General Admissions Requirements

Chattanooga State has an open door admission policy. The college is open to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, or physical, mental or educational disability. Admissions requirements and procedures vary, depending on the student’s goals and classification. Each category has its own requirements and procedures. However, the following apply to all applicants:

• Applicants should meet physical standards appropriate to their occupational choices.
• An admission application is not complete until the Admissions Office has received all required documents. An applicant may be denied registration until all are received.
• Males between 18 and 26 must certify registration with Selective Service before they can register for classes.
• The State of Tennessee requires all students who plan to enroll full-time to provide proof of two immunizations with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. Contact Admissions for detailed information. (Exempt if born before 1957 or graduated from a Tennessee Public High School 1999 or after.)
• All first-time students must submit a completed Hepatitis B Health History Form prior to enrollment.
• Effective July 2011, Varicella (Chickenpox) immunization documentation is required for those born on or after January 1, 1980.
• Applicants must show proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

In addition to the admission requirements/procedures listed below, some programs have extra requirements, procedures, and deadlines. See the specific program in the “A.A.S. Degrees & Technical Certificates” section of this catalog for
more information.

Admissions Procedures - How To Apply

First Time Freshmen

• Apply for admission.

• Submit an official high school transcript or approved high school equivalency (HSE, see following section). An official transcript has the granting institution’s seal and is either mailed directly to the Admissions Office or electronically delivered through official channels; hand-delivered in a sealed school envelope, or faxed with cover directly from the school.  High School graduates must hold a regular high school diploma from a regionally approved school.
• The high school transcript must be from a regionally approved school and received after the date of graduation, showing the student’s graduation date with final grades posted.  NOTE: Certificate of attendance and Special Education are not equivalent to a regular high school diploma.
• Test Requirements
  Submit National ACT (American College Testing Program), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), or COMPASS scores. Scores are valid if taken within five years of the first semester of attendance and are used for advising and placement purposes. Additional assessment may be required.

High School Equivalency (HSE)

Chattanooga State currently accepts the GED or HiSET tests as proof of high school equivalency.  Minimum scores for GED/HiSET  recipients are based upon when the GED/HiSET test was taken and are as follows:       

HiSet 2014 - present

Must score 8 or higher in each test area

Must score15 or higher on CCR (college and career readiness)

AND

Must score 45 or higher on the combined score

GED 2014 - present

Must score 150 or higher in each test area

AND

Must score 600 or higher in Battery Average

GED 2001 TO 2013

Must score 410 or higher in each test area

AND

Must score 450 or higher in Battery Average

GED 1997 TO 2001

Must score 40 or higher in each test area

AND

Must score 45 or higher in Battery Average

GED 1981 TO 1996

Must score 40 or higher in each test area

OR

Must score 45 or higher in Battery Average

GED 1943 TO 1980

Must score 35 or higher in each test area

OR

Must score 45 or higher in Battery Average

  
Transfer Students

• Apply for admission.
• Submit official transcript(s) from all colleges previously attended. An official transcript has the granting institution’s seal and is either mailed or delivered electronically through secure acceptable methods to the Admissions Office; is hand delivered in a sealed school envelope or faxed with cover directly from the school. Transcripts are evaluated and credit may be given for equivalent courses completed at regionally accredited institutions. Transfer credits will not be used in computing the student’s GPA at Chattanooga State. Students transferring from non-regionally accredited institutions follow the same procedures as first time freshmen. Credits from non-regionally accredited institutions may be validated through departmental appeal or departmental examination. Appeal forms are available in the Enrollment Services Office. See “Alternative Sources of Credit” for information on procedures and fees for departmental examination. The appeal forms must be submitted before the term begins.
• Testing and Placement
  Transfer students who have not earned credits in college-level English composition or college-level, algebra-based math will be assessed in writing and math based on a valid ACT score or other appropriate assessment test. Chattanooga State accepts assessment and placement, as well as equivalent Learning Support courses, from all TBR schools. Assessment and placement from other non-TBR institutions, as well as Learning Support course credits, may be approved by Chattanooga State’s Learning Support director.
• Transfer students are held to the same standards as other Chattanooga State students. Transfer students deficient in a basic academic competency cannot continue in a related college-level course until they have satisfactorily met the exit criteria of the appropriate Learning Support course(s).
• Submit a high school transcript or approved high school equivalency. This is waived for students who have earned an Associate degree or higher, as documented on an official transcript.
• Grade Point Average
  Transfer students must be eligible to return to the institution they transferred from and meet the academic retention standards of Chattanooga State. Students not meeting these criteria may be admitted to Chattanooga State after not attending any college for at least one term (not including summer). Such students are admitted on probation their first term and can be suspended at the end of the term if they do not meet Chattanooga State’s academic retention standards. (See “Academic Retention Standards” in the “Academic Regulations” section.)

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Submit a valid* TOEFL score (minimum = 500/paper based, or 61/Internet-based). 
• Submit a valid* TOEFL Institutional Testing Program score (minimum = 500) administered at Chattanooga State.
• Provide an official transcript documenting graduation from an approved U.S. high school with a regular high school diploma or approved high school equivalency (administered in English).
• Provide an official transcript documenting satisfactory completion (grade C or better) in college-level English Composition I from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
• Any appeal relating to English language proficiency is comprised of three tiers.
  • 1) Director of Multicultural and International Student Services, then
  • 2) Vice President of Student Affairs, and finally
  • 3) Vice President for Academic Affairs.
  • Resolution of an appeal may occur at any tier in the process with final consideration being given by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

*TOEFL scores are only considered valid for two (2) years from the date taken.

International Students

The Multicultural and International Student Office handles international student admissions, including U.S. BICE (Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement) requirements.

International Students Requirements

• meet all requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student in the credit division or diploma-seeking in TCAT
• meet language proficiency
• must provide certified English translation of all high school and post-secondary school transcripts 
• take English and Reading components of placement exam if no transfer courses from institution using English as primary language
• furnish evidence of financial capability
• provide medical certification verifying freedom from tuberculosis
• have medical and hospitalization insurance or purchase it from the state

Mandatory Placement

• Students will be assessed for learning support placement according to ACT, SAT, or Compass scores (taken within 5 years prior to the first day of the student’s entering term). An ACT score less than 19 in the subject areas of reading, writing, or math requires placement in learning support or further assessment.
• Students not required to take an assessment may request to be tested.
• Instructors may recommend testing for students who were not assessed, but later show deficiencies. If a student is then determined to be deficient in a basic academic competency at the learning support level, he/she may be withdrawn from the class(es) with a grade of “W.” As a result, the student may not re-enroll until the exit criteria of the appropriate learning support course(s) have been satisfactorily met.
• Re-testing for assessment may be available for an additional fee. See Director of Learning Support for options and approval to retest.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Programs

• Apply for admission.
• Be age 18; or (if under 18) have a high school diploma from a regionally accredited school or GED.
• Testing
  • Applicants must take the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)’s prescribed entrance exam or COMPASS or ACT.  (Waived for applicants with a baccalaureate or associate degree.)
• Submit:
  • Official high school transcript, GED or HiSET transcript, and
  • Official transcript(s) from each college or university attended.

Technical Certificate of Credit Programs

• Apply for admission.
• Be admitted as Non-degree Seeking (see below).
• Testing requirements, if any, are determined by the program’s content.

If a student enrolled in a Technical Certificate of Credit program later changes to degree-seeking status, all regular admission requirements, including assessment, must be met. Likewise, a regularly admitted student pursuing an associate degree may concurrently pursue a Technical Certificate of Credit, but this provision does not alter any requirements for regular admission.

• Additional Admission Requirements

Some Technical Certificate of Credit programs have additional requirements, procedures, and deadlines which must be met. See the specific program in the “A.A.S. Degrees & Technical Certificates” section of this catalog for information.

Non-degree Seeking Students

A Non-degree Seeking student is one who takes credit courses without working toward a degree.  Non-degree Seeking students must:

• Apply for admission.
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Applicants under 21 years of age must submit an official high school transcript or official GED/HiSet scores.
• Testing may be required for eligibility to take courses
• Meet course prerequisites. (Transcripts may be required for advisement.)

Some Technical Certificate of Credit programs require testing before admission. Testing may also be required in order to take certain courses (see below). Though Non-degree Seeking students may not be required to complete normal assessment procedures, they are responsible for having the requisite knowledge and skills to succeed in their course(s).

Limitations:

• Non-degree Seeking students cannot enroll in a college level English or math course or in a course with an English or math prerequisite until they (1) satisfy the course’s Mandatory Assessment Requirements, or (2) show successful completion of an appropriate college level English and/or algebra-based math course.
• Non-degree Seeking students are not eligible for financial aid unless enrolled in an approved Technical Certificate of Credit program.
• There is no limit on the number of credits Non-degree Seeking students may carry per term other than those stated in the Academic Load policy.
• Non-degree Seeking students are not restricted in how many credits they can earn.

When Non-degree Seeking students change to degree-seeking status, ALL regular admissions requirements must be met prior to registration regardless of the number of credit hours earned.

Transient Students

Students who are regularly enrolled in another college may attend Chattanooga State as transient students. Transient students must:

• Apply for admission.
• For each semester attending, submit a letter of good standing from their regular college
• Meet course prerequisites. (Transcript may be required for advisement.)
• If taking English or math, show successful completion of appropriate college level English and/or algebra-based math course(s), or satisfy the course’s Mandatory Assessment Requirements.

^{Note: Transient Students are not eligible to receive financial aid through Chattanooga State. If a transient student changes to Chattanooga State degree seeking status, ALL admissions requirements must be met prior to registration.}

Audit

A student may audit college-level or Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) courses. Auditing may be denied based on available space or if restricted by program of study.

Students may enroll in any combination of audit and credit courses.

Students cannot audit learning support courses.

Payment of the regular course fee is required. The student participates in class, but is not required to do assignments or take tests.

Audit hours may not be converted to credit later or used to replace an earlier grade.

Register, add, or change to audit status on the first day of class for the respective term (see academic calendar).

Senior Citizens and Persons With Disabilities

Tennessee residents who are totally and permanently disabled or who are senior citizens (age requirement defined below) may take courses at Chattanooga State for a reduced rate. A “Maintenance Fee Reduction Request,” available from the Enrollment Services Office, must be completed at the time of registration each semester in order to receive the discount or waiver. Normal admission (or readmission) requirements apply.

Audit-To receive a maintenance fee waiver for auditing, a person must:

• be age 60+ or permanently disabled
• meet Tennessee residency requirements
• provide proof of age or disability before registering
• register for AUDIT on first day of class if space is available in course(s)
• pay all other applicable fees

Credit-To receive discounted maintenance fees on credit courses, a person must:

• be age 65+ or permanently disabled
• meet Tennessee residency requirements
• provide proof of age or disability before registering
• have satisfied all prerequisites or other criteria required for the course(s)
• pay all other applicable fees

Readmission

A student who did not attend the preceding term (summer excluded) must:

• Reapply for admission
• Submit official transcripts from any college attended since leaving Chattanooga State
• Submit any missing high school transcripts.
• Complete any unmet admission requirements
• Recent Chattanooga State graduates who are planning to continue attending must complete a Program Change form.
• Academic Fresh Start must be done at time of readmission (see Academic Fresh Start section for eligibility and terms).

Alternative Sources of Credit

Chattanooga State awards credit for successful completion of the following nationally recognized college-level examinations offered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB):

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP tests are given to 11th and 12th grade students. Scores must be three or higher to receive credit.

Apprenticeship

Articulation of credits received in coursework/training programs from a registered apprenticeship program through United States Department of Labor (DOL) or a formal employee-based training program to Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program in community colleges may occur under the following provisions:

Student requirements include the following provisions:

• The student must meet all regular admissions requirements of the community college as published in the institutional catalog.
• The student must provide official documentation of coursework/training. Examples of documentation are:
  • Journeyman’s Diploma awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor
  • Coursework/Training Certificate of Completion
• For more information contact the Engineering Technology Division.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) 

CLEP scores must be at the 50th percentile to get credit. Chattanooga State’s Testing Center arranges the tests. Students who have taken CLEP exams elsewhere should have official scores sent to the Admissions Office.

Credits earned by testing appear on the student’s transcript with a grade of “AP,” which carries no quality points and is not included in the student’s GPA.

No limit is set on the number of hours that can be earned by AP or CLEP other than the restrictions imposed by the Graduation Residency Requirement.

Transfer program students should talk to their intended college or university about accepting AP and/or CLEP credit.

Credit by Assessment

Credit by Assessment for high school work; contact the Tech-Track Coordinator in Academic Affairs.

Credit By Departmental Examination

With the approval of an instructor, dean, and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a student can earn credit for some college-level courses by passing a special departmental examination(s). Contact division offices for details.

Conditions and Restrictions:

• The student must be currently enrolled in credit work at Chattanooga State and have 2.5 cumulative GPA.
• The student must show the academic department he/she has the knowledge, skills, and/or competencies covered by the course. Permission to take a proficiency exam may be denied if the department decides the student’s request is invalid. The department’s decision is final.
• Proficiency examinations may validate credits taken at unaccredited institutions. Students must show by official transcript that the credits were previously earned.
• The regular course fee is charged for each test, in addition to maintenance fees paid for courses in which the student is actually registered (even if the student is full-time).
• Credits earned by testing appear on the student’s transcript with a grade of “AP,” which carries no quality points and is not used in computing the student’s GPA.
• Proficiency tests may not be used to repeat coursework or to remove a grade of “I” or “F.”
• A student may take the proficiency test for a specific course only once.
• Credits earned by testing do not satisfy the Graduation Residency Requirement.
• No limit is set on the total number of credits that can be earned by examination other than the restrictions imposed by the Graduation Residency Requirement.
• Proficiency examinations are not available for all courses.

Students planning to transfer should talk to their intended college or university about accepting proficiency test credit.

Credit for Life Experience

Individuals who have not earned an associate or baccalaureate degree may be eligible to petition to receive credit for work experience and/or certified professional programs. A student who has previously taken the petitioned course may not request Credit for Life Experience. Credit hours earned by Life Experience are not considered part of the College’s Graduation Residency Requirement.

Credit for Life Experience may be granted by:

• Verification of College Credit Recommendation in the Directory of the National Program on Non collegiate Sponsored Instruction (published by the University of the State of New York and the State Education Department of New York).
  -OR-
• Up to nine (9) semester hours may be granted upon submission of a portfolio documenting professional experience that directly relates to the content of specific courses offered by Chattanooga State AND approval of this portfolio by a Faculty Committee. The portfolio process must be initiated at least two semesters before graduating. A non-refundable assessment fee, equivalent to the per-credit-hour maintenance/tuition fee, must be paid prior to faculty assessment of the student’s portfolio. Step-by-step procedures are listed in the Student Handbook. Assessment by portfolio is allowed only if credit by exam (including CLEP) is not available.

Military Service Credit

Credit may be granted for appropriate educational experience in the armed services in accordance with evaluation in the American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Services. Veterans should submit documentation of previous training to the Veterans Affairs Office.

Students who have completed Basic Training with any military branch of the United States to include Reserves, National Guard or a Police or Fire Academy, may receive two credits for physical education activity courses. One credit is allowed for each six months of continuous active duty to a maximum of two credits.

Petition for Transfer of Credit

Credits from non-regionally accredited institutions may be evaluated on an individual basis (forms available in the Enrollment Services Office) or may be validated by examination (Credit by Departmental Examination).

• Credit will be awarded after review and approval by the appropriate academic department and dean.
• Credit hours awarded through transfer must be equivalent to hours for course at Chattanooga State. 

American Council on Education (ACE)

Chattanooga State may give credit for appropriate educational experience listed in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs sponsored by the American Council on Education. The program is national in scope, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is a participating agency. Each request will be considered on its own merit and must have the approval from the appropriate division.

Orientation

Orientation is required for all first-time degree-seeking students.

Out-of-State Fee Waivers

Chattanooga State is conveniently located to serve students in Alabama and Georgia, and will even grant in-state tuition to residents of these bordering counties: Jackson County, Alabama; or Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Walker, Whitfield, or Fannin County, Georgia. This classification is based on the information provided on your admission application.

Military personnel and their spouses stationed in the State of Tennessee because of military orders are not required to pay out-of-state tuition, as long as they are stationed in Tennessee for a reason other than seeking an education.

Students who work full-time in Tennessee and attend class part-time will be charged in-state tuition. These students must provide an employer verification form (available online) when paying their fees each semester. Students who are only taking online classes (and who do not qualify for a better tuition rate because of one of the classifications explained above) may qualify for a special tuition eRate. Information is available on the bursar’s web site

Residency Classification

The following determines in-state and out-of-state status for fees and tuition purposes for college credit courses. The fee policies are defined by the State University and Community College System of Tennessee:

• Everyone domiciled* in Tennessee is classified in-state for fee, tuition, and admission purposes.
• Everyone not domiciled in Tennessee is classified out-of-state for said purposes.
• The domicile of an “unemancipated person”** is that of his or her parent (i.e., father or mother, or non-parental guardian or legal custodian provided the guardianship or custodianship was not created primarily to create in-state status).
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) students who are out-of-state residents do not pay additional fees because of residency.
• Unemancipated students of divorced parents are in-state when one parent, regardless of custodial status, is domiciled in Tennessee.
• The spouse of a student classified as in-state shall also be classified as in-state.
• International students will pay out-of-state tuition and cannot establish Tennessee residency.
• Students classified by Immigration as a Permanent Resident, Resident Alien, Refugee, or Immigrant may be charged in-state fees if domiciled in Tennessee.
• Part-time students who are not domiciled in Tennessee but who are employed full-time in Tennessee are classified out-of-state but are not required to pay out-of-state tuition. The student must provide proper documentation each semester.

_{* Domicile-a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation; it is the place where he or she intends to remain, and to which he or she expects to return when he or she leaves without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere.
** Emancipated person-a person who is eighteen years old, and whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to his/her care, custody, and earnings and are no longer under any legal obligation to support or maintain him/her.}

Contact the Enrollment Services Office for more information.

Veterans

To receive benefits, eligible students must:

• Apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs for educational benefits.
• Be enrolled in an associate degree program, certificate program or in a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) program.
• Submit a copy of DD 214 and DD-2384, if applicable.
• Register for classes.

Eligibility for Deferment of Payment of Tuition and Fees by Certain Eligible Students Receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Other Government Funded Educational Assistance Benefits

Service members, veterans, and dependents of veterans who are eligible beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits or other government funded educational assistance, subject to the conditions and guidelines set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated 49- 7-104 as amended, may elect, upon formal application, to defer payment of required tuition and fees until the final day of the term for which the deferment has been requested. Application for the deferment must be made no later than 14 days after the beginning of the term, and the amount of the deferment shall not exceed the total monetary benefits to be received for the term. Students who have been granted deferments are expected to make timely payments on their outstanding tuition and fees balance once education benefits are being delivered, and eligibility for such deferment shall terminate if the student fails to abide by any applicable rule or regulation, or to act in good faith in making timely payments. This notice is published pursuant to Public Chapter 279, Acts of 2003, effective July 1, 2003.

Qualifying Courses

A student receiving veteran benefits can only be paid for courses listed in the catalog as required for his/her designated major.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Programs

Students receiving veteran benefits who are enrolled in Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) programs are certified for clock-hour certificates. Credit may be given for previous education or training as determined by the instructor and approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs at initial enrollment.

Full-time Status

The Department of Veterans Affairs accepts, as full-time, students who meet either of the following criteria:

• degree-seeking students taking 12 or more credit hours per-semester.
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) students enrolled in clock hour programs meeting at least 30 hours per week.

Residency for Tuition Purposes as it pertains to veterans, service members and their dependents

Effective July 1, 2015, Chattanooga State Community College is in compliance with Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act.  The Act is supported by TN Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7 part 13 which states:

“A veteran or any individual entitled to the veteran’s educational benefits, enrolled in any public institution of higher education in this state shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition or any out-of-state fee.”

For more information and eligibility requirements, visit the Chattanooga State Office of Veteran Affairs.”

Qualifying Courses

A student receiving veteran benefits can only be paid for courses listed in the catalog as required for his/her designated major.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Programs

Students receiving veteran benefits who are enrolled in Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) programs are certified for clock-hour certificates. Credit may be given for previous education or training as determined by the instructor and approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs at initial enrollment.

Full-time Status

The Department of Veterans Affairs accepts, as full-time, students who meet either of the following criteria:

• Degree-seeking students taking 12 or more credit hours per-semester.
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) students enrolled in clock hour programs meeting at least 30 hours per week.

Academic Fresh Start

Veterans are not eligible for Academic Fresh Start.