Admissions Information

Durham Technical Community College follows an open-door with guided placement admissions policy as established by the State Board of Community Colleges and consistent with 1D SBCCC 400.2. The college is an affirmative action, equal opportunity, American Disabilities Act, Section 504 institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or sexual orientation, color, age, religion, national origin, or disability in admitting students. The college reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant during any period of time that the student is suspended or expelled from any other educational entity.

Durham Tech offers career technical programs of study leading to Associate in Applied Science degrees, diplomas, or certificates in areas of business, education, and information; health, industrial and engineering technologies; and applied and public service technologies. In addition, the college offers university transfer programs of study to obtain the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science degree. Admission to any career technical or university transfer program is available to applicants who are high school graduates or high school equivalency graduates.

The admission process for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees requires the initial application and proof of high school completion and/or transcripts of postsecondary work. If the student received an associate's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, proof of high school completion is not required. If the student is applying for Veteran's benefits, all official transcripts (high school, college, or GED) are required. Health examinations, reference forms, and other documents may also be required to participate in clinical or practical training courses in certain programs. All admission documents become the property of the college and are not to be copied for release to students or third parties.

Admission to certain health career technical programs is limited. Applicants should review the admissions steps for limited-enrollment health programs for further admissions information. These programs may require developmental and/or preparatory courses prior to admission. As such, the college emphasizes that applicants considering these programs seek career guidance. Through information sessions and counseling conferences held before admission to these programs, applicants may obtain assistance in setting realistic goals.

In addition, the college offers an Associate in General Education degree program. This program is designed for individuals wishing to broaden their education with emphasis on personal interest, growth, and development. This program is not designed as a college or university transfer program. Admission to the Associate in General Education degree program is available to applicants who are high school graduates, high school equivalency graduates, or are at least 18 years of age.

Durham Tech reserves the right to refuse admission to an applicant if it appears that this action is in the best interest of the applicant and/or the college.

Although potential students may apply any time, applicants are encouraged to complete the admission process by the priority enrollment due dates. High school students may apply early during their senior year.

Write or call the Admissions office to obtain detailed information about instructional programs or to set up an appointment to talk with a counselor:

If you are applying to a credit program, submit a completed application to the Admissions office for the semester in which you wish to enroll. Early application is recommended to allow adequate processing time and to increase the likelihood of acceptance into programs with limited enrollment.

• APPLY ONLINE
• Download the application for enrollment, which you may fill out in your web browser. Then print, sign, and mail.
• View the full list of enrollment steps.

To meet the priority enrollment due dates for each term and keep everything in order, start as early as possible. Submit your enrollment application and your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than one month prior to the due date. Submit all transcripts (high school and college) no later than two weeks prior to the due date. Then, complete placement testing and submit all remaining financial aid verification or other documents no later than the priority enrollment due date. All documents (enrollment application, FAFSA, high school and college transcripts, and all financial aid verification documents) must be received by priority enrollment due date to be eligible for priority enrollment status.

If you miss the priority enrollment due date, it may still be possible to get everything submitted in time to enroll in classes. Don’t despair. You have until the final deadlines to complete the enrollment process. However, be prepared for the reality that your enrollment process may become more complex during registration or high demand times. If you did not submit everything by the due date, you must be prepared to pay for tuition, fees, and books independently during registration. You also must have personal copies of official transcripts to use for advising and registration in addition to those officially submitted to the college.

During late registration, the college will accept online applications or Change of Major/Readmission forms up to the day before late registration for Summer Term 2013.

If your enrollment application is received by this date, it is still possible to be admitted into a program for the summer term. All additional admissions, financial aid, and transcript documentation must be received by the college for late processing by June 1.

Use the Change of Major/Readmission form if you meet one of the following conditions:

• Students who have previously applied to a degree, certificate, or diploma program who intend to change their program of study.
• Students who have previously applied to a degree, certificate, or diploma program who are returning after an extended absence.

Step 1: Submit a completed enrollment application form online. Early application is recommended to allow adequate processing time and to increase the likelihood of acceptance into programs with limited enrollment.

Step 2: Request that your official transcript from high school be sent to Durham Tech or bring in an original high school diploma (to be copied). If you have earned the GED, submit an official copy of your test scores. (Use the Durham Tech Transcript Request form).

Step 3: Request that official college transcripts be sent to Durham Tech if you desire an evaluation for transfer credit. Note: If you submit an offical transcript documenting completion of a two-year or four-year college degree, you will not be required to submit a high school transcript.

Step 4: As part of our enrollment process, if you are not a U.S. citizen or if you have attended school in another country, we must review your immigration documents to determine tuition status. Please visit the Center for the Global Learner in the White Building, room 58, to have your immigration documents verified. For additional information, call the Director of International Services at 919-536-7264, ext. 4052. This step in the enrollment process must be completed before you can take classes.

Step 5: You will receive notification via email when you are officially accepted to Durham Tech.

If you are applying for the Associate Degree Nursing, Clinical Trials Research Associate, Dental Laboratory Technology, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Opticianry, Pharmacy Technology, Practical Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, or Surgical Technology program you must complete the following admissions steps:

Step 1: Submit a completed Application for Admission online by the enrollment due date: March 15 for summer, June 15 for fall , and October 15 for spring.

Step 2: Request that your official high school transcript be sent to Durham Tech or bring in an original high school diploma to the Admissions office to be copied. If you have earned a GED, submit an official copy of your test scores. Use the Durham Tech Transcript Request form for either request.

Step 3: Request that official college transcripts be sent to Durham Tech if you desire an evaluation for transfer credit. Note: If you submit an official transcript documenting completion of a two-year or four-year college degree, you will not be required to submit a high school transcript.

Step 4: Take a placement test. One of the following tests is required for all students applying for limited-enrollment health programs regardless of previous educational experience: COMPASS, ACCUPLACER, ASSET, SAT or ACT. If you need placement testing accommodations due to a documented disability, contact a disability services counselor by emailing counseling@durhamtech.edu or calling 919-536-7207, ext.1413.

Note: COMPASS, ASSET, ACCUPLACER, SAT, and ACT scores may be used for placement within five years from the date taken. If test scores are older than five years, students must retest unless continuously enrolled. Continuously enrolled is defined as not missing three or more consecutive semesters of enrollment in classes. If you have not attended classes three or more consecutive semesters, you must reapply to the college. If you were previously enrolled in a Health Technology program but withdrew and did not attend for three or more consecutive semesters, you:

1. Must complete a new application;
2. Will be required to meet admissions criteria again to be readmitted;
3. Will be required to repeat placement tests if scores are older than five years; and
4. May be required to repeat developmental courses (See the developmental course timelines below.)

Step 5: Complete developmental education courses if required by your placement test scores.
English and Reading courses: Complete or test out of ENG 070, 080 and 090/090A and RED 070, 080, and 090; OR DRE 096, 097, and 098.
Math courses: Complete or test out of MAT 050, 060, 070; OR DMA modules 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080.

Note: Developmental courses may be used to meet the admissions requirement for Health Technologies programs if they are less than five years old. Grades from more than five years ago may be used if the you have been continuously enrolled (Wee explanation above.) If course grades are older than five years, and you have not been continuously enrolled, you must take the placement test or the course again to meet the admissions requirement.

Step 6: Complete a Clinical Training form.

Step 7: Complete the English Language Requirement form.

Step 8: If you are applying to Associate Degree Nursing, Clinical Trials Research Associate, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, or Surgical Technology, you must also complete two science prerequisites. The Durham Tech course that satisfies the biology prerequisite is BIO 111; courses that satisfy the chemistry prerequisite are CHM 094, CHM 130/130A, or CHM 151. You may also satisfy the biology and chemistry prerequisite by documenting one of the following:

• High school biology and chemistry courses (one high school unit each) that are less than 10 years old by the time a student achieves the required scores on the placement test OR completes all required developmental courses. Documented courses must be completed with a “C” (numerical value 77) or better grade;
• College (post-high school) courses in biology and chemistry. Documented courses must be completed with a “C” or better grade;
• Successful completion of CHM 130/130A; or
• An undergraduate or graduate degree in a biological science, chemistry, or allied health area.
  

Step 9: As part of our enrollment process, if you are not a U.S. citizen or if you have attended school in another country, we must review your immigration documents to determine tuition status. Please visit the Center for the Global Learner in the White Building, room 58, to have your immigration documents verified. For additional information, call the Director of International Services at 919-536-7264, ext. 4052. This step in the enrollment process must be completed before you can take classes.

Step 10: You will receive notification via email about acceptance into Durham Tech.

Note: Effective February 14, 2011, all students applying to Health Technologies program must meet the English language requirement.

Admission to associate in arts, associate in science, associate in applied science, diploma, or certificate programs requires, at minimum, proof of high school, adult high school diploma program, or a general education equivalency certificate (GED) completion. This must be an official document showing your date of graduation. You may request that your official transcript from high school be sent to Durham Tech or bring in an original high school diploma (to be copied). Students who have completed an associate's or bachelor’s degree may substitute an official college transcript, which includes your graduation date, in place of a high school transcript. If you desire transfer credit, you must request official transcripts from postsecondary institutions you have attended. In addition, if you are applying for veterans' benefits, you must have all transcripts on file in order to be certified for benefits. More information about veterans' benefits can be found in the Veterans Educational Benefits section.

All transcripts and forms required for admission become the property of Durham Technical Community College and are not to be released to students.

If you have earned the high school equivalency diploma (GED), please submit an official copy of your test scores using the Durham Tech "Request for Transcript" form. If you have earned the GED in North Carolina, you should request a transcript from

            State GED Administrator
            Department of Community Colleges
            200 W. Jones Street
            Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-1337

If you are applying to a for credit program, you may be required to take a series of placement examinations. Test results are used to help you assess your current academic skills in relation to your interests and goals. This information helps to ensure you are placed in appropriate courses.

You may review the testing schedule by visiting the placement testing schedule web page.

If you need disability accommodations for testing contact the Disability Services office at 919-536-7207.

After submitting an enrollment application and transcripts and taking the placement test (if required), you may request an appointment with an admissions counselor to discuss your proposed curriculum and career objectives.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must present documentation of your immigration status to the Center for the Global Learner, director of international services, before being admitted to a curriculum program. This is for tuition classification purposes. Several visa categories do not qualify a student for in-state residency, regardless of the length of time in North Carolina.

International students are also required to submit official translations of documents demonstrating a previous education equivalent to a high school graduation and official evaluations of any college-level course work before transfer credit can be considered.  Please see Translation and Evaluation Services for a complete list of acceptable organizations.

If you are applying for a student visa, you must come to campus for completion of requirements and placement testing before we can issue your Certificate of Eligibility (I-20). When you apply for a student visa, you must also submit evidence of financial resources adequate to support yourself throughout your educational program, including funds for health insurance coverage. Durham Technical Community College has no financial assistance available to satisfy tuition costs for students on student visas.

Complete information for international students can be found at the Center for the Global Learner web pages. If you have questions, please email Heidi White, director of international student services, at whiteh@durhamtech.edu or call 919-536-7200, ext. 4052.         

The Developmental Education program, within the Student Engagement and Transitions Department, provides an “open door” for admission to Durham Tech for students who find themselves underprepared for college-level work. Developmental Education, a preparatory program in academic skills, can help you enter your chosen curriculum with a good probability of success.

If you apply for a two-year arts, science, or technical degree; a one-year diploma program; or some certificate programs, you are required to take placement tests in reading, mathematics, and writing. If your placement test scores fall below the required minimum established by the North Carolina Community College System, you must take the indicated Developmental Education courses. These courses must be taken before, or in some cases concurrently with, designated curriculum courses.

Developmental Education courses provide opportunities for improvement in the areas of English grammar and composition, mathematics, and reading as well as enrichment in study skills and personal and career development. These courses are designed to provide you with the ability to build a firm academic foundation for success in college and beyond.