Special Admission

Adult Education

The Adult Education Programs Department offers non-credit classes for adults who want to improve basic academic skills, prepare for the General Education Development (GED) examinations, or learn English. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

1.    Applicants must be at least sixteen years of age.

2.     Individuals anticipating enrollment in any Adult Education class must submit the Adult Education Admissions/Registration Form and a Residence Statement.

Students will be assessed $30 per term regardless of the number of courses taken.

See the Adult Education section for course offerings and contact information.

Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment program provides college-level instruction to the qualified high school student and is administered in accordance with 6A-10.024, F.A.C., Articulation Between and Among Universities, Florida Colleges, and School Districts.

Eligibility criteria and enrollment procedures comply with Florida Law and State Board of Education regulations as well as the Inter-Institutional Articulation Agreements agreed upon by the school districts, eligible private schools, or eligible home education students, and Pensacola State College.

A student who achieves minimum placement scores on state-approved placement exams, meets additional eligibility requirements as stated in the Inter-Institutional Articulation Agreement, who is in grade six through twelve, and who meets the minimum grade point average requirements is eligible for admission into the Dual Enrollment program.

A Dual Enrollment student is exempt from direct payment of tuition, matriculation, and laboratory fees. A public school student participating in dual enrollment may have books provided by the high school. Each private school student is responsible for purchasing his or her own textbook(s).

Dual Enrollment students will follow the catalog requirements in effect at the time of initial enrollment in the Dual Enrollment Program and are expected to complete the initial program of study within five catalog years. A previous dual enrollment student who does not complete the catalog requirements within the five catalog years will be analyzed for graduation using the catalog requirements in effect upon readmission after the expiration of the initial effective catalog.

Admissions

The Dual Enrollment student must meet the eligibility criteria established by state rules and specified in the applicable Inter-Institutional Articulation Agreement.

The following documents must be submitted to the assigned College Advisor:

1.      Dual Enrollment Application.

2.     Dual Enrollment Approval form signed by principal or designee indicating the course(s) to be taken through Pensacola State College.

3.     Placement test scores that are not more than two years of age.

4.     The Dual Enrollment Approval form completed by the high school will be required each term of enrollment.

Each area high school is assigned a College Advisor for Dual Enrollment purposes. Any interested student should ask the guidance office at the high school for information on the dual enrollment program or may contact the College's Advising Center for information.

Non-Citizen Students (F-1 Visa Holders)

Any citizen of another country interested in obtaining the F-1 Student Visa to attend Pensacola State College should contact the Registrar’s Office and submit the International Student Application, available at www.pensacolastate.edu.

The College Registrar serves as the Designated School Official for Immigration, who handles issues related to the admissions and enrollment of international students. A member of the Pensacola Campus Advising Center serves as the advisor for F-1 visa holders and has the responsibility of advising each international student regarding his or her academic goals and assisting with special needs.

A student whose native language is not English has the benefit of enrolling in reading and writing courses to assist the student’s speaking and composition skills. These courses are available through non-credit and developmental education instruction. The international student advisor will assist the student in appropriate course placement.

International Students

Individuals who have been granted legal permanent resident status will be required to submit the same admissions documents as a United States citizen to include the establishment of residence for tuition purposes.

Individuals who plan to attend Pensacola State College while in the United States on a visa other than the F-1 Student Visa should contact the Registrar’s Office to determine eligibility. Several visa categories will permit enrollment in college courses during the temporary stay in the United States.

Undocumented aliens will be permitted to enroll at Pensacola State College but will not be able to declare a status as resident for tuition purposes. The undocumented alien will not be eligible for any financial assistance.

Individuals who will require the F-1 Student Visa, including those who are transferring the F-1 Visa from another institution to Pensacola State College, must present the documentation listed below.

Official copies of all documentation are required. International mail delays, transcript verifications, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) regulations governing the issuance of the Immigration Form I-20, consular appointments, etc., must be anticipated. The College encourages non-citizen students seeking the F-1 Student Visa to begin the application process at least four months in advance of anticipated enrollment. Required application papers and credentials include the following:

1.      International Student Application for Admission

The International Student Application is available in the admissions office or on the website at www.pensacolastate.edu.

2.     Secondary School Records

Official transcripts of secondary school records, diploma, General Certificate of Education (GCE), or Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) are required. Transcripts in languages other than English must be translated with certified translations provided. The secondary school record documents of an applicant who has completed his or her secondary education in a foreign country are evaluated in accordance with the general regulations governing admission of freshman students as well as guidelines established by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars (AACRAO) and the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA).

3.     College Transcripts   

International students who have attended colleges in the United States must have official transcripts sent to Pensacola State College. Students who have completed college-level work at institutions outside of the United States and wish to receive transfer credit will be required to seek the services of recognized credentials analyst. See Transfer Students from Other Countries.

4.     Financial Support Documentation

An official statement from the applicant’s (or sponsor’s) bank or other financial institution is required and must verify the availability of sufficient funds for tuition, matriculation, books, and living expenses. All monetary amounts must be indicated in United States dollars. If the international student will be provided funding through his or her home country’s government or some other agency, documentation verifying the availability of sufficient funds for tuition, matriculation, books, and living expenses, etc., must be submitted.

5.      Language Proficiency

For those international applicants whose native language is not English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will be required. The minimum score acceptable for admission is 500 (on the paper-based exam), 173 (on the computer-based exam), and 61 (on the internet-based exam). An official TOEFL score report must be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office; Pensacola State College’s school code for this purpose is 5535. Student copies of the TOEFL score report will not be accepted. Students who have not taken the TOEFL but have completed an English Language School (ELS) through Level 109 will be considered. An official ELS transcript must be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office from the testing agency or the institution offering the ELS program. No exceptions will be made to these requirements for language proficiency.

6.     Medical/Health Insurance

Health insurance with hospitalization coverage is required. Evidence of a health insurance policy valid in the United States and covering the period of enrollment must be documented prior to registration.

7.      The Immigration Form I-20

When all required documents and credentials are received, Pensacola State College will issue the Immigration Form I-20 recorded through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) of the United States Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The admitted international student will be responsible for establishing an appointment with the appropriate Embassy and paying any fees associated with the process to receive the F-1 Student Visa.

Non-Degree-Seeking Student

An applicant who does not wish to earn a degree or certificate from Pensacola State College and who wishes to take credit courses may not need to provide high school or college transcripts. However, an individual requesting non-degree-seeking classification and enrolling in courses having prerequisites, courses with placement testing requirements, or other admissions requirements may be required to provide evidence of prior educational course work. Pensacola State College understands that many individuals enroll in courses to upgrade employment skills or for personal interest and enjoyment. Any student requesting non-degree-seeking status will be required to submit the application and Residence Statement. The application and Residence Statement are available at any campus, any center, or at www.pensacolastate.edu/admissions.

A non-degree-seeking student will not be permitted to enroll in any college credit course unless eligibility is documented with the approved minimum placement test score or college transcripts showing show that the prerequisite for the course has been met.

A non-degree-seeking student who subsequently declares a program of study will be required to meet admissions requirements as indicated above for a degree-seeking student.

Transient Students

A student pursuing a degree at another college or university may be admitted as a transient student to transfer courses back to his or her home institution. A transient form or some other written authorization from the home institution is required indicating the specific course(s) to be taken and the home institution’s willingness to accept the credits earned. The transient form or written authorization must be submitted prior to registration. Testing requirements may be in place for the transient student.

A student whose home institution is a Florida college or university may complete the electronic transient authorization process through www.floridashines.org.

Special Student Admission (Non-graduate)

The Special Student admission classification is designed for a student enrolling in credit classes without the high school diploma or its equivalent. The Special Student must be at least 18 years of age and not currently enrolled in a K-12 program. The Special Student is permitted to accumulate 15 credit hours in this status and is encouraged to earn the GED diploma during the first term of enrollment. The GED diploma is required to continue enrollment beyond the 15th credit hour. After earning the GED diploma, the Special Student may request to change to degree-seeking status or may continue as a non-degree-seeking student.

Audit Students

A student who plans to audit a course must meet Pensacola State College admissions and course placement requirements. An audit student must declare the audit status prior to the end of the schedule adjustment period by completing an audit request form on any campus or center. A student auditing classes will be assessed the same fees as a grade-seeking student.

Senior Citizens

An individual who is 60 years-of-age or older is eligible for enrollment in any course unless the course has restricted admission, placement testing requirements, or prerequisites that have not been met. 

Transfer Students

A student is admitted as a transfer student if he or she has previously attended a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations. The transfer student must request official transcripts to be sent directly from the issuing institutions to the Admissions Office at Pensacola State College. Transcripts marked “issued to student” will not be accepted. All college transcripts must be received and evaluated by the time the transfer student registers for his or her second term of enrollment.

A transfer student with grade of C or better in a course determined to be equivalent to ENC1101C English Composition I will not be required to take the reading/writing portion of the placement test. A transfer student with a grade of C or better in a course determined to be equivalent to MAT1033C Intermediate Algebra (or a higher-level mathematics course) will not be required to take the mathematics/algebra portion of the placement test. A transfer student who does not document placement testing exemption with transfer courses and grades as indicated here will be required to take the placement test.

All credits attempted at the freshman and sophomore levels at regionally accredited institutions will be recorded as transfer credits. An accepted transfer course satisfies general education requirements for the associate degrees only if the course is essentially the same as a corresponding Pensacola State College course. Final determination of transfer credits and course equivalency is made by the College Registrar. The evaluation process is normally completed within six (6) weeks of transcript receipt, and the student will be notified by PirateMail when the evaluation is complete. Credits accepted and the manner in which those credits meet degree requirements may be viewed by the student through his or her Spyglass records (unofficial transcript and degree audit). A student admitted to a baccalaureate program will have transcripts reviewed for possible transfer of junior and senior level courses.

Remedial course work from non-Florida colleges or universities will not be accepted in lieu of placement test scores.

Grades of D or F will be accepted for transfer under the terms of the State Articulation Agreement and State Board of Education rules. Credits earned more than 20 years prior to enrollment at Pensacola State College may be subject to review as equivalent courses for transfer purposes.
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