McLennan Community College maintains an open door admissions policy and accepts applications throughout the year. Entrance examinations are not required, but tests for placement in appropriate courses are required. No particular test scores are necessary for admission to the college; however, acceptable scores are required to enroll in some college-level courses.

Admission to the college does not automatically admit students to a specific program. Students should consult with an academic advisor or a workforce education program director regarding admission requirements for specific programs.

Admission or re-admission to the college or programs may be denied to a person who does not meet the admission requirements of the college or program.

Requirements for Admission to the College

New students and students who were not enrolled at MCC during the last calendar year must reapply for admission at the Office of Student Admissions. New students must also submit an official high school transcript or General Educational Development (GED) test scores, while transfer students must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. Immigration records may be required of some students.

Continuing and returning students must verify information on the Automated Degree Plan through WebAdvisor on the MCC Web site before each registration. Students who have not been enrolled during the last calendar year must submit an application for admission and official transcripts from all colleges attended since their last enrollment at MCC.

Students must meet all admission requirements to the college before registration. Students who do not submit the appropriate transcript(s) (high school or college) or GED scores to the Office of Student Admissions before the 12th class day for a fall/spring semester or fourth class day for a summer term shall not be permitted to re-enroll, and MCC official transcripts will be withheld until the transcript(s) or GED scores have been received. There is a statement on the MCC Application for Admissions form that indicates that students who do not provide official transcripts or GED test scores within 10 days following the beginning of the semester can give MCC permission to request and obtain required transcripts. A fee is charged for this service. Although the college provides this service, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that MCC receives official transcripts and GED scores within the time frame listed above.

Students Seeking a Degree or Certain Certificates

Students who plan to work toward a certificate or a degree may qualify for admission to the College and for enrollment in college credit courses by meeting admission requirements in one of the following:

1. Graduation from an accredited high school or home school.
   Submit to the Office of Student Admissions an official high school transcript or other written proof of graduation from an accredited high school or home school. Graduates from a non- accredited high school should submit an official high school transcript or other written proof of graduation. Graduates from a non-accredited high school may be admitted under the terms of individual approval (see below).

2. Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Test, if not a high school graduate.
   Submit an official copy of the GED Certificate or an Official Report of Test Results to the Office of Student Admissions.

3. Eligibility as a transfer student.
   Submit to the Office of Student Admissions an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended. Transfer students must submit an official transcript and a report of their Texas Success Initiative status, if required, prior to enrollment. In the event the student cannot submit a complete transcript because of time constraints, an incomplete transcript and/or a current grade report may be used for advising purposes, but students are required to submit official transcripts by the 10th class day of the semester. Individuals who are not eligible to return to the last accredited college or university attended may be considered for admission by the Coordinator of Student Admissions or Director of Admissions and Recruitment.

4. Individual approval.
   An individual 18 years of age or older who does not qualify for admission under one of the other admission categories may be admitted by individual approval of the Coordinator of Student Admissions or the Director of Admissions and Recruitment. Applicants under 18 years of age who apply for admission as graduates from non-accredited high schools or who were schooled in nontraditional settings may be admitted, provided they:
   
   

   A) Complete an application for admission.
   B) Submit a written request seeking admission to the college. The written request should be submitted to the Coordinator of Student Admissions.
   C) Submit a notarized record of high school completion.
   D) Pass the General Educational Development (GED) testing program.

   Applicants in this category who do not complete the GED testing program should contact the Coordinator of Student Admissions, who may forward an application to the Admissions Committee for further review.
   
   
   In addition to the information and forms listed in items A, B, and C above, applicants in this category will be required to submit any documentation that supports admission to the college to the Coordinator of Student Admissions. Examples of documentation include: partial transcripts from accredited high schools, transcripts from non-accredited high schools, SAT or ACT scores, and written recommendations of the principal or superintendent of the last non-accredited or accredited high school attended. All documents and scores will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The Committee will grant or deny admission, with or without specific conditions or restrictions.

5. Eligibility for Early Admissions Program.
   A high school student who has completed his/her junior year in high school may be eligible for admission to McLennan Community College to receive college credit for courses. To be eligible, students shall submit to the Office of Student Admissions the Early Admissions application, and comply with the following conditions:
    

   a. The student must lack no more than four credits for high school graduation and must be enrolled in the high school and the college concurrently during the academic year. (Exception: Early Admissions students may enroll during the summer after the completion of the 11th grade.) Under special circumstances a student who has not completed the junior year may be granted approval by the appropriate Dean to enroll in college-level course work. Approval is based on such factors as grade point average (GPA), ACT, or SAT scores and other assessment indicators.

   b. The student must have a minimum high school grade point average of B (80).

   c. The student must have the approval of the high school principal or counselor, parent or guardian, and a Career Development Specialist or Dual Credit Coordinator at MCC.

   d. The student must have passed all sections of the state-mandated high school tests.

   e. Unless otherwise exempt, the student must make passing scores on the section(s) of the Accuplacer Test, THEA Test, or an approved alternative test that relates to the courses the student wishes to take. Early Admissions students may not take college-level courses related to sections of the test that have not been passed.

   f. The student may enroll in no more than two college credit courses in a semester. Exceptions to the course load limitation may be made by the appropriate Dean.

   g. A student’s past Dual Credit enrollment history will be taken into consideration.

   Eligibility for Dual Credit Classes (receiving high school and college credit). High school juniors and seniors who receive approval from their parents, principal or counselor, and Career Development Specialist or Dual Credit Coordinator at MCC may enroll for Dual Credit. That is, they may be granted credit by the college and the high school for course work successfully completed at the college. Students may begin Dual Credit enrollment during the summer after completing the 10th grade if they have passed all sections of the state-mandated high school tests. In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the college as Early Admissions students, students enrolled for Dual Credit shall submit to the Office of Student Admissions the Concurrent Enrollment (Dual Credit) application, and comply with the following:

   a. Pass each Dual Credit course with a minimum grade of C to remain eligible in the Dual Credit Program.

   b. Be enrolled in the required number of courses each day in the high school and be in attendance during the accounting period.

   College credits earned by Early Admissions or Dual Credit shall become official when the student graduates from high school and submits to the college an official transcript of his/her high school record certifying graduation. Such credits are transferable and have the same value as credits earned after high school graduation.
   

   Eligibility for Workforce Dual Credit Courses.
   High school juniors and seniors may enroll for Dual Credit; that is, they may be granted credit for course work successfully completed by both the college and the high school. Students are eligible to enroll in Dual Credit workforce courses if the following conditions are met:

   a. The student has completed his/her sophomore year in high school. Under special circumstances a student who has not completed their sophomore year may be granted approval by the Dean of Workforce Education to enroll in workforce courses. Approval is based on such factors as grade point average (GPA), ACT or SAT scores, and other assessment indicators.

   b. The student must have passed the Mathematics or English/Language Arts sections of the 10th or 11th grade state-mandated high school test.

   c. The student must have approval of the high school principal or counselor, parent or guardian, and a Career Development Specialist or a Dual Credit Coordinator at MCC.

   d. The student may enroll in no more than two college credit courses in a semester. Exceptions to the course load limitation may be made by the appropriate Dean.

   e. The student must pass each Dual Credit course with a minimum grade of C to remain eligible in the Dual Credit Program.

   f. The student must be enrolled in the required number of courses each day in the high school and be in attendance during the accounting period.

6. Eligibility as an international student.
   An individual who has successfully completed at least the equivalent of 12 years of elementary and secondary education shall be eligible for admission to MCC if the following conditions are met:
   
   

   a. Submit official transcripts of all previous academic work. International students must have at least a C average to be eligible for transfer from another college or university in the United States. Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by complete and literal translations into English, approved by an appropriate official of the United States Consulate or Embassy.

   b. Submit a minimum score of 500 on the written Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 173 on the computer-based TOEFL or a score of 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) if not from an English speaking country. If the student has graduated from a high school in the U.S. or received the GED, the TOEFL may be waived. A transcript or GED score report is required.

   c. Take the THEA, Accuplacer, or an approved alternative test prior to enrollment.

   d. Submit a $50 nonrefundable application fee.

   e. Submit official verification of required immunizations during the first semester of enrollment.

   f. Meet all admission requirements by July 1 for admission to the fall semester, by November 1 for admission to the spring semester or April 1 for the summer semesters.

   The Office of Student Admissions shall notify students of tentative acceptance and shall provide necessary forms and information related to entering the United States on a student visa.

   International students attending MCC on student visas are required to maintain full-time student status by being enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of course work. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by the international student advisor, the Coordinator of Student Admissions, or the Director of Admissions and Recruitment.

Admission For Students Not Seeking a Degree or Certificate

Students not seeking a degree or a certificate must submit an official high school transcript or General Education Development (GED) scores or official transcripts from all colleges attended to the Office of Student Admissions upon initial enrollment.

Non-degree or non-certificate seeking students shall take the THEA test or an approved alternative before enrolling in any college-level course work unless otherwise exempt.

Admissions Committee

The Vice President of Instruction, the Vice President of Student Services, the Director of Admissions and Recruitment, and the Coordinator of Student Admissions constitute the permanent Admissions Committee. The committee shall consider individual student requests for admission or re-admission when the student does not meet the college’s standard admission requirements. Requests for hearings are made in writing to the Coordinator of Student Admissions.

Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative is an instructional program designed to ensure that all students attending public institutions of higher education in Texas have the reading, mathematics, and writing skills necessary to perform effectively in college-level course work.

Students must take the THEA or an approved alternative test such as Accuplacer, Compass, or Asset prior to enrolling for any college-level course work unless otherwise exempt or enrolled in a waived Level-One Certificate program of 42 hours or less. The college reserves the right to make an exception to this policy for those individuals seeking additional training in a specialized workforce program after completion of a Level-One Certificate.

The following students are exempt from the Texas Success Initiative:

• A student who has exemplary SAT, ACT, or TAKS scores.

• A student who transfers to an institution from a public, private, or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has completed college-level course work in the areas of Reading, Math, and Writing with a grade of D or higher.

• A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from a public institution of higher education.

• A student who has attended any public institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

• A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.

• A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

Sections of the THEA or an approved alternative test that are passed will satisfy the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative, and those sections failed or not attempted will result in the student being required to meet the provisions of the institution’s developmental education plan. Students who have not passed all sections of the THEA or an approved alternative test and who have not completed a developmental education program may enroll in a winter or summer minimester course as long as the course is not in the area of deficiency. There are no additional exceptional circumstances under which a student who does not pass all areas of an assessment may enroll in college-level course work before completing a developmental education program or passing all areas of the THEA or an approved alternative test.

A student must begin any required developmental education during the first semester of college enrollment. In general, students are encouraged to address all areas of weakness in the beginning but must remediate in at least one area until all remedial sequences have been completed or the student passes the section of the THEA or an approved alternative test for which remediation was initially required. Students are required to remain enrolled in developmental education courses through the census date and are encouraged to remain enrolled through the completion of the semester. Reading is given priority over Math and Writing since the skill of reading applies to all areas of the curriculum. In addition, students who do not pass two or more sections of the THEA or an approved alternative test are required to enroll in Psychology 1300, a course designed to expose the student to learning theory and assist the student in the development of study skills, time management, note-taking, and critical-thinking skills.

Students who do not meet the minimum passing score on each section of the THEA or an approved alternative test may satisfy the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative in one of two ways: 1) Achieving a passing score on sections of THEA or an approved alternative test for which developmental education was initially required; or 2) completing the required remediation. If the student is required to retest based on the scores set by the Texas Success Initiative, the student is not required to pass the retest in sections previously failed.

All students, unless otherwise exempt or enrolled in a waived Level-One Certificate program, must have THEA or approved alternative test scores. The college testing center offers the THEA, Quick THEA, and Accuplacer on a regular basis. Following the receipt of test scores, students are advised as to appropriate course selection.

All students are strongly encouraged to see an academic advisor each semester. Advisors in the various departments are available to meet with students throughout the semester. Students required to enroll in developmental course work are required to meet with an academic advisor. The academic advisor and the student review the student’s test scores, and the advisor provides guidance to the student in course selection and educational planning.

Each student entering college for the first time is required to meet with an academic advisor, generally during “Connections,” an orientation for new students. At these meetings, students receive information about college matriculation and meet individually with an academic advisor to discuss the student’s major and to select first semester courses.

A student transferring to the college from a Texas public, private, or an out-of-state institution of higher education must have a made a grade of D or higher in college-level course work in the areas of Math, Reading, and Writing in order to meet college-level readiness standards. If not, the student will then be required to test in the respective area, and developmental education requirements apply for those sections not passed. A student transferring from a Texas public institution who has met the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative at their college is considered ready for college-level work and will not be required to test or meet developmental education requirements at MCC.

Students who are regularly enrolled at private or out-of-state institutions of higher education who attend Texas public institutions temporarily are waived from the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative. Evidence of such enrollment must be from the immediately preceding semester. The only exception to this rule is for students who attend private or out-of-state institutions during the spring semester, do not go to school during the summer, and then decide to attend a Texas public institution in the fall semester. Otherwise, students who did not attend a private or out-of-state institution during the term immediately preceding the term for which they seek enrollment at a Texas public institution may not be waived from testing requirements.

College Success

Incoming students who do not pass two or more sections of the THEA or an approved alternative test will be required to enroll in COSU 0101 during the first semester in which the student is eligible to take the course. These students also must either have credit for READ 0300 or be concurrently enrolled in READ 0301.

The course focuses on critical issues for students new to college. Emphasis is placed on addressing perceptions, expectations, behaviors, and outcomes required for college success. Upon completion, students will have knowledge of communication and social skills, time management, available college resources, and solutions to challenges in the college environment.

Freshman Orientation

All new students are required to attend “Connections,” an orientation and advising session. All students who have accumulated fewer than nine semester hours (regardless of test scores or GPA) and are enrolling in nine or more semester hours, must attend Connections. Topics covered include core curriculum, fields of study, transfer options, degrees and certificates offered, the Texas Success Initiative, financial aid, student organizations, and more. At the end of the session, students will meet with an advisor and then will be able to register for courses.

Learning Framework Course

Incoming students who do not pass two or more sections of the THEA or an approved alternative test will be required to enroll in Psychology 1300 during the first semester in which the student is eligible to take the course. These students also must either have credit for or be concurrently enrolled in Reading 0302 or have passed the reading portion of the THEA or an approved alternative test. Students placed into a reading level below Reading 0302 will have to wait until a subsequent semester to enroll in Psychology 1300.

The course involves a blend of learning theory and practical student success strategies (note-taking, reading, test preparation, etc.). It is a three-credit hour course and will count toward degrees at MCC. It is transferable to four-year colleges and universities as well. All students wanting to strengthen their study skills are welcome to enroll in the course.

Registration

College Credit Courses
Registration for college credit courses scheduled for the fall and spring semesters and for summer and minimester terms must be completed during the scheduled registration periods at the beginning of each semester or term. The registration schedule is shown in the Schedule of Classes which is available on the college Web site before each semester or term. Admitted students will be given clearance to register.

Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss degree/certificate programs and class needs before registration. Before meeting with an advisor, students should print a copy of their Automated Degree Plan(s) by accessing the MCC Web site at www.mclennan.edu and selecting the WebAdvisor link. All courses required for a degree or certificate, courses that have been completed, and courses remaining to be taken are listed on the automated degree plan.

Registration includes completion of required forms, preparation of a class schedule, and payment of all tuition and fees.

Registration for courses beginning at irregular times during the semester or term is completed at the time specified for the particular course.