Applying to a TCAT
Review the programs of study and any program-specific admission requirements. Complete the FAFSA to apply for the Pell grant, TN Promise scholarship, the TN Reconnect and the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.Admissions
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Student Services Office – Main Campus
740 Highway 46 South
Dickson, TN 37055
Phone: 615-441-6220 Fax: 615-441-6223
Admissions@tcatdickson.edu
Student Services Office – Clarksville Campus
135 International Blvd
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: 931-572-1694 Fax: 931-572-1696
Lisa.sullivan@tcatdickson.edu
General Admission Requirements
- Program enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis by date of completed application. (A completed application includes all items required for enrollment.)
- Persons seeking admission to a college must be at least 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent. For full-time programs, the applicant must declare an occupational objective and demonstrate reasonable potential for achieving that objective.
- All persons who are required to register for the Federal Draft under 50 U.S.C. App. Section 453 are not eligible to enroll in any post-secondary school until they have registered with selective service.
View the Full Admissions Policy
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
Educational and admission requirements vary from program to program.
Welding Technology
The Welding Technology program has an articulation agreement with the Tennessee Prison Education Initiative. Details of the articulation are located here,
For more information contact the the Student Services Office.
The Welding Technology program has an articulation agreement with the Tennessee community colleges. Details of the articulation can be downloaded and viewed here, Welding Articulation Agreement. For more information contact the program instructor or the Student Services Office.
Practical Nursing
Practical Nursing classes are offered at the Dickson, Clarksville, and Franklin campuses.
Program start dates vary by location:
The Dickson campus begins nursing classes every January, May, and September.
The Clarksville campus begins a nursing class each September and is currently seeking approval for an evening class to begin in January.
The Franklin campus begins a nursing class each September.
Practical Nursing applicants:
Complete an online application for TCAT Dickson Practical Nursing. You may apply to more than one campus. Applications expire after one year.
Additional application requirements for Practical Nursing:
January admissions – All application documents must be received by November 1.
May admissions – All application documents must be received by March 1.
September admissions – All application documents must be received by July 1.
- An official high school transcript or equivalent. The transcript should be mailed directly from your school system to TCAT Dickson, Attn: Sherry LaRose-Bowman. Foreign transcripts will require evaluation from a credentialing service to verify US equivalency.
- Three current references. Click here for the reference form.
- Proof of immunity to MMR and Varicella. Immunization records must show two doses of each vaccine, or the applicant must provide proof of positive titer levels.
- Completion of the HESI Admission Assessment, math and reading sections. Minimum scores are 70 in each section.
For questions about outstanding admissions requirements, please contact Sherry La-Rose Bowman at sherry.larose-bowman@tcatdickson.edu.
HESI Admission Assessment Information
HESI testing slots are limited (see dates below). Applicants must contact Sherry LaRose-Bowman to schedule a testing date. The HESI Admission Assessment costs $40, which must be paid in cash on the day the test. Applicants must wait a minimum of 30 days before retesting. Applicants may only retest once per trimester.
Dickson: September 16, October 21, and October 28
Clarksville: September 28, October 19, and October 26
Achieving the minimum scores on the exam does not guarantee admission. Admission to the Practical Nursing Program is highly competitive, and only a select number of students are enrolled to each class. Nursing applicants with a complete application are ranked based on scores on the entrance exam.
For more information regarding the practical nursing program, please contact Stephanie Murphy, Health Careers Coordinator, at 615-441-6220 or stephanie.murphy@tcatdickson.edu.
Pharmacy Technology
For entrance into the Pharmacy Technology program, a student must have a high school or GED/HiSET diploma and a satisfactory physical exam with all required immunizations. Students in the program are subject to drug testing and background screening.
Top 15 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in 2021
Mechatronics
Supplemental training certificates may be given for specialized industry training. The individual training programs will determine supplemental certificate requirements.
Machine Tool Technology
Kim received the 2017 OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD presented at this year’s National conference of the American Technical Education Association (ATEA) in Nashville.
The Machine Tool Technology program at TCAT-Dickson is accredited by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills.
Industrial Electrical Maintenance/Mechatronics
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
Digital Graphic Design
A graphic design career requires creativity and a desire to constantly improve. You will need to be able to listen carefully to the ideas of others and use your training to make those ideas tangible. You will need to push past the first brilliant idea (which is something you have probably seen before) and keep working until you have something truly original. Multiple revisions and tight deadlines are a way of life in this career. Digital Graphic Design will provide you with a sense of history, the basic building blocks of art and design, and the professional tools that employers expect designers to master.
The Digital Graphic Design program has an articulation agreement with the Nashville State Community College. Details of the articulation are located here,
. For more information contact the program instructor or the Student Services Office.
Diesel Powered Equipment Technology
The Diesel Powered Equipment Technology training program at TCAT Dickson has received accreditation by NATEF and The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
TCAT Dickson Diesel Powered Equipment Technology program has been accredited in the following areas: (Diesel Engines, Brakes, Electrical/Electronics, Drive Train, Suspension and Steering, HVAC, Preventive Maintenance).
Dental Assisting
The Dental Assisting program begins each year in September.
Dental Assisting applicants:
Complete an online application for TCAT Dickson Dental Assisting.
Additional application requirements for Dental Assisting:
All application documents must be received by July 1.
- An official high school transcript or equivalent. The transcript should be mailed directly from your school system to TCAT Dickson, Attn: Sherry LaRose-Bowman. Foreign transcripts will require evaluation from a credentialing service to verify US equivalency.
- Three current references. Click here for the reference form:
- Proof of immunity to MMR and Varicella. Immunization records must show two doses of each vaccine, or the applicant must provide proof of positive titer levels.
- Completion of the HESI Admission Assessment, math and reading sections. Minimum scores are 70 in each section.
For questions about outstanding admissions requirements, please contact Sherry La-Rose Bowman at sherry.larose-bowman@tcatdickson.edu.
HESI Admission Assessment Information
HESI testing slots are limited (see dates below). Applicants must contact Sherry LaRose-Bowman to schedule a testing date. The HESI Admission Assessment costs $40, which must be paid in cash on the day the test. Applicants must wait a minimum of 30 days before retesting. Applicants may only retest once per trimester.
Dickson: October 21, and October 28
Clarksville: September 28, October 19, and October 26
Achieving the minimum scores on the exam does not guarantee admission. Admission to the Dental Assisting program is highly competitive, and only a select number of students are enrolled in each class. Dental applicants with a complete application are ranked based on scores on the entrance exam.
For additional information, please contact Stephanie Murphy, Health Careers Coordinator, at 615-441-6220 or stephanie.murphy@tcatdickson.edu.
Cosmetology
For entrance into the Cosmetology program, an applicant must have 10 High School credits or a GED score of 450 or a passing HiSet score. Provide official high school or GED or HiSet transcript prior to enrollment. The Cosmetology program has an articulation agreement with the Tennessee Prison system. Details of the articulation is located here,
. For more information contact the Student Services Office.
Computer Information Technology
The Computer Information Technology program has an articulation agreement with the Tennessee community colleges. Details of the articulation are located here, CIT Articulation Agreement. For more information contact the program instructor or the Student Services Office.
Please see the below attached document for the Nashville State Community College's agreement with CIT.
Automotive Technology
Administrative Office Technology
The Administrative Office Technology program has an articulation agreement with the Tennessee community colleges. Details of the articulation are located here, AOT Articulation Agreement. For more information contact the program instructor or the Student Services Office.