5.01 – Admission
A. Purpose
To establish the requirements for admission to the college.
B. Policy
The college will maintain an open admission process for students seeking education and training.
C. Procedures
All students are required to complete an application for admission. Additional documents may be required depending on the student type. The Ozarks Technical Community College (Ozarks Tech) application for admission and admission checklists are available on the Admissions webpages. A full description of current registration procedures and resources including withdrawal, administrative withdrawal, wait-listing and self-placement, can be accessed on the office of the registrar webpages.
Minimum Age Requirement
Students must be 16 years of age or older at the time classes begin. Exceptions to the minimum age requirement may be made by designated college administrators on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Admission
Admission to Ozarks Tech does not guarantee enrollment in any specific course or program. Courses, programs or divisions may have size limitations, prerequisite/co-requisite requirements or other rules regulating enrollment. Additionally, selective admission programs have a limited number of openings each year and have specific entry-level admission requirements that must be met prior to selection for admission to the program. Such prerequisites may include a pre-screening drug test. The process and procedures for a pre-screening drug test are governed by policy 5.37 Drug and Alcohol Prevention.
Readmission
Previously admitted students who have not enrolled in classes in 12 consecutive months are required to complete a new application for admission.
Readmission of Service Members
In compliance with Department of Defense regulations, the college will promptly readmit service members who left due to uniformed service, returning them to the same academic status as when they last attended or were admitted. For selective or sequenced programs, readmission will be to the next available class in the program. Service members must notify the office of the registrar of their intent to reenroll.
Denied Enrollment
The college reserves the right to deny or limit enrollment or reenrollment to any individual. Reasons for denial may include but are not limited to: violations of the college standards of student conduct, suspension or expulsion from the college, or enrollment that poses a threat to the safety of the college community. Any decision to deny or limit enrollment will follow established due process procedures, as specified in policy 5.15 Standards of Student Conduct and policy 5.16 Student Discipline and Appeals.
Anti-Discrimination Statement
Ozarks Tech is committed to providing equal opportunities for all persons and does not discriminate or retaliate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, citizenship or legal immigration status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by federal, state and local laws (“protected status”). This extends to admissions, employment, services, and educational programs and activities that the college operates (collectively “programs and activities”).
D. Definitions
College community are students, faculty, and staff of the college, the Board of Trustees, visitors, contractors and consultants performing work or services on college owned or leased properties, and all other invitees of the college.
Due process is the fair and consistent application of college policies and procedures when making decisions that affect a student’s rights or status. It ensures students are informed of concerns, given an opportunity to respond, provided access to appeal procedures, and treated equitably throughout the process.
Open admission is non-competitive admission. Applicants are not required to meet additional qualifications or performance benchmarks.
Student type is the classification used during the admissions process to identify the applicant’s relationship with the college based on their educational background or enrollment purpose. Student type guides appropriate admission steps, documentation, and course eligibility. Common student types include but are not limited to first time, readmit, transfer, visiting, international, dual credit, and early start.
E. Authority
This policy and these procedures are maintained under the authority of the executive vice chancellor for institutional and student success.
F. Related Policies
3.01 Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination
4.06 Sexual Harassment and Grievance Procedures
5.15 Standards of Student Conduct
5.16 Student Discipline and Appeals
5.37 Drug and Alcohol Prevention
G. Implementation
Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees. Revised 12/10/01, 2/22/11, 08/08/22.
Purpose, procedures and definitions approved and adopted by the Cabinet on 1/25/11. Revised 10/06/15, 05/17/2022, 09/30/2025.
Set for review 2028-2029.