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Administrative Guideline 315

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Administrative Guideline 315

Adopted: May 8, 2007
Approved:
Revised: March 10, 2009; April 27, 2011; March 30, 2017; June 3, 2019; January 29,2021

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINE TYPE: Student (Registration and Admission Functions)

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINE TITLE: Admission, Enrollment, and Progression Criteria for the Respiratory Care Program

DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE: Academic Affairs

I. Statement of Purpose

This guideline outlines the admissions, progression, and graduation criteria for the Respiratory Care Program.

II. Users Governed

This guideline applies to credit, degree-seeking students.

III. Introduction

  1. The following are criteria for admission to the Respiratory Care Program.
  2. Several elements are detailed herein:
    1. Determination of the date of program eligibility for the Respiratory Care Program.
    2. Admission criteria to the Respiratory Care Program.
    3. Review of applications of eligible students for the respiratory care program.
    4. Progression criteria for current respiratory care students requesting to register in the second year of the Respiratory Care Program.
    5. Readmission to the Respiratory Care Program.
    6. Transfer students.
  3. Enrollment in Respiratory Care is limited by clinical resources and faculty availability. The Dean of Health Professions and the Vice President for Academic Affairs will determine a maximum number of accepted students.

IV. Determination of the Date of Eligibility for the Respiratory Care Program

A student is considered to be eligible for admission to the program when all admission requirements have been met.

Respiratory Care Preadmission Testing and Placement Standards
  • Respiratory Care Entrance Exam: ≥ 80%
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 for at least 12 semester hours of baccalaureate credit OR
    an AA, AS, or baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
  • Applicable placement scores within 24 months of enrollment:
      ACT® SAT® Next-Gen ACCUPLACER® ALEKS®
    Reading 19 330 ≥ 248 n/a
    Math 19 510 n/a ≥ 14
    English 17 n/a n/a n/a
    OR Composite 20 1040 n/a n/a
    Writing n/a n/a ≥ 260 n/a

V. Review of Application of Eligible Students for the Respiratory Care Program

  1. Admission of eligible students will begin in early April for the next available class.
  2. Accepted students will be notified by mail.
  3. Accepted students are required to attend a mandatory program orientation prior to enrollment.
  4. When a program is filled, accepted students will be placed on a waiting list based on the date of application.
  5. Accepted students who do not attend a mandatory program orientation will be moved to the bottom of the waiting list.

VI. Enrollment Requirements for Respiratory Care

Students must complete the following requirements prior to enrollment in the Respiratory Care classes:

  1. Completed physical evaluation form including required immunizations for Healthcare Personnel.
  2. Copy of current certification in Basic Life Support—Healthcare Providers.
  3. Copy of current certification in Mandatory Reporter.
  4. Signed Confidentiality Agreement.
  5. Clearance on criminal background and adult/child abuse screening.
  6. Proof of Health Insurance.
  7. Successful completion of HSC-114 Medical Terminology, CHM-122 Introduction to General Chemistry, and BIO-186 Microbiology with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher (completed within the last 5 years).
  8. Students will be allowed to maintain enrollment if the following is completed in the first six weeks of the program:
    1. Respiratory Fit Testing.

VII. Progression/Retention Criteria for Enrolled Respiratory Care Students

To remain in good standing once admitted to the respiratory care program, the student must:

  1. Adhere to all SCC, respiratory care program, and clinical agencies policies.
  2. Satisfactorily complete the didactic, laboratory, and clinical requirements in each course with a grade of “C” or better.
  3. Exhibit safe clinical behavior.
  4. Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal conduct.
  5. Retain the ability to rotate to all designated clinical sites throughout the entire program.
  6. Maintain health insurance.
  7. Provide a copy of current certification in Basic Life Support—Healthcare Providers.
  8. Maintain required immunizations and vaccines.

A student not successfully completing a required programmatic course (dropping or receiving a final grade of “W”, “F”, or “D”), may attempt to re‐enroll in the non‐completed course(s) the next academic term in which it is offered if there is an available opening.

VIII. RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM READMISSION POLICY

Re-admission to the Respiratory Care Program will be on an individual basis and based upon the reason for termination. Persons who leave the program due to academic performance in the classroom in the second or subsequent semesters, or due to health, financial, or other personal reasons can apply for re-admission only if space is available.

The readmission standards include:

  1. Only one readmission to the respiratory care program is permitted.
  2. A student wishing to re-enter should provide a written request to the program coordinator by March 31st for the summer semester, by May 15th for the fall semester, and by October 31st for the spring semester in order to allow for clinic placement.
  3. A student must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be considered for readmission.
  4. Students having academic difficulty in the first (fall) semester will need to follow the program application process for a new student.
  5. Students may be required to re-enter the semester prior to the problem semester with an audited or independent study class in order to refresh skills and improve success.
  6. A student repeating a respiratory care course must repeat the classroom, laboratory, and clinical components of the problem semester if applicable.
  7. Persons having been dismissed for clinical performance reasons may or may not be re-admitted based upon the nature of the problem (example: excessive tardiness versus unsafe clinic practice). Upon re-entry, the student will be placed on clinical probation resulting in more frequent evaluations and supervision for a minimum of one semester.
  8. Students who have not been continuously enrolled must complete a criminal background check prior to re-entry into the program. The students’ health examination and immunizations, including TB must also be current before enrollment.

IX. TRANSFER STUDENTS

Individuals who have attended other colleges and desire to transfer into the SCC respiratory care program will be considered on an individual basis. Transfer requests should be directed to the Respiratory Care program coordinator. Transfer students must meet the same standards and criteria as others desiring to pursue an associate of applied science degree in Respiratory Care at SCC. A student may be required to audit a designated respiratory care course.