Student Handbook

General Readmission Policy

A student who previously attended Tennessee College of Applied Technology who either withdrew or whose attendance was otherwise terminated must re-apply for admission by completing a new enrollment application. Due to processing of financial aid, students desiring to enroll in a new program of study and use financial aid, or did use financial aid in a prior term, may experience a 60-day waiting period for re-admittance.


 Student Attendance

A. The nature of the programs at the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology is such that it is necessary for every student to attend regularly. Excessive interruptions due to absences will have an adverse effect on student progress.

 1. A full-time student enrolled for a full term (432 hours) and that has been absent for more than 5.5% (24 hours) of the scheduled hours enrolled, will receive written communication alerting the student to the number of hours remaining prior to suspension. Available community and institutional resources will be shared to assist students with attendance issues. The number of hours of absence triggering notification must be prorated for all part-time students and full-time students enrolled for less than a full term.

2. When a full-time student enrolls for a full term (432 hours) and has absences exceeding 9.7% (42 hours) of the scheduled hours enrolled, that student will be suspended. A student suspended for attendance may appeal the suspension in writing to the president within three (3) days of receiving notification of the suspension. A student appealing suspension of attendance may remain in class until the suspension has been reviewed. The number of hours triggering suspension must be prorated for all part-time and full-time students enrolled for less than a full term.

3. A student is considered tardy if not in the classroom at the designated time for class to start. Multiple tardies will result in the following discipline:

a. Five (5) tardies: Student will be given a written warning by instructor.

b. Six (6) tardies: Student will be placed on probation by the president or the president's designee.

c. Seven (7) tardies: Student will be referred to the president and may be suspended.

 4. An attendance record for each student shall be maintained in the student information system.

B. When a student misses three (3) consecutive days without contacting the college, that student may be presumed to have withdrawn from the college.

Exceptions for Suspension Due to Student Attendance

In individual cases of extenuating circumstances, the president may make exceptions to the requirement of suspension or presumed withdrawal due to absences. The circumstances warranting such exceptions should be fully documented.

Student Progress

A. Evaluations of student achievement toward a program's identified occupational competencies are recorded for each student at the end of 432 hours of instruction that comprise a term. Those evaluations shall be based on the following scale of progress:

  1. A = 90 – 100
  2. B = 80 – 89
  3. C = 70 – 79
  4. D = 60 –69
  5. F = 0 – 59
  6. P = Pass
  7. CONT = Continuing/Incomplete
  8. W = Withdrew

B. Grades for courses will be determined as described in course syllabi. Students will be graded in the following categories:

  1. Skill Proficiency
  2. Theory/Related Information 

Readmission from Suspension for Grades or Attendance (All programs except Allied Health)

A. The president or designee may consider for readmission the applicant who has been suspended.

B. Criteria that the president or designee will consider in assessing candidacy for readmission are as follows:

1.  Assessment of the candidate's willingness to address those deficiencies that contributed to the prior suspension, and

2.  Assessment of the likelihood that the readmitted student may succeed in pursuing their training objective.


Readmission for Nursing Students

Advanced Standing, Late Admittance, and Transfer Students

Individuals desiring to transfer from another TCAT nursing program and/or requesting advanced standing (credit for prior learning) must follow the regular school and nursing program admission procedure. Admission to the program will be on a space-available basis. The school reserves the right to serve students within its service delivery area first. Individuals requesting the transfer must submit the following:

• Transcripts and course descriptions from previous education institutions.

• Two letters of recommendation from previous nursing instructors and one letter from the nursing director.

The applicant will be required to take a HESI® exam and score a minimum of 850 in each of the following three subjects: Nutrition, Geriatrics, and Fundamentals.

The applicant may be required to demonstrate proficiency by performing sterile or other skill procedures.

To graduate from the Jackson Regional Practical Nursing Program, a transfer applicant must complete two terms in the Jackson Regional Program. Additionally, the first term must not have been completed more than two years prior to admission. The application process, including passing the required HESI® exams, must be completed at least six weeks before the start date of the term for which the student is applying. Students will also be required to pay all costs of the HESI® exams.

Readmission 

ALL READMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS.

Any student who has exited the Jackson Regional Practical Nursing program within the last two years, has an 80 average in each course attempted, achieved a minimum of 850 on the corresponding HESI® exams, and has “Satisfactory” clinical performance and attendance may reapply and be considered for advanced standing admission. Additionally, the previous coursework must have been completed no more than two years prior to the readmission start date. Each applicant will be considered individually and may be required to pass additional comprehensive exam(s) and demonstrate proficiency in the skills lab in order to obtain advanced status. Any student not meeting the above criteria may reapply to the program and compete with the applicant pool for admission. Previous credit will not be considered.

Students who have been enrolled twice and/or suspended from a nursing program due to violation of attendance, academics, academic misconduct, or clinical performance will be denied readmission. After a period of five years from the date of the second termination, an individual may apply to the nursing program and compete with the applicant pool for admission. Advanced/transfer credit for this admission will not be considered. This policy extends to all previous enrollments in practical nursing programs under the Tennessee Board of Regents jurisdiction.

In extenuating circumstances, the director of the practical nursing program may review individual cases and recommend exceptions to the school president. These exceptions require careful consideration and will be based on documentation provided by the student during the original suspension.