Diploma Curricula

The Diploma Programs are designed to train people for entrance into skilled occupations. These programs may range in length from three to six semesters of study, depending upon the desired level of skill and proficiency required. Diplomas are awarded for completion of these programs. These curricula include courses in communications skills and mathematics directly related to the occupational goals.

A high school diploma or the recognized equivalent is the normal admission requirement; however, an exception may be made for the applicant who demonstrates the ability and motivation to enter the curriculum.

If a person interested in enrolling in a curriculum lacks some required academic skills, he/she may enroll in developmental courses which are designed to allow the student to achieve the proficiency required by the curriculum. Each of the curricula offered is described in the following pages.

*Note: Each Diploma program consists of a minimum of six credit hours of general education.

Automotive Systems Technology

Cosmetology

Dialysis Technology

Diesel (Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology)

Electrical/Electronics Technology

Heavy Equipment Operator

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Practical Nursing Education

Surgical Technology

Welding Technology

Automotive Systems Technology - Code D60160

The Automotive Systems Technology curriculum prepares individuals for employment as Automotive Service Technicians. It provides an introduction to automotive careers and increases student awareness of the challenges associated with this fast and ever-changing field.

Classroom and lab experiences integrate technical and academic coursework. Emphasis is placed on theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control and manual drive trains.

Upon completion of this curriculum, students should be prepared to take the ASE exam and be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive service industry.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

Cosmetology - Code D55140

The Cosmetology curriculum is designed to provide competency-based knowledge, scientific/artistic principles, and hands-on fundamentals associated with the cosmetology industry. The curriculum provides a simulated salon environment, which enables students to develop manipulative skills.

Coursework includes instruction in all phases of professional imaging, hair design, chemical processes, skin care, nail care, multicultural practices, business/computer principles, product knowledge and other selected topics.

Graduates should qualify to sit for the State Board of Cosmetic Arts examination. Upon successfully passing the State Board exam, graduates will be issued a license. Employment is available in beauty salons and related businesses.

Notes:

1. All Cosmetology courses are taken off campus at Mitchell's Academy. All general education courses are taken on the College campus.
2. Students may continue to attend class at Mitchell's Academy during the College's semester breaks and holidays in order to provide services at the Academy during that time.
3. Students will abide by the grading policy set forth by Mitchell's Academy for all courses designated by the COS prefix. The Academy will provide the grading scale in their course syllabi.
4. Students who begin their studies other than during the fall semester may follow a revised course listing by semester.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

Dialysis Technology - Code D45300

The Dialysis Technology curriculum provides individuals with the theoretical/clinical skills to care for patients/clients being treated for acute/chronic renal diseases.

Students will care for patients/clients undergoing dialysis and will maintain dialysis equipment.

Graduates of this program may be eligible to take the Certification Examination for Nephrology Technicians following one year of work experience. Employment opportunities include hospitals, renal dialysis facilities, and clinics.

Notes:

1. Student must have completed RED 090 and CIS 070.
2. Dialysis Technology students are required to have a current (one year) CPR certification for adult, infant and child with choking maneuver.
3. Clinicals in this program begin at 6 a.m., two days a week and are subject to change based on patient and facility scheduling.
4. The following items must be completed and on file prior to the first day of class of the fall semester:
   1. Approved health form within the last six months (after March 1).
   2. TB skin test (current within one year) and must remain current.
   3. CPR card (current within one year) and must remain current.
   4. Malpractice insurance through school required to be purchased fall semester.
   5. Hepatitis B required with physical.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

**Note: May be substituted with ENG 111.

Diesel (Heavy Equipment & Transport Technology) - Code D60240

The Diesel (Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology) curriculum is designed to prepare individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to service, troubleshoot, and repair medium and heavy duty vehicles.

The course work includes the purpose, construction features and principles of operation of medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

Graduates of the curriculum should qualify for entry-level employment opportunities in a dealership, fleet shop, or independent garage as a technician. Graduates who have met the work experience requirement should also be prepared to take the ASE certification exam.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

Electrical/Electronics Technology - Code D35220

The Electrical/Electronics Technology curriculum is designed to provide training for persons interested in installation and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

Training, most of which is hands-on, will include such topics as AC/DC theory, basic wiring practices, electronics, programmable logic controllers, industrial motor controls, application of the National Electrical Code, and other subjects as local needs require.

Graduates should qualify for a variety of jobs in the electrical/electronics field as an on-the-job trainee or apprentice, assisting in the layout, installation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

Heavy Equipment Operator - Code D35240

The Heavy Equipment Operator curriculum prepares students to efficiently operate heavy equipment such as dozers, loaders, and graders and to perform basic preventive maintenance on most types of heavy equipment.

Coursework includes training in earth-moving equipment. Earth-moving courses provide instruction in the operation of crawler tractors, front-end loaders, backhoe loader combination, hydraulic excavators & motor graders.

Due to industry needs, instruction in self-propelling scrapers and cranes is not available at this time.

Graduates of this program may find employment with state and local government agencies and private contractors engaged in highway or other construction activities.

Fall Semester

Choose one HEO course

Spring Semester

Choose one HEO course

Summer Semester

Choose one HEO course

Note: If HEO 105 (Motor Grader I) is chosen, HEO 106 (Motor Grader II) must also be selected as the remaining course in the major.

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

Mechanical Engineering Technology - Code D40320

The Mechanical Engineering Technology diploma program prepares graduates for employment as technicians in the diversified mechanical and manufacturing engineering fields. Mechanical Engineering technicians assist in design, development, testing, process design and improvement, and troubleshooting and repair of engineered systems. Emphasis is placed on the integration of theory and hands-on application of engineering principles.

In addition to coursework in engineering graphics, engineering fundamentals, materials and manufacturing processes, mathematics, and physics, students will study computer applications, critical thinking, planning and problem solving, and oral and written communications.

Diploma graduates of this curriculum will find employment opportunities in the manufacturing or service sectors of engineering technology. Engineering technicians may obtain professional certification by application to organizations such as ASQC, SME, and NICET.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

Practical Nursing Education - Code D45660

The Practical Nursing Education Curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to provide nursing care to children and adults. Students will participate in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) that is required for practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation/long-term care/home health facilities, clinics, and physicians' offices.

NEWH Nursing Consortium (PNE)

The Nash-Edgecombe-Wilson-Halifax (NEWH) Nursing Consortium is an affiliation of Nash Community College, Edgecombe Community College, Wilson Community College, and Halifax Community College. The Consortium has a uniform curriculum with similar learning experiences, admission, and graduation standards. Graduates of the Practical Nursing Education program will receive a diploma in Practical Nursing Education from the member college in which the student is enrolled. Upon successful completion of the nursing program the student is eligible to apply to take the National Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

A four-member Policy Board governs the NEWH Nursing Consortium, which consists of the presidents of the four community colleges. The NEWH Nursing Director's office is located on the Rocky Mount campus of Edgecombe Community College. Each affiliating campus has a Lead Instructor/ Department Chair for Nursing. There is close collaboration of the Policy Board, Director, and lead instructors of the Consortium.

The Consortium advises all students that the Board of Nursing will perform a criminal background check on all applicants applying to take the licensure exam. A history of criminal conviction(s) shall not automatically bar the applicant from licensure. The Board of Nursing will consider the applicant's criminal history and use a variety of factors to determine if denial of licensure is appropriate. The applicant should refer to the Nursing Practice Act for factors taken into consideration with an applicant that has a criminal background (Nursing Practice Act, GS 90-171.48 c, page 12).

Admission Process for Practical Nursing Education

Students are admitted to the Consortium in accordance with policies approved by the Policy Board. The four Consortium colleges do not guarantee admission to all students who apply to the nursing program. Completion of the nursing curriculum does not guarantee success in passing the licensure examination.

A practical nursing student must be admitted/readmitted to the nursing program in order to enroll in any nursing (NUR) course.

The Consortium advises all students that the Board of Nursing will perform a criminal background check on those applicants applying to take the licensure exam. The Board of Nursing will review the criminal history of those applicants and use a variety of factors to determine if the denial of licensure is appropriate. The applicant should refer to the Nursing Practice Act for factors taken into consideration with an applicant that has a criminal background. (Nursing Practice Act, G.S. 90-171.48 c, page 12-13).

Admission Procedure for PNE - Fall 2009

The nursing applicant will be required to meet steps I - IV before admission. Each step of the admission procedure must be completed before moving to the next step.

Step I Application Process (1 - 4 of Step I must be completed by February 1)

1. An application for admission to the nursing program at the respective college must be submitted by February 1 with subsequent dates established by the individual college based on space available.
2. Submission of records of high school graduation or equivalency and all post-secondary transcripts. (Currently enrolled high school students are to submit a partial transcript at the time of application. A final transcript will be submitted at the time of graduation.)
3. Students must be eligible to enroll ENG 090 and ENG 090A and RED 090 or the equivalent courses with a "C" or better.
4. Students must complete requirements for Math 060 and MAT 070 or the equivalent course with a "C" or better. Note: Placement test scores are only valid for 3 years.

Step II Permission to take the Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS)

Must achieve an overall score of 62% on TEAS and sub-score of 76% on reading. The student will be allowed to take the TEAS once per calendar year within the NEWH Nursing Consortium. Students will be required to pay $25.00 to take the TEAS. Picture ID will be required to take the TEAS. If a student takes the TEAS more than once per calendar year outside of the NEWH Nursing Consortium, the first score will be used for acceptance purposes. TEAS scores are valid for two years.

Step III Conditional Acceptance

1. Should there be more qualified applicants than space available, the following criteria will be used to determine those selected for admission:
   1. TEAS percentage score
   2. Academic performance points on a minimum of four hours of required course work in the PNE curriculum
   3. Currently certified as NA I, NA II or evidence of successful completion of an allied health curriculum
2. A letter of conditional acceptance will be sent to the student.

Step IV Acceptance

1. Submission of a completed physical examination form. The physical examination can be performed within a time frame of six months prior to enrollment for fall semester (after March 1).
2. The Hepatitis B series must be started or a declination form for Hepatitis B must be signed.
3. Submission of evidence of current (one year) CPR certification for adult, infant and child with choking maneuver and AED.
4. A 2.00 GPA will be required on PNE curriculum course work before enrollment fall semester.
5. A letter of acceptance will be mailed when all of the above items have been submitted.

Readmission Policy to the Practical Nursing Education Program

Readmission of students who have exited, for whatever reason, from the Consortium is considered following review by the designated student services representative in consultation with the lead instructor and the Consortium Director. The Consortium does not guarantee readmission to any student.

Students seeking readmission must comply with the Consortium policies. Students who have received a "D" on general education or related course work in the nursing curriculum will be strongly encouraged to retake the course work prior to readmission. Students with an "F" on general education or related course work must repeat course work prior to readmission. The students must be in satisfactory academic standing in the College up to the point where the student is seeking readmission. Students may be required to take challenge exams, pharmacology calculation tests, and clinical competency check-offs depending on the time the student has been out of the program.

A student may be readmitted two times within a five-year period to the Consortium at any member college or combination thereof. Transcripts for all NEWH colleges attended will document the number and dates of enrollment.

Practical Nursing Education - Challenge Exam Policy

The Consortium utilizes challenge exams to assess current proficiency of those individuals desiring admission/readmission into the nursing program at any point in the program. The challenge exams include the following nursing courses: NUR 101, 102, 103, and 117. A transcript evaluation will be used to determine which challenge exams the student will take.

The following students will be required to take the challenge exams:

1. Consortium students seeking reentry whose course work is two years old or older from date of completion of course.
2. Students from colleges outside the Consortium, regardless of the age of the course work.

A minimum passing score of "C" or better is required on each exam. The score is valid for two years. The student must be admitted in the nursing program within the two-year limit or the student will be required to retake the challenge exam with a "C" or better.

Applicants who do not achieve a "C" or better on the challenge exam(s) may retake the exam. The exam will be administered twice in a one year period no closer than 90 days. After successful completion of the exam(s), the applicant may seek admission into the program. If an applicant is unsuccessful on an exam(s), the applicant may apply for admission into the program to take the corresponding course for credit, provided clinical space is available. If the course has a clinical and lab component, the applicant must satisfactorily complete each component to receive credit for the course. With achievement of a "C" or better the unsatisfactory grade on the challenge exam will be eliminated and the student is eligible to continue in the nursing program.

Applicants are advised to contact the Consortium office for information regarding the challenge exams.

The address is:

NEWH Nursing Consortium
225 Tarboro Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
Phone: 252-446-0436 extension 326 or 354
E-mail: willifordk@edgecombe.edu

Pharmacology Calculation Test

Students reentering the program will be required to take a pharmacology calculation test. The student must achieve a grade of 90 on the calculation test. The student will be given two opportunities to achieve the required grade. The student must wait ten days before retesting. The Consortium Director or designee will administer the calculation test.

Practical Nursing Education- Clinical Competency Evaluation Policy

The nursing faculty of the Consortium are responsible for determining the level of clinical competence of reentry students prior to delegating client care responsibilities to the student. Therefore, any student seeking reentry to the Consortium at any semester, other than the Nursing I semester, will be required to successfully complete a clinical competency evaluation. The lead instructor, or designee, at the college the student plans to attend will administer the clinical competency evaluation prior to the semester when entry is anticipated. Study packets for the clinical competency evaluation will be available.

The clinical competency evaluation assesses knowledge and skills necessary to enter the proposed course. It is designed to ensure that the prospective student is competent to practice in the clinical area at the same level that a continuing student in the same course is expected to perform. The applicant will have one opportunity annually to demonstrate clinical competency in the Consortium. A satisfactory clinical evaluation competency for reentry into the Consortium is required.

Practical Nursing Education - Code D45660 Requirements

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

*Note: This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.

**Note: BIO 168, BIO 169 and BIO 175 may be substituted for this course.

***Note: ENG 111 may be substituted for this course.

****Note: PSY 150 and PSY 241 may be substituted for this course.

Surgical Technology - Code D45740

The Surgical Technology curriculum prepares individuals to assist in the care of the surgical patient in the operating room and to function as a member of the surgical team.

Students will apply theoretical knowledge to the care of patients undergoing surgery and develop skills necessary to prepare supplies, equipment, and instruments; maintain aseptic conditions; prepare clients for surgery and assist surgeons during operations.

Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply to take the Liaison Council's Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists. Employment opportunities include labor/delivery/emergency departments, inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, physicians' offices, and central supply processing units.

Wilson Community College's Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) through the Accreditation Review Committee in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST).

Notes:

1. Students must be eligible to enroll in ENG 111.
2. Surgical Technology students are required to have a current (one year) CPR certification for adult, infant and child with choking maneuver.
3. Clinicals in this program begin at 6 a.m. two days a week and are subject to change based on patient and hospital scheduling.
4. The following items must be completed and on file prior to the first day of class of the fall semester:
   1. Approved health form within the last six months (after March 1).
   2. Approved eye exam by an ophthalmologist to be turned in with physical form.
   3. TB skin test (current within the last year) and must remain current.
   4. CPR card (current within the last year) and must remain current.
   5. Malpractice insurance through school to be purchased in the fall semester.
   6. Hepatitis B recommended or declination form signed to be turned in with physical form.

Fall Semester