Health and Public Safety Selective Admission

Selective Admission Process (Progression)

Due to high demand and limited availability of clinical education sites, some Health and Public Safety degree and certificate programs require students to apply for Selective Admission (sometimes referred to as “Progression”). These programs include:

How does Selective Admission work?

Programs participating in the Selective Admission process use a point system to determine a student’s readiness for admission. Elements of this point system include:

  • Attain required overall minimum GPA
    • For associate’s degree programs: Minimum GPA of 2.75
    • For the Practical Nursing Certificate: Minimum GPA of 2.50
       
  • Take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) standardized admission test. (Required for most Selective Admission applicants.) Learn more about TEAS below.
     
  • Attain required GPA for Math and Science courses
    • For associate’s degree programs: Math/Science minimum GPA of 2.75
    • For the Practical Nursing Certificate: Math/Science minimum GPA of 2.00
    • Courses can be repeated only one time
    • In some programs, working ahead on math and science courses in the curriculum may earn extra points
       
  • Deduction of a point occurs for each course a student takes more than one time

Depending on the program, other categories may earn points towards Selective Admission. Information is available from the Program Chair or Advisor and on this website, on the pages for each program.

Additional considerations

  • Selective Admission deadlines occur at different times for each program. Dates are available from the Program Chair or Advisor and on this website, on the pages for each program.
     
  • Students may need to complete several prerequisites before becoming eligible to apply for Selective Admission. Students are encouraged to meet with a program advisor for guidance on completing these courses or other requirements.
     
  • Students should plan to attend an Information Session to learn more about the Selective Admission process. Dates are available from the Program Chair or Advisor and on this website, on the pages for each program.

TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Information

TEAS is a multiple-choice assessment of basic academic knowledge in reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage.

  • Completing the ATI TEAS test is required for students entering some Health and Public Safety programs with Selective Admission requirements
  • There is a cost to take the test, and you must register in advance
  • Testing is available in two formats:
    • In-person on Cincinnati State’s Clifton campus – when you register for the test, select “In-Person Proctored by an Institution”
    • Online using Proctorio software – when you register for the test, select “TEAS Online Proctored by an Institution”

Use this link to create a TEAS profile: https://www.atitesting.com/teas/register

  • If you are apply for Nursing, choose “Cincinnati State Bethesda School of Nursing” as your institution
  • If you are applying for Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Occupational Therapy, choose “Cincinnati State Health & Public Safety” as your institution


Choosing Your Test Date
After you set up your profile, you will be able to view the testing dates available at Cincinnati State for the Nursing or RN test. (Even if you are an OT or DMS student, you need to choose the RN/Nursing test.)

  • Dates at the end of the semester always fill up quickly. 
  • If Cincinnati State dates are filled, you will have to choose a testing site that is not located at Cincinnati State (but allows other colleges to use their testing site).

Students requesting Accommodations for Testing
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services at Cincinnati State and need accommodations for the TEAS test, you must contact Debra Lierl at Cincinnati State (debra.lierl@cincinnatistate.edu) before you register to take the TEAS test.

  • Contact Debra as soon as possible in the semester you plan to take the test.
  • The deadline for contacting Debra is three weeks before the end of the semester you plan to take the test.