ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
(College Rule 6Hx23-4.02)(9/15/2009)

Admission Requirements
Returning Students
High School Students Eligible for Accelerated Admissions
Students Admitted by Waiver
Transfer Students
Transient Students
Non-Degree Seeking Students
International Students
Resident Aliens, Refugees, Asylees, and Citizens who are Non-Native Speakers of English
Eligible Students who have Disabilities
Bachelors Degree Admission Requirements

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1. To be admitted to a degree, college credit certificate, or applied technology diploma program, applicants must provide the following items to the College. Priority will be given to applicants who provide required documents andsatisfy the requirements herein, at least 14 days before the start date of the session the student is planning to attend. Applicants who cannot provide the following documents may be admitted in a non-degree seeking status. Non-degree seeking students may enroll at the College, but are not eligible for financial aid.
   
   

   1. An application and a nonrefundable application fee. The application will include the student's certification that the student will not unlawfully possess, use, sell, purchase, manufacture, deliver or possess with the intent to sell, purchase, manufacture, or deliver any controlled substance while enrolled at St. Petersburg College.

   
   
   

   2. Official high school transcript stating that the student received a standard high school diploma, Computerized Placement Test-eligible Certificate of Completion, GED transcript, or home school affidavit signed by the student's parent/legal guardian attesting to the fact that the applicant has completed a home education program pursuant to the requirements of F.S. 1002.41, F.S., with the name of the county public school district to which the applicant is assigned. Students who graduated from high school outside the U.S. must have the equivalent of a high school diploma in the U.S. Students must arrange to have transcripts from all institutions outside the U.S. evaluated by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency. Official transcripts from the secondary institution must be received by the Central Records Office or may be provided by the student in a sealed envelope certified by the sending institution or agency.

   
   
   

   3. Official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions(s). Students who attended a college or university outside the U.S. must arrange to have a course-by-course evaluation of these transcripts completed by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency.
      
      Official post-secondary transcripts may be sent directly from each school to the Central Records Office or may be provided by the student in a sealed envelope certified by the sending institution or agency.
      
      Additionally, applicants for admission to a degree, certificate or applied technology diploma program must:
      

      1. Complete the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), SAT, or ACT or other approved instrument. Test scores are valid for two years. Transfer work from other colleges may satisfy part or all of this requirement.

      2. Complete the New Student Orientation.

2. Applicants who have received a Certificate of Completion or a special diploma from a Florida public high school during or after Spring 1983, or who have failed every sitting of the High School Competency Test during or after the 1982-83 school year, shall not be eligible for admission until after such an applicant:
   
   

   1. receives a standard high school diploma; or

   
   
   

   2. receives a high school equivalency diploma awarded on the basis of successful performance on the test of General Education Development (GED); or

   
   
   

   3. receives a Computerized Placement Test-eligible certificate of completion. Students with the CPT eligible certificate of completion may be eligible to receive Student Financial Assistance through meeting the “ability to benefit” (ATB) requirement. If the ability to benefit is not demonstrated through the appropriate demonstration of skills on an approved ATB test, per federal regulations, students will NOT be eligible to receive federal aid until they either earn a high school diploma, GED or meet the ATB testing requirement; or

   
   
   

   4. the student submits a home school affidavit signed by the student's parent/legal guardian attesting to the fact that the applicant has completed a home education program pursuant to the requirements of F.S. 1002.41, F.S., with the name of the county public school district to which the applicant is assigned; or
       

   5. receives an approved waiver.

3. Returning Students
   Students who have not been in attendance at St. Petersburg College for three or more consecutive terms are required to provide updated contact information, information about colleges and universities attended since last enrolling at SPC, and residency for tuition purposes information before re-enrolling to ensure that the College has accurate information on file. Returning students are not required to pay an additional application fee.

4. High School Students Eligible for Accelerated Admissions
   
   

   1. Early Admission, Credit Bank, and Dual Enrollment Students
      

      1. Early Admission Students
         A student, including a student in a Home Education program meeting the requirements of F.S. 1002.41, F.S., who wishes to enter St. Petersburg College after the 11th grade of high school may do so if the following requirements are satisfied:

      
      

      1. Submission of a high school transcript which indicates that the applicant:
         

         1. Has completed the 11th grade. This is interpreted to mean not less than 2 calendar years of attendance. If the student applies before completion of the 11th grade, he/she must submit a high school transcript showing grades for all work completed through the first semester of the 11th year and courses in which he/she is enrolled for the second semester.

         2. Has completed 2/3 of the minimum high school unit requirement plus 1 unit.

         3. Has a GPA (grade point average) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all high school work.

         
         

      2. Presentation of a passing score on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

      
      

      3. Achievement of an acceptable score for college-level courses on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), SAT, ACT or other approved placement instrument as set forth in BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.45 and Procedure P6Hx23-4.45.

      
      

      4. Presentation of an Early Admission to College Form signed by the high school principal or designee. No application, matriculation or laboratory fees will be assessed to students in this program.

      
      

      5. The student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours or 46 quarter hours and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

      
      

      2. Credit Bank Students

         1. High school students who have at least a 2.0 GPA in all of their coursework for the prior year and who wish to earn college credit while attending high school may enroll in the College as Credit Bank students. In addition to the College’s Application for Admission, and non-refundable application fee, Credit Bank students must submit a Credit Bank Verification Form which provides verification of high school enrollment and the minimum required 2.0 GPA and is signed by their high school principal or designee. A separate Credit Bank Verification Form must be completed for each academic term for which a student wishes to enroll at the College.

         
         

         2. High school level Home Education students may enroll in College classes as Credit Bank students on a term-by-term basis as approved by the campus coordinator of Admissions/Registration. To be admitted, Home Education students must provide evidence of successful academic work at the high school level through the annual evaluations submitted to the public school system. To remain enrolled as Credit Bank students, they must maintain a 2.0 GPA in College classes.

         3. Achievement of an acceptable score for college-level courses on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), SAT, ACT or other approved placement instrument as set forth in BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.45 and Procedure P6Hx23-4.45.
            

         4. Requirements for high school students who are younger than the normal age are as follows:
            

            1. The student and parent(s) must meet with the campus provost or associate provost, and program director or designees to discuss rules and requirements of academic and student life to determine the applicant's level of adaptability to an adult academic setting.
               

      5. Credit Bank students who wish to enroll at the College in degree-seeking status following high school graduation will be required to meet the admission requirements in section I. above.
         

      3. Dual Enrollment Students

      1. Students attending a public or private high school within the Pinellas County School District or a Home Education Program meeting the requirements of 1002.41, F.S., who wish to take courses to earn both college and high school credit may do so if the following requirements are satisfied:

      
      

      1. The student has completed the 9th grade while attending a private high school or home education program within the Pinellas County school district.

      2. The student has completed the 10th grade while attending a public high school within the Pinellas County school district.

      3. The student has submitted a completed St. Petersburg College Application for Admission Form excluding the application fee.

      4. The student has achieved an acceptable score for college-level courses on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), SAT, ACT or other approved placement instrument as set forth in BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.45 and Procedure P6Hx23-4.45.

      5. The student has attained at least a 3.0 cumulative unweighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale or when registering for a particular course, the student has demonstrated prior academic achievement in the field of the course by attaining at least a 3.0 cumulative unweighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale within that field.

      6. The Home Education Dual Enrollment student may take up to 18 credit hours in each fall and spring terms and nine credit hours in the summer term. Upon entering as a Dual Enrollment student, home education students will have three calendar years to participate or until the conclusion of the term in which the student turns 19. After the three years are concluded or the student turns 19 (or whichever comes first), the student may not matriculate as a dual enrollment student unless otherwise provided by law.

      2. No application, matriculation or laboratory fees will be assessed students admitted to this program.
          

   
   
   

   5. Students Admitted by Waiver
      The College's general policy is not to admit students without a standard high school diploma, CPT eligible certificate of completion, completed home education program pursuant to the requirements of F.S. 1002.41, or GED; however students who may be admitted by waiver include:

   
   
   

   1. Students with High School Certificates of Completion
      Although a Certificate of Completion does not qualify a prospective student for admission, a Certificate of Completion student who believes he/she should be considered for admission to the College or to a program of the College should appeal to the associate provost of his/her campus or site. The associate provost or designee will meet with the appropriate faculty, program directors, or others and the student to determine if the student has made a clear case for admission. Information to be considered may include such items as scores on one or more of the approved placement instruments, evidence of the student’s life experiences, career/work experience, service occupation, other training, performance in selected academic courses, evidence of an appropriate reading level or appropriate competency indicating the ability to function in college-level classes, and/or recommendations from prior teachers and/or other professionals.

   
   
   

   2. Students with Special Diplomas

      1. A student who receives a special diploma and believes he or she should be considered for waiver and/or substitutions for requirements for admission to the College, or to a program of the College, for a course or courses required in a program, or for graduation from the College should appeal to the associate provost at his/her campus or site. The associate provost and provost will meet with the appropriate faculty, program directors, or others and the student to determine that the student has made a clear case for a substitution and to identify the most appropriate substitution to offer the student. Current documentation of the disability, including test scores, when appropriate, will be required. Other information to be considered, especially for substitution of admission requirements, may include items such as: scores on one or more of the approved placement instruments, evidence of the student's experience in mainstream classes, performance in selected academic courses, evidence of an appropriate reading level or appropriate competency indicating the ability to function in college-level classes, recommendations from prior teachers and other professionals.
         

      2. If the student and associate provost agree on the substitution offered, the agreement will be communicated to the campus coordinator of Admissions/Registration, other individuals involved, the associate vice president of Academic and Student Affairs (who will maintain a record of substitutions granted) and the student, in writing, within 5 working days. If no agreement is reached, the issue will be referred to the associate vice president of Academic and Student Affairs who will make the determination of appropriate action. The decision of the associate vice president may be appealed to the President, in writing, within 10 working days of receipt of the decision. The President's decision shall be final.

      
      

      3. Credits or degrees awarded by other regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institutions as a result of substitute requirements established under the provisions of State Board of Education Rule 6A-1 0.041 will be accepted by St. Petersburg College, so long as all other requirements are met.

      
      

   3. Students Who Have Previously Demonstrated Competency in College Credit Post-Secondary Coursework
      When High School transcripts reflecting the date for graduation are unavailable because of reasons beyond the applicant's control, a waiver may be granted by the Associate Provost's Office which will serve as adequate documentation for meeting this requirement in accordance with the instructions below. The following requirements must be met for the waiver to be granted:
      

      1. earned 12 college-level credits from St. Petersburg College or through the transfer of academic credit from another qualified post-secondary institution.

      2. demonstrate the ability to benefit by achieving minimum passing scores on the arithmetic, reading comprehension and sentence skills portions of the computerized placement test.

      3. minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

   

   6. Transfer Students

      1. St. Petersburg College Policy on Transfer of Academic Credit
         St. Petersburg College will seek to make the transfer of credit as easy as possible for students while continuing to honor its commitment to academic quality and integrity. As such, St. Petersburg College regularly seeks guidance from its accrediting agency as well as other higher education councils (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Council on Education, and Council for Higher Education Accreditation) on academic credit transfer policies.
         
         Transfer credit may be accepted from degree granting institutions that are accredited at the collegiate level by an appropriate regional or national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Courses may also be accepted from institutions recognized and participating in the Florida Department of Education Statewide Course Numbering System. Transfer courses are subject to a course-by-course evaluation process to determine if the course is equivalent to courses offered at St. Petersburg College.
         
         

      2. Transfer students are subject to the same admissions requirements as listed in section I. above.
          

      3. A student who has previously applied to, been accepted and registered at a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution(s) is classified as "transfer" even if the student withdrew before earning any credits.

      
      
      

      4. For courses that are initially deemed nontransferable to St. Petersburg College, the transfer student has the option of seeking an alternative method for obtaining credit. The following supporting documentation must be submitted by the student for each course requested for reconsideration:
         

         1. a copy of each course syllabus must include course title, course length, course description, text used; and

         2. verification of faculty credentials including college transcripts, professional licensure and/or certifications, and work experience in the field.

         The course syllabus must be the syllabus from the specific course section and semester that appears on the transcript. The faculty credentials must reflect the credential at the time that the professor taught the course specified on the transcript. The student should submit this supporting documentation to:
         College Registrar
         St. Petersburg College
         P.O. Box 33089
         St. Petersburg, FL 33733

      
      
      

      5. Florida Statutes requires that after a Florida university or community college has published its general education core, the integrity of that curriculum shall be recognized by the College and other public universities and community colleges. Once a student has been certified by such an institution on the official transcript as having completed satisfactorily its prescribed general education core curriculum, regardless of whether the associate degree is conferred, the College shall require no further such general education courses. Further, any transfer student who has provided documentation of completion of an Associate in Arts, Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution shall be presumed to have met all general education requirements for the associate degree at the College. In addition, any transfer student who has graduated from a regionally accredited institution with an Associate in Applied Science degree or higher shall be exempt from the admission requirement of a standard high school diploma.
         
         

      6. All transfer work is evaluated by the person(s) designated to perform the task on a collegewide basis by the College registrar.

      
      
      

      7. All courses listed on the transcript(s) are evaluated, including those with incomplete or failing grades, except as noted in paragraph I. below. Courses from which the student withdrew without penalty are not evaluated. When the course is equivalent to a course in the College catalog, it is transferred in with the College prefix and course number. However, the course title and credit hours will be those of the transfer institution. Quarter hours will be converted to semester hours on the basis that 3 quarter hours equal 2 semester hours. Fractional hours resulting from the conversion will be carried to two decimal places and rounded to nearest hundredths.
         
         

      8. For purposes of meeting general education and program requirements, 2.5 credits will satisfy a 3 credit course requirement and .67 will satisfy a 1 credit course.
         
         

      9. Upper division courses are not evaluated for lower division programs. If a student later matriculates into an upper division program, all upper division work will be evaluated at that time.

   

   7. Transient Students
      
      

      1. Transient students from another college
         A transient student is one who preserves uninterrupted residency status with the home college while attending St. Petersburg College. Students who wish to attend St. Petersburg College on a transient basis may substitute a Transient Form approved by the home college in lieu of an official transcript. The Transient Form or official transcript must be forwarded along with the Application for Admission and fee, to the Admissions/Registration Office on the campus he/she expects to attend.

      
      
      

      2. Transient students from St. Petersburg College
         Permission to attend another institution on a transient basis will be granted only to students who have at least a 2.0 “C” average or better at St. Petersburg College. Eligibility for transient status and acceptability of courses is determined by the campus coordinator of Admissions/Registration. The student is urged to bring to the campus coordinator of Admissions/Registration course descriptions of each course to determine their transferability and equivalency. Transient permission is not usually given any student for consecutive sessions.

      
      

      A student who requests transient permission and meets the requirement of a 2.0 “C” average is furnished with a Transient Form. Courses listed on the Transient Form will be accepted as equated on the form. If courses other than those listed are taken, they will be accepted under the conditions listed in this Rule for Transfer Students. Courses earned in transient status are accepted with the grades earned and are treated as transfer work.

   

   8. Non-Degree Seeking Students
      A student who does not desire to enroll as a degree-seeking student but would like to earn credit for certification or other purposes may enroll as a non-degree student.
      
      

      1. Non-degree students must complete an Application for Admission and pay the application fee.
          

      2. Non-degree students are not required to furnish transcripts.
          

      3. A student who is under 18 years of age and has not graduated from high school may enroll as a non-degree student with special permission from the associate provost.
          

      4. Courses completed by non-degree students will be entered on their transcripts as credit courses.
          

      5. Coursework completed in non-degree status may not be applied towards a degree from St. Petersburg College unless the student changes to degree-seeking status. A non-degree student who desires to change to degree-seeking status may do so by fulfilling all regular admissions requirements. A change to degree-seeking status must be completed prior to the session in which the student plans to graduate.
          

      6. If a student earns credits solely in non-degree status at St. Petersburg College and desires to transfer such credits towards a degree from another institution, it is his/her responsibility to determine the acceptability of the courses towards his/her degree.
          

      7. Non-degree students fall into two categories:

      1. Those who initially enroll as non-degree students, and
         Students who initially enroll as non-degree students do not intend to follow a degree program at the College. They do desire to earn credit in the course for which they register and to have transcripts issued showing such credit. They include teachers taking a limited number of courses for recency of credit or extension of certificate; individuals possessing advanced degrees who take specified job-related courses and require evidence of credit earned for reimbursement by their employers; individuals who require evidence of course completion for licensing purposes (e.g., ambulance drivers); and individuals who may desire to take courses for credit but cannot meet regular admission requirements or who expect to meet GED requirements at some date in the session.

      2. Those whose status has been changed from degree-seeking to non-degree-seeking through failure to meet admission requirements.
         Students applying as degree-seeking students under published criteria who have not furnished all required transcripts are classified as non-degree until their file is complete. This protects the student's investment, permitting the earning of credit for the course(s) registered. Upon the College's receipt of the required transcript(s) or other material, the student's status is changed from non-degree status to degree-seeking status.
         Admission with non-degree status is not considered a wavier of the requirement for high school graduation for later admission to degree programs.
         While all credits earned in non-degree status are recorded, a student may not be awarded a degree while classified as a non-degree student. A non-degree student desiring to graduate must change to a degree-seeking status before registering for the session in which graduation would be earned.
          

      8. Students are not eligible to receive financial assistance while enrolled as a non-degree seeking student.

   

   9. International Students
   
    

   1. An International student is defined as one who has entered the United States under any type of visa other than an immigration visa and for whom an I-20 must be issued by the College. The student is admitted to the U.S. with a student visa and remains a citizen and home country resident. There are two classifications of International students:

   • Foreign (F-1) students--those who enter the College with the intention of receiving a degree.

   • Students who are admitted to enroll full-time in the English for Academic Purposes Program only (usually in F-1 visa status).

   
   
   

   2. International student applicants who are applying for the Foreign Student (F-1) Visa must complete the International Student Packet which includes the application for admission, supplemental data sheet, the financial ability form with bank statement (a translated foreign bank statement is acceptable), and pay the application fee. For more information, contact International Student Services or visit the College website. The student must prove sufficient funds for one full year which includes: matriculation and tuition fees, books and supplies, personal expenses, off-campus room and board, and medical insurance for a full academic year. Proof of medical insurance must be received after arrival in the U.S. and before initial registration into classes.
      
      

   3. Non-native speakers of English, who seek admission into degree programs shall be tested for language proficiency prior to the completion of initial registration. Language proficiency shall be assessed using the College Board ACCUPLACER-ESL and a writing sample or the ACT COMPASS-ESL and a writing sample. Students whose scores indicate placement into EAP classes shall be assigned to those classes in accordance with statewide cut score ranges. Placement in the appropriate EAP courses is mandatory. Students who provide sufficient college-level transfer coursework and/or CPT/SAT/ACT scores may be exempt from placement testing.
      
      

   4. International students must provide proof of high school graduation, as evidenced by evaluated transcripts from an approved source directly to International Student Services. A request for evaluation of non-U.S. transcripts must be submitted to one of the approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency.
      

    
   

   5. International student applicants seeking transfer from another U.S. regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution must complete all SPC application documents and provide official transcripts from all prior institutions directly to International Student Services. The prospective student must submit to the school they are transferring from an SPC Clearance form and request the school to transfer the I-20 through the SEVIS system. An I-20 will be issued by International Student Services only after the official transcripts have been received.
      
      

   6. International student applicants who have attended international institutions and wish to attend the College on F-1 visas must submit transcripts and course-by-course evaluations from all colleges or universities attended directly to International Student Services, or Central Records. Requests for evaluation of transcripts must be submitted to one of the approved services as indicated in section D.
      
      

   7. Students with international degrees certified by an approved credential evaluation agency of having met requirements for an Associate in Arts degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution shall be exempt from further general education requirements. The exception is that students with degrees from a non-English speaking country will be required to complete SPC's General Education Communication requirements.

   
   
   

   8. Final acceptance of International student applicants who wish to attend the College on an F-1 student visa or approved student status will not be made until all of the following items have been received:
      

      1. Completed application for admissions

      2. Payment of application fee

      3. Payment of International student fee

      4. Required transcripts

      5. Financial Ability form with bank statements or bank letter.
         (For U.S. sponsors a completed and notarized I-134, Affidavit of Support and the required documentation.)

      6. Supplemental data sheet

   

   10. Resident Aliens, Refugees, Asylees and Citizens who are Non-Native Speakers of English
       Non-native speakers of English who seek admission into degree programs shall be tested for language proficiency prior to the completion of initial registration. Language proficiency shall be assessed using the College Board ACCUPLACER-ESL and a writing sample or the ACT COMPASS-ESL and a writing sample. Students whose scores indicate placement into EAP classes shall be assigned to those classes in accordance with statewide cut score ranges. Placement in the appropriate EAP courses is mandatory. Students who provide sufficient college-level transfer coursework and/or CPT/SAT/ACT scores may be exempt from placement testing.

   

   11. The President is authorized to permit substitute admission requirements for eligible students who have disabilities as defined by State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.041, F.A.C.

   
   
   

   1. This Rule is established in compliance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.041, to provide disabled students reasonable substitutions for requirements for admission to the College, admission to a program of the College, for course substitutions and for graduation from the College. To make a determination of appropriate substitutions, the disabled student will be required to provide documentation that:

   1. The student has a disability, which is evaluated as interfering in a basic life activity. Examples of such disabilities include but are not limited to: vision impairment, hearing impairment, mental or emotional impairment, physical impairments such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, dyslexia, or other specific learning disabilities as defined below; and

   2. The disability can be reasonably expected to prevent the student from meeting requirements for admission to the College or a program of the College, for satisfactory completion of a course or courses, or for graduation. The student must identify the specific requirement(s) for which a substitution is sought and furnish documentation from an appropriate source that will support the need of a substitution or accommodation.

   3. A student who believes he or she should be considered for substitutions for requirements for admission to the College, or to a program of the College, for a course or courses required in a program, or for graduation from the College should appeal to the associate provost at his/her campus or site. The associate provost and provost will meet with appropriate faculty, program directors, or others and the student to determine that the student has made a clear case for a substitution and to identify the most appropriate substitution to offer the student. Current documentation of the disability, including test scores, when appropriate, will be required. Other information to be considered, especially for substitution of admission requirements, may include items such as: scores on one or more of the approved placement instruments, evidence of the student’s experiences in mainstream classes, performance in selected academic courses, evidence of an appropriate reading level or appropriate competency indicating the ability to function in college-level classes, recommendations from prior teachers and other professionals.

   4. If the student and the associate provost agree on the substitution offered, the agreement will be communicated to the campus coordinator of Admissions/Registration, other individuals involved, and the associate vice president of Academic and Student Affairs (who will maintain a record of substitutions granted) and the student, in writing within 5 working days. This written communication will include notification of the nature of the course substitution and/or waiver and limitations of acceptability and procedures for requesting assistance in transferring to a public community college or state university. If no agreement is reached, the issue will be referred to the associate vice president of Academic and Student Affairs who will make the determination of appropriate action. The decision of the associate vice president may be appealed to the senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, in writing, within 10 working days of receipt of the decision. The senior vice president's decision shall be final.

   
   
   

   2. For purposes of this Rule, the following definitions apply:

      1. Hearing impairment. A hearing loss of 30 decibels or greater, pure tone average of 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz, ANSI, unaided, in the better ear. Examples include, but are not limited to, conductive hearing impairment or deafness, sensorineural hearing impairment or deafness, high or low tone hearing loss or deafness, acoustic trauma hearing loss or deafness.

      2. Visual impairment. Disorders in the structure and function of the eye as manifested by at least one of the following: visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye after the best possible correction, a peripheral field so constricted that it affects one's ability to function in an educational setting, or a progressive loss of vision which may affect one's ability to function in an educational setting. Examples include, but are not limited to cataracts, glaucoma, nystagmus, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, and strabismus.

      3. Specific Learning Disability. A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological or neurological processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. Disorders may be manifested in listening, thinking, reading, writing, spelling, or performing arithmetic calculations. Examples include dyslexia, dysgraphia, disphasia, dyscalculia, and other specific learning disabilities in the basic psychological or neurological processes. Such disorders do not include learning problems which are due primarily to visual, hearing, or motor handicaps, to mental retardation, to emotional disturbance, or to an environmental deprivation.
          

   3. Approved course substitutions shall be entered in the student's permanent academic record and once a substitution is granted, the student shall not be required to meet any additional requirements in the respective discipline area for admission or graduation. Further, all College policies related to graduation, transfer of credits and articulation with other postsecondary institutions shall include provisions for acceptance of approved course substitutions.
       

   
    

   12. For requirements for admission to the Bachelors degree in Education Programs at St. Petersburg College, see BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.72.

   
   
   

   13. In addition to general St. Petersburg College admission rules, students will be eligible for admission to the Baccalaureate Programs as follows:
       

   1. Completion of an A.S. degree in a related area from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution. See individual program offices for a current list of related A.S. degree areas and specific A.S. degree program accreditation requirements.
      
      Students with any of the following degrees or prior coursework may be admitted with permission of the dean:

      1. A.A.S, A.A., an unrelated A.S. degree, or 60 credits (but no degree). See individual program offices for a current list of additional requirements when the related A.S. degree has not been completed.

      2. The School of Paralegal Studies requires a grade of "C" or better in all required lower division paralegal courses for students who are admitted with permission of the dean.

      3. The College of Nursing may also accept diplomas in nursing from programs accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

      
      

   2. Scoring at or above "college-level" on the St. Petersburg College's Placement Test in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics as prescribed in College Procedure P6Hx23-4.45 is required for all upper division programs and courses. College Rule 6Hx23-4.45 outlines those who are exempt from this requirement.

   
   
   

   3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale in all postsecondary coursework is required in all program except for the B.A.S. in Orthotics and Prosthetics, which requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.

   
   
   

   4. Completion of a minimum of 15 semester hours of transferable general education coursework.

   
   
   

   5. Completion of an application to the appropriate baccalaureate program.
      
      All selective admissions programs require prospective students, who are not initially accepted, to resubmit their application for subsequent enrollment periods.

   
   
   

   6. Completion of all state-mandated common prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better are required for admission to all degree programs. See the individual program offices or FACTS.org for specific information.
       

   7. Students wishing to pursue more than one (1) bachelor's degree at SPC must meet the following admissions criteria:

      1. Meet the stated admissions requirements for the second degree;

      2. Be enrolled in one baccalaureate program at a time;

      3. Be awarded the first SPC baccalaureate degree prior to beginning coursework on the second degree (See BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.24 for additional information; and

      4. Develop an individual academic plan (IAP) for completion of the second degree. This must be approved by the program's dean prior to admission.

      
      
   8. Additional admissions rules for specific programs are as follows:

      1. Non-degree seeking students must meet all above admissions criteria and may enroll in up-to twelve (12) credit hours of upper-division courses with permission of the dean. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in place of the official transcripts.

      2. Upper division certificate seeking students must meet all above admission criteria.

      3. Post-baccalaureate certificates require proof of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university.

      4. The College of Nursing requires:

         1. The presentation of a valid unrestricted, unencumbered RN license from the state where applicant is practicing, to be kept current throughout the duration of the required course of study.

         2. Computer/Information Literacy Competency (no minimum credit hours required). Computer/Information literacy competency may be demonstrated by completing one of the following:

            1. Successfully completing a College approved Basic Computer/Information Skills Competency Test; or

            2. Successfully completing at least one of the following options:

               1. CTS 1101 or CGS 1060 Basic Computer and Information Literacy; or

               2. CGS 1100 Microcomputer Applications (as revised in 2002); or

               3. EME 2040 Introduction to Educational Technology (as revised in 2002), preferred for Education majors; or

               4. LIS 1102 and CGS 1510 and OST 1741.

      5. The B.A.S. in Dental Hygiene Program requires:
         The presentation of a valid and current Dental Hygiene license from the state where applicant is practicing.

      6. The B.A.S. in Orthotics and Prosthetics Program requires:

         1. Completion of a minimum sixteen (16) hours of observation, volunteer services, or work experience in orthotics and prosthetics.

            1. A minimum of eight (8) hours in orthotics and eight (8) hours in prosthetics is required.

            2. Hours must be verified by a signed statement from a certified/licensed orthotist or prosthetist.

         2. Submission of a letter of recommendation from a certified/licensed orthotist or prosthetist.

         3. Prior to acceptance and enrollment applicants must pass a background check and a drug screening.

            1. The student will pay the background check and drug screening fees directly to the vendor.

               1. Upon request, fee waivers may be approved by the Health Education Center's associate provost or provost to documented economically disadvantaged applicants (AFDC, Pell, Workforce).

            2. The drug screening(s) must satisfactorily demonstrate that he/she is free from the use of any illegal drug, unprescribed controlled substance described or named in the law, hereinafter referred to as "drug-free".

               1. Students who do not successfully pass the drug screening on the first attempt will be allowed to retake the drug screening one (1) additional time, at their own expense.

               2. A student who fails the drug screening a second time will be permitted to reapply for admission to the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program one (1) year from the date of the most recent application.

            3. Students must remain drug-free throughout their tenure in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program at the College.

               1. If the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program believes a student is no longer drug-free, they can request the student retake the drug screening at the student's expense. Failure to take or successfully pass the drug screening shall be grounds for dismissal from the program.

               2. Students may be subject to drug screening pursuant to placement at a clinical site. Failure to do so shall be grounds for dismissal from the program.

            4. A student who fails the background check will not be admitted into the program. See BOT Rule 6Hx23-4.53 Section G for additional information on the criteria.

         4. If the number of of eligible students exceeds the positions available, other selection criteria will be used.

         5. Students transferring from another school's Orthotics and Prosthetics Program must be in good academic standing and must be able to satisfactorily demonstrate program competencies.

         6. Prior to the beginning of the first clinical experience (PRO 3801L - Orthotics and Prosthetics Clinical Rotation Practicum I), each student must:

            1. Show a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers C.P.R. certificate.

            2. Show evidence of immunity to or inoculation against the hepatitis virus. Said immunization series may be waived when medically contraindicated by a physician in writing and a release is signed by the student. In addition, students must provide verification of immunizations required by program and clinical affiliates.
                

For more information visit the SPC Baccalaureate Program.

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Last Revised Feb 08, 2010
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