Admissions

This office is responsible for admission of all new or transfer students, student recruitment activities, and student orientations.

Admissions Policy

Kirtland Community College adheres to the “open door” policy of granting general admission primarily to all persons above the twelfth-grade age level. Depending upon the applicant’s situation, either “regular” or “special” admission status will be granted. The link to apply at Kirtland: http://www.kirtland.edu/admissions.

Regular Admission

Regular admission will be granted to high school graduates and successful completers of the General Education Development (GED) test.

International students may be granted regular admission provided they meet the admissions requirements as determined by the designated school official (DSO). The International student application and requirements are located at: http://www.kirtland.edu/admissions/admission-process-for-international-students

Special Admission

Special admission will be granted to anyone who does not qualify for general admission. Persons admitted under this category will be restricted to non-degree/certificate-seeking status. The special admission category includes the following two groups:

1. Dual-Enrolled Student: a K-12 student who is also attending college. Dual-enrolled students are required to submit a Dual Enrollment form for each semester or session of enrollment. All dual-enrolled students must have written authorization to attend Kirtland from their school’s principal or counselor. Dual enrollees must also take Kirtland’s Placement Tests.
2. Non-High-School Completer: is a person who has withdrawn from high school and has not earned a GED certificate.
3. High school Certificate of Completion: is a person who completed high school but did not meet the curriculum requirements to receive a diploma.

Any person who desires either special or regular admission to Kirtland must complete an Application for Admission form and Kirtland’s Placement Tests or submit qualifying ACT or SAT scores. All students under the age of 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent.

Students being granted regular admission must provide one of the following: (1) a high school transcript (with graduation date indicated), or (2) an official report of GED test results, verified by the college, showing test scores achieved by the applicant.

Admission of Home Schooled Students

Most students attending college have earned a diploma from a public or private high school. Some students, however, have completed their high-school-level studies through a home school program. Parents of home schooled children are encouraged to register their program with the State of Michigan’s Department of Education.

When a student attends a public or private high school, an official transcript (list of courses completed and grades earned by a student) is kept by the high school and made available to colleges upon a student’s written request. In lieu of an official transcript, home schooled students are expected to provide a list of high-school-level courses completed and the grades earned in each course. If a home school diploma was awarded, a copy should also be sent to Kirtland’s Admissions Office.

The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) requires that criminal justice students complete a GED or a high school or adult education diploma, in addition to their home school diploma, in order to become certified.

New Student Orientation

New students, both new to the college experience or transferring from another college, as well as returning students prior to May 2012, are required to attend a mandatory orientation. During orientation, students will receive an overview of the many services Kirtland has to offer to ensure their success in college. Please call the Admission Office (989) 275-5000 ext. 284 for more information.

Additional admissions requirements must be met by those students planning to enroll in one of the following programs of study:

• Cardiac Sonography
• Health Information Technology
• Medical Assistant
• Nursing
• Phlebotomy
• Police Academy
• Surgical Technology

Additional information about admissions requirements may be requested from an advisor or from the Admissions Office.

This admission policy will also be applied to returning students, regardless of their past admission status.

Transfer of Credits

Students who have attended other colleges must request that an official copy of their academic transcript be sent to Kirtland Community College for evaluation. An official transcript should be mailed directly to Kirtland from each college attended; student copies are not accepted. Credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities is automatically considered for transfer if deemed to be applicable to the student’s declared program of study. Credits only, not grades, are transferred for courses in which a “C” or better grade has been earned. Students who were awarded credit by departmental exam may be required to pass a Kirtland examination prior to the awarding of credit. Normally, a “C-” grade will not be accepted for credit, but students may appeal to the vice president of instruction if consideration is sought for a course previously denied for transfer based on the grade received. The vice president of instruction will then consider the student’s GPA and hours earned at the previous institution as well as the GPA and hours earned at Kirtland (if applicable) when making a determination. Acceptance of the grade is at the instructional vice president’s discretion, and his/her decision is final. If elective credits are awarded, it is possible that some may be able to be used to fulfill degree requirements. A student’s academic advisor will make that determination and complete the paperwork needed to substitute the elective course for a specific program requirement.

Non-Regionally Accredited Colleges and Universities

Credit may be given for courses transferred from non-regionally accredited colleges and universities. The policy is the same as described above for “Transfer of Credit from Regionally Accredited Colleges and Universities,” with the following exceptions:

1. The Registrar’s Office may choose to request a recommendation of transfer credit for the transcript in question from the academic advisor for the program in which the student has enrolled.
2. The student may be requested to demonstrate knowledge and/or skills commensurate with the performance required for satisfactory completion of existing courses.
3. Credit may not be granted.

Other Transfer Credits

Kirtland Community College recognizes the following opportunities for awarding transfer credits:

1. College Board Advanced Placement Program (AP)
   College course credit will be granted to students who participate in the AP and pass the Advanced Placement examinations with a score of three, four, or five. Students must submit a College Action Report to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation.

2. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
   College course credit will be granted to students who take a CLEP Examination and achieve the minimum passing score as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students must submit an official CLEP transcript to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation. Additional information regarding CLEP testing is available at www.kirtland.edu/testing-center.
3. DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)
   College course credit will be granted to students who participate in the DSSTs and achieve the minimum passing score as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students must submit an official transcript to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation. Additional information regarding DSST testing is available at www.kirtland.edu/testing-center.
4. Educational Experiences in the Armed Services
   Veterans may be awarded college credit for the service schools they attended and their work experience while in the U.S. military. The college awards credit based on recommendations provided by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students must have their official transcripts sent to the Admissions Office for evaluation of military credit. Transcript request forms are available in the Admissions Office.
5. United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) Program
   College course credit will be granted to students who participated in the USAFI Program and achieved the minimum passing score as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Students must submit an official transcript to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation.
6. Articulation
   Secondary articulation provides high school students with an opportunity to earn college credit for work completed in their high school or tech center CTE programs. Through articulation agreements between Kirtland, the Michigan Department of Education, high schools and career centers, students are able to apply for college credit after completing a state approved program.
   
   College policies concerning the transferability of articulated credit vary. Students should check with the college to which they plan to transfer to determine if the articulated credit will be accepted by that college.

Applying for Articulation Credit:

If your school has an articulation agreement with Kirtland, contact your teacher or counselor to assist you with the application process.

• Students have two years from the date of their high school graduation to apply for articulated credit at Kirtland.
• Complete the free application for admission to Kirtland.
• Go to http://www.kirtland.edu/registrar/high-school-articulation-credit to access all of the articulation agreements and applications available.
• Complete the Application for Articulation credit and include all of the required documentation, including official high school transcripts, and send it to Kirtland Community College’s Registrar’s Office.
• The Registrar’s Office will send an email to the student’s Kirtland email account explaining whether or not credit was awarded.

For further information, students should consult with their high school counselor or contact the Student Services Office.

CLEP/DSST

CLEP and DSST examinations are a great way to earn college credit. Students can learn more about these exams and schedule testing dates by going to http://www.kirtland.edu/testing-center. There are links available under the heading entitled “CLEP and DSST Exams”. A form with CLEP and DSST exam names, their minimum scores, and Kirtland equivalencies are also available to view.

Kirtland Community College
CLEP Credit Information

Kirtland Community College
DSST Credit Information

Credit for Prior Learning

Note: Kirtland does not guarantee the credits awarded through Prior Learning Credit will transfer to other institutions. All institutions reserve the right to review credits to determine how awarded credits apply to their own institution.

Criteria: A student must have a Kirtland application on file, have earned at least one credit hour at Kirtland, be in good academic standing, and be actively seeking a certificate or a degree to be eligible for prior learning credit options. Prior learning credit may be specific course credit or an elective credit in a specific area. Program requirements should be reviewed to determine how prior learning credits will apply towards graduation. These credits cannot be applied toward satisfying minimum residency requirements for graduation. A credit grade (CR) will be awarded for proficiency exams and for portfolios evaluated at a 2.0 or better grade level. A maximum number of 15 credits can be awarded through CLEP/DSST, AP, departmental exams, and portfolio options. This does not apply to credit earned by licensure.

Ways to earn Prior Learning Credit:

CLEP, DSST, and AP are recommended methods for general education courses:

• Credit by examination.
  • CLEP/DSST: Students will go to www.kirtland.edu/testing-center and scroll down to the headings CLEP Exams and DSST Exams. Under each section, there is general information about each test and a list of how these exams transfer into Kirtland. There is also an Exam Registration link that lists dates and times when testing is available. There is a $20 administrative fee for each exam, which will be paid to the Student Financial Services office. There is also a fee set by CLEP and DSST, which will be paid to them directly via credit card when the student comes in to take the exam. Students can then request their CLEP or DSST transcripts to be sent to the Kirtland Registrar’s office in order to be evaluated for college credit.
  • Advanced Placement (AP): Advanced Placement is a program of The College Board through which a secondary student completes college-level courses that are designated as AP in high schools. Students can take AP examinations, which are scored on a 5-point scale. A minimum score of 3 is considered passing and required for transfer of most courses. The student must arrange for an official report of AP examination scores to be sent to the Kirtland Registrar’s Office in order to be evaluated for college credit.          
  • Departmental exam (For occupational programs/classes only): If a nationally recognized standardized test is not available, the student will contact the Dean or Director of his/her program to see if an exam is available. If so, the student will complete and submit an Application for Credit by Departmental Exam, return it to the Dean, and the Dean will then contact the appropriate instructor. This instructor will then approve or disapprove the student’s request. If approved, a test will be prepared and testing will be scheduled. There is a $60 fee for each test administered and a flat rate of $100 for posting credit. This must be paid to the Student Financial Services department. The instructor will grade the test, attach it to the Evaluation of Prior Learning form, and send it to the Registrar’s office indicating approval or disapproval of credit. The student will be notified of the final recommendation by the Registrar’s Office. (Note: If a student failed, withdrew, or did not meet a placement test requirement, the student will not be allowed to take an exam for that particular class).

Recommended methods for vocational courses:

• Possession of licensure. The student will meet with their academic advisor. If licensure of educational attainment is applicable to the student’s program of study, the advisor will fill out an Evaluation of Prior Learning form and indicate what course(s) the student is petitioning credit for. A copy of their current state license should be attached. This information will be placed in the student’s academic record. There is not an administrative or posting fee required for students obtaining credit via licensure (Example: LPN, EMT, and cosmetology licensure).
• Portfolio assessment (For occupational programs/classes only). The student will meet with their academic advisor to discuss and provide evidence of their work experience, and the advisor will determine if this is a viable option for the student. If recommended, the student and Dean must sign the Portfolio Assessment Fee and Contract and pay the $60 assessment fee for each portfolio submitted. The student will then compile a portfolio demonstrating competencies in the course(s) in which they are attempting to obtain credit.

Portfolio contents should be ordered in the following manner:

• Cover page with name, date, program of study, and ID number of the student
• Resume
• Copies of college transcripts from all institutions attended
• Credit requested based on Professional Schools & Training should include the following for each course(s) for which credit is being petitioned:
  • Professional Schools and Training Worksheet
  • Essay with examples explaining how previous experiences directly meet learning outcomes for that particular course
  • Certificates, copies of licenses, or other relevant documentation

Portfolios should be compiled and placed in a side-bound 8.5 x 11 inch 3-ring binder. Everything should be organized and presented in a professional manner. Because all portfolios become the property of Kirtland Community College, students are encouraged to make a copy of the portfolio for themselves and to only put copies (not originals) of certificates into the portfolio which is submitted for evaluation. The student will submit their completed portfolio to the appropriate faculty member for review. The faculty member will then fill out the Evaluation of Prior Learning form indicating approval or disapproval of credit and bring that form with the portfolio to the Registrar’s office. The portfolios will be stored in the Registrar’s Office.

If credit is approved, the student will need to pay a $100 posting fee to Student Financial Services, and the Registrar’s Office will post the recommended credit.