a foundation for further study in the field. Four-year colleges and universities determine which credits will be transferred from two-year programs. Advisors are available to assist students who plan to continue their education after graduation. Students should print an articulation guide, which may be accessed from our web site at alabamatransfers.com. Click on the Alabama Transfers icon and follow the directions. Students should also consult their chosen four-year college or university about specific four-year degree requirements and transfer of credits.

Academic Forfeit

Students applying for admission to Nursing and Health-Related Programs may request implementation of the Health-Related Programs Academic Forfeit Policy applicable for transfer credit. A student may request, in writing, to the appropriate program coordinator to declare academic forfeiture on coursework taken at other regionally accredited post- secondary institutions under the following conditions:

  1. If fewer than three (3) calendar years have elapsed since the term for which the student wishes to declare forfeiture, the student may declare academic forfeiture on all course work taken at another regionally or Council on Occupational Education accredited post-secondary institution during one term provided the student has taken a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of coursework at any regionally accredited postsecondary institution since the forfeiture term occurred. All coursework taken, even hours completed satisfactorily, during the term for which academic forfeit is declared will be disregarded when calculating the cumulative grade point average for admission to health- related programs.
  2. If three (3) or more calendar years have elapsed since the most recent term for which the student wishes to declare forfeiture, the student may declare academic forfeiture on all coursework taken at other regionally or Council on Occupational Education accredited post- secondary institution during 1-3 terms provided the student has taken a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of coursework at any regionally accredited postsecondary institutions since the forfeiture term occurred. All coursework taken, even hours completed satisfactorily, during the terms for which academic forfeit is declared will be disregarded when calculating the cumulative grade point average for admission to health- related programs.

Implementation Guidelines

  1. A student who enrolled at the college Fall Term 1994, or any subsequent term, is eligible for academic forfeit provided the student has taken a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of coursework at any regionally or Council on Occupational Education accredited postsecondary institutions since the forfeit term(s) occurred.
  2. Forfeiture may be applied to credit earned at regionally or Council on Occupational Education accredited postsecondary institution provided the student has taken a minimum of 18 semester credit hours of coursework since the forfeiture term(s) occurred.
  3. A student may apply to the health-related programs division for academic forfeiture and to the College for academic bankruptcy. However, no more than a total of three (3) terms of coursework, whether Jefferson State or transfer credit, may be disregarded to affect GPA for the purpose of application to these programs.
  4. Current enrollment is not required to apply for academic forfeiture.
  5. Equivalent transfer credit forfeited with this policy is not deleted from the student’s official academic record. However, no courses disregarded may fulfill degree requirements for health-related programs.