2025-2026 Catalog

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Services to Students

The MTCC One-Stop Student Services Office at McDowell Technical Community College is responsible for various types of student assistance: admissions, advising, orientation, testing, supervision of and assistance in planning student activities, financial aid, placement of graduates, school publications and community-school relations.

Objectives

McDowell Technical Community College, operating under the “Open-Door” admissions policy of the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges, is committed to taking prospective students and placing them in a program of study commensurate with their interests and abilities through counseling, guidance and testing. As a result of this commitment, the Student Services Office must respond to the needs of a diverse student population. The ultimate objective is total service to the student and to the community. Specifically, the objectives can be broken down as follow:

  1. To provide information to prospective students and the community on opportunities available at McDowell Technical Community College.
  2. To provide a counseling and testing program to assist prospective students in selecting a suitable program of study.
  3. To orient new students to the college environment.
  4. To provide and assist in the development of a program of student activities.
  5. To provide for the maintenance and utilization of student records.
  6. To identify and utilize all community resources which can be used to the advantage of the student, school and community.

These objectives support the educational programs and the philosophy of McDowell Technical Community College so that each student can reach his/her fullest potential. The student is encouraged to seek the assistance available in the Office of Student Services.

Programs of Assistance

Orientation

At the beginning of each semester, new students must attend New Student Orientation (NSO) either online or face-to-face. Orientation helps acquaint students with basic ideas, procedures, student supports and learning resources, academic areas, administrative personnel and services of the college.

NSO is mandatory and students who do not attend face-to-face or online will receive a hold on their account, which will prevent future registration. Online NSO can be accessed online through the MTCC website.

Health Services

The College does not have a health clinic to provide hospitalization or emergency services. The physical location of the College campus is easily accessible to hospital facilities in both Marion and Morganton. In the event of an emergency, E.M.S. ambulances are available on a 24-hour schedule; phone 911. First-aid supplies are available in all shop areas and in each campus building. The college provides Timelycare services to students for virtual physical and mental health appointments. Information can be found under the Student Care tab on the website.

Serious Injury or Illness

In the event of Serious Injury or Illness, the following procedures should be followed:

  1. Summon E.M.S. ambulance service by calling 911.
  2. Make the person as comfortable as possible WITHOUT MOVING HER/HIM UNTIL HELP ARRIVES.
  3. As soon as possible, notify the Security Office at 828-442-1084, 828-652-0673, or the Receptionist/Switchboard Operator at 828-652-6021 extension 0.

Note: Additional information about Safety and Security is available on the college’s website (www.mcdowelltech.edu) under Campus Life > Safety and Security.

Any student enrolling in the College may complete a student medical (health) data form. This information may be used for the purpose of referral in the event of an emergency and to notify appropriate personnel of conditions which may affect the student’s enrollment in a particular program.

MTCC College Bookstore

MTCC has books available through our virtual bookstore at www.mcdowelltech.edu under Campus Life > Bookstore.

Students who need assistance or have questions may contact the bookstore, located in Building 14. Bookstore staff may also be reached by phone or email: 828-659-0442 or bookstore@go.mcdowelltech.edu.

The Campus Bookstore is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. (The bookstore is closed on Fridays during the summer semester.)

Transcript Requests

Upon request by a student, MTCC will provide an official transcript that includes all the credit or clock hours for payment periods in which the student received Title IV, HEA funds; and for which all institutional charges were paid or included in an agreement to pay at the time.

Campus Security

The Security office is located just inside the front entrance of the Administration Building. Members of the Security Staff are available to serve you with any crisis, emergency or security situation that may arise. They can be reached immediately by telephone at cell number 828-442-1084, or at the office line, 828-652-0673. Otherwise, dial “0” on our local land line. Please feel free to call Security staff for any security needs you may have.

Smith Academic Resource Center Library

Library Services encompasses the library and audiovisual materials and equipment. Library staff members are available to help students and faculty as well as members of the community with library needs. The MTCC library hours are posted at the library entrances and on the website. The MTCC library can be accessed through the MTCC website by clicking on the “Campus Life” tab on the college website and then choosing Library from the drop-down menu.

A wide range of library resources is available to support the curriculum programs of the College. The book collection includes more than 9,000 volumes of current reference materials, college transfer, technical and vocational materials as well as Young Adult and Adult fiction. Patrons are welcome to recommend materials for purchase. Audiovisual materials are available for classroom instruction. Audiovisual equipment is available in all classrooms on campus. The online card catalog, Evergreen provides easy access to Library materials and makes the check-out process smooth, quick and accurate.

Online databases include NCLive, Gale and Cinahl Plus as well as Swank digital streaming. Remote access to the databases is available to online students through Open LMS as well as the library website. Students need a library account to get the passwords/urls for the databases as well as to check out materials.

Computers are available for Internet research in the library as well as the upper portion, The Book Nook which is dedicated for quiet research and study. A library account is needed by all library patrons to use the computers in the library and to check out library materials.

The library is also where tutoring takes place with peer and professional tutors. These sessions can take place in the open area of the library and/or in the study rooms. Students also have access to an online tutoring program, Brainfuse, free of charge.

Testing Center

The Testing Center provides a variety of testing services. These include placement testing and career assessments.

All Testing Center services are free to the MTCC student. Appointments are preferred to guarantee the student these services in a timely manner.

Placement Testing

MTCC uses the Developmental Education model for placement into gateway English and math courses.

A high school GPA is the first placement measure. High school graduation must be from a U.S. high school. Applicants will be required to take a placement test if the student graduated from a foreign high school and fall outside the other placement criteria, did not take Math 2 in an NC public high school, took the GED or HiSET prior to 2015, or who earned an Adult High School diploma.

Placement with GPA
HS GPA 2.8+ Gateway math or English without co-requisite
HS GPA 2.4-2.799 Gateway English with co-requisite
HS GPA <2.2 Developmental math course and/or developmental English course

College level placement into English and math courses (without co-requisites) can also be attained by the following methods:
Submit official ASSET, Accuplacer, COMPASS, or EdReady scores taken within the last ten years from another college.
Submit an official transcript showing completion of college level English or math at an accredited college with a grade of C or better.
Submit official Pre-ACT, ACT, PSAT, and/or SAT scores for placement.

Contact the Testing Center if you have any questions about placement and testing at (828) 652-0621.

MTCC Placement Testing Process
Students who do not meet program requirements or prerequisites for gateway English and math courses may request placement testing. Placement tests are free to the enrolled MTCC student. At MTCC, untimed EdReady assessments are used to determine placement by evaluating skills in the following areas:

  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Numerical Skills
  • Algebra

Placement Testing Procedures

  1. Application Requirement: Students must have a completed admissions application on file with Student Services before testing.
  2. Scheduling the Test: Students must schedule an appointment with the Testing Center Director before testing.Testing must take place at least one week before the start of the semester to allow time for registration of the appropriate class(es). During this meeting, the Director will discuss: test content, study resources, and any special needs or concerns related to testing. Students requiring accommodations may request through the Accessibility Services Office. Official documentation verifying the disability and the need for accommodations must be submitted before testing.
  3. Testing Day Requirements: Students must bring a valid photo ID. Pencils, scrap paper, and calculator (if applicable) will be provided by the Testing Center.
  4. Test Score Validity: Placement test scores are valid for ten (10) years. Returning students who have successfully completed developmental courses may be required to retest if they have changed majors and their new major requires higher levels of math or English.
  5. Retesting Policy: A second attempt is permitted after a minimum of ten (10) business day.

Before retesting, students must complete study paths assigned with EdReady based on their first attempt.

Proctoring in Testing Center

Proctoring is available in the Testing Center during the hours of operation. All proctored exams must be completed at least 30 minutes before closing time. There is a charge of $25.00 per test. Fees must be paid prior to the testing appointment. Students must bring this receipt of payment to their scheduled proctoring appointment.

Career Exploration

Educational objectives generally are pursued by students for the purpose of preparing themselves for the world of work or for job mobility. The function of all personnel involved in the educational process is to provide ways and means to assist the student in career exploration, planning, and individual development. Please contact the Testing Center for more information.

Job Placement

The College offers job placement assistance through the Continuing Education and Workforce Development department and through the NC Works Career Center. A job placement counselor is available for the purposes of referral to the NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center. Although Employment cannot be guaranteed by McDowell Technical Community College, every effort is made to notify students of job opportunities and assist them in securing positions of employment. The NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Training Center provides resume preparation, counseling, and assists students in securing employment. Up-to-date job openings are posted and available on-line through resources provided at the NC Work Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center. Short-term employability skills classes are available to those seeking employment.

Students interested in full or part-time jobs are asked to complete an NC Works Customer Profile and have a conference with NC Works staff. Students are also encouraged to utilize the services of the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions located on Baldwin Avenue at NC Works Career Center/Ford Miller Employment and Training Center in Marion, NC, for job placement assistance.