Health Sciences Admission Procedures
Before enrolling in a specific health science program, you may take general education courses or designated major courses and meet academic standards of your selected program. A minimum grade of "C" is required on all courses within the health sciences divisions curriculum programs, including general education and program prerequisite courses. Refer to specific academic requirements and standards of the chosen health and human services program for specific program information and required GPA.
Many health sciences programs, outlined in the program descriptions, require additional application procedures. You must complete the following program-specific application procedures at the college after completing the regular college application.
Meet with a counselor to discuss additional program requirements if applicable. Some programs may require a tour at the clinical site as part of program requirements.
All health students accepted into a curriculum program must submit a complete medical history form, required immunizations/vaccines forms, criminal background investigation (CBI) check and drug screen as determined by each clinical site. Due dates to be determined by each department chair or program coordinator.
Applicants wishing to enroll in any health sciences program must submit to a criminal background investigation (CBI) check and drug screen test.
A student having a positive drug test will be administratively withdrawn from their curriculum program for one year. Upon recycling into their program, he or she will be required to have drug testing every semester until completing their program of study. The drug testing will be at the student's expense. If the student tests positive, he/she will be dismissed from their program of study and will not be allowed to enter any other health program.
Students will have a criminal background investigation (CBI) as determined by the state(s) in which he/she has resided in over the past 12 months. The criminal background investigation (CBI) check and drug screen test will be initiated after the student has been accepted into the specific curriculum program or course of study prior to beginning any clinical rotation.
The SC Board of Nursing has determined that criminal convictions for any of the following crimes should be treated as prima facie evidence that an applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage in the profession of nursing:
a) Crimes of violence (e.g., murder, manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, crimes involving the use of deadly force, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, assault and battery with intent to kill) and
b) Crimes involving the distribution of illegal drugs.
The clinical sites may determine students who have been found guilty, by a court of
law, or pled no contest (nolo contendere) to a crime, when conviction has occurred
within the last 10 years, of the following crimes are deemed unqualified to attend
clinical training. Crimes including, but not limited to the following:
a. Child or adult abuse
b. Sexual assault
c. Assault with a deadly weapon
d. Neglect
e. Mistreatment of residents, patients/clients
f. Misappropriation of resident/patient/client property
(Facilities may exercise discretion regarding convictions.) Any student unable to
attend any one of the clinical affiliates will be required to withdraw from his or
her program of study.
Felons will not be eligible for taking the certification examination unless the American Association of Medical Assistants' Certifying Board grants a waiver based on one or more mitigating circumstances listed in the disciplinary standards.
Applicants of the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Patient Care Technician, Paramedic, Surgical Technology and the Therapeutic Massage Programs must be at least 18 years of age. Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician and EMT/Paramedic Programs must be at least 18 years of age.
Pharmacy technician students are required to be registered with the S.C. Department
of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Board of Pharmacy prior to beginning clinical rotations.
This involves completing a registration application and paying a $40 fee. The application
includes the following two questions:
1) During the past five years, have you been treated for any condition, be it physical,
mental, or emotional that could impair your ability to serve as a pharmacy technician?
2) During the past five years, have you been convicted of any criminal or civil charge
(other than minor traffic ticket); is any legal action pending against you or are
you currently on probation for any charges or legal action?
If the answer is yes to either of these questions, applicants are required to attach
a full written explanation and the State Board of Pharmacy will review each situation
separately to determine if applicants will be allowed in a clinical site.
The application for taking the national certification examination from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board also states that the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam include the statement you must "have never been convicted of a felony." Therefore, students who have been convicted of a felony will not be eligible to take the national certification examination. Students who have been convicted of any criminal or civil charges (other than minor traffic ticket), have any legal action pending against them, are currently on probation for any charges or legal action, or have been treated for any condition, be it physical, mental, or emotional that could impair their ability to serve as pharmacy technician during the past five years may not be able to attend clinical rotations and could not complete the program.