First-time College Student

Come to JCC as a first-time college student

Whether you want to become a nurse, engineer, global ambassador, or business owner, Jamestown Community College can help you achieve your goals. Find a program that is right for you and begin your college experience.

If you are a home-schooled student, you can apply to JCC following the school year when you turned 16.

Documentation of a valid and in-effect individualized home instruction plan (IHIP) pursuant to section 100.10 of the regulations of the Commissioner of Education must be submitted. If you are unable to obtain this documentation, you must obtain a high school equivalency diploma (GED/TASC) prior to receiving your degree from JCC. In all cases, you must complete JCC’s placement testing.

TASC/GED vs. IEP diplomas

JCC accepts high school diplomas and TASC/GED (high school equivalency) diplomas.

JCC does not accept IEP diplomas. The State Education Department has ruled that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) diploma “is not an indicator of successful completion of high school study;” thus, community colleges are under no legal obligation to accept IEP students under the terms of the state’s Full Opportunity policy.

If you have an IEP diploma, or you do not have a high school or TASC/GED diploma, then you can complete 24 college credits at JCC to apply for your high school equivalency diploma. If you have resided in New York state for at least 30 days and are 16 years of age or older, you can take the TASC test. For more details, visit NYSED.

Course distribution requirements

Course distribution requirements to apply for high school equivalency diploma
Subject Credits Description
English language arts 6 All college-level English course credits earned at JCC or transfer course credits accepted as a JCC course equivalent.
Mathematics 3 All college-level math course credits earned at JCC or transfer course credits accepted as a JCC course equivalent.
Natural science 3 All college-level credits in AST, BIO (except 1450), CHE, GLG, MET, and PHY or transfer course credits accepted as a JCC course equivalent.
Social science 3 All college-level course credits in ANT, ECO, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, SOC, and certain CRI courses with the social sciences attribute or transfer course credits accepted as a JCC course equivalent.
Humanities 3 All college-level course credits earned at JCC with the humanities attribute or transfer course credits accepted as a JCC course equivalent.
College degree program requirements 6 Please see individual college degree program requirements.

TASC test dates

Contact the Community Adult Learning Center (21 East Second Street, Dunkirk, NY, 14048) at 716.366.3631 or the Gateway Center (31 Water Street, Jamestown, NY, 14701) at 716.484.6190 or 716.484.9811 for more information on TASC exam registration and preparatory classes. Learn more about TASC testing.

Completed application packets must be received one week prior to exam date. Candidates may not take the exam unless the TASC clerk has received their application in advance of the testing date. Contact the TASC clerk with any questions.

According to the State Education Department, when you have completed a high school program through correspondence study, the correspondence school must be recognized, authorized, or approved by the state educational entity in which the correspondence school is located, and you must be a resident of that state.

New York state residents may not use a high school program of correspondence study to meet the requirements for a secondary education in New York state.