Admission Requirements

Pearl River Community College Admission

• AA/EOE/ADA
• General Admissions Procedures
• Admission Testing
• Notification of Admission Status
• Early Admission
• Dual Enrollment
• Readmission
• Transfer Admission
• Special Admission Contractual Agreements
• Students Who Have Not Completed High School/GED
• Students Who Wish To Audit Classes
• Continuing Education Admission
• Admission/Readmission Appeals
• Admission Policy Pertaining To Resident Status of Students
• Admission Requirements for Barbering and Cosmetology
• Admission Requirements for Associate Degree Nursing
• LPN Bridge Course to RN
• Special Admission Requirements for Dental Hygiene Technology
• Special Admission Requirements for The Medical Laboratory Technology Program
• Special Admission Requirements for Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology
• Special Admission Requirements of Physical Therapist Assistant Technology
• Special Admission Requirements for Medical Radiologic Technology
• Special Admission Requirements for Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Special Admission Requirements for Practical Nursing
• Special Admission Requirements for Surgical Technology and Dental Assisting

Pearl River Community
College adheres to an “open admissions” policy consistent with all appertaining
laws. The College embraces the philosophy that students be provided
the opportunities for learning experiences, e.g. developmental courses,
counseling, tutorial assistance, etc., that will help the individual student
to succeed in achieving educational goals. PRCC utilizes relevant
diagnostic instruments to determine the strengths and needs of students
in order to assist in the selection of the most appropriate program options
to help student success. There are no programs designed for transfer
to senior institutions that require a minimum ACT score for admission.


All applicants who
have met admission requirements will be considered for acceptance to the
college. General admission to PRCC does not guarantee admission to a specific
program offered by the college. Additional requirements for specific programs
should be studied to determine eligibility for acceptance in that particular
program.



Pearl River Community College is committed to providing high quality educational
opportunities to all qualified applicants. PRCC does not discriminate against
or exclude any prospective student or employee of the college on the basis
of ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status,
or disability. PRCC is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964; Title IX, Educational Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education
Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the
Americans with Disabilities act of 1990. For information regarding
Title VI, Title XI or ADA, please contact Tonia L. Moody, ADA/Civil rights
Coordinator or Dr. Adam Breerwood, Dean of Student Services.

For printed information (reader
accessible) click below:

Student
Guidelines Brochure

Disability
Services Guidebook



General
Admissions Procedures

The Admissions Office at
Pearl River Community College is located in the Administration Building
on the campus in Poplarville. Applications for admission and other forms
and information are available in the Admissions Office from 8:00 A.M. until
4:00 P.M. on weekdays. This office receives and processes all applications,
high school transcripts, transfer college transcripts, GED certificates,
and other documents related to admission to Pearl River Community College.
Information may be requested from or documents may be mailed to:

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS


PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY
COLLEGE

101 HIGHWAY 11 NORTH

BOX 5120

POPLARVILLE, MS 39470

Students who wish to enroll
in a career or technical program at the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg
should direct inquiries to and mail documents to:

PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY
COLLEGE

FORREST COUNTY CENTER

5448 U.S. HIGHWAY 49
SOUTH


HATTIESBURG, MS 39401

In order to be admitted as
an academic, technical, or career student, the following documents must
be submitted:

1. PRCC Application
for Admission;

2. Official transcript from
an accredited high school indicating date of graduation or GED test transcript
indicating passing;


3. Official transcript from
every college attended;

4. ACT scores for academic
or technical students (See Admission Testing below).

Students taking classes
at Pearl River Community College are classified in one of three broad areas
of instruction with regard to their educational goals.
ACADEMIC STUDENTS are students
who are taking classes that lead to the Associate in Arts degree (AA).
The Associate in Arts degree program is designed to provide a variety of
educational experiences which acquaint the student with the liberal arts
disciplines of writing, mathematics, humanities and fine arts, science,
social science, communication, and physical education. In general, academic
students intend to transfer their work completed at PRCC to a college or
university and have the work apply toward a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor
of Science degree.

TECHNICAL STUDENTS are students
who are taking classes that lead to the Associate in Applied Science degree
(AAS). The Associate in Applied Science degree combines a foundation of
basic academic courses with intensive training in a specific area of instruction,
and technical course work designed to provide the graduate with the specific
technical training needed for employment after completion of the degree.

CAREER STUDENTS are students
who are taking classes that lead to a Certificate of Proficiency. The Certificate
of Proficiency is a validation that the student has completed an intensive,
full-time schedule of training in a specific skill area.

Admission Testing

Students who are taking courses in an Academic or Technical program must furnish results of the American College Test (ACT). All references to the ACT refer to the Enhanced version of the test. The Enhanced version of the ACT was administered beginning in October of 1989. Students who completed the ACT prior to October 1989 may still use their results for admission purposes. ACT scores are used for placement in classes and for academic and technical counseling. (See Developmental Course Placement.) There is no minimum score for general admission to the college; however, specific programs may require minimum scores for admission.

ACT is required of all students. The preferred test for placement is the ACT. However, the COMPASS examination is offered to those students unable to complete the ACT prior to registration. COMPASS is the residual ACT test; meaning it is just like the ACT but scores are not transferable to other institutions. The fee for testing is $45.00. Ms. Kaycee Hairston administers the test.

Notification of Admission Status


After a completed application is received, PRCC develops an admission file on the student and begins correspondence indicating receipt of documents and/or deficiencies. All
students, regardless of full or part-time status, must meet admission requirements prior to registration for classes. A letter of acceptance or denial will be mailed to all applicants after all admission criteria have been met.

All students who have met admission requirements will be considered for admission to the college. However, admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a specific
program. Students must determine the requirements for admission to a specific program to see if they are eligible to enroll in that program. Specific questions concerning admission to the college or to a specific program of study should be directed to the Office of Admissions.

Early
Admission

In order to to qualify for
early admission to the College, an applicant must have completed a minimum
of 14 core high school units; a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 point
scale, or better, on all high school courses, as documented by an official
high school transcript; a home-schooled student must submit a transcript
prepared by a parent, guardian or custodian with a signed, sworn affidavit
to meet the requirements of this paragraph; a minimum ACT composite score
of twenty-six (26) or the equivalent SAT score; and, a written statement
from his/her principal or guidance counselor that this (Early Admission)
is in the best educational interest of the student.

Grades and college credits
earned by a student admitted to the early admission program shall be recorded
on the college transcript at the community or junior college where the
student attends classes, and may be released to another institution or
used for college graduation requirements only after the student has successfully
completed one (1) full semester of course work.

Dual
Enrollment

A high school student may
enroll at a community or junior college while still attending high school
and enrolled in high school courses, if the student has completed a minimum
of 14 core high school units; a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 point
scale, or better, on all high school courses, as documented by an official
high school transcipt; a home-schooled students must submit a transcript
prepared by a parent, guardian or custodian with a signed, sworn affidavit
to meet the requirements of this paragraph; and, a minimum ACT composite
score of twenty-six (26) or the equivalent SAT score. A student who
has not completed the minimum of fourteen (14) core high school units may
be considered for dual enrollment if they have a minimum ACT composite
score of thirty (30) or the equivalent SAT score, and has the required
grade point average and recommendations prescribed above.

Readmission

A student who has attended
PRCC in any semester other than the most recent semester must apply for
readmission to the college. A student seeking readmission should complete
a new application and provide transcripts from all other colleges attended,
if any, since last attending PRCC. Students are readmitted based on their
performance at PRCC and other colleges attended. PRCC honors the performance
policies (honors, suspension, probation) of transfer colleges.

Transfer
Admission

Any student may transfer
from an accredited institution and expect to have consideration of previous
academic experiences, provided that the admission requirements of PRCC
are met as stated under the "General Admission" section of this catalog.
The following policies in regard to transfer work will apply:

1. Credit earned
from an institution that is not regionally accredited will not be accepted.

2. Official copies of AP
or CLEP scores must be provided by the student for evaluation.

3. Acceptance of transfer
work toward a degree is subject to the following considerations:


a. Courses must be
equivalent to PRCC courses in content, description, and length.

b. The grade in the
transfer course must be a 'C' or better. If the student's overall transfer
average is above 2.00, a grade of 'D' may be considered.

c. Technical or Career
transfer work is subject to the approval of the program faculty and the
Director of the Career/Technical center where the student wishes to enroll.
Transfer students seeking
admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program should review ADN Transfer
Admission Procedure.

Special
Admission Contractual Agreements


Pearl River Community College
occasionally enters into contractual agreements with agencies or organizations.
In such cases, special admission may be granted to individuals participating
in educational experiences as covered in the agreement. College credit
will be awarded, however, only to participants who meet admission criteria.

Students
Who Have Not Completed High School/GED

Students who have never
graduated from high school and who have not completed the GED may be admitted
to selected career programs by special waiver provided they are over the
age of 18 and demonstrate through admission testing an ability to benefit
from educational experiences.

Students
Who Wish To Audit Classes

Students may audit courses
by submitting a completed application to audit to the Director of Admissions
who will, after the application has been evaluated, inform the student
if his/her application to audit has been approved or denied. No credit
hours are earned. Tuition for audit or credit is the same. Financial aid
is not available for auditing classes. Once enrolled in a class, a student
may not change from audit to credit status, or vice-versa. Completed audit
courses are listed on the student's transcript.

Continuing
Education Admission

Students who wish to participate
in Continuing Education classes must be eighteen years or older and complete
an Application for Admission. Students below the age of eighteen may be
admitted by completing an application and presenting a letter of recommendation
from their high school principal or counselor. Continuing Education credit
is awarded as Continuing Education Units (CEU).

Admission/Readmission
Appeals

The Director of Admissions
is authorized to admit any student to the college who meets admission requirements.
However, in cases where doubt exists the Admission Committee makes a determination
on admission. The Admission/Readmission Committee is composed of The Director
of Admissions (Chairperson), an Academic Counselor, and a Career-Technical
Counselor. The decision of the Admission Committee may be appealed to the
Dean of Student Affairs. A ruling from the Dean of Student Affairs may
be appealed to the President of Pearl River Community College. The ruling
of the President is final.

The Readmission Committee
is organized to hear appeals from students who have been suspended from
the college because they have not maintained the minimum grade point average
required for continued enrollment. Appeals will be heard only for those
students who submit a request for an appeal in writing two weeks or more
prior to the beginning of the semester for which they wish to re-enroll.




Admission Policy Pertaining
To Resident Status of Students

Students at Pearl River
Community College are classified in regard to residency as IN-DISTRICT,
OUT-OF-DISTRICT, or OUT-OF-STATE. The following methods are used to determine
student resident status:

1. An IN-DISTRICT
student is one who, on the first day of registration of a given term, is
twenty-one (21) years of age or older and is a legal resident of Forrest,
Hancock, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion, or Pearl River County in the State
of Mississippi. The legal residence of a student under the age of twenty-one
(21) is the residence of either parent.

2. An OUT-OF-DISTRICT student
is one who resides in the State of Mississippi but is not a resident of
Forrest, Hancock, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion, or Pearl River County.


3. An OUT-OF-STATE student
is one who does not reside within the boundaries of the State of Mississippi.
In
determining residence, the burden of proof is on the student. A student
can change his status from OUT-OF-STATE only by physically moving to a
location within the boundaries of the State of Mississippi with the intention
of residing within the state indefinitely and establishing a physical presence
and place in the state which the student considers to be the true, fixed,
and permanent place of habitation.


The Office of Admissions of Pearl River Community College determines residence
status. The decision of the Admissions Office may be appealed. In requesting
a change of residence status, the student will be responsible for presenting
competent, written evidence in support of the request.

A student
may apply in writing for reclassification prior to any registration. In
determining residence, the following test for qualification will be applied:

1. Students who
are not yet 21 years of age and are not married.

Residency for students
who are not yet 21 years of age is based solely on the residence of the
parents. Students who are not yet 21 years of age are considered
residents of Mississippi only if one or both parents reside in the State
of Mississippi. Parent(s) must have their fixed and permanent residence
within the boundaries of the state. It is not possible for tuition
purposes to be a resident of more than one state. The law allows
no exceptions for students below the age of 21 who are independent from
their parents.

2. Students who are 21 years
of age or older or students who are married.


Residency for students
who are over 21 years of age does not depend on parental residence.
In order to prove residency you must prove that you have a fixed and permanent
residence within the boundaries of the state. It is not possible
for tuition purposes to be a resident of more than one state.



Students
who are not yet 21 years of age must provide the following documents to
prove that their parent(s) are Mississippi residents. Students who
are 21 years of age or older or are married must provide the following
documents to prove that they are Mississippi residents:

1. Proof of
filing or payment of Mississippi income tax.

2. Proof of filing
of Homestead exemption (if a home is owned).

3. Proof of home ownership
or rent receipts.

4. Copies of utility
bills for electric and phone service.


5. Mississippi Drivers
License.

6. Registration of
Automobile in Mississippi (Car Tag).

7. Voter registration
by Mississippi county.

8. Marriage license
for students below the age of 21 who are married.
The
above factors are not the sole factors that PRCC may look to in establishing
residence, but they are important in establishing intent to reside and
physical presence within the state, and they may be used as guidelines
by the student in collecting documentation for a reclassification of residence
status.

Admission Requirements
for Specific Programs of Study at PRCC

Students enrolled in Associate
Degree Nursing and Allied Health programs are required to maintain full-time
academic status. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal
from the program. Full-time students are defined in accordance with Pearl
River Community College's policy, as students enrolled in a minimum of
twelve semester hours in a regular term.

Admission
Requirements for Barbering and Cosmetology


Students who seek admission to the Barbering or Cosmetology program at
PRCC must meet the requirements as listed under 'General Admission' and
submit a current health certificate as required by the State Barbering
Board or the State Cosmetology Board. The health certificate must be dated
no more than thirty (30) days before admission to either Barbering or Cosmetology.
Health certificate forms may be obtained at the office of the Director
of the Career-Technical Center on the Poplarville campus. Cosmetology requires
a high school transcript indicating graduation date or two official GED
score sheets, and one must be 18 years or older.

Selection Process for
Barbering and Cosmetology


The Barbering or Cosmetology programs are limited to a maximum of 20 students
in each program. An applicant list is maintained for each program in the
Career-Technical Director's office. To be placed on the applicant list,
a prospective student must first meet the requirements for general admission
to the college. Applicants will be notified of dates for the Test of Adult
Basic Education (TABE). Once applicants complete the TABE, selections will
be based on the date of application, TABE score, and slot availability.
If applicants outnumber available slots, an alternate list will be maintained.

Grading Procedures
for Cosmetology

State Board of Cosmetology
requires that a student must maintain an 85 average.

Special
Admission Requirements for Dental Hygiene Technology

In addition to all of Pearl
River Community College's general admission requirements for a technical
student, the Dental Hygiene program has specific additional program admission
requirements as listed below:

I. Applicants must have the
following documents on file at the Forrest County Center by May 1 to be
considered for admission to the Dental Hygiene program:

A. A
Pearl River Community College application for admission and an application
to the program.

B. An
official high school transcript from an approved high school or GED equivalency
score and official college transcript(s) if college work has been completed.
Only courses in the Dental Hygiene curriculum will be considered when computing
grade point average.

1. The Dental Hygiene academic
core courses used in computing grade point averages are listed below:

ENG 1113 English Composition I	3
ENG 1123 English Composition II	3
BIO 2923 Microbiology	3
BIO 2921 Microbiology Laboratory	1
BIO 1513 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology I for Allied Health	3
BIO 1511 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology I Lab for Allied Health	1
BIO 1523 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology II for Allied Health	3
BIO 1521 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology II Lab for Allied Health	1
Chemistry Elective	3
Chemistry Laboratory Elective	1
PSY 1513 General Psychology	3
SOC 2113 Intro to Sociology	3
SPT 1113 Oral Communication	3
FCS 1253 Nutrition	3
MAT 1313 College Algebra	3
TOTAL HOURS:	37

2. Academic standing
of 'probation' or 'suspension' at other institutions is considered in the
evaluation of the applicants.

3. Completion of the
Dental Hygiene academic core curriculum does not guarantee an interview
or admission to the Dental Hygiene program.


C. Students must furnish ACT scores

1. ACT score
may be from the national administration of the test or the residual.

2. Applicants who
took the ACT prior to October 1989 will have their results converted to
the Enhanced ACT scores. (A score of 15 prior to October 1989 converts
to an 18 on the Enhanced ACT.)

II Selection of students:

A. Students
having completed the majority of prerequisites will receive

preference. Students are selected based on the number of prerequisite courses
successfully completed, ACT, GPA and an interview.

B. Selected applicants
will be invited for a personal interview by the Dental Hygiene Admission
Committee.

C. Meeting the minimum
requirements listed above does not guarantee any applicant an interview
or admission to the Dental Hygiene program.

D. Upon acceptance,
the applicant must submit a college approved health form.

STUDENTS NOT SELECTED
FOR ADMISSION MUST REAPPLY BEFORE MAY 1ST OF THE NEXT YEAR.

III. Transfer Students:

A. Must meet
all of the requirements for general admission and special Dental Hygiene
admission criteria.


B. Must be eligible
for immediate readmission to the college last attended.

IV. All statements related to
admission criteria or announcements of the present policies are subject
to revisions.

Special
Admission Requirements for The Medical Laboratory Technology Program

In addition to all of Pearl
River Community College's general admission requirements for a technical
student, the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program has specific additional
program admission requirements as listed below:

I. Program Application

Applicants must have the
following documents on file at the Forrest County Center MLT program office
by May 1 to be considered for admission into the MLT program:

A. A completed
Pearl River Community College application.

B. A completed MLT
Program application.

C. A high school transcript
from an approved high school or GED test transcript with passing score
and an official copy of all college transcripts.

D. American College
Test (ACT) scores: (1, 2, or 3) 1. Composite score of 18 or 15 (prior
to October 1989) with no need for developmental courses, OR 2. Attain
a 16 or higher ACT composite (since October 1989) with no need for developmental
courses, OR 3. ACT of 16 or higher with the need for developmental
courses provided some academic courses from the MLT curriculum have been
taken to allow scheduling time for these developmental courses. E. The
applicant must also submit the required forms, documents, etc.:


1. Color picture 2.
Autobiographical Essay 3. A course list: Any course work completed after
the MLT application has been submitted by the May 1 deadline. Example:
College Algebra is being taken during the summer before beginning the MLT
Program in August.



II. Selection of students

Admission to
the MLT program is competitive based on ACT scores, overall GPA, core GPA
course work and interview. All MLT program applicants will be 'ranked'
according to the Admission Point Scale. The Admission Point Scale will
identify students who have potential for success in the MLT program. Points
granted at the interview will be based on:

1. Verbal and nonverbal communication
skills including writing skills.

B.
Knowledge of the field of MLT and the role of MLT.

Preference will be given
to full-time students. After notification of acceptance, a college
health form must be submitted before final acceptance.

Special
Admission Requirements for Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology

In addition to all of Pearl
River Community College's general admission requirements for a technical
student, the Occupational Therapy Assistant program has specific additional
requirements.

I.
Applicants must have the following documents on file at the Forrest County
Center by May 1 to be considered for admission to the Occupational Therapy
Assistant program.

A. An application for admission to Pearl River Community College.

B. An application for admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

C.
An official high school transcript from an approved high school or GED
equivalency score.

D. Official college transcripts of all colleges previously attended.


E. ACT score from national or residual test. (Please note that ACT scores
taken before October 1989 will be converted to Enhanced ACT scores.)

II. Admission
to the OTA program is competitive and based on ACT scores, previous academic
coursework, and a personal interview. Interviews will be granted
based upon ACT score and previous academic achievement. Points at
personal interviews will be based upon verbal/oral communications, knowledge
of the field of OT, and assessment of attitudes/previous experiences that
would make the candidate likely to excel in and enjoy the field of Occupational
Therapy.

Special
Admission Requirements of Physical Therapist Assistant Technology


In addition
to all of Pearl River Community College's general admission requirements
for a technical student, the Physical Therapist Assistant Technology Program
has specific additional program admission requirements as listed below:

III. Applicants
must have the following documents on file at the Forrest County Center
by May 1 to be considered for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant
program.

A. A Pearl
River Community College application for admission.

B. A Physical Therapist
Assistant Program application for admission.

C. An official high
school transcript from an approved high school or GED test transcript.

D. Official college
transcripts(s) of all colleges attended if college work has been completed.

E. An acceptable ACT
score (1 or 2).

1. Composite score of
18, an 18 or above on the math subtest, and 16 or above on the English
subtest, are allowed on the ACT administrations to meet ACT minimum standards
for consideration to the PTA program. The minimum composite score for ACT
administrations prior to October 1989 is 15, a 15 or above on the math
subtest, and 13 or above on the English subtest, OR

2. Attain a 16 or
higher ACT composite (since October 1989) and achieve 12 semester hours
of the general education course work in the PTA program curriculum, with
a grade of 'C' or better from an accredited college or university. If A&P
I and II have been taken, they must have been completed within three years
prior to admission into the PTA program. If A&P I and II were taken
longer than three years prior to admission into the PTA program, the student
must retake these two courses once admitted to the program.

F. The applicant must also
submit the required forms and documents:

1. Reference
forms

2. Autobiographical
Essay


3. A course list
(courses not on transcript that are taken prior to admission)

G. The applicant must have documentation
of attendance at an Information Session.

II. Selection of students

Admission
to the PTA program is competitive based on ACT scores, overall GPA, and
core GPA course work. All PTA program applicants will be 'ranked' according
to the Admission Point Scale. The Admission Point Scale will identify students
who have potential for success in the PTA program. The selection committee
submits a list of candidates according to the 'rank' on the point scale
for a personal interview. Interview points will be the final determining
factor for admission. Points granted at the interview will be based on:
(1) Verbal and Nonverbal communication skills including writing skills;
(2) Knowledge of the field of Physical Therapy and the role of the PTA
in the field; as well as (3) Basic interview skills.

Special
Admission Requirements for Medical Radiologic Technology

In addition to all PRCC
regular admission requirements, the following must be in the Program Director’s
office and complete by March 1st of the year that the application is being
submitted.

For
requirements download the requirements and application brochure here.

Selection of students will
be done by a committee which is composed of representatives from PRCC and
Clinical Education Centers. Selection for these positions is competitive
and based upon grades, ACT scores, and personal presentation. Students
selected must provide a satisfactory physical exam form to include immunization
records must be completed prior to beginning class.

Special
Admission Requirements for Respiratory Care Practitioner

In addition to all of Pearl
River Community College’s general admission requirements for a technical
student, the Respiratory Care Practitioner program has specific additional
program admission requirements as listed below:

I. Applicants must
have the following documents on file at the Forrest County Center by May
1 to be considered for admission to the Respiratory Care Practitioner program:

A. A Pearl
River Community College application for admission and an application to
the program.


B. An official high
school transcript from an approved high school or GED equivalency score
and official college transcript(s) if college work has been completed.
Only courses in the Respiratory Care Practitioner curriculum will be considered
when computing grade point averages.

1. The Respiratory Care
Practitioner academic core courses used in computing grade point averages
are listed below:

ENG 1113 English Composition I	3
BIO 1513 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology I for Allied Health	3
BIO 1511 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology I Lab for Allied Health	1
BIO 1523 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology II for Allied Health	3
BIO 1521 (or higher) Anatomy and Physiology II Lab for Allied Health	1
Behavioral/Social Science Elective	3
SPT 1113 Oral Communication	3
MAT 1313 College Algebra	3
Humanities Elective	3
TOTAL HOURS	24

2. Academic standing
of “probation” or “suspension” at other institutions is considered in the
evaluation of the applicants.

3. Completion of the
Respiratory Care Practitioner academic core curriculum does not guarantee
admission to the Respiratory Care Practitioner program.


C. Students must furnish
ACT scores.

1. ACT score may
be from the national administration of the test or the residual.

2. Applicants who
took the ACT prior to October 1989 will have their results converted to
the Enhanced ACT scores. (A score of 15 prior to October 1989 converts
to an 18 on the Enhanced ACT.)

II Selection of students:

A. Students
having completed the majority of prerequisites will receive preference.

Students are selected based on the number of prerequisite courses successfully
completed, ACT, GPA, and an interview.

B. Selected applicants
will be invited for a personal interview by the Respiratory Care Practitioner
Admission Committee.

C. Meeting the minimum
requirements listed above does not guarantee any applicant admission to
the Respiratory Care Practitioner program.

D. Upon acceptance,
the applicant must submit a college approved health form.

STUDENTS NOT SELECTED FOR
ADMISSION MUST REAPPLY BEFORE MAY 1ST OF THE NEXT YEAR.

III. Transfer Students:


A. Must meet all
of the requirements for general admission and special Respiratory
Care Practitioner admission criteria.

B. Must be eligible
for immediate readmission to the college last attended.

IV All statements related
to admission criteria or announcements of the present policies are subject
to revisions.

Special Admission Requirements for Practical Nursing

1. The applicant must complete a Pearl River Community College application and a program application for Practical Nursing.
2. The applicant must provide an official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation or official results of the GED, with the results of the GED Report indicting ”passing”.
3. If an applicant has NOT graduated from an accredited high school but has graduated from a Non-Accredited high school, the applicant must have 17 acceptable Carnegie units and a minimum composite score of 18 on the ACT.
4. Applicants must provide ONE of the following: An ACT composite score of 16 with a 14 in math and reading, or 12 composite if taken before October 1989 with a 12 in math and reading. If the applicant has an ACT score on file with Pearl River Community College, they must obtain a copy and submit it to the Practical Nursing Department.
5. Applicants must submit an official transcript(s) from every college attended. If the applicant has official transcript(s) on file with Pearl River Community College, the applicant must request a copy and submit it to the Practical Nursing Department.
6. If you are currently working in healthcare and have held that job for a year or longer, submit a “Verification of Employment Form”, completed with signatures and contact information. The form is in the Practical Nursing packet.

How Selection is Made

Applicants will be selected by Point(s) awarded using this scale

Ranking of College GPA based on a minimum of 12 semester hours applicable towards a degree or a four year cumulative High School GPA IF no college courses have been acquired

Pearl River Practical Nursing program does not require prerequisites, however, if a student has completed any of the following classes with a grade of “A” or “B”, points will be awarded; BIO 1500 series, BIO 2500 series, EPY 2533, or FCS 1254. The classes must have been taken within the past 5 year to receive points.

For those applicants selected for admission As determined by this point system:

1. An information session will be conducted for those selected for admission. The information session(s) will be held on each campus. Date(s): to be announced
2. A physical is required. The physical is to confirm that the applicant is in good health and possesses the required physical abilities to function satisfactorily within the program and the occupation. TB screening is required as part of the physical exam. The results must render a negative result or treatment protocol.
3. Drug screening will be required from a specific lab; Healthworks located at 5909 US Hwy 49, Hattiesburg, and must render a negative result in order to continue. Applicants are given specific time frames for obtaining their drug screen.
4. Obtain “Form #121, Certificate of Immunization Compliance” from the Health Department in your county; it should state that you are complete for school, university/college, or work requirements.
5. Applicants must submit fingerprints for a Criminal Background Check in accordance with section 43-11-13 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. This process is necessary for the practical nursing student to enter the healthcare facilities for clinical. Any disqualifying event revealed by the Criminal Background Check may prohibit the student from entering healthcare facilities for the purpose of performing clinical. All practical nursing students must participate in the required clinical. This will be performed early in the first semester. This is the first of two Criminal Background Checks performed while in the PN program.
6. CPR-C (Health Care Provider certification) it may be American Heart or American Red Cross, is required prior to any clinical activity, and must not expire prior to graduation from the Practical Nursing program.
7. Submit a copy of your current driver’s licenses.
8. Qualified alternates will be placed on a waiting list and may be selected to fill any vacancies that occur prior to the end of late registration.
9. Priority in student admission will be given to (1) in-district candidates, (2) out-of-district candidates, and (3) out-of-state candidates.
10. Please refer to the Cat Country Guide (PRCC Student Handbook; PRCC website) under due process for student complaints.

Special Admission Requirements for Surgical Technology and Dental Assisting

1. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age by date of program completion.

2. The applicant must complete a Pearl River Community College application and a program application to the program for which they are applying.

3. The applicant must provide an official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation or official results of the GED, with a score of 40 on each part or an average score of 45 on all parts.

4. If an applicant has NOT graduated from an Accredited high school but has graduated from a Non-Accredited high school, the applicant must have 17 acceptable Carnegie units and a minimum composite score of 18 on the ACT.

5. All applicants must have an ACT score on file.

6. Applicants must provide ONE of the following:

a. Students must have an ACT composite score of 16 with a 12 in math and reading, or 12 composite if taken before October 1989 with a 12 in math and reading; OR

b. Students must have completed the following courses in the last five years and have received a 'C' or above: Human Growth & Development (EPY 2533); Anatomy & Physiology I & II (BIO 1513, BIO 1523); Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I & II (BIO 1511, BIO 1521); and Nutrition (FCS 1253).

7. Selected applicants will be invited for a personal interview by the interview committee. The basis for this selection will be the scores of GPA's on the criteria listed in number six. This committee will be composed of a PRCC faculty member (from the respective area), a career-technical counselor, and a designated representative from the primary clinical affiliates.

8. Applicants will be selected on the following basis:

Admission requirements ranking; High school transcript or GED ranking; Personal Interview.

9. For those applicants selected for admission, a physical is required. The applicant must submit a college approved health form completed and signed by a physician of the applicant's choice confirming that the applicant is in good health and possesses the required physical abilities to function satisfactorily within the program and the occupation. Drug screening will be a part of this examination. This must be in the student’s program file prior to registration.

10.' Priority in student admission will be given to (1) district applicants, (2) out-of-district applicants, (3) out-of-state applicants.

11. 'Those applicants who are selected for admission must have evidence of being currently certified in American Heart Association CPR-C (Health Provider Course) by the day of registration.

12. 'Qualified applicants who are admitted to the class as alternates will be placed on a waiting list and may be selected to fill any vacancies that occur prior to the end of late registration.