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Admissions

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Review the programs of study and any program-specific admission requirements.

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Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA to apply for the Pell grant, TN Promise scholarship, the TN Reconnect and the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.

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Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
Student Services Office
1405 Madison St.
Shelbyville, TN 37160
admissions@tcatshelbyville.edu
931-685-5013

General Admission Requirements

  • Program enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis by date of completed application. (A completed application includes all items required for enrollment.)
  • Persons seeking admission to a college must be at least 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent. For full-time programs, the applicant must declare an occupational objective and demonstrate reasonable potential for achieving that objective.
  • All persons who are required to register for the Federal Draft under 50 U.S.C. App. Section 453 are not eligible to enroll in any post-secondary school until they have registered with selective service.

View the Full Admissions Policy

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Educational and admission requirements vary from program to program. 

Nurse Aide / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

The Nurse Aide/Quality Improvement in Long Term Services and Supports (QuILTSS) is a 2 section course that can be completed in 1 trimester. The Nurse Aide portion is completed at 101 hours, and the Quality Improvement in Long Term Services and Supports (QuILTSS) certification will be completed following the remaining 331 hours. 

The Quality Improvement in Long Term Services and Supports (QuILTSS) portion of the course will be online, and will begin at the completion of the Nurse Aide portion.

*Upon completion of the nurse aide portion of the course (101 hrs), the student will be eligible to take the state test to become a Certified nursing assistant (CNA).

*CNA with 6 months or less experience are eligible for the Quality Specialist portion of the course to gain certification in Quality Improvement in Long Term Services and Supports (QuILTSS)

*Financial Aid options are available only for students completing the full trimester program (432 hrs).

Practical Nursing – Part Time Evenings

NOTE: Practical Nursing program inquiries and applications are handled through Admissions, at TCAT Shelbyville’s main campus. Failure to follow instructions from Admissions could result in missing deadlines, receiving incorrect information, and a missed enrollment opportunity. Applications for one TCAT are not transferrable to another.

Start Dates for Upcoming Practical Nursing Cohorts:

Part-time, Evening Franklin County Extension Campus

January 2025 (Spring 2025)

May 2026 (Summer 2026)

*TCAT Shelbyville’s Part-time, Evening Franklin County Campus Practical Nursing program operates as a sixteen (16) month “cohort”.  A “cohort” is a group of students banded together or treated as a group in a diploma program of study.   

 

Class Schedule for Practical Nursing Cohorts:

  • The Part-time, Evening Practical Nursing cohorts meet Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (until clinical practice begins). Prior to beginning clinical practice, an alternate schedule will be provided by the instructor.

Step 1

  • Select and complete the 04 Special Industry/Supplemental Application Type for application to the Anatomy &Physiology and/or Math for Meds pre-requisite course(s).
    • Please be advised that it is recommended that the two prerequisite courses be taken in separate trimesters due to the level of difficulty of course curricula.
    • Prerequisite courses are offered at TCAT Shelbyville’s main campus and Franklin County extension campus during the evening hours, starting in January, May and September. Specific course meeting schedules are published to the institutional website by December, April, and August of each year.
  • Select and complete the 01 New College Applicant or 02 Returning TCAT Application Type for application to the Practical Nursing program.
  • Check your personal and campus email accounts for official enrollment notifications from Admissions and act accordingly.
  • Review program Books and Supplies Lists on the institutional website for cost estimations. Do not purchase books or supplies until you begin classes. Books and supplies are subject to change without notice.
  • Review Bookstore and Textbook information on the institutional website for the contact and ordering information.

Step 2

Submit the following mandatory items in-person to Admissions in the Office of Student Services at TCAT Shelbyville’s main campus:

1. Proof of High School completion or Equivalent/GED in the form of an official transcript (sealed document from the high school or state).
2. Proof of two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations from a Tennessee County Health Department immunization/shot record. *Pharmacy vaccine consent forms are not accepted.
3. Proof of two Varicella vaccinations from a Tennessee County Health Department immunization/shot record, or laboratory evidence of varicella-related immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in your blood, or written diagnosis of history by a health-care provider.  *Pharmacy vaccine consent forms are not accepted.

Step 3

  • Successfully complete the Anatomy & Physiology and/or Math for Meds prerequisite course(s) from TCAT Shelbyville with a minimum grade of 80 (eighty).
  • Please be advised that successful completion of pre-requisite courses does not guarantee entrance into a practical nursing cohort program. TCAT Shelbyville Practical Nursing program enrollment is based on a first-come, first-serve basis by date of completed application. A completed application includes all mandatory items required for enrollment.

Transferring of Anatomy & Physiology Credits:  If you have already taken Anatomy and Physiology from a Tennessee college or university that is Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or Commission on Occupation Education (COE) accredited, your credits may transfer to TCAT Shelbyville. The official college transcript must indicate a grade of B or above in Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II, with a successful completion date no more than 5 (five) years prior to starting a TCAT Shelbyville Practical Nursing cohort program.

**TCAT Shelbyville no longer offers the Math Challenge Exam (MET).

Disclosure: 

Students who withdrawal or terminate from another Tennessee College of Applied Technology Practical Nursing program, seeking enrollment into one of TCAT Shelbyville’s programs, will be required to start at the beginning of a practical nursing cohort. TCAT Shelbyville Practical Nursing students that do not successfully complete a trimester, will be allowed to return at the beginning of the unsuccessful term, for one occasion only.

Handbook:

The Practical Nursing handbook can be found below. This handbook will provide information regarding the classroom and outline policies, rules, and regulations.

 

Requirements for Clinical Rotations:

Hepatitis B (series of 3 shots)

TDaP (due every 10 years)

COVID (series of two Moderna or Pfizer and one booster) or (JJSN and one booster) or (an approved Medical Exemption from a physician)

Influenza (due annually)

QuanitiFERON Gold -serum test (due annually) *We do not accept TB skin test

MMR x 2 (or titer showing proof of immunity)

Varicella x 2 (or titer showing proof of immunity)

Proof of Medical Insurance

Physical (due annually)

BLS (American Heart Association) Provider Course -Only

 

*Nursing students are required to pass a Urine Drug Screen and a Criminal Background check

 

Truck Driving

Please Note: New Entry-Level Commercial Driver Training went into effect February 7, 2022. TCAT Shelbyville is registered with the FMCSA as a Registered Training Provider.

The Truck Driving Program meets Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. at the Shelbyville Main Campus Location.

2024 Truck Driving Program Cohorts

Spring Cohort #1:  January 3rd – February 26th 

Spring Cohort #2:  February 23rd – April 23rd 

Summer Cohort #1:  May 2nd – July 9th 

Summer Cohort #2:  July 8th – August 27th 

Fall Cohort #1:  September 3rd – October 25th 

Fall Cohort #2:  October 24th – December 18th 

  • Fees will be assessed at orientation for a drug test and Moving Violation Report
  • Fees will be assessed upon enrollment for tuition and insurance
  • Have your CDL permit. Additional information about obtaining your permit can be found here
  • Pass the medical exam required by the Department of Transportation
  • Have a valid driver's license
  • Have a good driving record (You must obtain a copy of your State Department of Safety Moving Violation Report prior to beginning the program.) This must indicate no more than 3 speeding tickets and/or at-fault accidents in the last three years and no DUI convictions in the last 5 years.
  • Have a drug test and be certified drug free. A fee will be charged and the student will be referred to a test site by the college.
  • Student will be subject to random drug tests while enrolled.

*The curriculum is covered in five weeks, at which point, students are skill tested, and may obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).  Students that obtain their CDL, and have secured documented full-time employment may opt-out of the remaining class hours while still receiving a certificate of completion.

Students who do not pass their CDL exam, or who are not employed at the end of the five weeks, must complete the remaining required hours.

Interested in earning your Commercial Driver's License (CDL)? 
Learn more about scheduling CDL testing.

Practical Nursing - Full Time Days Main Campus

NOTE: Practical Nursing program inquiries and applications are handled through Admissions, at TCAT Shelbyville’s main campus. Failure to follow instructions from Admissions could result in missing deadlines, receiving incorrect information, and a missed enrollment opportunity. Applications for one TCAT are not transferrable to another.

Start Dates for Upcoming Practical Nursing Cohorts:

Full-time, Daytime Shelbyville Main Campus

September 2024 (Fall 2024)

September 2025 (Fall 2025)

*TCAT Shelbyville’s Full-time, Daytime Shelbyville Main Campus Practical Nursing program operates as a twelve (12) month “cohort”.  A “cohort” is a group of students banded together or treated as a group in a diploma program of study. 

 

Class Schedule for Practical Nursing Cohorts:

  • The Full-time, Daytime Practical Nursing cohort meets Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (until clinical practice begins). Prior to beginning clinical practice, an alternate schedule will be provided by the instructor.

Step 1

  • Select and complete the 04 Special Industry/Supplemental Application Type for application to the Anatomy &Physiology and/or Math for Meds pre-requisite course(s).
    • Please be advised that it is recommended that the two prerequisite courses be taken in separate trimesters due to the level of difficulty of course curricula.
    • Prerequisite courses are offered at TCAT Shelbyville’s main campus and Franklin County extension campus during the evening hours, starting in January, May and September. Day classes are offered at the Lincoln County Campus (Lincoln Central Academy). Specific course meeting schedules are published to the institutional website by December, April, and August of each year.
  • Select and complete the 01 New College Applicant or 02 Returning TCAT Application Type for application to the Practical Nursing program.
  • Check your personal and campus email accounts for official enrollment notifications from Admissions and act accordingly.
  • Review program Books and Supplies Lists on the institutional website for cost estimations. Do not purchase books or supplies until you begin classes. Books and supplies are subject to change without notice.
  • Review Bookstore and Textbook information on the institutional website for the contact and ordering information.

Step 2

Submit the following mandatory items in-person to Admissions in the Office of Student Services at TCAT Shelbyville’s main campus:

  1. Proof of High School completion or Equivalent/GED in the form of an official transcript (sealed document from the high school or state).
  2. Proof of two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations from a Tennessee County Health Department immunization/shot record. *Pharmacy vaccine consent forms are not accepted.
  3. Proof of two Varicella vaccinations from a Tennessee County Health Department immunization/shot record, or laboratory evidence of varicella-related immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in your blood, or written diagnosis of history by a health-care provider.  *Pharmacy vaccine consent forms are not accepted.

Step 3

  • Successfully complete the Anatomy & Physiology and/or Math for Meds prerequisite course(s) from TCAT Shelbyville with a minimum grade of 80 (eighty).
  • Please be advised that successful completion of pre-requisite courses does not guarantee entrance into a practical nursing cohort program. TCAT Shelbyville Practical Nursing program enrollment is based on a first-come, first-serve basis by date of completed application. A completed application includes all mandatory items required for enrollment.

Transferring of Anatomy & Physiology Credits:  If you have already taken Anatomy and Physiology from a Tennessee college or university that is Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or Commission on Occupation Education (COE) accredited, your credits may transfer to TCAT Shelbyville. The official college transcript must indicate a grade of B or above in Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II, with a successful completion date no more than 5 (five) years prior to starting a TCAT Shelbyville Practical Nursing cohort program.

**TCAT Shelbyville no longer offers the Math Challenge Exam (MET).

Disclosure: 

Students who withdrawal or terminate from another Tennessee College of Applied Technology Practical Nursing program, seeking enrollment into one of TCAT Shelbyville’s programs, will be required to start at the beginning of a practical nursing cohort. TCAT Shelbyville Practical Nursing students that do not successfully complete a trimester, will be allowed to return at the beginning of the unsuccessful term, for one occasion only.

Handbook:

The Practical Nursing handbook can be found below. This handbook will provide information regarding the classroom and outline policies, rules, and regulations.

 

Requirements for Clinical Rotations:

Hepatitis B (series of 3 shots)

TDaP (due every 10 years)

COVID (series of two Moderna or Pfizer and one booster) or (JJSN and one booster) or (an approved Medical Exemption from a physician)

Influenza (due annually)

QuanitiFERON Gold -serum test (due annually) *We do not accept TB skin test

MMR x 2 (or titer showing proof of immunity)

Varicella x 2 (or titer showing proof of immunity)

Proof of Medical Insurance

Physical (due annually)

BLS (American Heart Association) Provider Course -Only

 

*Nursing students are required to pass a Urine Drug Screen and a Criminal Background check