The Polk State College Catalog/Student Handbook contains detailed information about admission requirements, academic programs and policies, course descriptions, financial aid , special services and programs, extracurricular activities , and related policies and procedures.
If a student has specific questions or needs further information, he or she should contact a student success advisor in Student Services on either the Lakeland or Winter Haven Campus, or at the Airside East, Airside West-Lakeland, or JD Alexander-Lake Wales Center.
Polk State College is part of the Florida College System and awards baccalaureate degrees , associate degrees , advanced technical certificates , credit and vocational certificates , and applied technology diplomas . Polk State College is governed by a District Board of Trustees. The information published in this Catalog reflects the District Board’s rules and administrative regulations in effect at the time of publication in a user-friendly format. The official and binding rules and procedures are published on the College website. Polk State College reserves the right to make changes to regulations, course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other aspects affecting students.
Information about any changes to rules and regulations is available in the Student Services Offices.
This Catalog is updated throughout the year for omissions and errors only.
Polk State College 999 Avenue H, N.E. Winter Haven, Florida 33881-4299 863.297.1000
Note: That this Catalog may have updates throughout the months of July and August due to legislative changes that affect policies.
Accreditation
Polk State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees and baccalaureate degrees . Questions about the accreditation of Polk State College may be addressed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 (telephone: 404.679.4500). The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence of an institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.
Polk State College programs are also accredited by:
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 - 113th Street North, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; 727.210.2350; www.caahep.org
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; 404.975.5000; www.acenursing.org
The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088; 214.703.8445
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Ste 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449; 301.652.6611
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Dr. Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; 312.704.5300
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA®) Public Safety Training Academy Accreditation, 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Ste. 320, Gainesville, VA 20155; 703.352.4225
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244; 817.283.2835; www.coarc.com
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT), 1449 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588; 978.456.5594
Polk State College is pleased to report that on April 27, 2021, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) renewed the College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program’s accreditation . At the same time, the CAPTE also placed the program on temporary Probationary Accreditation status due to two out of eight Standards/Required Elements being out of compliance.
Probationary accreditation is a temporary status that does not exceed two years but may end sooner. Once placed on probation, should a program fail to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner as specified by the CAPTE, the program may risk having its accreditation withdrawn. Polk State is committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure ongoing accreditation for this program.
The College’s CAPTE accreditation history can be viewed on the commission’s website: www.capteonline.org .
What does this mean for the Polk State Physical Therapist Assistant Program? Polk State’s PTA Program remains accredited, and this temporary status change does not interfere with any currently enrolled or admitted student’s path to graduation, or ability to take the National Physical Therapy Examination® (NPTE®), obtain licensure, and enter practice.
The College takes this situation very seriously and it is confident in meeting all CAPTE accreditation standards. Polk State’s PTA Program was created consistent with those standards when it first received accreditation in 1996. The College has hired a new Program Director who began on June 1, 2021; a new Clinical Coordinator for the fall term. Additionally, the program is providing a supplemental test preparation course, Scorebuilders, to enhance students’ readiness for passing licensure exams. Polk State is committed to demonstrating and maintaining compliance with the standards of the CAPTE and is confident that the corrective measures being implemented will lead to removal of the probationary status. Polk State will continue to provide students with the high-quality education and training required to become licensed, practicing physical therapist assistants.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Polk State College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accrediatio[email protected] ; website: www.capteonline.org . The program’s current status is Probationary Accreditation, and more information is available at: www.capteonline.org/WhatWeDo/RecentActions/PublicDisclosureNotices . The Polk State PTA Program can be contacted by telephone (863.297.1010 ext. 5751) or email ( [email protected] ).
- International Student Packet
- Affidavit of Support - Additional
- Arrival and Reporting Procedures
- Google Translate
- F-1 Visa Transfer In Form
- International Student Q & A
- Transfer Out Form
- Important Info for Current International Students
Financial Aid Bookstore Purchase Dates (Spring FASTRACK 2 Session)
Monday, 2/20/23 - Friday, 3/10/23
Graduation Application Deadline March 31, 2023
Wednesday, 3/01/23 - Friday, 3/31/23
Financial Aid Guaranteed Processing Deadline for Summer Session is April 21, 2023
Wednesday, 3/01/23 - Friday, 4/21/23 Polk State College
Classes Begin (Spring FASTRACK 2 Session)
Tuesday, 3/07/23 - All Day
- International and Visa Students
Students must complete the application process by the semester deadlines below. If your application is incomplete by the deadline of your intended admission semester, your admission may be considered for the next term.
- Fall Semester (late August – mid-December): June 1
- Spring Semester (early January – early May): November 1
- Summer Semester (early May-early August): April 1
Allow 10 working days for processing after all your documents have been submitted and received by the college. Be aware that processing time for transcripts can take up to six weeks.
Polk State College is authorized to enroll nonimmigrant alien students, classified as International Students (F-1 visas), Vocational Students (M-1 visas), or other nonimmigrant visa holders. International Students who hold an F-1 visa enter the United States specifically for the purpose of obtaining English language training or to pursue a prescribed program of study, which includes associate of science, associate of arts, and bachelor degrees. Students with an M-1 visa enter the United States to pursue vocational training, which includes certificates and associate of applied science degrees. Students with F-1 and M-1 visas are required to attend school full time, which is a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, and pay the out-of-state tuition and fees during their entire enrollment at Polk State College.
Anyone who enters the United States on a visa type other than F-1 or M-1 is here for a purpose other than education. Most are eligible to attend school at Polk State College part time while maintaining the status of their nonimmigrant visa. The exceptions include B1 or B2 Tourist visas and J-1 Exchange Student visas. Persons holding these visa types who wish to attend Polk State may apply as an International Student and, upon acceptance, may either change their status while remaining here in the United States or return home to apply for an F-1 or M-1 student visa.
Most holders of a nonimmigrant visa are required to pay out-of-state tuition and fees; however, there are a few visa types that may qualify for Florida residency for tuition purposes after one year of residency in a valid, eligible visa category. You may complete a Residency Declaration to determine your eligibility for in-state tuition.
Polk State College students interested in International travel should go to the Global Initiatives page.
Special Note: Students who are not U.S. citizens must submit documentation each term: spring, fall, and summer as to the student’s legal status. A ZI hold will remain on the student record for the duration of academic studies at Polk State. When documentation is presented, the student hold is overridden for the term allowing students to register.
STEPS TO ADMISSION
Step one – complete a free application at polk.edu.
- You will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions, generally within one week of submitting your application.
- Affidavit of Support is required for any individual or any commercial organization that will be sponsoring your education. Please print one of these forms for each sponsor . Each sponsor must also submit a recent bank statement showing the funds they have committed to your education are readily available. The Affidavit of Support needs to be submitted within the six months prior to the start date of the semester you intend to start classes. If you are not admitted for the semester you intended, you will need to submit an updated Affidavit of Support and bank statements to be considered for a subsequent semester.
- International Student Application is a document that captures additional required information.
STEP TWO – Submit Official Transcripts
- See the dedicated International Transcripts page.
STEP THREE – Provide Proof of Financial Support
- Recent bank statement(s) from each sponsor showing funds promised are readily available.
- The Affidavit of Support needs to be submitted within the six months prior to the start date of the semester you intend to start classes. If you are not admitted for the semester you intended, you will need to submit an updated Affidavit of Support and bank statements to be considered for a subsequent semester.
- International students do not qualify for any US federal financial assistance.
STEP FOUR – Complete Testing and Placement Requirements
- Affidavit of Native Language If English is your native language and is listed on the affidavit, please print and complete this affidavit.
- TOEFL is the most common means of proving proficiency. The ETS website provides information about TOEFL at toefl.org . A score of 61 is needed to establish English proficiency.
- The International English Language Testing System for Study (IELTS) is also accepted. A score of 5.5 is needed to establish English proficiency.
- Proof of completion of a regionally-accredited English Language program.
- See the college catalog for additional means of proving English proficiency.
- If you do not meet the TOEFL requirements, you may begin your studies at Polk State College in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program, which provides English instruction. The LOEP is the test for placement into EAP courses.
- It is highly recommended that the student have a basic understanding of the English language before entering EAP.
- This is the college placement test you will take upon arrival at Polk State College. Take a sample test by clicking here . No login required.
STEP FIVE – Acceptance and Visa Issuance
- The SEVIS I-20 is used to show acceptance to Polk State College and to complete the DS-160 Application for Non-immigrant Visa
- Once you have received your I-20, you will need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. You can pay online at www.fmjfee.com or you can follow the directions on the I-901 form sent with your SEVIS I-20. Print your I-901 receipt; you will need it at your visa interview.
- Apply for your student visa online by completing the DS-160 Application for Non-immigrant Visa .
- Make an appointment at the nearest US Embassy for a visa interview.
- Upon receipt of the F-1 or M-1 visa, apply for your medical insurance online. The medical insurance students purchase must include basic medical coverage, emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation and repatriation.
- Make travel arrangements.
STEP SIX – Arrival in the US and Reporting to Polk State College
- The Arrival & Reporting Procedures document describes the procedures to follow upon receipt of your SEVIS I-20.
- It is required to officially report to Polk State’s International Student Office within the first 15 days of the semester. Bring your passport, I-20, and I-94 printout from the web.
STEP SEVEN – ATTEND ORIENTATION AND REGISTER FOR CLASSES
- Attend international student orientation.
- Register for classes in orientation.
- Pay tuition.
Still, have questions?
Contact international student services at [email protected] or visit: Lakeland campus : 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL 33803 Winter Haven campus : 999 Avenue H NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Resources for International Students
Government websites.
- Citizenship and Border Patrol (CBP) – what to expect at the port of entry (Customs Inspection)
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of State (DOS ) – Information about passports, visas, embassies, and other travel related questions
- Study in the States – Excellent resource for studying in the US
- US Embassies – List of US Embassies around the world
- EducationUSA
- America.gov
- I-studentglobal.com
College webpages
- Cost of Living Calculator
- Currency Converter website
- Bachelor Degree Programs
- College Calendar
- Tuition and Fees
- College Bookstore
- Clubs and Organizations on Campus
- Medical Insurance
Community Resources
Transportation services.
- Shuttle from Tampa and Orlando airports: Airport Shuttle
- Amtrak Train
- Greyhound Bus 863.682.3107
- Citrus Connection 863.688.RIDE (7433)
- WHAT 863.688.RIDE (7433)
- Lakeland Chamber of Commerce 863.688.8551
- Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce 863.293.2138
Online Housing Search Resources
List of local apartments (lakeland):.
- Crystal Court Apartments 863.225.1740
- Towncenter at Lakeside Village 863.845.1722
- Willow Brooke Apartments 863.647.2338
- The Park at Palazzo 863.682.1300
- Audubon Oaks 863.400.5330
- Carlton Arms of North Lakeland 877.779.7410
- Carlton Arms of South Lakeland 877.558.1001
- Arbor Glen 844.326-3346
- The Retreat at Lakeland 863.588.7464
- Century Ariva 863.617.7256
List of Local Apartments (Winter Haven)
- Briarcrest Apartments 863.269.7078
- Haven at Lake Deer Apartments 844.739.1820
- Brandywyne Apartments 863.508.7810
- Carlton Arms of Winter Haven 863.875.1700
- River Lake Garden Apartments 863.324.1072
- Madison Lake Ned 863.877.2185
Utility Companies
- Tampa Electric
- Lakeland Water 863.834.8316
- Lakeland Electric 863.834.6300
- Central Florida Gas 863.293.2125
Telephone Companies
Water/sewer/garbage.
- Winter Haven City Works 863.291.5756
- City of Lakeland 863.834.3300
Cable Television
- In This Section
- Admission and Registrar Forms
- Admission and Registrar’s Office
- How to Complete an Application
- Student Orientation
- My Polk Tools
- PERT Q & A
- Paying for College
- How To Order Transcripts
- Registering for Classes
- Buying Textbooks and Supplies
- Consumer Information
- Dual Enrollment Agreement
- Home School Dual Enrollment
- Seven Steps to Admission for Dual Enrolled and Early Admission Students
- Remote Dual Enrollment Process
- Withdrawing from a Class as a Dual Enrolled Student
- Educator Preparation Institute
- World Connect Center
- Fees & Tuition
- FAQs About COVID Relief Funds
- History of COVID Relief Funds
- Financial Aid TV
- Federal Grants
- Federal Work Study Program
- Federal Student Loans
- Veterans Benefits
- Net Price Calculator
- Open Door Grant Program
- Building Higher Pre-paid Scholarship
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Transient Students
- Transfer Students
- Tuition Payment Plan
- Return of Title IV
- How to Obtain a Tax Return Transcript
- First Time in College Students
- International Transcripts
- Logging Into Everything
- Non-Degree Seeking Students
- [email protected]
- Frequently Asked Questions
- PERT Testing
- State Employees and Teachers
- Teacher Recertification
- Veteran Information
- FAMU-IGNITE Transfer Program
- UCF – Transfer Connect
- USF – Fuse Program
- Career Pathways
- Charter High Schools
- Experiential Learning Credit and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
- First Year Experience
- Office of Disability Services
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YES. Your application is to Polk State College. You can take classes at any Polk State campus or center, or online. I have a criminal history or
All other paper forms must be submitted in person or mailed to: ... or you can visit any of our Admission and Registrar offices to obtain the paper form.
2022-2023 Forms. Verification Forms, Etrieve (Electronic Form), PDF. Standard Verification V1, Etrieve · PDF. Custom Verification V4
Complete application; (select “dual enrollment” as program type). ▫ If you have not taken the PERT, move to step 3. Step 2 – If you have already applied to
Admission Steps · COMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION AT POLK.EDU. · COMPLETE ORIENTATION AND CAREER ASSESSMENTS. · GET TO KNOW POLK STATE EMAIL, PASSPORT, AND Canvas.
This is for new students who are applying to the institution for the first time or wish to update their unsubmitted application before final submission to Polk
ENROLLMENT INTENTION: If applying as a Dual Enrollment or testing for College Readiness, choose number 5. I am a high school student and want to apply
Find admission steps and resources for applying to Polk State College. Our admissions office is here to answer your questions about college applications
Any prospective student with a qualifying high school diploma or the equivalent is eligible to apply. Generally, a qualifying student has earned a standard
Students must complete the application process by the semester deadlines below. If your application is incomplete by the deadline of your intended admission