The "Open Door Policy" at Florida Keys Community College
Florida Keys Community College adheres to an "Open Door" admissions policy, which means that adult students may enter the college regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status or disability.
The "Open Door" concept indicates that we are truly interested in students and in individualizing their educational experiences. Academic Advisors and Program Advisors are available during daytime and evening hours to assist students in planning their programs and to help lead them to success in college.
General Admission Requirements
All correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to the Office of Enrollment Services, Florida Keys Community College, 5901 College Rd., Key West, FL 33040. Students may enter in the fall, spring, or summer sessions. Prior to registering, a student must submit online, in person or by mail to the Office of Enrollment Services a completed application for admission and the non-refundable application fee.
Inactive Students
Students returning to FKCC after a two-year period of inactivity will be required to submit an updated application for admission. This includes updating residency information and providing documentation of residency.
Requirements for Degree-Seeking Students
All associate degree and certificate seeking students are required to satisfy college placement testing requirements. See entry assessment at FKCC for further information.
First Time in College Students:
1. Standard High School Diploma
An official high school transcript with graduation date must be received
in the Office of Enrollment Services prior to the end of the first term
of enrollment; otherwise the student will not be allowed to a register
for subsequent terms.
2. High School Equivalency Diploma (GED)
Official transcript of the GED results must be received in the Office
of Enrollment Services prior to the end of the first term of enrollment;
otherwise the student will not be allowed to register for
subsequent terms.
3. Home Education Graduate
Students must provide affidavits signed by a parent or legal guardian
attesting that they have completed a home education program pursuant
to the requirements in 1002.41 F.S. Signed affidavits must be
received in the Office of Enrollment Services prior to the end of the
first term of enrollment; otherwise the student will not be allowed
to register for subsequent terms.
Transfer Students
Transfer students planning to earn a degree or certificate at Florida Keys Community College must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended must be received in the Office of Enrollment Services prior to the end of the first term of enrollment; otherwise the student will not be allowed to register for subsequent terms. The Office of Enrollment Services will evaluate transcripts. Generally, a course will be accepted if it parallels a course listed in this catalog. Credit will be allowed in courses with a grade of "D" or higher. However, a grade of "C" or higher must be earned in courses to be used to fulfill Gordon Rule requirements in Letters, Humanities, and Mathematics areas of the Associate in Arts degree. For degree seeking students, all lower division transfer credits will be recorded on the student’s permanent record and will be included in the computation of the grade point average. Failure to report previous college level work attempted constitutes a falsification of application and subjects students to possible suspension, cancellation of registration, and/or cancellation of credits earned.
Non-High School Graduates
Non-high school graduates must meet the following criteria: be 16 years of age or older, have officially left high school, and be underemployed or unemployed or be 18 years of age or older and have officially left high school before graduation. These students must successfully complete 12 hours of college credit courses with a "C" average (2.0 GPA). Prior to completion of the 12 credit hours, the student will be considered a non-degree seeking student. If the student fails to obtain the required 2.0 GPA in his/her first 12 hours, the student may continue as a non-degree seeking student subject to the Academic Probation and Suspension Policy of the College.
International Student Admissions
Florida Keys Community College is authorized under United States Federal Law, Immigration and Naturalization Act, Section 101(a)(1)(15)(f) (i) to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Florida Keys Community College encourages the application for admission of students from other countries that desire an opportunity for educational training and experiences available in the United States. The enrollment of international students enhances the college by providing cultural enrichment to Florida Keys Community College students, faculty, staff, and the community.
International students are required to meet all the admissions requirements outlined below. Application materials must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services at least two months prior to the start of the term in which the student wishes to enroll.
- Florida Keys Community College Application for Admission Form and non-refundable application fee.
- International Admissions fee.
- An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) report indicating a score of 560 or above (paper version) OR 220 or above (computer version) Or 83 or above (Internet based) OR an ELS Academic Report showing completion of level 109 and a Certificate of Proficiency from an ELS Language Center.
- Official English translation and evaluation of transcripts.
- Supplemental Data Sheet
- International Student Statement of Finances.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Medical Treatment Release Form.
Prospective applicants should contact the FKCC Office of Enrollment Services for further information and forms.
Audit Students
Audit students are those students registered for a college course and not seeking college credit. Fees are the same for both credit and audit students. Audit students should be regular and punctual in attendance and should make regular class preparation. No tests or examinations are required in the class. A grade of "X", which carries no credit, will be entered on the college record. Audit students may not change to credit status once the last day to change courses for the term has passed (see the academic calendar for important dates). Students may not change to audit beyond the last day to withdraw from class.
Students Still in High School
Superior high school students who evidence exceptional talent, emotional stability and social maturity may attend Florida Keys Community College prior to their high school graduation. There are three types of enrollment available for high school students: dual enrollment, dual enrollment/dual credit, and early admissions.
In most cases, acceptance into these programs is based on the student having completed the ninth grade.
The applicant must have written approval from his/her high school principal to take courses and to have college credits applied toward high school graduation, with the exception of courses taught at the high school as part of the high school's dual enrollment/dual credit program.
Normally high school students may register for three to six credit hours during a semester. However, students who have fulfilled the majority of the requirements for their senior year may be permitted to register for up to twelve credit hours per semester, provided they have maintained a 3.0 G.P.A. Credit loads exceeding six hours are approved by the High School Principal and the Director of Enrollment Services.
Dual enrollment students are those high school students enrolled in both high school and in FKCC college campus-based courses. Credits earned at FKCC are applicable to a college degree but not towards high school graduation.
Dual enrollment/dual credit students are those high
school students enrolled in both high school and FKCC. Credits
earned at FKCC (normally in courses offered at the high school) are applicable
to both a college degree and high school
graduation.
Early admissions
Academically superior high school students may attend FKCC in lieu of
their junior and/or senior year in high school. Credits earned at FKCC
are applicable to both a college degree and high school graduation. As
in the case of Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit, students must have advance
approval from the high school principal to participate in the program
and to have their college credits apply toward high school graduation.
Nursing Program - Selective Admission Requirements
The Nursing Program admits a limited number of students each year, in the fall term. Licensed practical nurses (LPN’s) are admitted to an accelerated program in January, pending the offering of this track. Class size is determined annually based on available faculty, funding and clinical practice resources. Consequently, admission to the nursing program is a selective process.
Acceptance to the program is based on meeting Nursing Program Admission requirements. To increase the possibility of admission, selection points are accrued based on an objective points system, in which the following factors are considered:
- Educational preparation (quality points earned in required A.S. degree in Nursing general education courses).
- Healthcare training (certificates/licenses) and certified experience.
- Optional health related course work.
- Monroe County Residency.
Prospective applicants residing in Monroe or Dade County, Florida, must attend a Nursing Information Session to obtain Information and Application packet. Other prospective applicants may contact the FKCC Nursing Department to obtain a packet.
All application requirements must be met by the established deadlines for the applicant to be considered for admission in August.
The Nursing Program does not keep a waiting list from year to year. For further information contact the FKCC Nursing Program or visit www.fkcc.edu/links/programs/nursing.htm. Nursing Program admission requirements are subject to change.
Institute of Criminal Justice – Admission Requirements for Basic Recruit Academies
The Institute of Criminal Justice has a separate application process for admission. Basic admission requirements for the Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Basic Corrections Academy and Cross-Over Academies are:
- Be at least 19 years of age
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement
- Have never received a dishonorable discharge from any Armed Forces of the United States
- Successfully pass a criminal history background check
- Successfully pass a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission approved Basic Abilities Test
Students interested in attending any of the Basic Recruit Academies must contact the Institute of Criminal Justice. Applications to attend the Basic Recruit Training are available at the Institute of Criminal Justice, Public Safety Building, Room P210. Students are required to have passed the Commission approved Basic Abilities Test or to take the Basic Abilities Test. Students may be required to undergo an oral interview with the Director, Institute of Criminal Justice or his/her designated representative. In addition, there is a non-refundable $50.00 application fee. This fee covers the costs associated in processing fingerprints for a criminal history background check with Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Application to attend Basic Recruit Training does not guarantee acceptance into a Basic Recruit Academy.
Requirements for Non-Degree Seeking Students
A student who does not desire to enroll as a degree-seeking student but would like to earn credit for certification of non-college (or non-FKCC) programs or other purposes may enroll as a non-degree seeking student (Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid or VA benefits). Students must submit an application for admission and the non-refundable admission fee. Courses completed by non-degree seeking students will be entered on their transcripts as credit courses, unless the student registers as auditing the courses.
Entry Assessment at FKCC
All new degree seeking students, and returning students who change to degree seeking status, must take an approved placement exam before registering for classes. Non-degree students are subject to placement test requirements if they wish to enroll in Communication, Humanities or Mathematics courses or any courses that require satisfactory placement test scores as a course prerequisite.
Students meeting the minimum scores required for each section of the test may enroll in college-level courses in those areas. Students must enroll in college preparatory courses in the areas in which the minimum scores are not met.
Results of this assessment are used in the academic advising process to help place students into proper levels of English, reading, and mathematics courses. Contact Advising Services for testing schedule at (305) 809-3196
Students who can provide official ACT, SAT, or CPT scores two years current, or students who have already taken English (college prep or composition) and math (college prep or higher) at another college or university and have had their transcript(s) sent to FKCC are not required to take the placement test. Further information concerning the placement test is available from the Testing Office located in Advising Services.
Entry Assessment for Non-Native Speakers of English
Instruction at FKCC is in the English language. Non-native speakers
of English wishing to pursue
a course of study for credit must demonstrate that they possess an adequate
level of English
proficiency.
Since FKCC does not offer intensive beginning level English as a Second Language (EAP courses), non-native English speaking students must complete a beginning level course before the Levels of English Proficiency (LOEP) can be administered. Please contact Advising Services for programs within the community offering EAP courses at a beginning level. Once the intensive beginning level has been completed, or a student demonstrates an adequate understanding of English, he/she can sit for the LOEP. Results of this test are used to determine the English proficiency level of the student.
Students who score below a 106 on the LOEP, or below 560 (paper version) or 220 (computer version) on the TOEFL will be required to complete ESL courses. Information regarding the LOEP and TOEFL tests can be obtained in Advising Services.