Admissions Policies


Admissions Philosophy

East Central College welcomes students to enroll in credit and non-credit classes without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a specific academic program, as some programs have additional admission requirements, such as prerequisites, cumulative grade point averages, and/or test scores. (Board Policy 3.1)

 

Student Classifications

  • Degree or Certificate-Seeking Student
    • A post-secondary student enrolled for credit coursework with the intention of completing a college degree or certificate. Degree or certificate-seeking students are eligible for financial aid.
  • Visiting
    • A degree-seeking student from another college or university who attends ECC for one semester or for summer sessions only. Visiting students are not eligible for financial aid at ECC.
  • Non-Degree or Non-Certificate-Seeking
    • A student enrolled for credit coursework who does not plan to receive a college degree or certificate. Non-degree or Non-certificate-seeking students are not eligible for financial aid and are limited to earning a maximum of 15 credit hours. Students with a bachelor’s degree or higher are exempt from the 15 credit hour maximum with verification of the degree.
  • Dual Credit
    • A current high school student enrolling in ECC coursework at their high school or through a career center. Dual credit is taught at the high school by a high school instructor or an ECC faculty member. Credit is earned for both high school and college simultaneously. Dual credit students are not eligible for financial aid.
  • Dual Enrollment
    • A current high school student who is concurrently enrolled at their high school and ECC. Dual enrollment coursework is taught on an ECC campus and the student may or may not receive credit at the high school for course completion. Dual enrollment students have not earned a high school diploma, a GED/HSE certificate, or a home school certificate and are not eligible for financial aid.
  • Non-Credit Adult Education
    • A student enrolled in the adult education program to complete the high school equivalency exam or prepare for college placement tests. Non-credit students are not eligible for financial aid.

 

Photo Identification

A valid photo ID is required at the Student Service Center and the Testing Center. Acceptable forms of ID include current Driver’s License, State ID/NonDrivers License, Permit, Military ID, Passport, or ECC Student ID Card. Please Note: The Student Service Center will issue an ECC Student ID card after a student has shown proof of acceptable ID and has registered for courses.

 

Placement Testing

To be admitted, all students are required to complete an assessment of basic reading, writing, and mathematics for placement in appropriate course levels. This can be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

  • Official transcripts from accredited colleges indicate successful completion of college-level reading, English composition, and mathematics courses.
  • Valid standardized test scores meeting minimum requirements
  • Minimum valid high school GPA
  • If a student has not completed previous college credit, chooses not to submit previously completed test scores, or takes the placement test, the student will automatically be placed in the entry-level developmental courses in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.

Once a student starts coursework in English and mathematics, at any level, they are unable to take or use a placement test to increase their course placement. If a student leaves East Central College and completes course credit at another institution, they may transfer it in. These credits will be evaluated to determine course placement.

 

Program Admission

East Central College maintains an open-door admission policy for high school graduates and other prospective students over the age of 16 who have obtained a high school equivalency (HSE). Please understand that admission to ECC itself does not guarantee admission into all academic programs.

 

Residency Status

Tuition costs are based, in part, on whether or not the student is a resident of the ECC taxing district. The East Central College District is comprised of the following school districts: Washington, Union R-11, St. Clair R-13, Sullivan C-2, New Haven, Crawford County R-I (Bourbon), Franklin County R-2, Lonedell R-14, Strain-Japan R-16, and Spring Bluff R-15. Only residents of the district are eligible for the in-district rate of tuition.

A resident of the ECC district is:

  1. a dependent student whose parents or legal guardians have established residence within the district; or
  2. an independent student (adult student or emancipated minor) who has established residence within the district prior to enrollment in the college.

A student may be required to submit proof of his or her legal residence. In order to change your resident status, a student must contact the Student Service Center and provide the additional required documentation prior to the beginning of the semester. For more information, please refer to the policy. For questions regarding residency, please contact 636.584.6555.

 

Returning Students

Former East Central College students are no longer considered active when they are not continuously enrolled in coursework at ECC. Returning students must reapply for admission. If the student has completed coursework at another institution since leaving ECC, they are required to submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.

 

Tuberculosis (TB) Testing

Effective October 2013, Missouri Senate Bill 197 requires new students attending any college or university in the State of Missouri to be screened for Tuberculosis (TB). The screening must follow the Centers for Disease Control protocols that screen individuals based on their time outside the United States, their possible exposure to TB, or those individuals who are more at risk for coming in contact with someone who has TB. A series of questions are asked on the Application for Admission that will assist an applicant with whether or not they will need to provide test results. Applicants who have latent TB should provide documentation of a chest x-ray, in lieu of a skin test. As long as the applicant is not displaying symptoms, there is not an expiration date on chest x-ray results.

 

Felony Convictions

East Central College is committed to providing access to higher education and is an open enrollment college. We want every student and member of our campus community to have a positive experience in a safe environment. So they can reach their fullest potential.

As part of the Admissions process, applicants are asked two questions about their criminal history. Applicants are required to self-report whether they have any prior felony convictions.

Having a criminal background does not automatically disqualify you from attending East Central College. However, there is a process students must follow.

Procedures:

  • Apply for admissions using the appropriate application (New, Transfer, Returning, Guest, or International). Along with your application, you will need to submit a Personal Statement Form. This form asks you to list your felony convictions, a statement regarding the positive changes you have made since your conviction, and a declaration of your academic and career goals. Additionally, if you are currently on probation or parole, you are required to list your probation or parole officer.
  • Submit a certified criminal background check. If the criminal record extends beyond the state of Missouri, it is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain a certified background check from each state. The student is responsible for the costs associated with the background check.
  • After the supplemental application and the background check is submitted, the documents will be reviewed by the member of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). The BIT will determine if the applicant should be admitted or be required to interview with members of the BIT.
  • If an applicant is required to participate in an interview, the applicant will receive notification from the College of the time, date, and location for the interview.

Additional Notes:

Please note applicants can be admitted, admitted with conditions, deferred, or denied.

Upon pleading guilty to or being convicted of a felony, an admitted student is required to notify the Vice President of Student Development in writing. The student will then be required to meet with a BIT panel. The panel will make a recommendation on whether enrollment should continue.

Failure to disclose required and accurate information may result in separation from the College, including invalidation of application, immediate suspension from the College, and/or dismissal.

Read Board Policy 3.3 here.