Planning Programs of Study

The responsibility for selecting a program of study rests upon the individual student. DSCC does, however, furnish its students with guidance and assistance in outlining a program of study leading to an associate degree. DSCC offers the Associate of Science, the Associate of Arts, the Associate of Science in Teaching and the Associate of Applied Science degrees, as well as certificates. Depending on the degree, there are majors and within the majors there are areas of emphasis or concentrations for specific fields of study. The list of areas of emphasis and concentrations, however, should not be viewed as a major or as a degree. The area of emphasis or concentration is merely a guide to the student to use in planning the chosen field of study.

Successful completion of college-level courses requires a specified amount of study outside the classroom as well as within the classroom. Successful completion of a program of study is dependent upon the student’s commitment to study beyond the classroom.

University Parallel Programs

For the student who plans to transfer to a four-year college or university, DSCC offers the University Parallel Major leading to the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees. DSCC also offers the Teaching Major leading to the Associate of Science in Teaching.

Within the University Parallel Major are Areas of Emphasis which are designated as Tennessee Transfer Pathways and Areas of Emphasis which are not designated as Tennessee Transfer Pathways.

Within the Teaching Major is an Area of Emphasis which is designated as a Tennessee Transfer Pathway and an Area of Emphasis which is not designated as a Tennessee Transfer Pathway.

Areas of Emphasis with the Tennessee Transfer Pathway designation - The curriculum in each of these areas has been approved by faculty representatives from community colleges and universities within the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and by faculty representatives from the University of Tennessee System. Students completing the course requirements in a Tennessee Transfer Pathway are assured that the courses will transfer to any public university in Tennessee as well as to many private institutions in Tennessee.

Areas of Emphasis without the Tennessee Transfer Pathway designation - Unlike the Tennessee Transfer Pathway, the curriculum in each of these areas of emphasis has not been universally approved; however, students who complete the course requirements in an Area of Emphasis are assured that the 41-hour general education core curriculum will transfer to any other TBR institution.

The areas of emphasis which have been designated as Tennessee Transfer Pathways are:     

            Accounting

            Agricultural Business

            Agriculture - Plant and Soil Science

            Biology

            Business Administration

            Chemistry

            Communication Studies

            Criminal Justice

            Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)

            English

            Exercise Science

            Family & Consumer Science

            Foreign Language

            History

            Imaging Sciences

            Information Systems

            International Affairs

            Mathematics

            Nutrition & Food Sciences

            Philosophy

            Physical Education

            Political Science

            Pre-Clinical Laboratory Sciences

            Pre-Dental Hygiene

            Pre-Health Professions

            Pre-Occupational Therapy

            Pre-Physical Therapy

            Psychology

            Social Work

            Sociology

            Special Education

            Sports & Leisure Management 

The areas of emphasis which do not have the designation of Tennessee Transfer Pathway are the following:

            Elementary Education (K-5)

            General Studies    

Students who plan to transfer to a specific four-year institution should refer to the DSCC Catalog and Student Handbook and to the catalog of the four-year school. Additionally, students should consult their academic advisor to plan a program of study. All courses outlined in the area of emphasis should be completed in order to receive a degree.

Students who plan to pursue a university or four-year college major which is not addressed in a specific DSCC area of emphasis should refer to the General Studies area of emphasis.

Tennessee Board of Regents Minimum Degree Requirements and Transferability of Courses That Fulfill Minimum Degree Requirements

Each institution in the College System of Tennessee (the Tennessee Board of Regents System) shares a common lower-division general education core curriculum of 41 semester hours for baccalaureate degrees and the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees. Lower-division indicates freshman level and sophomore level courses. The courses comprising the general education curriculum are contained within the following subject categories:

Baccalaureate Degrees and Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees*

*Foreign language courses are an additional requirement for the Associate of Arts (AA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees. Six hours of foreign language are required for the AA degree and twelve hours are required for the BA degree.

**Six hours of English Composition and three hours in English oral presentational communication are required.

Although the courses designated by Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions to fulfill the requirements of the general education subject categories vary, transfer of the courses is assured through the following means:

1. Upon completion of an AA or AS degree, the requirements of the lower-division general education core will be complete and accepted by a TBR university in the transfer process.
2. If an AA or AS is not obtained, transfer of general education courses will be based upon fulfillment of complete subject categories. (Example: If all eight hours in the category of Natural Sciences are complete, then this “block” of the general education core is complete.) When a subject category is incomplete, course-by-course evaluation will be conducted. The provision of block fulfillment also pertains to students who transfer among TBR universities.
3. Institutional/departmental requirements of the grade of “C” will be honored. Even if credit is granted for a course, any specific requirements for the grade of “C” by the receiving institution will be enforced.
4. In certain majors, specific courses must be taken in general education. Students and advisors should be aware of any major requirements that must be fulfilled under lower-division general education.
5. A degree may not be granted for fewer than 60 semester hours of college-level credit.
6. At least 25 percent of the credit hours required for a degree or certificate must be obtained through DSCC instruction.
7. A minimum college-level cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required for the awarding of a degree or certificate. Certain areas of emphasis or degree programs may require a GPA higher than a 2.00.
8. Credit hours earned in learning support courses do not count toward graduation.

Courses designated to fulfill general education requirements by DSCC are listed below. A complete listing of the courses fulfilling general education requirements for all system institutions is available on the TBR website (www.TBR.edu) under Transfer and Articulation Information.

DSCC Courses Fulfilling General Education Core Curriculum Requirements

General Education Core Curriculum Requirements

Choose elective hours from the following list of courses. If a specific course is required in the chosen program of study, that course cannot also be used as elective credit. DSCC strongly recommends that students consult the catalog of their transfer institution for guidance in meeting the requirements of that institution.

Programs Leading to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

The majors and concentrations leading to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree allow students to enter the workforce. The curriculum in each program is continually revised to reflect current occupational trends. DSCC offers the following majors and concentrations:

Concentrations in the Business Major:

Accounting

Administrative Professional Technology

Computers and Information Systems

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Management

Concentrations in the Computer Information Technology Major:

Networking

Major in Criminal Justice

Major in Early Childhood Education

Concentrations in the Emergency Medical Services Major:

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

Paramedic

Major in Engineering Systems Technology

Major in Health Information Management

Major in Health Sciences

Major in Nursing

Minimum Course Requirements for the Associate of Applied Science Degree

Any student pursuing a major leading to the Associate of Applied Science degree must complete, prior to graduation, the core curriculum courses listed below:

*Courses fulfilling this category are listed for each concentration.

Notes:

1. If appropriate, substitutions can be made to the concentration’s curricula through the submission and approval of the Modification to Program of Study form. No substitutions can be made, however, for the Minimum Course Requirements.
2. A degree may not be granted for fewer than 60 semester hours of college-level credit.
3. At least 25 percent of the credit hours required for a degree must be obtained through DSCC instruction.
4. A minimum college-level cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required for completion of a degree or certificate.
5. Credit hours earned in learning support courses do not count toward completion of a degree or certificate.

DSCC Certificate Programs

            Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

            Advanced IT Technician

            Basic Early Childhood Education

            Business Administration

            Certified Production Technician

            Computer Systems Operations & Maintenance

            Corrections and Law Enforcement

            Early Childhood Administrator

            Early Childhood Education

            Early Childhood Infant Toddler Child

            Electrical Maintenance Fundamentals

            Electronic Health Record

            Emergency Medical Technician

            General Education Core (AA/AS)

            Healthcare Technician

            IT Technician

            Mechanical Maintenance Fundamentals

            Mechatronics: Mechatronics

            Medical Coding

            Office Specialist

            Paramedic

            Pre-Allied Health

DSCC Courses offered via Distance Education including TN eCampus, DSCC Online, and DSCC Hybrid Courses

State Authorization - Effective June 2015, the state of Tennessee was approved by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) to join the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). SARA is an initiative of states nationwide to make distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines. Please refer to the NC-SARA website at: NC-SARA.org for further information and state details on legislation and approved states/institutions regarding SARA. DSCC provides a complaint process for all students which can be found in the Student Handbook section of the DSCC Catalog and Student Handbook. Students who exhaust all administrative remedies afforded to them by DSCC may submit unresolved complaints to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) online at https://www.tbr.edu/contacts/submitting-comment-complaint-or-request.

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) colleges and universities have joined together in offering the TN eCampus Program. Courses completed in the TN eCampus Program will be entirely online and will be transferable among all TBR institutions and to many other institutions outside the TBR System. Students will be able to choose the college or university that will award their degree. All thirteen TBR two-year colleges will deliver and award associate degrees, while all six TBR universities will deliver and award baccalaureate degrees.

The courses in the TN eCampus Program were developed and are offered through a cooperative agreement among the TBR institutions. Instructors in this program are assigned by the institution that is responsible for a particular course; thus, the instructor may be available through email only. TN eCampus courses also have additional fees assessed based upon the number of credit hours assigned to the course (See the Fees and Expenses   section of this catalog.). Although TN eCampus courses offer the flexibility of an online environment, students will be expected to adhere to established due dates for their assignments, and some midterm and final examinations must be taken at one of the TBR Testing Centers. Visit www.tnecampus.org for more information.

DSCC recommends that students enroll in the online courses offered by DSCC faculty whenever possible, supplementing with TN eCampus courses as necessary. By enrolling in DSCC online courses, students have the option of telephoning or meeting with the instructor if they wish to do so. In addition, the cost of DSCC online courses is significantly less than the cost of the TN eCampus courses.

Students who pursue online programs should be highly motivated, independent, active learners who have good organizational and time management skills. Students should also have the discipline to study without external reminders and be able to adapt to new learning environments.

Complaint Resolution Policies and Procedures for Non-Tennessee Resident Students in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement States, commonly known as SARA

Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.

Complainants not satisfied with the outcome of the institution’s internal process may appeal, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.

For a list of SARA member states, please visit the NC-SARA website. Students residing in non-SARA states should consult their respective state of residence for further instruction for filing a complaint.

Transfer of DSCC Courses

DSCC strives for the transferability of its courses. Effective Fall 2011, an area of emphasis which has been designated as a Tennessee Transfer Pathway (TTP) assures students who complete the prescribed curriculum that their courses will be accepted at any university in the Tennessee Board of Regents System and the University of Tennessee System as well as many private institutions in Tennessee. Consequently, DSCC courses in the general education core and in the areas of emphasis will satisfy 60 credit hours of the 120 credit hours required for graduation from a Tennessee public university.

Course-by-course equivalencies can be located on the websites of the following institutions:

Austin Peay State University

Bethel University

Christian Brothers University

East Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University

Southeast Missouri State University

Tennessee State University

Tennessee Technological University

The University of Memphis

Union University

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville

The University of Tennessee at Martin

The omission of a four-year institution from the above list does not imply that DSCC courses will not transfer to that institution.

For more information about the transfer of courses to either four-year or two-year institutions, visit the DSCC website or contact the Office of Admissions and Records.

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing

Philosophy of the Division of Nursing

The Division of Nursing functions within the mission statement of the College emphasizing (a) the development of each person through intellectual, cultural, physical, and technical education; (b) the acceptance of each student as a worthy person with unique abilities and capabilities; and (c) leadership and guidance that will enable each person to develop his/her intellectual and personal potential.

The faculty support the idea that learning is a continuous process, which is evidenced by a change in behavior, and that each student is unique with his/her own individual learning needs. The faculty believe a positive learning environment facilitates student motivation in activities in which opportunities are provided for practice, self-discovery, critical thinking and decision-making.

Division of Nursing Mission Statement

To provide an educational foundation for competent, caring, accountable individuals to enter the workforce as entry-level registered nurses who make a positive impact on health and healthcare within the community.

Role Specific Graduate Competencies/Outcomes

The graduate will be able to perform the following competencies for diverse individuals and their families across the life span:

1. Professional Behavior: Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing and the standards of professional nursing practice.
2. Communication: Communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal and written techniques including information and technology.
3. Assessment: Analyze subjective and objective data to identify actual or potential health alterations of diverse clients across the life span.
4. Clinical Decision Making: Evaluate the outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and evidence-based nursing care for diverse individuals across the life span.
5. Caring Interventions: Evaluate caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety and knowledge.
6. Teaching/Learning: Develop, implement, evaluate and modify individualized plans based on client needs.
7. Collaboration: Collaborate when planning, implementing and evaluating care.
8. Managing Care: Managing care through effective use of prioritizations, delegation, informatics and resources.

Allied Health Programs

DSCC offers the following Emergency Medical Services (EMS) options for students interested in Emergency Medical Technician (EMSB), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (EMSA), and Paramedic (EMSP) courses:

Option One: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) option is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services. Upon successful completion of the six EMSB courses and a passing score on the state examination, students may apply for state licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician. For more information, see Criteria: State of Tennessee, Division of EMS Rule (1200-12-1.04 and 1200-12-1-.13) pursuant to T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 140.

Prerequisites:

1. Must be at least 18 within 90 days of completing the program;
2. Must possess a regular or academic high school diploma or HSE, or be a senior high school dual enrollment student;
3. Must pass a criminal background check and a drug screen for all EMT courses. All EMSB courses must be completed in the same academic year. A minimum grade of “C” in the first semester/Part of Term EMSB coursework is required to progress to the next semester/Part of Term EMSB courses.

Option Two: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)

The Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) option is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services. Upon successful completion of the six EMSA courses and a passing score on the state examination, students may apply for state licensure as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. For more information, see Criteria: State of Tennessee, Division of EMS Rule (1200-12-1.04 and 1200-12-1-.13) pursuant to T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 140.

Prerequisites:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age;
2. Must possess a regular or academic high school diploma or HSE;
3. Must hold a current EMT license OR must be within 120 days of completing EMSB coursework and passing the National Registry EMT exam.
4. Must complete and submit the AEMT application found on the DSCC website for entrance into the program.
5. Must pass a criminal background check and a drug screen for all EMT courses. All EMSA courses must be completed in the same academic year. A minimum grade of “C” in the first semester/Part of Term EMSA coursework is required to progress to the next semester/Part of Term EMSA courses.

Option Three: AAS in Emergency Medical Services Major with Concentration in AEMT

The prerequisites listed under Option One and Option Two apply to this option unless transfer credit is awarded for EMT or AEMT coursework with a “C” or better.

Option Four: Paramedic Technical Certificate

The DSCC Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP, www.coaemsp.org).

This program is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services. Upon successful completion of the required coursework and a passing score on the state examination, the student may apply for state licensure as a Paramedic. For more information, see Criteria: State of Tennessee, Division of EMS Rule (1200-12-1.04 and 1200-12-1-.13) pursuant to T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 140.

Prerequisites:

1. Must be a licensed AEMT in the State of Tennessee.
2. Must complete an application to the Paramedic Program that can be found on the DSCC website. The deadline for this application is June 1^st annually. Extensions may be granted as determined by enrollment and capacity.
3. Must take a Paramedic Entrance Exam that is composed of basic EMT knowledge, reading comprehension, basic mathematics, and anatomy and physiology. This exam also contains an Affective Test that measures: Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism. The cost of these evaluations is the responsibility of the applicant.
4. Must complete an oral interview.
5. Must pass a criminal background check and a drug screen for all EMSP courses.
6. All EMSP courses must be completed in the same program year.

Option Five: AAS in Emergency Medical Services Major with a Concentration in Paramedics

The Dyersburg State Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP, www.coaemsp.org).

This program is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services. Upon successful completion of the required coursework and a passing score on the state examination, the student may apply for state licensure as a Paramedic. For more information, see Criteria: State of Tennessee, Division of EMS Rule (1200-12-1.04 and 1200-12-1-.13) pursuant to T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 140.

Prerequisites:

1. Complete and submit an application to the Paramedic Program by June 1;
2. The above prerequisites apply unless the student is transferring paramedic program courses with a “C” or better.
3. Students must earn a “C” or better to progress to other EMSP courses and to complete the program.

Additional Clinical Requirements for all EMS Courses

Note: The following criteria are required by clinical affiliates. These requirements may have different timelines than those of the state EMS rules and regulations.

1. Proof of satisfactory physical and mental condition; costs of these evaluations are the student’s responsibility.
2. Proof of current immunizations - In addition to proof of other immunizations as required by Tennessee law, students expected to have patient contact must present proof of protection against hepatitis B before patient contact begins.
3. Proof of a negative TB skin test or chest X-ray, as indicated. TB skin tests are required yearly.
4. Proof of background check and drug screen - Detailed instructions will be given during the program orientation or first class meeting. Costs of background check and drug screen are the student’s responsibility.

For the assurance of patient safety, clinical facilities require a criminal background check and drug screen before a student begins any clinical lab experience involving patient contact. Based on the results of these procedures, an affiliated clinical site may prohibit a student’s presence at the facility. Such action will result in the student’s inability to successfully complete course and program requirements. Additionally, conviction of certain crimes may make applicants ineligible for licensure even if they successfully complete the Paramedic Program. Students who have not completed the background check or paid for the drug screen within three working days after class begins will be withdrawn from the program.

Healthcare insurance is highly recommended.

At this time, advanced placement and/or experimental learning credit is decided on a case-by-case basis and is available to current or past EMS DSCC students only.

For more information, contact the EMS Program Director.

Internship/Cooperative Education Work Experience

Internship/Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a program in which the College, the students, and the local business community combine their efforts to provide students with a relevant and meaningful educational experience in a real-life occupational environment. The purpose of Internship/Co-op Education is to train students for their roles in the occupational world through experiences in a day-to-day operational setting while providing financial support for further education. The program combines the lessons of both classroom theory and actual job conditions as a part of the total educational experience and helps students see the integration of classroom work with their future profession.

Students reap many benefits from participation in the Internship/Co-op Program. Internship/Co-op opportunities add relevance to education, increase motivation, develop maturity, introduce the student to the world of work, provide experience and give the student a chance to earn while learning.

The Dean of Career, Technical and Distance Education will accept applications and screen applicants for the Internship/Co-op Program. Only students who exhibit sincerity, appropriate skill levels and ability to successfully complete a Co-op assignment will be recommended to employers. The Dean of Career, Technical and Distance Education and faculty will help oversee students’ progress during their terms of employment as part of the Internship/Co-op Program. The Dean and faculty will provide guidance and counseling to both students and employers as requested.

For more information, contact the Division of Business, Technology, and Allied Health.

Policy

To the extent possible, cooperative education experiences are included in the curricula of the Associate of Applied Science degrees and the career certificates.

Businesses and industries in DSCC’s service area are asked to identify at least one cooperative education position within the company and are requested to provide participating students with an hourly wage. If the provision of the hourly wage is not possible, the company may still be considered as a possible worksite for students.

To enroll in an Internship/Co-op course, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, must be in the final semester of coursework prior to graduation from DSCC (or have permission of the Division Dean), must locate a properly credentialed and preapproved placement facility in which to complete the work experience, and must have the approval of his/her faculty advisor. In cooperation with the Division Dean, DSCC will provide assistance in locating a work placement facility.

The student must submit an application form for the Internship/Co-op Program, a copy of a current resume, a copy of his/her current class schedule, and any other required forms in order to be considered for entry into the Program.

In order to receive credit for the Internship/Co-op course, the student must complete 135 hours in the job assignment (or the number of hours required as stated in the course requirements, if different), must receive an acceptable evaluation from the supervisor at the job site and must complete the academic requirements assigned by the instructor. Failure to accomplish these requirements will result in a grade of “F” for the course.

Credit for Internship/Co-op is limited to three semester hours. Internship/Co-op credits may be used as career electives in all AAS programs and may be substituted for another course in career degree programs upon approval of the Vice President for the College.

The following cooperative education courses are currently available:

• ACCT 2392 Accounting Internship
• ADMN 2395 - APT (Administrative Professional Technology) Internship
• BIOL 291 - Cooperative Work Experience in the Sciences
• BUSN 2395 - Business Applications
• CITC 2399 - CO-OP/Internship I in Computer Information Technology
• CRMJ 2396 - Criminal Justice Internship I
• ENST 2391 - Engineering Systems Technology Internship

Students are reminded that DSCC does not guarantee transferability of these courses to other institutions.

For additional information regarding the Internship/Co-op Program at DSCC, contact the Dean of Career, Technical and Distance Education in the Dale F. Glover Education Center, Room 230.