Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Midland College Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Midland College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions


Admissions Student Success
Basis of Admissions Immunizations Requirements
Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Requirements  

Application for Admissions

The link below will take you to instructions on how to get started at Midland College.

Getting Started at Midland College

Admissions

Midland College has an admissions policy that ensures that all persons who can profit from post-secondary education have an opportunity to enroll. Students begin the admission process by completing an application, available online at www.applytexas.org.   Applicants may assume admission acceptance after all requirements are met. All inquiries should be addressed to the Enrollment Services Office, enroll@midland.edu. Admission to the college does not guarantee admittance to a particular course or program of study. Some selective admission programs have additional requirements.  Certain courses of study require that a background check, including criminal record history, be conducted on the applicant.  If a background check is required, the applicant will be required to sign a consent form.  If the applicant refuses to sign the consent form, or, if the results of the background check indicate the applicant is not eligible for admission, admission will not be offered to the applicant.  An applicant who is denied admission may appeal the decision in accordance with the College’s applicable grievance procedure.   Note, an applicant may be denied participation in College courses or programs in accordance with College Policy 03:08:01.  Applicants should consult with the division dean or a counselor/advisor for details concerning admission to these programs.

Basis of Admissions

Applicants are admitted based on the conditions listed below.  

High School Graduation
Graduates from accredited Texas high schools or equivalent institutions are eligible for admission. Proof of high school graduation is required and must be documented.

Official Certificate of High School Equivalency Examination
Students may be admitted upon satisfactory completion of the Official Certificate of High School Equivalency  test. Upon satisfactory completion of  an equivalency test, a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency, with the official  test scores, will be issued by the state and mailed from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in Austin. TEA is the only agency in Texas authorized to issue the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.  Once received, this document is required for admission.

Individual Approval
Individuals who are 18 years of age or older and who do not have a high school diploma or who have not passed the Official Certificate of High School Equivalency  test may be admitted without examination at the discretion of Student Services administrators. Transcripts from previous high schools attended, together with tests and other devices, may be used in lieu of high school graduation. Students admitted on individual approval without a high school diploma or who have not passed a state-approved high school equivalency  test are not eligible to receive Title IV federal financial assistance.

Transfer
Transfer students are required to provide official copies of all transcripts from every college or university previously attended. As transcripts are received for degree-seeking students, they are evaluated in the Registrar’s Office.   A copy of that evaluation is sent to the student at the address recorded in the student files. Continued enrollment is contingent on receipt of all official transcripts.  Transcripts should be sent electronically, institution to institution, via EDI or SPEEDE if that service is available.

Transient Enrollment
Transient students are non-degree seeking students who are enrolled in another college or university and who are not eligible for grants, loans, or work-study. Transient students are required to provide official copies of all transcripts from every college or university previously attended.

Early Admissions
Midland College will consider high school students between the ages of 16 to 18 on the basis of individual merit with school district and parental permission. The Early Admission Parental Permission Form can be obtained at the Enrollment Services Office or the Enrollment Services website.

Dual Credit and Early College High School

Midland College has entered into agreements with certain school districts that allow high school students to earn both high school and college credit for selected courses.

Admission and registration requirements include submission of an application for admission, Parent/Student Agreement form and meeting the appropriate Texas Success Initiative testing requirements.  Students may take the TSI Assessment test to meet requirements or may provide proof of exemption or waiver.  Testing instruments for exemption or waiver include:  STAAR EOC, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PLAN or ACT-Aspire.  Students who enroll in workforce education Level 1 certificate programs of study are TSI exempt. 

For more information, students should contact their high school counselor. The Midland College website has complete information on the Dual Credit registration process.

Home School
Home-schooled high school students seeking admission as regular students are required to:

  • be at least 16 years of age and be classified as a junior or senior level student;
  • complete the Apply Texas application at www.applytexas.org;
  • provide an Early Admission Permission Form signed by the parent;
  • comply with all Texas Success Initiative testing requirements and Midland College placement testing requirements; and
  • provide an official transcript which must meet all Texas Education Agency (TEA) standards.

Early College High School
Midland College, in partnership with Midland Independent School District, offers an early college high school. The high school starts with the 9th grade and is housed on the Midland College campus. Students begin taking dual credit courses in the second semester of their freshman year. Students must be eligible for dual credit and are selected through a process determined by the Midland Independent School District.

International Students
International students are welcome at Midland College. Admission is contingent upon the evaluation of the following and upon Midland College’s ability to serve the individual’s needs. Students from other countries must submit:

  1. an application for admission;
  2. a high school transcript (The student must be the equivalent of a United States high school graduate and the transcript must be translated into English and must show each course and the grade earned.) Note:  Evaluation by a credentials evaluation agency may be required.
  3. transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, Note:  Evaluation by a credentials evaluation agency may be required.
  4. demonstrated proficiency of the English language. Below are some acceptable tests and cut off scores that a student from a non-English speaking country can use:
    • TOEFL 61 on the internet based test
    • IELTS 6
    • TSI Assessment with the following scores:  Reading 346 and Writing-essay score of 5 or essay score of 4 and multiple choice score of 363
    • SAT 480 on the Critical Reading Test prior to March 5, 2016; after March 5, 2016, EBRW 480
    • ACT 19 on the English test
    • CLEP 50 with essay on the English test
    • International Baccalaureate Program 4 on the English A1 Higher Level (HL) exam
      When receiving borderline scores, the Director of Counseling may select a panel of Midland College employees to further evaluate English proficiency based on interview conversations, transcripts showing English instruction, other English proficiency tests or writing samples.
  5. proof of financial responsibility.
  6. proof of insurance policy covering repatriation and medical evacuation. 

It is strongly suggested that students coming from non- English speaking countries take an ESL course their first semester at Midland College.  International students must abide by Midland College rules as well as additional federal and state guidelines.

For further admission information go here International Students.

Academic Fresh Start
Residents of Texas who seek admission to a state college or university have the option of electing to have course work taken ten or more years prior to enrollment count as usual or to be ignored for admission purposes. Students electing to have course work ignored may not receive credit for any courses taken ten or more years prior to enrollment. Those hours ignored can be used as a basis for exemption from the Texas Success Initiative.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Requirements

For further information on TSI and free tutoring for the test please visit Testing Center.
 
Prior to enrollment, Texas public institutions of higher education are required to assess all non-exempt first-time degree seeking college students under the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) using the TSI Assessment.

A student not exempt from TSI (see below for exemptions) or developmental education must enroll in developmental classes for each area of TSI deficiency and continue until the sequence is completed.  A student must continue in developmental education until all TSI requirements are met. Enrollment in developmental coursework is not mandatory for winter interim, spring interim and summer sessions.  Successful completion, as defined by institutional requirements of each developmental course, allows the student to move to the next course. Students may re-take the TSI Assessment at any time to attempt to satisfy TSI requirements.  Midland College requires that students who fail two or more areas of the TSI assessment be enrolled in a Student Success PREP Course during their first semester and pass with a “C” or better. 

Exemptions/Exceptions to Texas Success Initiative Requirements
The Testing Center website also contains information about TSI exemptions and exceptions.

Students who meet one of the following conditions are exempt from TSI requirements and are allowed to enroll in any entry-level freshman course:

  1. For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who is tested and performs at or above the following standards:
    • ACT tests with a composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on the English test and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections.
    • SAT tests with a combined with critical reading (formerly “verbal”) and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal test and/or the mathematics test shall be exempt for those corresponding sections.
    • TAKS: For a period of five (5) years from the date of testing, a student who tests and performs on the Eleventh grade exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with a minimum scale score of 2200 on the math section and/or a minimum score of 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a writing subsection score of at least 3 shall be exempt from the assessment for the corresponding sections.
    • STAAR end-of-course (EOC) Testing with a minimum score of Level 2 on the English III shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment required under this title for both reading and writing, and a minimum score of Level 2 on the Algebra II EOC shall be exempt from the TSI Assessment required under this title for the mathematics section. 
  2. A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
  3. A student who transfers to Midland College from other accredited institutions of higher education with appropriate college-level work in the areas of writing, reading and/or mathematics (grades of “C” or higher) or has completed higher level course work for which these areas of proficiency are required pre-requisites for that course may be deemed college-ready after review by the Registrar’s Office. Students not meeting college-readiness in writing, reading or mathematics will be required to take the TSI Assessment for that area.
  4. A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.  For students meeting non-Algebra intensive readiness standards in mathematics as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regulations, institutions may choose to require additional preparatory coursework/interventions for Algebra intensive courses, including MATH 1314 , MATH 1324 , MATH 1414  (or their local equivalent).
  5. A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less.
  6. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment. Written documentation from the appropriate branch of the military is required for the exemption to be granted.
  7. A student who on or after August 1, 1990 was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. Written documentation (DD-214) is required before the exemption will be granted.
  8. A student who successfully completes a college preparatory course under Texas Education Code §28.014 is exempt for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of high school graduation with respect to the content area of the course. This exemption applies only at the institution of higher education that partners with the school district in which the student is enrolled to provide the course. Additionally, an institution of higher education may enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with a partnering institution of higher education to accept the exemption for the college preparatory course.
  9. A casual/enrichment student who is taking courses for personal interest only, and who is not seeking a degree or certificate will be allowed to defer developmental course work and may enroll under the following conditions: (a) take a maximum of two courses per semester that are not academically restricted courses; (b) may not declare a major; and (c) may not receive financial aid. Consult with a Midland College counselor/ advisor for a list of academically restricted courses.
  10. A student who has demonstrated limited English proficiency may be granted a temporary waiver in order to provide appropriate ESOL/ESL coursework and interventions.  This waiver is only valid until the student has attempted 15 credit hours of developmental ESOL coursework or prior to enrolling in entry-level freshman coursework, whichever comes first.

Student Success

Midland College wants all students to be successful in their academic course work. 

  • All entering freshmen with less than 12 college credit hours will be required to take EDUC 1100 .  (Dual credit hours do not count towards the 12 hours.)  The course is designed to help freshmen adjust to college and to become effective learners.  EDUC 1100 is for students who do not have a TSI hold in reading or who do not place into the lowest level of developmental education. For more information, please visit the Midland College Student Success website.
  • Entering freshmen who place into an intensive reading and writing class, or in the lowest level of developmental math are required to take PREP 0370 . The  course  is  designed  to  introduce  specific  strategies that  will  assist  a  college  student  to prepare  for  college classes, determine educational goals, and identify personal strengths  in  learning  and  career interests. Please refer to the Midland College Testing Center website for more information.

 

Immunizations Requirements

Bacterial Meningitis
Texas State Law SB 1107 mandates that all entering students under the age of 22 provide a certificate signed by a health care provider or an official immunization record verifying that the student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years prior to registration and at least 10 days before the first day of the semester. Bacterial meningitis vaccinations and boosters must be administered by a health practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.  Entering students include those entering college for the first time, transfer students from other colleges, and returning or continuing students who have had a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.

The law allows exceptions for:

  • Students 22 years of age or older.
  • Students who are enrolled only in online or other distance learning courses.
  • Students who submit an affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States in which it is stated that in the physician’s opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.
  • Students who submit an online form available at the Texas DSHS website  stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including religious belief.   After entering all the requested information, students print the form, sign and date it, and submit the form when registering for courses. Several weeks should be allowed following submission to have the form approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Students are advised to check with their health insurance company regarding reimbursement policies for the vaccination. The bacterial meningitis vaccination is available at pharmacies, and the local public health department will provide vaccinations for uninsured and underinsured individuals.

Students who fail to submit certified proof of vaccination or a valid booster within the required time-frame will be unable to attend classes and will be dropped.

Please see Steps to Enroll for more information.

Other Immunization Requirements
Midland College students enrolled in certain health science programs and for those who live in on-campus housing may be required to show proof of other immunizations against communicable diseases. Students should contact the Health Sciences dean or the Student Life Director (432) 685-4781 for additional information.