Oct 14, 2024  
2021-2022 College Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2021-2022 College Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions, Recruitment and Gateway Services



NC State has an “open door” admissions policy. General admission is open to (a) high school graduates; (b) persons who have attained high school equivalency (GED); and (c) select high school students who qualify under specific Early Learning Programs (College Credit Plus and College-NOW). If you do not meet these criteria, you may still be eligible for admission. Please contact Admissions, Recruitment and Gateway Services for specific information.

Admissions and Recruitment

Recruiters assist new students, transfer students and students returning to college with questions related to program information and the steps involved with college admission.  A personal visit allows the Admissions Office to answer all questions and make the transition to college an easy one. 

For more information about enrolling in the college and completing the enrollment checklist, contact the Admissions Office in Byron Kee at 419-755-4761, or by email at admissions@ncstatecollege.edu.

Gateway Services

North Central State College believes a strong start is essential to achieving success in college.  A strong start consists of a series of steps designed to communicate the process for selecting, entering and completing a program of study.  To achieve this, the Student Success Coaches work through the Student Success and Transition Center.  Academic Liaisons focus on persistence and completion and report to each division academic dean.

Student Success and Transition Services

Success Coaches provide academic advising and support services for new, returning, developmental, and probation students in the Student Success and Transition Center.  Success Coaches are often the first college advisors that work closely with students to identify career goals, discuss mandatory placement testing, create individual academic plans, provide registration assistance, and coordinate mandatory Connect to College - new student orientation.  Success Coaches arrange academic and personal support services and create academic plans that guide students to meet completion goals.  Upon completion of developmental or first semester coursework, students are transitioned to the appropriate Academic Liaison for additional advising support.

Academic Advising

NC State provides a 3-tiered advising structure to support the needs of students as they progress to completion.  Students can find their assigned advisor’s information within student academic planning and registration software on MyNC.

Success Coaches are advisors located in Student Success and Transition Services.  Each provide academic planning and registration services for new and returning students as well as developmental and probation status students.  Advisors work closely with developmental students as part of the DIRECTIONS advising program.  DIRECTIONS students are required to meet each semester with an assigned Success Coach to ensure that the student is taking the necessary steps to be successful.  

Academic Liaisons are advisors in each division that provide academic advising to college-ready students after completion of developmental coursework.  Liaisons specialize in divisional and/or program advising and continue to assist students with academic planning and registration.

Faculty Advisors are assigned to each student based on his or her declared major.  Students with curriculum specific questions are encouraged to meet with the faculty advisor as they enter technical field coursework.

Additional Program Requirements

The Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiological Sciences, Respiratory Care, Physical Therapist Assistant, Human Services, and Criminal Justice departments publish student handbooks. These student handbooks delineate specific department/program policies which are not explained in the general catalog. The specific policies as described in the department student handbooks take precedence over any general policy outlined in the College catalog. Copies may be requested through divisional offices.

Background Check and Drug Screening

An acceptable Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) report/FBI background check is required to enter the clinical or practicum sequence of many of the health science programs and the Police Academy. Some programs also require drug screening. Contact the specific Program Directors for current information.

CPR

Program CPR requirements can be met by taking the appropriate non-credit coursework or HLST 1010  .

Health Physical and Required Immunizations

Health Services Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Radiological Sciences, Registered Nursing, and Respiratory Care programs all require an acceptable health physical and verification of immunizations/immunities in order to participate in the program clinical, practicum, or lab activities. Contact the specific Program Directors for current information.

Liability Insurance

Students in Bioscience, Health Services Technology, Human Services, Nursing (R.N. and P.N.), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiological Sciences, and Respiratory Care programs are required to purchase professional liability insurance. Over the past several years, there have been a number of nationwide liability claims involving students enrolled in health technologies. These claims include error, negligence and omission, as well as personal torts. A student in one of these technologies has personal responsibility for his/her own actions in contact with patients, even though the student is not yet licensed, registered, or otherwise accredited for his/her profession. Coverage for students pays up to $1,000,000 for each claim. The premium is assessed and paid through student fees. No student is permitted to attend a clinical facility or practicum unless covered by the student liability insurance program.

Articulation

Students in selected programs in area high schools and joint vocational schools may receive advanced standing in North Central State College program based on articulation agreements between North Central State College and the high school or joint vocational school. These agreements are annually reviewed annually. For further information or specificities of a particular agreement, contact the Admissions Office. Currently, there are articulation agreements with the following schools:

  • Ashland County - West Holmes Center
  • Knox County Career Center
  • Madison Comprehensive High School
  • Mansfield Senior High School
  • Pioneer Career & Technology Center
  • Tri-Rivers Career Center
  • Wayne County Schools Career Center

Students seeking articulation credit must:

  1. Submit an application to NC State within two years of high school graduation (unless indicated otherwise in the preface to a list of courses).
  2. Request articulation credit by completing the form available in the NC State Office of Student Records.
  3. Submit an official high school transcript to the NC State Office of Student Records.

In addition to the Articulation Agreements described above, various special arrangements exist regarding credit-by-examination available to vocational and Tech Prep graduates under certain circumstances. Details can be found in the articulation documents signed by representatives of NC State and the respective schools.

Assessments

New student assessments, such as the ACCUPLACER, Computer Literacy, and the TEAS, are administered through the Student Success and Transition Center. The CSI (College Student Inventory) is also administered through this office.

ACCUPLACER

North Central State College assesses new and returning students for course placement purposes with an assessment programs called the ACCUPLACER. The ACCUPLACER assess students’ skills in the following areas: reading, writing, and mathematics.

Students should complete this assessment as soon as they apply to the college and before enrolling in any classes.  The ACCUPLACER must be completed before enrolling in ENGL 0040  , ENGL 1010  , or any math or statistics courses.  Students are encouraged to review computerized test taking techniques as well as reading/writing/math concepts before taking the assessment. The Student Success and Transition Center can provide information on how to prepare for the ACCUPLACER by using certain websites and other resources.

Students who have already earned an associate degree or a bachelor degree may not be required to take the ACCUPLACER. Furthermore, students are not required to take certain portions of the ACCUPLACER if they have achieved the required scores in COMPASS or the various ACT subtests or if those students are transferring in college credit for specific English and/or math classes. The following portions of the ACCUPLACER are waived based on the following criteria:

  • Math - a score of 21 or higher on the ACT math subtest, or transfer of credit for any of the following: MATH 1110  , MATH 1150  , STAT 1010  .
  • Reading - a score of 21 or higher on the ACT reading subtest, or transfer credit for ENGL 1010  .
  • English - a score of 18 or higher on the ACT writing subtest, COMPASS or ACT e-Write of 8 or higher, or transfer credit for ENGL 1010  .

The first attempt of the ACCUPLACER is free.  There will be a fee of $25 for each retest.  Students who want to schedule an appointment to take the ACCUPLACER should contact the Student Success and Transition Center.  Students who are unsure whether they need to take assessment testing should contact the Admissions Office.  

Computer Literacy

This assessment is required of any student wishing to take a computer class for the first time at the college, except for CISS 1020  .  This assessment evaluates the student’s knowledge of Windows, email, Microsoft Word, the Internet, and skills in typing. This may be waived with proper transfer credit. More information is available at the Student Success and Transition Center.  The first attempt of the Computer Literacy is free.  There will be a fee of $15 for each retest.

TEAS

The TEAS is required for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs. The test is a 4-hour assessment on reading, writing, math, and science that requires prior registration and fee payment at the Cashier’s Office, Room 140 Byron Kee.  Students can acquire information on how to prepare from the Student Success and Transition Center.  Some rules and restrictions apply.

Associate of Technical Studies (ATS)

The Technical Studies program allows a student who has specific needs that are not met by any single program at the College to combine elements of several technologies in a meaningful and logical way. Appropriate administrators and faculty will assist the student in formulating a course of study that closely matches his/her goals and needs. The course of study will be documented and upon successful completion of the program, the student will be awarded the Associate of Technical Studies degree.  

To pursue Technical Studies, a student must complete a special Technical Studies application form available from any academic division office. A student will be considered admitted to the Technical Studies program only after his/her course of study has been formulated and approved by the appropriate administration and faculty. 

College Credit Plus (CCP)

North Central State College is proud to partner with over 30 high schools in north central Ohio to create pathways from high school to college that encourage qualified students to earn dual credit - high school and college credit - while they are still in high school.

As of the 2015-2016 academic year, the Ohio Board of Regents requires that districts work together to offer college course work that will result in transcripted college or high school credit.  What was known before as “Dual Enrollment,” “Post-Secondary Enrollment,” or “Seniors to Sophomores (S2S)” are all part of the College Credit Plus legislation.

College-NOW

Bioscience

Through a partnership between area high schools, businesses, and North Central State College, qualified students have the opportunity to earn a Bioscience associate degree right along with their high school diploma. 

Business

Through a partnership between Pioneer Career and Technology Center, area high schools, businesses, and North Central State College, qualified high school students have a unique opportunity to earn an associate degree in business along with their high school diploma.  This program is ideal for students who wish to complete their first two years of college while in high school and then transfer to a four-year college or university business program.

Engineering Technology

College-NOW Engineering Technology is a two year program that allows high school juniors to enter North Central State College, in partnership with Pioneer Career and Technology Center, on a track to earn an associate degree in Integrated Engineering Technology in conjunction with their high school diploma. Coursework is designed for students to meet all high school graduation requirements, associate degree requirements, and transition to the college’s Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

For more information on the Early College Programs, please see www.college-now.org.

Developmental Studies

Many adult students, as well as students just out of high school, have difficulties making the transition to college. These transition difficulties are most apparent in the areas of math, reading and writing, study skills, test-taking skills, time management, and decision-making. The purpose of the following courses is to help the student gain the necessary background and coping skills for a successful college experience. 

International Students and Transcripts

NC State has approval to admit foreign students. For further details, contact the Admissions Office at 419-755-4761. 

The college offers English as a Second Language classes to international students who are not yet fluent in English.

A college-specific list of professional evaluation services is available for individuals requesting foreign credential evaluations. The recognized expertise and reliability of a professional evaluation report will provide a consistent and valid credit evaluation for the student and the College. The student will pay the cost for this service (approximately $120-$150). The full text of this policy, which includes the list of College-approved evaluation services, is available in the Student Records Office.

Mandatory Placement Guidelines

Students are placed into English and mathematics courses based on a Multiple Measures placement process. This process ensures that enrolling post-high school students’ skills are assessed as accurately as possible, and students are placed in classes that match their skill levels. A high school GPA of 2.7 or above (through the first semester of 12th grade) serves as the primary means of placing post-high school students into college-level English and mathematics courses. Accuplacer or ACT results serve as the secondary means of placing students whose GPA is below the threshold for college-level classes. Accuplacer and ACT results continue to be the mechanism for placing College Credit Plus students.

Based on their new-student assessment scores, students can be placed into one or more of the following prerequisite developmental courses:

Students who believe they have been misplaced into a reading/writing/math course should see an advisor in the Student Success and Transition Office about retesting or providing additional information noted above before the first day of the semester’s classes. If students have further questions, they can contact the Student Success and Transition Center in 136 Byron Kee, 419-755-4764.

Program 60

Persons who are 60 years of age or older are entitled to register for courses on a space available basis, for no credit, at no charge other than any applicable lab fee. Textbooks must be purchased and are available at the College bookstore. For further details, contact the Admissions Office.

Registration

New students and students returning to NC State after an absence of one year or more are required to complete the application to the college and may have to take the Accuplacer assessment before enrolling. Student registration is conducted via the web or can be done in person at the Student Records Office. Students in the Directions Advising Program, on probation, receiving funding through the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), or in the Post-Secondary College Credit Plus (CCP) are required to meet with a Success Coach/Advisor before registering each term. Web registration is available to eligible students each term beginning with the first day of Priority Registration and ending on the last day to add a class. The last day to add a class for a given term is 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the Tuesday prior to the start of the term.  Contact the Office of Student Records with questions about eligibility or the Student Success and Transition Center for help with choosing classes.  

Students have the right to appeal to the faculty instructing their desired course for entrance after the deadline.  However, the College and the faculty reserve the right to deny a student entrance into any course after the established deadline.  If the faculty gives the student permission to register, the student must present a signed permission form from the course instructor to the Office of Student Records no later than the end of the business day on the second Monday of the term.   The student must also attend the first day of the scheduled class.

Courses can be dropped from a course through the withdrawal date noted on each course within the course search function on the school’s website. Note that each course may have a different last date to drop based on the overall length of the course.  Student initiated withdrawals are processed in the Office of Student Records.

Students are required to pay fees or arrange for fee payment on an installment basis by the payment deadline in each registration period. Students with unpaid fees may be administratively withdrawn from classes after the payment deadline has passed. Formal confirmation of class availability and fee adjustments is available in the Office of Student Records and/or the Cashier’s Office.

Second Degree

Any student may wish to pursue a second degree. To be eligible, a student must complete all required coursework within a second technology as listed in the program section of this catalog, complete a Petition to Graduate form in the Office of Student Records, and pay the graduation fee. The Financial Aid Office can address questions concerning limitations of financial aid or veteran’s benefits in support of second degree programs.   

Several of the program technologies have more than one major. Students enrolled in any one of these several majors will be eligible for an associate degree in the technology upon completion of required coursework and the filing of the Petition to Graduate. Completion of a second or subsequent major within the same technology does not lead to a second degree. This applies to Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Industrial Technology, Information Technology and Visual Communications Media and Technology. The official student course transcript, however, will note the second major, if the student completed a Petition form in the Office of Student Records.

Tech Prep

College Tech Prep programs prepare high school students for the high-skill, high-demand technical careers required for an increasingly complex global economy.  College Tech Prep emphasizes math, science and technology for Ohio’s economic development.

Students master college prep math, science and English and build marketable skills in areas such as engineering, health, information technology, biotechnology, business, and many others.  Program pathways align to an associate or bachelor degree or certification at North Central State College and other Ohio colleges and universities and/or employment.

The unique core of College Tech Prep is the pathway – a sequential course of study that aligns instruction and student services from high school to college and career.

  • Employers identify skills that will be valuable for future careers. Colleges and high schools coordinate curriculum to develop these skills.
  • Students with similar goals, interests and talents are engaged in a peer‐friendly, educational environment.
  • Teachers coach students in project‐based learning ‐ building skills needed for high tech, high paying careers.
  • Industry support ensures rigorous instruction and marketplace relevance.
  • Curriculum is aligned to industry standards.
  • Academic coursework is integrated.
  • Learning is focused on teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Students acquire expertise and confidence required for tomorrow’s top careers.
  • Credentialing, internships, mentoring, co‐opportunities and classes in industry settings support workforce development.

Early Access to College Pays Off

  • Students begin college coursework in high school with the option of earning college credits and qualifying for advanced standing and scholarships.
  • College costs are reduced and time to degree completion accelerated.
  • Students build early relationships with college personnel‐‐‐confidence is nurtured.
  • Students explore career options before making costly decisions.

Transient Students

Students may complete a number of credits at another college and transfer them to NC State. The Transfer Credit Contract form, available in the Office of Student Records, must be completed in order to do this as smoothly as possible. Prior approval from the appropriate division dean is necessary. An official transcript of all credits earned as a transient student should be sent to the Office of Student Records in order to apply such credits to graduation requirements.