Admissions

As a member institution of the North Carolina Community College System, McDowell Technical Community College operates under an “open door” admissions policy. Open door admissions means, “Any person who is a high school graduate or at least 18 years old has the opportunity to pursue the various educational opportunities that are offered by institutions in the system.” Special admission requirements, such as educational qualifications, physical abilities, assessment scores and State Board policy restrictions, are attached to certain curriculums. Applicants scoring below specified minimums on entrance criteria will be advised and required to enroll in classes designed to ensure success in college-level courses. Some programs have special requirements for admission. Consult the section of this catalog that describes the particular program in which you wish to enroll for a list of the exceptions or requirements.

The College has four academic departments: Arts & Sciences, Business Technologies, Career & Technical Education, Health & Human Services, and Continuing Education & Workforce Development.

Curriculum Admissions

Curriculum classes are offered in all departments except the Continuing Education & Workforce Development Department. Therefore, admission to all departments except the Continuing Education Department are coordinated through and conducted in the Student Services Office. For curriculum admissions, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have earned a high school equivalency certificate. Exceptions may be made for Dual Enrollment students, as well as individuals whose age and maturity make success likely. All students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate must submit an official copy of their high school transcript. Recent graduates will have the option to submit it to MTCC electronically via the College Application. Paper copies of transcripts must remain in a sealed envelope to be considered official. Official transcripts may also be received via electronic format. College transcripts may be required, depending on a student’s program of study and/or whether they are receiving Veteran Education Benefits. Select financial aid students may also be required to provide transcripts on a case-by-case basis. Processing times required for high schools and colleges to prepare and send a transcript vary and applicants should plan accordingly.

Continuing Education Admissions

In general, Continuing Education courses are open to persons 16 years of age or older. Because some specialty and advanced courses may be more difficult or require a greater degree of preparation, potential enrollees should be aware of course requirements and consider their potential for success in these courses. To meet admissions requirements for certain specialized courses, including Fire Service, Law Enforcement or Management Development Training, potential students must be employed by or recommended by one of the requesting training agencies.

Special Admissions

Provisional Admissions

Students who apply too late to secure all supporting documents for admission to a particular semester may be admitted as provisional students. In such cases, all requirements for regular admission must be completed within the first semester of attendance. Students who fail to secure all supporting documents or satisfy requirements for official admission to the College may not be eligible for financial assistance.

Admission of Special Credit Students

A special credit student is one who is enrolled in curriculum credit courses, but who is not working toward a degree or diploma. Special credit students may register to take courses for which they have met prerequisites, provided that such registration does not preempt students enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program. A student may take a maximum of 15 hours in any one semester while classified as a special student. When a student reaches 20 cumulative hours, he/she will be counseled to declare a major or curriculum preference.

Visiting Student Status

A visiting student is defined as one who is a student in good standing at another institution of higher education. A visiting student may enroll at MTCC by completing an application and furnishing transcripts from the parent college (college at which the individual is a regular student). Visiting students may register to take courses for which they have met prerequisites, provided that such registration does not pre-empt students enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program.

McDowell Early College

McDowell Early College (MEC) is a small, Cooperative Innovative High School high school located on the McDowell Technical Community College Campus. MEC is an exciting partnership between McDowell County Schools and McDowell Technical Community College that offers unique educational opportunities designed for a diverse group of students. The mission of MEC is to provide a smaller academic environment that fosters growth and success to prepare students for their future by developing relationships, responsibility, and respect through relevant and rigorous coursework. McDowell Early College students earn an Associate’s degree or two years of transferable credit in addition to their high school diploma. All MEC students are offered a schedule that meets individual needs, abilities and interests. The school provides ongoing academic support in a small school setting to help students meet the high expectations of the Early College Model. Our focus is college readiness. McDowell Early College strives to redefine teaching and learning by using innovative best practices. For more information, contact the MEC principal at 659-0415.

McDowell Academy for Innovation

McDowell Academy for Innovation (MAI) is a small Cooperative Innovative High school, created in 2018 and co- located on the MTCC campus. MAI students take college classes through a partnership with McDowell Technical Community College. Students are eligible to earn a variety of STEM-focused degrees, diplomas, or certificates. At McDowell Academy for Innovation, every student will experience personalized education and graduate ready for college and career with a network of connections and experiences preparing them for their role in a global economy. McDowell Academy for Innovation students earn an Associate’s degree or two years of transferable credit in addition to their high school diploma. All MAI students are offered a schedule that meets individual needs, abilities and interests. The school provides ongoing academic support in a small school setting to help students meet the high expectations of the Early College Model. For more information, contact the MAI principal at 659-0448.

Enrollment Limitations

Some curriculum programs have maximum student enrollment limitations and/or reserve space for currently enrolled students. Acceptance to most programs except Nursing and BLET will be on a first come, first served basis as evidenced by the receipt of qualified applications and payment of all appropriate fees. Applicants who do not register and pay at established times may lose their position.

Readmissions

Students who have withdrawn while on probation, or who have been suspended for academic, behavioral or student code of conduct violations should submit requests for readmission to the Chief Academic Officer. Consideration of requests for readmission of students who have withdrawn for these reasons will be made in light of the applicant’s ability, evidence of growth and maturity, time elapsed since withdrawing and other extenuating circumstances. Additional consideration will be given to those who have completed course prerequisites. Enrollment limits and class sequencing will also be considered in evaluating a request for readmission.

Credit for Prior Learning and Advanced Placement

Credit by Examination

A student may pass a specially prepared examination and receive credit for a course without having to do the normal course work. The student must enroll in the course and present evidence of his knowledge of the subject matter to the instructor prior to requesting credit-by-examination. The student must then present a Credit-by-Examination Request form to the instructor to begin the process. This form may be obtained in the Student Services Office. If the student passes the exam, he/she will receive a grade of “CR” which will be recorded on the transcript. The hours will be counted toward graduation, but will not be used in calculation of GPA. A student may earn up to 20% of the course requirements for any curriculum through credit by examination.

Articulation of Continuing Education Credit to Curriculum Credit

In cases where the learning outcomes of a current, industry-recognized credential’s align with the learning outcomes of a curriculum course(s), credit may be given following approval of the Chief Academic Officer. Credit may be given for adequately documented and validated courses and industry-recognized credentials. These courses and credentials must be pre-approved by the Curriculum Committee and other subject matter experts based on content and outcomes. All academic program completion requirements must be met. Students should contact their advisor and the Chief Academic Officer to determine if a credential qualifies for academic credit.

Transfer from Other Schools

Students who complete course work in another accredited college or university may apply for admission to MTCC. An application must be submitted and must include official transcripts for all institutions previously attended. Transfer applicants must have maintained a “satisfactory conduct” standing in the institution from which they are transferring to be accepted as a student in good standing at MTCC.

Academic work completed at accredited colleges and universities will be accepted at full value for required courses passed with the grade of “C.” Courses taken at other institutions must have essentially the same content, contact hours and difficulty level as MTCC courses. In order to receive a degree or diploma from MTCC, a student must earn 25% of his/her program in residence at MTCC with at least a “C” average (see graduation requirements).

Applicants who seek admission with advanced standing at MTCC should make an appointment with an admissions counselor to conduct a transcript evaluation. The admissions officer will conduct an official transcript evaluation when the applicant’s admission file is complete. Requests for transfer credit should be made prior to the student’s first term of enrollment. All transfer credit will be computed by the end of the first semester of the student’s initial enrollment. The applicant can inquire in Student Services about all credits which transfer, preferably prior to enrollment.

A transfer student applying too late to complete prerequisite requirements or pre-entrance requirements may be admitted as a provisional student. In such a case, all official transcripts must be submitted within the first semester of attendance. Students who neglect to turn in documentation will have a hold placed on their account with no release of transcript and no future registration until the official transcript is received. A student on academic probation or suspended status from his/her last college or post-secondary institution may be admitted on a probationary basis and may be subject to academic progress regulations as defined in this catalog.

Nationally Recognized Standardized Exams

Credit may be awarded for qualifying scores on nationally recognized standardized exams, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), CLEP, and DSST, when applicable to the student’s program of study. Credit from CLEP exams is limited to a maximum of 14 semester hours. Subject-specific exams are evaluated individually to determine eligibility for credit. For a list of accepted exams and required scores, visit Accepted Exam Scores

Transfer of Credits for Military Experience

McDowell Technical Community College recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experience. Veterans of the Armed Forces automatically receive credit for two semester hours of physical education credit. Veterans are eligible to apply for curriculum credit in other areas based on prior education, training and experience. See the Veterans Certifying Official for more information on credit for prior military experience.

Transfer within Curriculums

McDowell Technical Community College will make all reasonable efforts to assist students who transfer from one curriculum to another within the College. Credits earned in one curriculum will transfer to another when appropriate. A student’s cumulative grade point average will be computed only from the credits transferred to the new curriculum. The appropriate Dean is the primary authority in determining transfer of credits from other schools and within curriculums. When there is doubt about the transfer of a credit, the appropriate Dean will consult the appropriate faculty members. If a student wishes to appeal the decision, the transcript will be referred to the Chief Academic Officer, whose decision will be final.

Transfer to Other Colleges

The college to which a student wishes to transfer is responsible for deciding which credits from McDowell Technical Community College will be accepted. Most colleges and universities will accept MTCC credit for a course if a grade of “C” or higher is earned. Students planning to transfer to senior institutions should strongly consider enrolling in the MTCC College Transfer or General Education program. Transfer of credits from other areas may be limited. Students should seek the advice of an advisor in these instances. There are many four-year schools which accept transfer technical courses from McDowell Technical Community College. Students should contact four-year schools of their choice to determine which courses will transfer.

Procedures for Students Desiring a Second Degree

The student desiring a second degree informs their advisor of their intent to receive two associate degrees prior to applying for graduation in Student Services.
The advisor evaluates the student’s transcript to determine if additional semester hours/coursework are required.
The advisor documents their decision on the Secondary Major Declaration Form.
The student applies for graduation in Student Services, submitting a separate application for each degree sought.
The Director of Student Services confirms that the Secondary Major Declaration Form and Student Data Change Form are completed. If not, he/she informs the student that they need to speak with their advisor and/or Veterans’ Certifying Official before proceeding if he/she plans to receive VA educational benefits.

False Information

Furnishing false data for admission or failure to fully disclose requested information will be grounds for rejection of an application or dismissal of a student who has already been admitted to the college.

Notification of Acceptance

(Does not apply to students in Nursing programs)
Applicants will be notified by mail of their admission status within four weeks after their application is received. Placement into a requested program may be determined at a later date. Official notification of acceptance or placement in a program is issued only by the Chief Academic Officer or his/her designee. Applicants not placed in the program of their choice will be notified of this decision. An admissions interview may be requested prior to placement into any program. An applicant who changes his/her mailing address prior to registration for classes, who desires to apply for a different program, or wishes to enroll in a different semester than the one for which he/she originally applied should notify the Student Services Office immediately.

Placement Information

Placement into a specific course of study is based upon standards designed to assure the applicant's success in that course of study. An individual's educational background, interest, motivation, experience, and aptitude will be considered when an application is submitted to the College. Students may be required to take developmental or co-requisite courses based on the adopted Developmental Education model. For placement into MAT 271 Calculus I, contact the Testing Center (828) 652-0621 for placement options.

Career and College Promise

Career and College Promise (CCP) provides seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities for eligible North Carolina high school students in order to accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that lead to college transfer or provide entry-level job skills.

CCP Eligibility Requirements

College Transfer Pathways
Eleventh and twelfth grade College Transfer Pathway students must:

Be a high school junior or senior; AND
Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA OR demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing AND math on a state-approved assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, Pre-ACT, NCDAP, RISE placement test, EdReady, AP, IB, Cambridge International Examination.)

Tenth grade College Transfer Pathway students must:

Be in the second semester of tenth grade; AND
Be identified as Gifted in English/Reading AND Math OR have approved Aptitude AND Achievement Test scores of 92%- 99%; AND
Have verification of maturity by high school principal and AIG Coordinator; AND Have written consent of the student’s parent/guardian.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways

Eleventh and twelfth grade CTE Pathway students must:

Be a high school junior or senior; AND
Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA OR demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing AND math on a state-approved assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, Pre-ACT, NCDAP, RISE placement test, EdReady, AP, IB, Cambridge International Examination.) OR
Have a Letter of Recommendation from the high school principal or designee.

Tenth grade CTE pathway students must:

Be in the second semester of tenth grade; AND
Have the recommendation of principal/designee and rationale for recommendation; AND Have passed Math I with grade of C or better; AND
Have scored 3, 4 or 5 on EOC for Math I; AND
Have scored 3, 4 or 5 on 8th grade EOC ELA assessment.

Workforce Continuing Education (WCEP) Pathways

Be a high school junior or senior; AND
Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA OR demonstrate college readiness in reading, writing AND math on a state-approved assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, Pre-ACT, NCDAP, RISE placement test, EdReady, AP, IB, Cambridge International Examination.) OR
Have a Letter of Recommendation from the high school principal or designee.

To maintain eligibility in a pathway, a student must maintain a college GPA of at least 2.0 after completing two courses and must continue to make progress toward high school graduation. A student who falls below a 2.0 GPA after completing two courses will be required to meet with the College Liaison or a Career Coach to develop a “Satisfactory Academic Progress” plan.

CCP Pathway options for the 2025-2026 academic year are outlined here.

Additional information can be found on the CCP webpage at https://mcdowelltech.edu/career-college-promise/