Central Penn College Admissions Requirements

Undergraduate General Requirements

To be considered for admission into a degree or professional certificate program, students must be a high school graduate, have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), Pennsylvania Home School Diploma or other recognized equivalency diploma. We welcome applications from students seeking to prepare for a career or a promotion. Students seeking work-related skills, who are not completing classes with the goal of obtaining a degree from the institution, will be classified as non-degree, non-program students (NDNP). High School Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.0 in high school or from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally. Please submit an application for admission and a copy of high school and/or college transcript(s). Some applicants may be required to attend a personal interview with the admissions office. Call the admissions office at 800-759-2727 to learn more.

Program-specific Admissions Requirements

Some professional certificate programs require verification of a completed baccalaureate degree. Some degree programs require a GPA higher than 2.0 for non-conditional admission. See academic program pages of this catalog for specific admissions criteria. Contact admissions@centralpenn.edu with specific questions.

Personal Training Certificate Admissions Requirements

• Complete and submit an application for admission
• Submit an application fee (if required)
• Acknowledge that the presence of any adverse background activity or positive
• drug screen may prohibit a student’s participation in externships, career services, activities, license and certification eligibility and/or any other program-specific activities or requirements the College has established
• Evidence of a high school diploma, completion of a home-schooling program, or a General Education Development (GED) certification or an equivalent

Medical Assisting Diploma Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the Medical Assisting program must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 from the official transcripts from the last school attended to be considered for acceptance. GED scores will be accepted. Applicants are required to submit two reference forms. Reference forms can be attained through the admissions office. If the student does not meet these criteria, they are able to file an appeal for acceptance to the Program Director.

Medical Billing & Coding Admissions Requirements

A GPA of 2.2 or better is required; applicants must also submit two reference forms. Applicants must have a passing GED to be accepted. Secondary School course: two units of science and one unit of math with a grade of C or higher. Central Penn College Medical Assisting course credits may be transferred into the certification program if attained within one year of application. Medical Coding Classes will be taken online through Central Penn College.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Admissions Requirements

The occupational therapy assistant program must limit enrollment due to classroom space and available clinical facilities. The OTA program accepts students based on the scores given for the admissions criteria listed below. Admissions criteria include:

• Students are required to have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. GPA is calculated off of all schools attended. Cumulative GPA is based on school transcripts and is pending all course completion.
• Two letters of professional reference
• Professional admissions interview
• On-site written essay
• Eight observation hours in the occupational therapy field
• SAT or ACT scores are not required but are preferred for transfer students
• OTA core courses must be taken at Central Penn College. There will be no transfer credits accepted for OTA courses.

Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions Requirements

The Physical Therapist Assistant program must limit enrollment due to classroom space and available clinical facilities. Minimum academic standards may be set. Students will be ranked according to the following admissions criteria:

• Students are required to have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. GPA is calculated from all schools attended. Cumulative GPA is based off of school transcripts and pending all course completion.
• Observation Hours: all applicants are required to complete a minimum of 20 nonpaid observation hours in at least two different physical therapy facilities. A minimum of 10 hours must be completed at each facility. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant working in each facility must validate all observation hours and document the candidate’s performance via the form provided by Central Penn College’s Admissions Department. Observation hours are to be completed within 12 months of the application and submitted prior to the application deadline.
• References: all applicants are required to submit two professional references obtained within 12 months of the application deadline.
• Interview: Students desiring to enter the field of physical therapy are expected to have effective communication skills in order to be able to work with clients and other professionals. Each applicant will be rated on communication skills, professionalism, knowledge and enthusiasm for the profession, and their personal attributes as related to their compatibility to the physical therapy profession. Students will also be required to conduct an interview with a member of the PTA faculty.
• Due to the academic rigor and specificity of the PTA program, submission of SAT or ACT scores is highly recommended. The program accepts the top students based on the scores given for the abovementioned criteria.
• PTA core courses must be taken at Central Penn College. There will be no transfer credits accepted for PTA core courses, with the exception of 9 credits of PTA electives.

Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Accounting Admissions Requirement

Applicants are encouraged to have successfully completed two units of secondary math, including algebra. This adequately prepares students for learning the upper-level college math required in the programs and within specific courses. Completion of at least one accounting course in high school is strongly recommended.

Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Accounting Admissions Requirement

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management program has the following criteria:

• Student must have completed a minimum of 60 credits from an accredited institution and was awarded an associate degree in a health-related field at the accredited institution.
• Student must have a 2.5 GPA or higher at the institution awarding the associate degree
• Submit two professional reference letters.

Proof of Eligibility

All applicants to Central Penn College are required to provide proof of eligibility through the provision of an official high school diploma, transcripts, a GED, a homeschooling certificate, a PA home school diploma, or an attestation.

Admission Requirements for Online Degree Programs

In order to be successful in an online environment, students must have consistent and
reliable access to a computer and a reliable internet connection. Students are permitted to
enroll in completely online degree programs at any time. High School students may enroll
in fully online programs, provided they are in good academic standing. Students should
discuss how being a fully online student will impact their financial aid with the Financial
Aid Office. Online students may only live in campus housing with the approval of the
Residence Life Director or designee.

Application Deadline

Central Penn College reserves the right to set and revise the term-by-term deadline for the completion of all admissions materials to be accepted for enrollment or re-enrollment in the next term.

Application Procedures

• The application is available on the College’s website at centralpenn.edu/apply.
• Students must request their high school guidance office to mail an official transcript directly to the Admissions office. A Graduate Equivalent Diploma (GED) or Pennsylvania Home School Diploma is also acceptable.
• Admission consideration for students may be based upon a written essay, high school or college grade performance, and a personal interview on campus.
• Application and transcript(s) will be reviewed as soon as they are received. Students will be notified of their acceptance or next step in the admissions process within one week of the College receiving all materials.
• A deposit may be required to hold your enrollment slot upon acceptance to Central Penn College.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

Central Penn College offers a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Organizational Leadership with three career-focused concentrations of study: Organizational Development, Financial Analysis, and Healthcare Management. The Organizational Development concentration and the Financial Analysis concentrations are offered during the fall and spring terms. Core courses and the Organizational Development and Financial Analysis concentrations are delivered in a blended (on ground/ online) or fully online format. The Healthcare Management concentration is offered during the fall and spring terms and is delivered in an online format only.

Requirements

To be considered for admission into a graduate degree program, students must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution. We welcome applications from students seeking to prepare for a career or a promotion. Students seeking work-related skills, who are not completing classes with the goal of obtaining a degree from the institution, will be classified as non-degree, non-program students (NDNP). Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.75 from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally.

The following are the criteria and documentation required for the admissions application and process: 

•  Submission of graduate studies application
• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 from an accredited higher education institution. Applicants with under a 2.75, if approved by the Program Director, will be admitted conditionally
• Submission of two professional or academic graduate recommendation letters. These should be dated within one year of the graduate studies application. 
• APA formatted writing sample: Admissions Counselor will provide acceptable topics. This writing sample should include, but not be limited to, a cover page, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference page with a minimum of two APA references. The writing sample should be a minimum of 500 words.

International Students

Central Penn is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. For international students, secondary school academic records translated into English and exams with pin verification (where applicable) are required. College or university transcripts from outside of the United States must be evaluated by World Education Services or an equivalent service. If you are not a native English-speaking student, you are required to provide proof of English proficiency by submitting one of the following: a minimum TOEFL score of 72, an IELTS score of 6, or an SAT Critical Reading score of 500. The score will become a part of your student file and will be used during the admission process. There are some exceptions to this rule which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A copy of a permanent resident card, temporary resident card, current visa, or the documents required to obtain a new student visa must be submitted along with the application. Please contact the admissions office for specifics. International students have an obligation to know and understand SEVIS requirements. As part of these requirements, international undergraduate students must take 12 credits per term and international graduate students must take 6 credits per term with at least ¾ of courses taken on-ground.

Academic Placement and Placement Testing

Central Penn College administers a placement exam to all incoming students. The placement exam assessment is a self-adaptive test used to determine placement in mathematics.

Students who do not pass the placement exam with a score of 75 or higher, waive taking the test upon admission, or who don’t transfer in appropriate credits will be placed in developmental math courses. Developmental classes do not carry credit applied to graduation. Developmental course fees are consistent with three credit courses, as they also require 44 hours of instructional time. Financial aid may cover developmental coursework, based on a student’s eligibility.

Transfer students may be exempt from certain aspects of testing based on transfer courses and should communicate with test proctors regarding transfer courses and testing needs. Additionally, students may be exempt from this exam if they scored higher than 410 on the SATs or higher than 21 on the ACTs.

Lifelong Learning

Central Penn College offers credit for approved work/life experience through the Lifelong Learning (LLL) program for incoming and currently enrolled students. Lifelong Learning offers those students having five or more years of relevant work/life experience an alternate opportunity to gain credit. Work/life credit applies only to undergraduate courses that include applied or hands-on learning. Only courses listed in the most current catalog may be petitioned or challenged for credit. Course descriptions may be accessed at centralpenn.edu/catalog. Portfolios must be submitted and approved within the first two terms of enrollment of the College. Lifelong Learning credits that are approved must be paid in full within the term that they are petitioned.

Portfolio presentation of work/life experience is not to be used if comparable College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations are available. Work/life credit is not applicable to the natural sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, the humanities or internships. CLEP testing is more appropriate for the foregoing classification of academic courses. The process may involve competency testing, in addition to proof of work experience. For more information refer to the College website at http://guides.centralpenn.edu/LifelongLearning

Vaccinations

Some programs at Central Penn College will require placement in clinical facilities as a part of their internship. These clinical sites may require students to have proof of health screenings and immunization records. Students will adhere to each program’s Clinical Policy as outlined in their Program Handbooks. Central Penn College partners with CastleBranch Inc., to collect, store, and share immunization, health, criminal background and insurance information for these purposes.

All students wishing to reside on campus must provide documentation of vaccination history. Students who do not provide specific proof of a meningitis vaccination will be required to complete a waiver prior to move in. The College reserves the right to revise the list of required vaccinations for residence on campus at any time.