Admission

Entrance Requirements and Admissions Procedures

In keeping with the North Carolina Community College System’s Open Door policy, Blue Ridge Community College enrolls students who are 18 years or older or are high school graduates or equivalent. For admission into all degree, diploma, and certificate programs, high school graduation or equivalent is required. Applicants who have not graduated from high school or otherwise fulfilled this requirement may do so by successfully completing the High School Equivalency Diploma formerly known as the General Educational Development (GED) Tests. Applicants without a high school diploma or a High School Equivalency Diploma may enroll in specific individual classes as a special credit student.

All applicants for admission are responsible for fulfilling the following steps:

1. Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) first to start the admissions process. The Application for Admission cannot be submitted without first obtaining a Residency Certification Number (RCN).

2. Complete an Application for Admission and file with the Registrar’s Office.

3. Have official copies of high school transcripts and/or High School Equivalency Diploma scores sent to the Registrar’s Office. Official transcripts are those with the school seal and Registrar’s signature and must arrive unopened from the issuing school or agency. Students whose required transcripts have not been received will be admitted on a provisional basis for one semester. Applicants to all Health Sciences programs who have a High School Equivalency Diploma or Adult High School diploma must also submit an official high school transcript if they completed ninth grade or higher. If transcripts cannot be obtained due to extenuating circumstances (loss by fire, school no longer exists, etc.), documentation of all efforts made by the student and a letter of explanation regarding the circumstances must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Services. Students under the age of 18 who are high school graduates or the equivalent must provide official transcripts prior to enrolling.

4. Complete a set of Pre-Enrollment Placement Tests. The College uses EdReady’s NROC for placement testing. These tests examine the individual’s levels of ability in reading, math, and English so that the student can be placed in appropriate developmental level courses if necessary. These tests are not admissions tests. Placement testing may be waived under conditions outlined in the Placement Testing Waiver Policy. Students who place into the Readiness level for English and Reading will be allowed to enroll in Curriculum courses for credit only after they have received appropriate remediation through the College and Career Readiness Center. Students who test into Readiness level Mathematics, as well as Readiness level English and Reading, will be allowed to enroll in curriculum courses for credit only after they have received appropriate remediation through the College and Career Readiness Center. 

5. Meet with a Counselor in Student Services.

A student is officially accepted to the College when all requirements are met and the student receives written notification from the Vice President for Student Services. Acceptance to the College does not necessarily imply admission to a specific curriculum since certain programs, such as those in the allied health area, may have additional entrance requirements.

The College reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant who is not a resident of North Carolina who seeks enrollment in any distance education course only if that applicant resides in a state where the college is not authorized to provide distance education in that State.

The College reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant during any period of time that a student is suspended or expelled from another college or educational entity due to non-academic disciplinary reasons.

When a student self-reports on the College application (or it otherwise comes to the College’s attention) that he/she is currently expelled or suspended from another college or university, the following actions will be taken:

1. The student must complete and sign a “Statement of Confidential Information Form” and submit to each college or university formerly attended. The student’s signed release on this form permits the college to inform Blue Ridge of the term and circumstances of the student’s non-academic disciplinary suspension or expulsion, if any.

2. After Blue Ridge receives the completed Statement of Confidential Information Form from all previously attended colleges, the Vice President for Student Services will review the information regarding any active suspension or expulsion and make the determination if the student should be provisionally admitted or denied admission.

The decision of the Vice President for Student Services is final.

Pre-Enrollment Placement Testing Waiver Policy

Students may waive the placement testing requirements under the following conditions:

1. Documentation of acceptable SAT or ACT scores. To be enrolled directly into first level curriculum English or math course, students would need to have a score of 500 on the applicable (Writing or Critical Reading, and/or Math) if taken before March 2016; a score of 480 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing and a score of 530 on the Math portion of the SAT if taken after March 2016, or a minimum of 18 on ACT English or 22 on ACT Reading, or a minimum of 22 on ACT Mathematics. SAT and ACT examinations must have been taken within the last five years.

2. Results of NC DAP or NROC placement tests taken at another North Carolina Community College System institution, which have been taken within the preceding 10 years and meet Blue Ridge Community College scores, or equivalent, will also waive placement testing.

3. Transfer credit (grade C or better) received from a regionally accredited institution for first-level curriculum English or Math courses will be accepted in lieu of placement testing. Developmental-level courses may be considered for transfer credit if taken at a North Carolina Community College. The student must submit an official transcript to receive transfer credit and to officially waive the need for placement testing. A maximum of 75% of the Total Semester Credit Hours in any program can be accepted in transfer.

4. Students who have graduated from a United States-based high school within the past 10 years, and who have an unweighted HS GPA of 2.80 or higher, will be waived from placement testing.  Students with a HS GPA of 2.20-2.799 may enroll in a gateway course with a mandatory co-requisite. Students with a HS GPA less than 2.20 must enroll in a one-semester transition course. 

5. Students who have completed an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution may be exempted from placement testing.  The student must submit an official transcript to receive the waiver for placement testing.

6. For certificate programs without developmental prerequisites, testing will be waived. For certificate programs that have developmental prerequisites and/or courses with developmental prerequisites, NROC placement testing is required, unless the testing is waived based on one of the above conditions.

Pre-Enrollment Placement Testing Retesting Guidelines

In general, the NROC placement test provides a reasonable assessment of a student’s abilities in English, reading, and math skills. In some cases, however, students may question their placement in one or more of these areas.

Retesting: A student wishing to retake any part of the NROC placement test for any reason is allowed one retest attempt in each developmental module. Students requesting a retest in a particular unit will be charged a fee for each unit in which a retest is desired. Fees are set annually by the College Trustees. Once the student has paid for the retest, he or she may receive a retest during a regularly scheduled official placement test session. Students will be placed in a course according to the better of the two test scores. Students are not allowed to retest to attempt to place out of a developmental class in which they are currently enrolled after the add/drop period has ended.

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Admission Procedures

1. Complete the RDS (Residency Determination Service) first to start your Admissions process. The Application for Admission cannot be submitted without first obtaining your RCN (Residency Certification Number).  Students interested in the Associate Degree Nursing program must select “Associate in General Education-Nursing” to be eligible for entry in the Fall 2021 program.

2. Demonstrate College readiness by appropriate developmental courses, College courses, SAT/ACT scores, NROC Placement Test, or RISE placement assignment. The following course work must be exempted or completed with a grade of “P:”

   MAT 003/BSP 4003 P2 – Transition Math
   ENG 002/BSP 4002 P2 – Transition English

3. Placement testing is waived for applicants with an Associate’s degree or higher, transferable College-level English and Math with a ‘C’ grade or above, or acceptable SAT or ACT scores taken within the last 10 years. Acceptable scores are an SAT score of 500 or above on Writing or Critical Reading and 500 or above in Mathematics if taken before March 2016; a score of 480 or higher on Evidence Based Reading and Writing and a score of 530 on Mathematics if the SAT is taken after March 2016; or a minimum of 18 on ACT English or 22 on ACT Reading, or a minimum of 22 on ACT Mathematics.

4. Students who have graduated from a United States-based high school within the past 10 years, and who have an unweighted HS GPA of 2.80 or higher, will be waived from placement testing.

5. Applicants pursuing the ADN program are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.  High school, high school equivalency, and college transcripts are all required. If additional coursework is completed after submission of transcripts, an official updated transcript must be submitted to Blue Ridge to ensure all possible transfer credit is awarded.

6. Complete high school Biology with a grade of “C” or higher. Complete high school Chemistry with a grade of “C” or higher.
   A college-level Biology of BIO 111 or higher will waive the high school Biology requirement. A college-level Chemistry of CHM 131 or higher will waive the high school chemistry requirement.
   

   If an applicant earned a High School Equivalency Diploma, requirements will be met with the following:
   Biology - A standard score of 150 or above on the Science Test

   Chemistry - The High School Equivalency Diploma has no chemistry equivalent; the applicant will be required to pass a College-Level Chemistry prior to application. 
   

   If an applicant earned a GED, requirements will be met with the following:

   Biology - Standard score of 450 or above on Natural Science Test

   Chemistry - The High School Equivalency Diploma has no chemistry equivalent; the applicant will be required to pass a College-Level Chemistry prior to application. 
   

   Students who have not met all of these prerequisites may do so by taking a College-Level Biology and a College-Level Chemistry course.
   

   Applicants who are currently enrolled in high school taking these courses and anticipate completing grade requirements may continue with the application process.
   

7. Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). A minimum composite score of 67 on the TEAS is required. The RIBN program requires a minimum composite score of 70. 

8. Submit the completed Minimum Admissions Requirement (MAR) Checklist to the Registrar’s Office.  A completed MAR Checklist may also be submitted electronically to registrar@blueridge.edu.  The entire document must be legible and contain a physical signature.

Candidates for admission to the program are ranked on a points-based system. Points are awarded according to a variety of factors, which may include the following: grade earned on Curriculum-related coursework, highest degree previously awarded, TEAS score, etc. Applicants with the highest overall points after ranking will be offered ADN program acceptance. The remaining ADN applicants will be placed on an alternate list in ranked order. Alternates will be contacted in order should space become available in the ADN program. Applicants who remain on the ADN Alternate list once the new ADN Nursing program cycle begins will not be carried over to a waiting list for the following year, and must reapply to the ADN program for the following year.

Program Specific Requirements

Applicants will be ranked according to a variety of factors, which may include the following: grade earned on Curriculum-related coursework, highest degree previously awarded, TEAS score, etc.

Students applying to the ADN program must complete a Nursing Assistant course with a State-approved curriculum such as a high school Allied Health Science program, or a Community College course. This course must include theory, lab, and a clinical component. Certification must be attained and the applicant must be listed on the N.C. Nurse Aide Registry prior to June 30, 2021. Hold a documented, current, unrestricted credential as a Nurse Aide I (NAI) from the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry and the Division of Health Service Regulation. The applicant must also have a current American Heart Association – Basic Life Support (AHA-BLS) documentation.

Required Documentation:

1. Listing on Registry: Refer to North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry https://www.ncnar.org/index1.jsp . Print a copy of your listing and expiration date (must be unrestricted).

2. AHA-BLS (CPR): A copy of your valid card.

Admission Point Allocation:

• Points will only be given for courses completed with an “A,” “B,” or “C” on the first completed attempt only. Withdrawn courses will not count as completed coursework.

• For applicants enrolled at a NC community college other than Blue Ridge, the following courses will be substituted: BIO 168/169 for BIO 165/166. The BIO 165/166 sequence must be completed at the same College or University in order to receive credit. Microbiology can be transferred if taken within five (5) years of the application to the ADN program.

• Applicants will receive points for successfully completing courses that are part of the ADN curriculum.

Notification Procedure:

Notification letters for program acceptance will be mailed by June 1, 2021. Applicants who did not meet requirements, were not accepted, or declined admission must reapply to the ADN program for the following year. Applicants who remain on the Alternate list once the 2021 ADN Nursing program cycle begins will not be carried over to a waiting list for the following year, and must reapply to the ADN program for the following year.

Students selected will be notified when to complete the following information:

1. Student Medical Form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to entering the Fall 2020 core Nursing classes. The medical form must verify acceptable levels of immunizations, physical health, and mental health. Failure to complete every aspect of the form may delay entry into the program.

2. The Student must maintain a 2.00 GPA or higher throughout the duration of the ADN program, and a “C” or better in all NUR courses. A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in each required course in the major to remain in the program.

3. Clinical agency requirements include a criminal background check and drug screening. This is a requirement of the agencies and not the ADN program. Information regarding the agency requirements will be provided at the time of registration for Fall classes. Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility based on the failure to meet the above requirements. If a student is denied access to any clinical agency, the student may not be allowed to continue in the nursing program. Additional requirements may be required based upon the clinical agencies utilized for clinical sites.

Associate Degree Nursing Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) Option

The RIBN option is a dual admission program offered in collaboration with Western Carolina University (WCU). Students are accepted into and take courses at both Blue Ridge Community College and WCU during enrollment in the RIBN option.

Students are required to complete the following:

1. For retention in RIBN, students must take and pass with a grade of “C” or better in all required courses and a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.25 for progression in the program and the student must demonstrate professional and safe nursing practice

2. RIBN is a four-year program. Year I students enroll in general education courses at Blue Ridge and WCU as advised by the RIBN Program Advisor. After successful completion of Year I curriculum RIBN students will progress into the ADN program as a Year II RIBN student (Year I ADN). Year II and III students maintain enrollment in the ADN program at Blue Ridge and WCU courses as advised by the RIBN Program Advisor. After graduation from the ADN program, Year IV classes are taken at WCU to complete the BSN program.

3. By June of Year II, provide documentation of successful completion of a North Carolina approved Nurse Aide I Program which includes theory, lab, and clinical components. A copy of a college transcript or a notarized course completion certificate will be acceptable documentation.

4. Hold a documented, current, unrestricted credential as a Nurse Aide I (NAI) from the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry and the Division of Health Service Regulation.

5. Successfully pass NCLEX - RN to progress to Year IV.

6. See the RIBN Program Advisor for the recommended course sequence.

Basic Law Enforcement Training Admission Procedures

Applicants for admission to the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program must:

1. Have graduated from high school or have an Adult High School Diploma or have passed the High School Equivalency Diploma with an equivalency certificate that meets the minimum requirements set by the State of North Carolina.

2. Pass a reading test with a 10th grade level or higher score (administered by staff prior to admission).

3. Meet the minimum standards for employment as established by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and /or the NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission which include:

4. Be a citizen of the United States;

5. Be at least 20 years of age (must be 20 years of age as of the first day of class or have prior written authorization from the Director of the Criminal Justice Standards Division if less than 20 years old); and 

6. Be of good moral character;

7. Be free of any convictions of any serious crimes, civilian or military; recent convictions of driving while impaired or under the influence; or major motor vehicle law infractions

8. Be examined and certified by a licensed physician or surgeon to meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the functions of a law enforcement officer.

9. Have not ever committed or been convicted of

10. a felony;

11. A crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years;

12. A crime or unlawful act for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than six months but less than two years and the crime or unlawful act occurred within the last five years

13. Four or more crimes or unlawful acts described in “c” above regardless of the date of occurrence; or;

14. Four or more crimes or unlawful acts for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for less than six months.

    Complete a Reading Test and score at a 10th-grade reading level or higher. This test will be administered by staff prior to admission.

15. Possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Final approval to begin the program is contingent upon meeting admissions requirements, acceptable health certification and proof that all minimum standards of the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and/or the NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission are met.

Prior to enrollment in the BLET program, an accepted applicant must provide the BLET Coordinator with a Medical Examination Report (Form F-1 and F-2) completed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina. The Medical Examination Report must include a Cholesterol Screening Report and Medical Release Form for Basic Law Enforcement Training. Medical forms will be provided to applicants upon determination of their eligibility to enroll in the BLET program.

Interested applicants should follow these steps to apply for the Basic Law Enforcement Program:

1. Obtain a BLET application packet from the program webpage and schedule a Reading Test with a law enforcement program area staff member.

2. Complete the Application for Admission.

3. Schedule an appointment with the BLET Coordinator, named on the face of the application. At this interview, the applicant will submit the application.

Each applicant is interviewed by the BLET Coordinator. The interview is used to determine if the applicant meets minimum standards for employment as established by the NC Training Standards Commission and if the applicant is free of conviction of any serious crimes, civilian or military; recent convictions of driving while impaired or under the influence; and major motor vehicle law infractions and to determine the disposition of such charges. At the interview, the applicant will be given additional information relative to details of the schedule, the total cost of the program, attendance policy, etc. The applicant will be required to sign waivers which allow the applicant to participate in the training.

Early Childhood Education Practicum Requirements

To register for the practicum course in the early childhood program, students will be required to sign that they have received the practicum packet and successfully complete the following process with the lead instructor of the early childhood program.

1. Complete the RDS (Residency Determination Service) first to start your Admissions process. The Application for Admission cannot be submitted without first obtaining your RCN (Residency Certification Number).

2. Submit a completed practicum application form.

3. Complete an acknowledgment of the applicant’s ability to provide safe care for children. The applicant will sign a statement that she/he understands they must demonstrate a level of physical and emotional health that is indicative of their ability to provide safe care of children.

Effective January 1, 1996, anyone working, or wanting to work, in child care must complete a criminal records background check. For compliance with the North Carolina Division of Child Development regulations, a criminal background check is a search of local, state, and/or federal records to determine if a person has been convicted of a crime. The results of the background check are used to decide if the person’s experience is fitting to care for children.

Sites hosting Blue Ridge Community College students in practicum experiences may require a criminal background check, a medical release, or additional requirements.

Emergency Medical Science Admission Procedures

1. Complete the RDS (Residency Determination Service) first to start your Admissions process. The Application for Admission cannot be submitted without first obtaining your RCN (Residency Certification Number).

2. Complete an application for the Associate Degree Emergency Medical Science program.

3. Meet with an academic advisor or program director from the Department for EMS Education.

4. Students Admitted to the Emergency Medical Science Program: In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of “C” in all EMS and other related curriculum courses, applicants accepted in the Emergency Medical Science program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in the EMS program.

5. Attend a program information session after completion of Emergency Medical Technician. Dates and times will be sent to applicants.

6. Complete a Student Medical Form provided by the Department for EMS Education, documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health.

7. Immunizations required by clinical agencies, criminal background checks, and drug screening.

8. Comply with current clinical affiliation agreements.

Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility based on failure to meet the above requirements. If a student is denied access to any clinical agency, the student will not be allowed to continue in the Emergency Medical Science program. Detailed information regarding these agency requirements will be provided during an information session.

High School Student Enrollment (Career and College Promise)

A North Carolina high school student may enroll in a course(s) at Blue Ridge Community College through Career and College Promise (CCP), provided that the student meets one of the following sets of criteria:

For students wishing to take Career and College Promise classes under the College Transfer Pathways (Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Engineering, or the Associate in Nursing) the student must:

Be a high school Freshman or Sophomore and:

Option 1:

1. Be identified as academically or intellectually gifted in English, reading, and math as outlined in the local board of education’s Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) local plan (General Statute 115c-150.7); and 

2. Demonstrate college readiness in English, reading, and mathematics by meeting benchmarks on diagnostic assessment tests which have been approved by the State Board of Community Colleges; and 

3. Have the recommendation of the high school principal or equivalent administrator and his/her rationale for recommendation verifying the student's maturity to justify admission to the community college, have the recommendation of the academically gifted coordinator if one is employed by the local school administrative unit, and have the recommendation of the community college president; and 

4. Have the written consent of the student's parent or guardian granting permission for the student to participate in CCP; and 

5. Participate in academic advising focused on the implications of being admitted to college early with representatives from the high school and the community college prior to enrollment in the CCP program. 

Option 2: 

1. Be identified as academically or intellectually gifted in English, reading, and math on an aptitude and achievement test as evidenced by a score in the range between the 92nd percentile and the 99th percentile on an aptitude and an achievement test included in the Mental Measurements Yearbook published by the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements; and

2. Demonstrate college readiness in English, reading, and mathematics by meeting benchmarks on diagnostic assessment tests which have been approved by the State Board of Community Colleges; and 

3. Have the recommendation of the high school principal or equivalent administrator and his/her rationale for recommendation verifying the student's maturity to justify admission to the community college, have the recommendation of the academically gifted coordinator if one is employed by the local school administrative unit, and have the recommendation of the community college president; and 

4. Have the written consent of the student's parent or guardian granting permission for the student to participate in CCP; and 

5. Participate in academic advising focused on the implications of being admitted to college early with representatives from the high school and the community college prior to enrollment in the CCP program. 

Be a high school Junior or Senior and: 

1. Have an unweighted high school GPA of 2.8 on high school courses; or 

2. Demonstrate college readiness in English, reading, and mathematics on an assessment or placement test.

For students wishing to take classes under one of the Career and Technical Education Pathway programs of study, the student must:

Be a high school Freshman or Sophomore and:

Option 1:

1. Have the recommendation of the high school principal or his/her designee (assessment scores should be considered); and recommendation of the college’s Chief Academic Officer or Chief Student Development Administrator; and

2. Pass Math I with a grade of C or better; and 

3. Score a 3, 4, or 5 on the End of Course assessment (EOC) for Math I; and 

4. Score a 3, 4, or 5 on the 8th grade End of Grade ELA assessment; and 

5. Enroll in Engineering, Industrial, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation Systems Technologies, Construction Technologies, or Business Technologies programs.

Option 2: 

1. Have the recommendation of the high school principal or his/her designee (assessment scores should be considered); and recommendation of the college’s Chief Academic Officer or Chief Student Development Administrator; and

2. Demonstrate college readiness in English, reading and mathematics on an assessment or placement test; and

3. Enroll in Engineering, Industrial, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation Systems Technologies, Construction Technologies, or Business Technologies programs.

*Freshmen and Sophomores may not enroll in any CTE pathways that contain UGETC (Universal General Education Transfer Component) courses. 

Be a high school Junior or Senior and: 

1. Have an unweighted GPA of 2.8 on high school courses; or

2. Demonstrate college readiness in English, reading and mathematics on an assessment or placement test; or 

3. Have a recommendation of the high school principal or his/her designee and his/her rationale for recommendation in place of GPA requirement (assessment scores should be considered) and have the recommendation of the college’s Chief Academic Officer or Chief Student Development Administrator; and 

4. If the pathway requires any course on the UGETC (Universal General Education Transfer Component) list, the same criteria for the transfer pathway will be required. 

5. Recommendation will not be allowed for CTE pathways that include UGETC (Universal General Education Transfer Component) course(s) included in the pathways. 

Tuition is waived for high school students taking courses under an approved Career and College Promise Pathway. However, high school students are responsible for fees, course supplies, textbooks, and their own transportation to and from the Blue Ridge Community College Henderson County Campus and the Transylvania County Campus.

All other applicable College regulations apply to high school students upon their admission to Blue Ridge Community College.

All other provisions of the North Carolina Administrative Code and the Manual on Cooperative Programs in North Carolina High Schools and Community Colleges apply to high school students. For further information and how to apply, contact Student Services on either campus.

Surgical Technology Admission Procedures

Level I: Surgical Technology Diploma Program

All Surgical Technology applicants must complete the requirements listed in steps 1-5.

1. Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) to obtain a Residency Certification Number (RCN) to start the admissions process. The Application for Admission cannot be submitted without an RCN.

2. Submit a Blue Ridge Application for Admission. If you have applied to Blue Ridge Community College previously or have taken Curriculum courses here before, you will need to update your information by completing a Blue Ridge application available on our website. Students will need to select General Education-Surgical Technology as the major. Once accepted into the program, Students will be given an Allied Health-Change of Program Form during orientation to declare Surgical Technology as their program of study.

3. Applicants pursuing the Surgical Technology program are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. High School, High School Equivalency, and College transcripts are all required.

   If additional coursework is completed after submission of transcripts, an official updated transcript must be submitted to Blue Ridge to ensure all possible transfer credit is awarded.

4. Complete BIO 090 or high school Biology with a grade of “C” or higher. A College-Level Biology of BIO 111 or higher will waive the BIO 090 requirement. For High School Equivalency Diploma: A standard score of 150 or above on the Science Test will count as one unit of Biology. For GED, a standard score of 450 or above on the Natural Science Test will count as one unit of Biology.

   Students who do not meet the Biology requirement can do so by taking BIO 090 Foundations of Biology. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher in order to meet these high school requirements.

   Applicants who are currently enrolled in high school, taking these courses and anticipating completing the grade and course requirements may continue with the application process. Students enrolled in high school should request that the high school mail a final transcript to Blue Ridge as soon as possible upon graduation.

5. Demonstrate College readiness by appropriate developmental courses, College courses, SAT/ACT scores, NROC Placement Test, or RISE placement assignment. The following course work must be exempted or completed with a grade of “P:”

   MAT 003/BSP 4003 P2 – Transition Math

   ENG 002/BSP 4002 P2 – Transition English

   Placement testing is waived for applicants with an Associate’s degree or higher, transferable College-level English and Math with a ‘C’ grade or above, or acceptable SAT or ACT scores taken within the last 10 years. Acceptable scores are an SAT score of 500 or above on Writing or Critical Reading and 500 or above in Mathematics if taken before March 2016; a score of 480 or higher on Evidence Based Reading and Writing and a score of 530 on Mathematics if the SAT is taken after March 2016; or a minimum of 18 on ACT English or 22 on ACT Reading, or a minimum of 22 on ACT Mathematics.

6. Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 168), or Basic Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 163), must be completed prior to entry into the program. Both Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO 168/169), or Basic Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 163) and General Microbiology (BIO 175/ Microbiology BIO 275), must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

7. The student must maintain a Program GPA of 2.00 or higher throughout the duration of the Surgical Technology program, and a “C” or better in all SUR and BIO courses.

8. Attend one of the scheduled Surgical Technology Information Sessions to receive important information about the curriculum and career in Surgical Technology.  Dates will be posted in the application package.

9. Submit the MAR (Minimum Admission Requirement) Checklist before the deadline to the Registrar’s Office.

The first eighteen (18) applicants meeting the above requirements will receive acceptance into the program. Once eighteen applicants are accepted, a waiting list of fifteen applicants will be formulated. A medical form verifying acceptable levels of immunization, physical health, and mental health will be required prior to entering surgical technology core courses in the fall.

Additional requirements may be required based upon the clinical agencies utilized for clinical sites. 

Level II: Surgical Technology - Associate Degree Program

The Advanced SUR courses are individually tailored for surgical/special areas of concentration. The applicant must complete the requirements listed in steps 1-5.

1. Make an appointment with the Surgical Technology Program Faculty.

2. Successfully pass the National Certification Exam and provide proof of current CST card.

3. Present proof of current American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Healthcare Provider level certification.

4. Documentation of 500 hours or more work experience or documentation of having been the primary scrub on 125 cases or successful completion of the SUR 212 course.

5. If a diploma is earned from an institution other than Blue Ridge Community College, two professional references will be required.  Forms will be provided by Program Faculty.

Additional requirements may be required based upon the clinical agencies utilized for clinical sites. 

Residency Determination Service

The Residency Determination Service (RDS) is the centralized service for determining residency for students. This service enables a student to use one residency determination for admissions applications to multiple North Carolina public colleges and universities and to demonstrate residency for state aid programs consideration at all (public and private) North Carolina colleges and universities.

All new and returning curriculum students, including CCP students, international, undocumented, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, must complete the RDS application online at ncresidency.org prior to completing the admission application. RDS does not apply to Continuing Education students. 

Determining Student Location for Curriculum and Continuing Education Students

According to Federal guidelines on state authorization (§?600.9(C)), Blue Ridge must determine a student's location at the time of initial enrollment, as well as update its records should a student's location change. Doing so helps to ensure correct state authorization is obtained and disclosed to the student.

Information on state authorization, professional licensure, and the complaint process can be found on the college’s State Authorization webpage.

Students can also view which state educational requirements for licensure or certification Blue Ridge meets, does not meet, or is undetermined on our Professional Licensure webpage.

For Curriculum Students
Location at Time of Initial Enrollment

For Blue Ridge Community College, a student’s location is determined at the time of Application for Admission. As part of the admission process, a student must designate their program of interest and complete a Residency Determination Service (RDS). The RDS is what reaches out across the State to the different agencies to verify and validate the residency information a student is providing. The residency information on the application and RDS must match.

Upon receiving the application from an out-of-state student, the student’s contact info, listed state of residence, and program of interest is sent to the appropriate Blue Ridge program coordinator. The coordinator will contact the student to verify if the student is planning to remain in that state or relocate to NC for their education. 

Prior to acceptance of enrollment into a program designed or advertised as meeting educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for an occupation, the student will be notified via email if Blue Ridge’s program does not meet the educational requirements or if Blue Ridge has not made a determination.

Change of Address

In myBlueRidge, students are required to confirm their address every 60 days. Registration rules will restrict a student from using Student Planning and registering until they confirm.

Because educational requirements for licensure or certification may vary by state, it is imperative the student confirm their address or change of address in a timely manner as potential educational requirements for the new state may directly impact licensure or certification completion.

Upon formal receipt of a change of address to a new state, students will be notified within 14 days of whether or not there is a conflict with the program’s educational requirements for licensure or certification. 

Change of Program

If a student changes their program of study, they are required to confirm their address. If the student is an out-of-state student, their contact info, listed state of residence, and program of interest is sent to the appropriate Blue Ridge program coordinator. The coordinator will contact the student to verify if the student is planning to remain in that state or relocate to NC for their education. 

Prior to acceptance of enrollment into a program designed or advertised as meeting educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for an occupation, the student will be notified in writing (direct disclosure) if Blue Ridge’s program meets, does not meet, OR if Blue Ridge has not made a determination regarding a state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification.

For Continuing Education Students
Location at Time of Initial Enrollment

For BRCC Continuing Education (CE) enrollments, a student’s location is determined at the time of registration. As part of the registration process, a student must designate a program or course of interest and current address.

The CE Operations Manager will produce a weekly report for out-of-state students enrolled in courses leading to a licensure, certification, or required industry credential. Within 14 days of registration, the CE Program Specialist or Program Director will notify the student in writing via email (direct disclosure) if Blue Ridge Community College’s CE program or course does not meet the student’s respective state’s educational requirements or if Blue Ridge Community College is unable to make a determination.

Undocumented Individuals

The College admits undocumented individuals pursuant to the State Board of Community Colleges Code 

1D SBCCC 400.2 and guidelines from the North Carolina Community College System as follows:

An undocumented immigrant with a diploma from a United States public high school, private high school, home school, or Adult High School that operates in compliance with state or local law is eligible to be admitted to Blue Ridge Community College. Undocumented individuals with a High School Equivalency Diploma do not meet these criteria and are ineligible for admission.

Undocumented students are required to pay the out-of-state tuition rate (see “NC Business Sponsor Exception for In-State Tuition” below for possible exceptions). Although undocumented students are required to pay the out-of-state tuition rate, they are still required to submit the RDS application prior to their Application for Admission.

A student who is lawfully present in the United States will always have priority for a space or program of study over a student who is an undocumented student. Undocumented students cannot enroll in a class or program of study for which there are waiting lists and must wait until the conclusion of the last published (i.e. late) registration period to register for classes

Undocumented individuals who are high school students (public, private, or home school) in North Carolina who meet the eligibility criteria may enroll in college-level courses consistent with Career and College Promise guidelines.

Undocumented students may enroll in non-college level courses or programs including High School Equivalency Diploma preparation courses, Adult Basic Education, Adult High School, English as a Second Language, and other continuing education courses less than college level.

Undocumented or battered illegal aliens who have been determined to meet one of the qualifying conditions set forth in Federal Law, 8 USC Section 1641, are eligible for college-level courses. It is the applicant’s responsibility to produce sufficient documentation to satisfy the College that the applicant is eligible for post-secondary education benefits.

Admission of Students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Classification

The DACA Program is the recent ruling by the Federal Government that gives undocumented persons permission to live and to work in the U.S. and not be deported for a period of two years, even though they are not in the country legally.

Persons under the DACA Program have permission to work in the U.S. and are given Social Security numbers.

Persons under the DACA Program have a card, much like the Permanent Resident Card, however, the card confirms that they are allowed to work and not be deported, only for a period of two years. The card also confirms that persons under DACA have not been given a change in their legal status.

When persons under the DACA Program apply to Blue Ridge, a photocopy of their DACA card will be required.

In North Carolina, persons under the DACA program can study at Blue Ridge, but only under the same conditions as an undocumented person (Admission of Undocumented Individuals), with the exception that persons under the DACA Program can enroll with other lawfully present students during regular registration periods.

Persons under the DACA program are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Persons under the DACA program cannot receive in-state tuition (see “NC Business Sponsor Exception for In-State Tuition” below for possible exception).

Out-Of-State Students

Applicants classified as out-of-state for North Carolina tuition purposes are admitted under the same regulations as North Carolina residents. See also Residency for Tuition and Residency Determination Service.

NC Business Sponsor Exception for In-State Tuition

The General Assembly has enacted laws applicable only to community colleges that create an exception to the general requirements for in-state tuition. The Business Sponsor Exception, as it is called, states that “when an employer other than the Armed Forces...pays tuition for an employee to attend [a community college] and.the employee works at a North Carolina business location, the employer shall be charged the in-state tuition rate.” The requirements to take advantage of this exception are listed below:

1. The employer that will be sponsoring the student must provide a current Form W-9

2. The employer sponsoring the student must provide a letter, on company letterhead, stating that the student they wish to sponsor is indeed an employee of the company and that the company intends to pay in full for the student with a company check. This must be provided each semester.

3. The student must provide their two (2) most recent pay stubs from the sponsoring company. This must be provided each semester.

4. Registrar’s Office must have a copy of the student’s EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card with a valid date (applicable to DACA students only).

5. After verification of all the above documents by the Cashier’s Office, the employer must provide a company check for payment in full of the student’s tuition and fees for each semester.

Practicum/Clinical Requirements

Sites hosting Blue Ridge Community College students in practicum/clinical experiences may require a criminal background check, a medical release, immunization records, or additional requirements.

Provisional Students

Students applying too late to furnish pre-entrance requirements before the registration period may be permitted to enter the college as a provisional student after an interview with the Vice President for Student Services or a counselor. Once students have fulfilled all admission requirements (RDS, application, transcripts, and tests if required), they will be accepted in good standing. All students must fulfill these requirements by the end of their first semester.

Note: Students under the age of 18 who are high school graduates or equivalent must provide official transcripts at the time of Application for Admission.

Readmission

Students with credit from Blue Ridge Community College who withdraw for any reason before completing the requirements for a degree, diploma, or certificate may be readmitted by completing the RDS and submitting a College application if the student is returning after an absence of two or more semesters, excluding summer term. A conference with a counselor will be required for students returning after academic probation or suspension. Programs of study are under continuous review and course requirements are subject to change as students return after an absence of two or more semesters, excluding summer term. The current academic catalog determines program requirements. See also Academic Forgiveness and Academic Probation.