• completing and submitting the Application for Admission and $25 one-time, nonrefundable application fee
• providing proof of legal residence upon request, such as a driver’s license or lease agreement. Post office box addresses are not sufficient proof of legal residence. (International citizens must provide proof of their immigration status. Original documents must be presented.) See page 2 for more details regarding proof of legal residence. Please note: Students who refuse or fail to properly complete such a statement can be admitted to the college, but will be assessed at the out-of-state tuition rate.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit high school transcripts and/or transcripts from previously attended postsecondary institutions. This information is used to advise students and does not affect standard admission to the college. Application fees differ for some programs and are waived for active duty military personnel, Freshman Focus and Early Entrance applicants. The Rouse Scholars Program’s application fee is also waived for Distinguished Scholars, National Merit Scholars and Early Entrance students. Applicants to the clinical portion of the college’s various nursing programs and some allied health programs must submit an additional $25 fee. All college application fees are waived for students eligible for the SAT and College Bound application fee waiver programs, which are based on financial need.

Additional admissions procedures are required for high school, transfer and previously dismissed students as well as for international citizens. Additional procedures are also required for students seeking admission to the clinical component of some health career programs such as nursing, cardiovascular technology, radiologic technology, and emergency medical technician/paramedic. Students planning to enroll in Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium Programs must complete the specific admissions procedures jointly agreed to by consortium institutions (Howard Community College, Carroll Community College and Frederick Community College). Different application procedures are required for the James W. Rouse, Silas Craft Collegians, Freshman Focus and Early Entrance Programs (see page 35 for more details).

Although admitted to the college, students may not enroll in particular courses unless they have the necessary educational background. The college has a mandatory basic skills assessment policy. Placement tests are required for most students planning to enroll in English or math courses or courses with English or math prerequisites. Placement test exemptions are possible (see pages 25-26 for more information).

Placement exam results are generally available within 1-2 days, but may take several days to score during peak periods. Testing is ongoing; appointments are generally required. Students should test soon enough to take advantage of early registration options. The Testing/Preparatory Studies Policy provides further details regarding placement assessment requirements, exemptions, and course placements (pages 25-26).

All students will be offered assistance in planning a program of learning in accordance with their academic background, skills, and goals. Students must meet with an advisor to review placement test results. Results are not generally available by phone or e-mail. Students are strongly advised to begin any required developmental course sequences immediately and are required to do so upon completion of 12 credits. Non-degree seeking students must meet with an advisor on or before completion of 12 credits to determine if they will be required to take placement exams.

The college recognizes that some students may need more intensive skill development in reading and/or writing than its English credit developmental course sequence can provide.

HCC’s REACH Program is designed to serve these students and prepare them to successfully move on to the developmental English sequence. For more information, please visit or contact the Office of Admissions and Advising (RCF-242; adm-adv@howardcc.edu; 410-7724856, select menu item 3).

Various enrollment options are available to high school students.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT—High school juniors and seniors may attend the college on this basis enrolling for a maximum of two courses per semester. Credits earned apply toward high school graduation only under highly specific circumstances. The award of high school credit for college coursework is arranged through a student’s high school and does not involve the college in any way.

Requirements for admission include submission of the college’s Early Entrance Program application, high school transcripts, and proof of legal residency. Appropriate placement testing is also required. Public and private high schools and home schooling programs also have their own policies and procedures that students must follow (see page 35 for additional information).

EARLY ADMISSION—This option enables seniors to complete high school graduation requirements at Howard Community College under very specific conditions. Students qualifying for this option are generally required to complete 24-30 credits of college coursework, including at least one college-level English composition course. Students must apply for the Early Admission option during their junior year. Application procedures include submission of the college’s standard application, the application fee, high school transcripts, college entrance exam scores, proof of residency, and two letters of recommendation which address the student’s academic ability and social and emotional maturity. Students must also submit a letter of consent from their high school principal and any other required public, private or home school officials. The college also requires an admissions interview attended by the student and a parent or guardian. Students must consult high school personnel regarding specific courses needed to fulfill high school graduation requirements. The college reserves the right to grant consent to enroll for the Early Admission option on a case-by-case basis. Consent to enroll as an Early Admission student is dependent upon what the college determines to be in the student’s and its own best interests.

Students in the eighth through tenth grades who are enrolled in public or private school gifted and talented programs, or who have otherwise demonstrated outstanding ability, may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Requirements for admission include submission of the college’s Early Entrance Program application, official secondary school transcripts, and proof of legal residency. In accordance with state law, other documentation of outstanding abilities and maturity, such as enrollment in gifted and talented programs, test scores, recommendations, portfolios or awards, must be submitted to assist with admissions decisions. A pre-admission interview, with at least one parent or guardian in attendance, is required. Appropriate placement testing is also required. Students attending the college on this basis may enroll for a maximum of two courses per semester. Students admitted based upon the college’s Gifted and Talented policies are generally restricted from enrolling in developmental coursework.

High school juniors and seniors who are home schooled must follow Concurrent Enrollment procedures (page 13). Additional information, such as recommendations must be provided upon request. Home schooled students in the equivalent of eighth through tenth grades must follow Gifted and Talented Student procedures. As with other secondary school students, home schooled students are limited to two courses per semester. Under certain conditions, high school seniors who are home schooled will be considered for the Early Admission option. Home schooled students’ primary purpose in enrolling in the college should be for enrichment and not as a substitute for home school instruction.

Howard Community College reserves the right to grant admission to secondary school students, including home schooled students, on an individual basis. For further information regarding the college’s services for secondary school students, please contact 410-772-4599 or hsinfo@howardcc.edu. Information is also available on the college’s website at http://www.howardcc.edu/admissions.

Admissions requirements and procedures for health career clinical programs vary by program. Articulation agreements between Howard Community College and other community colleges may also be factors in admission for specific programs.

To address critical shortages, the State has designated certain learning programs as Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Programs. Legal residents of Maryland can enroll in these programs at the in-county tuition rate. (Tuition benefits are also available to out-of-state residents for the nursing program, but with additional conditions.) Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Programs do not entitle students to in-county admissions benefits. HCC’s Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, and Radiologic Technology programs are designated as Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Programs.

In an effort to avoid duplication of programs while at the same time providing access and opportunity, the State has designated certain learning programs as Statewide Instructional Programs. Like Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Programs, legal residents of Maryland can enroll in such programs at the in-county tuition rate. They are also entitled to the same admissions benefits for clinical coursework as in-county residents. HCC’s Cardiovascular Technology Program and Biomedical Engineering Technology Programs are Statewide Instructional Programs. (See page 49 for more information on Statewide Instructional Programs.)

Howard Community College is a partner with the Howard County Government in the innovative grant funded Project RENEW Scholarship Program. Sponsored by the Howard County Block Grant Development Program, Project RENEW provides low and moderate income individuals with a health career ladder. It combines theory and clinical practice that leads to a certificate of completion as a certified nursing/geriatric nursing assistant (CNA/GNA) along with the preparation required for admission into the college’s Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate Program or the Associate of Arts Degree in Registered Nursing (RN). Prospective students should contact the Project RENEW coordinator at 410-7724438 or alliedhealth@howardcc.edu. (The continuation of this program is dependent upon grant funding.)

Because seating in Nursing clinical coursework cannot be guaranteed, international (F1) students may not enroll in the college’s Nursing or Cardiovascular Technology programs. They also may not select Radiologic Technology or the Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium Programs. International (F1) students interested in preparing for a nursing career should choose the college’s Pre-Allied Health or General Studies-Science Emphasis programs or consult with an international student admissions counselor. All other international citizens legally entitled for admission to the college may select Nursing or Cardiovascular Technology as their learning program.

Under the Maryland Articulation Model, graduates who obtain Maryland Licensure are eligible for advanced placement in nursing courses when they progress to registered nursing programs in state public and participating private institutions. Graduates with an active unencumbered Maryland or Compact state practical nursing license (i.e., LPN) who wish to progress to the associate degree level may be awarded advanced placement nursing credits equivalent to a maximum of one year of full-time nursing courses. Graduates with an active unencumbered Maryland or Compact state registered nursing license who wish to progress to the baccalaureate degree level are awarded advanced placement nursing credits equal to a maximum of one year of full-time nursing courses in the program they enter.

Students are required to provide various health certifications and to obtain a criminal background check, through the HCC authorized vendor. The criminal background check will need to be completed one time as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment in the clinical program. Students who incur any break in the sequence of study will be required to obtain a new criminal background check through the authorized vendor prior to re-admission or re-enrollment. Students without current health requirements and criminal background checks will not be eligible to participate in clinical courses.

Clinical agencies grant approval or disapproval for the student to attend clinical based on the criminal background check. Clinical agencies have the right to deny access to any student whose background check does not meet acceptable minimum standards. Students who have been deemed ineligible by the agencies affiliated with the clinical course may not be able to progress in the selected program of study. In addition health career licensing and/ or certification boards may require criminal background checks. Howard Community College administration, faculty and staff do not receive any information of the students’ criminal background report. Information is forwarded directly from the vendor to the clinical agency.

Students may also be required to obtain a drug screening. Information regarding health certifications, criminal background checks and drug screening will be provided at the time of admission or at the program orientation as directed.

NURSING–The college offers three Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree Registered Nursing options–Traditional, Accelerated, and the LPN Pathway Sequence. The major differences between these options are the selection process and the timeframe for clinical coursework. The Traditional Program’s clinical coursework is taken over a two-year period (four major terms), with classes seated for both the Fall and the Spring. The Accelerated Program’s clinical coursework is offered over a 13-month period beginning in the Summer. Admission to the Traditional Program is selective based upon the fulfillment of specific prerequisites and specific application periods. Admission to the Accelerated Program is competitive with seats being offered to the strongest candidates based on certain minimum GPA requirements and other specific factors within a specific application period. The LPN Pathway Sequence is an advanced standing option available only to students who are already licensed practical nurses and who also meet other admissions criteria.

HCC also offers a Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate Program. Day and evening/weekend options are available in all but the Accelerated Program which is a full-time, day-only program. Please note that day students may have some clinical sessions on weekends and evening/weekend students may have some clinicals on weekdays depending on clinical site schedules.

Prospective applicants–with the exception of those interested in the LPN Pathway Sequence–must attend a nursing information session as a first step in the enrollment process prior to meeting individually with an admissions advisor. Information provided at these sessions is important in enabling prospective students to determine the best option for them. Students interested in the LPN Pathway Sequence should schedule an appointment to meet with the admissions advisor responsible for this program.

In addition to standard application procedures, supplemental application procedures are required for clinical coursework. All nursing applicants must take the English placement exam unless they have earned a bachelors degree in the United States. All applicants to clinical coursework must have a high school or General Education Development (GED) diploma. Acceptance to clinical coursework is based upon fulfillment of all prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, time limitations for science prerequisites, legal residency, and space availability as well as additional processes specific to each nursing option. Fulfillment of the terms and conditions of specific articulation agreements and clinical site partnerships are also factors in admission for some applicants. Nursing is a Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Program entitling legal residents of Maryland in-county tuition rates (see prior page). Out-of-state residents should speak with an admissions counselor to determine their possible eligibility for in-county tuition rates.

CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY–The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) as well as various certificate programs. Clinical coursework starts in the Spring and is available as a day option only. All applicants to clinical coursework must have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) diploma and fulfill other prerequisites depending on the option they select. Cardiovascular Technology is a Statewide Instructional Program. Legal residents of Maryland are entitled to the same tuition and admissions benefits as in-county residents. Fulfillment of the terms and conditions of specific articulation agreements and clinical site partnerships are also admissions factors for some applicants. Prospective applicants should contact the Office of Admissions and Advising or the CVT program director.

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY–Howard Community College is starting its own Radiologic Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree Program, pending approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The first clinical courses will be offered during the summer of 2008. Admission to the clinical portion of the program will be selective with a specific number of clinical seats available. Admissions policies and procedures for the program’s clinical component will be similar to those in place for HCC’s Cardiovascular Technology Program’s degree option. Students may begin taking prerequisites in preparation for applying for admission to clinical Radiologic Technology coursework. Those interested in Radiologic Technology should work closely with the Office of Admissions and Advising and select Radiologic Technology as their learning program on the HCC application. Further information is available on the Office of Admissions and Advising’s website at www.howardcc.edu/admissions or by visiting or contacting the office directly (RCF-242; 410772-4230; alliedhealth@howardcc.edu). Information sessions will also be available throughout the year.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN/PARAMEDIC–The college offers Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree, Certificate of Proficiency, and Letter of Recognition options in Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P). Students must complete specific prerequisites and have current EMT-Basic certification to enroll in all Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic clinical coursework beyond EMSP-100. The EMTP program is a Health Personnel Shortage Grant Program entitling legal residents of Maryland to in-county tuition rates. International (F1) students may apply for admission to the EMT-P degree option. Prospective students should contact the Office of Admissions and Advising or the EMT-P program director for more information.

MID-MARYLAND ALLIED HEALTHCARE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM-Howard Community College is a participant in the Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium (MMAHEC), along with Carroll Community College (CCC) and Frederick Community College (FCC). Various combined degree and certificate options and admissions and in-county tuition benefits are available in selected clinical health career programs for students at consortium institutions. HCC students have special access to the clinical component of CCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program and FCC’s Surgical Technology and Respiratory Care programs. Students from CCC have special access to HCC’s Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Program. Students from CCC and FCC have special access to HCC’s Cardiovascular Technology Program.

Admission to clinical coursework is based upon procedures and criteria agreed upon by consortium institutions. Students complete general education and other prerequisite coursework at their home institution. They then apply through their home institution for admission to clinical coursework offered at the appropriate consortium institution. A specific number of seats in each program are saved each year for qualified consortium students.

Howard Community College and, when appropriate, partner and MMAHEC institutions reserve the right to change admissions policies and procedures as required by law and/ or as otherwise deemed necessary.

Howard Community College reserves the right to revise its admissions policies for clinical healthcare programs in accordance with state law and accreditation requirements and for any reasons deemed necessary for student and program success.

For further information regarding the college’s Health Career Programs, please contact 410-772-4230 or alliedhealth@howardcc.edu. Information is also available on the college’s web site at www.howardcc.edu/admissions. Prospective students are strongly advised to attend appropriate information sessions and are required to do so for the Nursing and Radiologic Technology programs.

Students planning to transfer to Howard Community College should arrange to meet with an admissions advisor. In addition to standard application procedures, students seeking credit for prior college-level coursework must declare a major and officially request a transcript evaluation by completing and submitting a Transcript Evaluation Request Form and the appropriate transcript evaluation fee ($15 for a single learning program evaluation; $25 for multiple evaluations). Transfer students must also submit official transcripts and appropriate catalogues and other documentation necessary for evaluating their transcripts.

The college will award transfer credit when appropriate for prior college-level coursework successfully completed at foreign colleges and universities. However, students with foreign transcripts must have a course evaluation by a nationally accredited foreign transcript evaluation service and submit such evaluations to the Office of Admissions and Advising for further review.

Information regarding such services is available in the Office of Admissions and Advising. Details regarding credit for prior learning policies are provided on pages 27-28. The Transcript Evaluation Request Form is available in the Office of Admissions and Advising and online at www.howardcc.edu/admissions.

Students from Other Institutions–The college welcomes the opportunity to serve students visiting from other institutions. Students interested in taking courses at Howard Community College for transfer back to their home institution are responsible for necessary procedures at both institutions. This includes meeting with their home institution advisor in advance to determine which HCC courses will fulfill their program requirements and obtaining written verification of this for their records. Visiting students are also responsible for fulfilling any prerequisites HCC requires for enrolling in specific classes regardless of their home institution’s approval.

Howard Community College welcomes the opportunity to assist military personnel, their families, and veterans in achieving their academic goals. The college is a member of Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC). The college also serves participants in the Veterans’ Educational Assistance program.

The application fee is waived for all active duty military personnel and their dependents. In accordance with Maryland state law, all active duty personnel are eligible to pay instate tuition regardless of legal residence. Active duty personnel residing in Howard County are eligible to pay in-county tuition.

Active members of the Maryland National Guard are entitled to a fifty percent discount if they are legal residents of Howard County. Maryland National Guardsmen who reside outside the county or the state are entitled to a twenty-five percent discount of their applicable tuition rate. Verification of active duty status and residency is required. Guardsmen should consult with their commanding officers, the Office of Records and Registration or the Office of Admissions and Advising for additional information.

Military personnel and veterans should contact the Office of Admissions and Advising for information pertaining to enrollment, transcript evaluation, and tuition assistance. Also see Military Education and Training (page 28). Further information regarding National Guard tuition documents and veterans affairs is available through the Office of Records and Registration at www.howardcc.edu/registration. Military personnel should also refer to the Veterans Affairs section on page 4. Further information is also available at www.howardcc.edu/admissions.

Students who previously attended the college may need to update admission information. This is generally required if a student has not been in attendance for two or more academic years, but may also be required in other instances. If this is necessary, a new application must be completed and proof of residency provided upon request. The application fee will be waived.

Students who are dismissed from the college for academic reasons as of a specific semester and who want to be readmitted for that semester, must submit a letter requesting approval for readmission to the Readmission Committee. They must also make an appointment to meet with a member of the committee. Students who were dismissed and have been out for one or more semesters must also make an appointment to meet with the Retention Coordinator. (Contact the Learning Assistance Center, 410-772-4822 in either case.) Information about academic probation and dismissal policies is available on page 32.

READMISSION TO THE NURSING PROGRAM– Readmission to the Nursing Program is contingent upon specific criteria, submission of a new supplemental nursing application, and available space. Readmit students may have to complete various curricular components and demonstrate competencies. The Accelerated RN Program does not have a readmit option. Former Accelerated RN students may seek readmission for the Traditional RN Program. Students should consult the Nursing Education Handbook to determine procedures for re-entry to clinical nursing coursework. For further information, contact the Office of Admissions and Advising.