Admission to Atlantic Cape

Atlantic Cape Community College accepts all students who meet the admission requirements, regardless of gender, race, creed or national origin.

Who Can Be Admitted?

• Students who are 18 years of age and older
• Students who hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate from an accredited secondary school

Applicants who do not meet these criteria may be admitted through Special Admission Programs, including High School/Approved Home Schooling Programs and Project Second Chance.  SAGES admission (Senior Adult Gaining Education & Stimulation) is available to Atlantic and Cape May County residents aged 60 years or older.  Atlantic Cape also offers resources through both credit and continuing education programs for unemployed residents of Atlantic and Cape May County.

The Fall 2010 College Open House will be held on Sunday, October 3 from 1-3 p.m. on the Mays Landing campus.  The Fall Open House is held in conjunction with the annual College Fair.  Interested in the Academy of Culinary Arts?  There are a series of Open Houses especially for you!

NJ STARS I & II

NJ STARS is an initiative created by the State of New Jersey in 2004 that provides New Jersey’s top students with free tuition at their local community college.  Funding for the NJ STARS program has been restored by the State of New Jersey to provide tuition only for STARS eligible students who graduate high school in 2010.  For more information, please visit the NJ STARS website at www.njstars.net

For more information on the NJ STARS program at Atlantic Cape Community College, contact Ms. Linda McLeod at 609-343-5009/609-463-4774, ext. 5009, or mcleod@atlantic.edu

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Admission is available to International students who meet the required criteria. Students whose native language is not English are required to take the English As a Second Language Test. If you have been educated in the USA since the 8th grade and have graduated or expect to graduate from an American high school, you are exempt from the ESL Test and should make an appointment to take the Placement Test at (609)343-5099, or (609)463-4774. A final high school transcript is required. If you entered the American school system after 8th grade, you may be exempt from the Test based on an interview with the Chairperson of the ESL Department, (609)343-4881, or (609)463-4774, ext 4881. 

Transcripts from any foreign colleges or secondary schools must be translated into English by an agency such as World Education Services before being submitted for evaluation. Visit the ESL page for more information.

Types of Programs

• Atlantic Cape Community College offers degree programs that prepare students for many types of careers. Applicants must complete the application form or apply online. In these programs, students may earn one of three degrees.
• The associate in arts degree is designed for students who are seeking programs in liberal arts, humanities, fine or performing arts and who may wish to continue their education at a four-year institution.
• The associate in science degree is designed for students who are seeking programs in mathematics, science or business and who may wish to continue their education at a four-year institution.
• The associate in applied science degree is designed for students who are seeking career preparation, typically at the technical or semiprofessional level, and who are seeking job entry at the completion of the program.
• The professional series is a sequence of related courses designed to develop entry-level skills for specific jobs.

Click here for specific information about the Academy of Culinary Arts or the Allied Health program degrees and admission requirements.

Non-Degree Programs

Atlantic Cape offers credit classes for students who are not seeking a degree. You must still complete the application form, selecting “undeclared” as your major. You are not eligible for financial aid and must still take the Placement Test unless you meet the Test waiver requirements or receive special permission from the Director of Admissions or the Director of the Career & Academic Planning Center.

Visiting Students

If you are attending other colleges, and want to take a course or courses at Atlantic Cape, you may apply as a Visiting Student. You must still show completion of any required prerequisites with an unofficial transcript and verify that your home college will accept the course or courses you are taking. Atlantic Cape cannot guarantee the transferability of the course if you have not received permission from your home college. To apply as a visiting student, complete the online application or download and print an application.

You must submit a transcript or letter of authorization from your college to attend. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Visiting a Class

Student who are unsure about their course or program of interest may request a one-time visit to a class without applying or enrolling at Atlantic Cape.  Students must follow the procedures as outlined and complete the "Visiting a Class" form. For more information on the procedures to visit a class at Atlantic Cape or the Academy of Culinary Arts, contact the Admissions Office.

Continuing Education

Atlantic Cape also offers a variety of continuing education/non-credit courses for personal development or to upgrade your skills. These programs include professional certificate programs designed to meet the short-term training needs of the local workforce, as well as personal enrichment courses.

Changing Your Degree Status or Major

If you change from non-degree to degree-seeking status, or if you change your major, contact the Career and Academic Planning Center, (609) 343-5621, (609) 463-4774 or 625-1111, ext. 5621, or e-mail conaghy@atlantic.edu.

Re-Admission to the College

Any degree-seeking student who has withdrawn from Atlantic Cape in good academic standing may re-enter at any time by registering for classes. Students who have been dismissed or suspended must apply for re-admission in writing to the Director of Counseling and Support Services. Students in the Academy of Culinary Arts must request re-admission through the Dean of the Academy. Re-entry to the ACA is also contingent on available space.

Chargebacks-- Out of County Residents

Non-residents of Atlantic or Cape May counties taking classes at Atlantic Cape are required to file a chargeback form every semester when they register or must pay out-of-county rates. A chargeback authorizes Atlantic Cape to bill the student's home county in New Jersey for the out-of-county portion of the tuition. It is the responsibility of the student to verify eligibility for a chargeback with the home county. Forms are available from the local county treasurer's office or community college. Complete information is available from the Enrollment Services Office.  See tuition/fees for costs to attend.

Chargebacks-- County Residents

Residents of Atlantic or Cape May counties who take a course or program of study at another New Jersey county college are eligible for a chargeback if the course or program is not offered at Atlantic Cape.  Eligible students must bring their original registration form which indicates their program of study and courses enrolled in, and a valid driver's license or other photo i.d. that shows a home address, to request a "Certificate of Inability to Admit" from the Atlantic Cape Admissions Office by October 15 for fall classes, March 1 for spring classes and July 18 for summer classes.  No chargebacks will be issued after these dates.

Atlantic County residents must take the form to the Atlantic County Treasurer's Office, 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, (609)343-2257.  Cape May County residents must take the form to the Cape May County Treasurer's Office, 4 Moore Road, Cape May Court House, (609)465-7110. If you are issued a chargeback refusal by Atlantic Cape, you must take the form back to the college you are attending.  Contact the Admissions Office at (609)343-5000 or (609)463-3958 for more information.