Policies & Procedures

Advisement

Testing Program and Requirements Concerning Academic Deficiencies - 1G2

1. Testing Program prior to an advising process and registration, some entering undergraduates are required to take placement tests.
   
   Placement tests assess students' levels of competence in writing, mathematics, and reading to identify appropriate academic coursework for the student, and provide information for the University's assessment program. By identifying the educational skill levels of students entering the University, the University may assess the quality of education it provides undergraduate students. The University intends to use the information to evaluate how well the objectives for its undergraduate programs are being met and to determine appropriate ways to strengthen undergraduate programs.

   For all first-time freshmen and transfer students who have attempted fewer than 16 semester (or 24 quarter) hours of credit elsewhere, placement into mathematics, English, and academic development courses shall be based on a combination of factors including: ACT scores, high school rank, high school coursework and/or results of placement tests.

   First-time freshman and transfer students who have attempted fewer than 16 semester (or 24 quarter) hours of credit elsewhere who do not submit information about high school rank and ACT scores will be required to take University placement tests.

   Students whose placement tests scores in writing, reading, and/or mathematics are below internally established indicators of college entry level competence must begin the process of development or redevelopment in the initial academic term of enrollment and must demonstrate steady progress in each succeeding term toward successful completion of the process. This process must be concluded within 32 semester hours and prior to enrollment in any courses for which the corresponding skill courses are a prerequisite. Most courses designated AD (Academic Development) and all courses numbered below 100 carry institutional credit only; that is, they do not count toward graduation.

   Transfer students who have attempted at least 16 semester (24 quarter) hours of credit elsewhere and who have not completed two English composition courses (equivalent to English 101 and English 102) with grades of C or better must take University placement tests in reading and writing. Transfer students who otherwise satisfactorily transfer in either English 101 or 102, or its equivalent (e.g., advanced placement), will have the requirement to take the writing placement test waived. Transfer students who have attempted at least 16 semester (24 quarter) hours of credit elsewhere and not have completed an intermediate algebra course (equivalent to AD 095) with a grade of C or better must take the University mathematics placement test. Placement test results for these transfer students will be used for diagnostic purposes to assist students in selecting appropriate coursework and for the University Assessment program.

2. Requirements Concerning Academic Deficiencies
   
   
   1. Deficiencies in Meeting High School Course Requirements
      
      Students (other than international students) who do not meet minimum high school course requirements, but who are admitted through the special admission program are required to correct high school course deficiencies as determined by the Office of Admissions. The program of study, prescribed by Academic Counseling and Advising to correct such deficiencies, must begin in the initial academic term of enrollment. Students deficient both in skills courses and in courses other than the skills courses must complete the basic skills requirements prior to enrollment in courses for which the skills are required. Students must demonstrate steady progress in each succeeding term toward successful completion of their program of study and complete the program within 32 semester hours. If they do not adhere to the program of study prescribed by Academic Counseling and Advising, they will not be permitted to enroll in the subsequent academic term. Students may not apply for major status until their program to correct high school course deficiencies is successfully completed.
      

      Students whose test scores meet internally established indicators of college entry level competence in writing must fulfill their high school deficiency by successfully completing English 111 or higher. Students whose test scores meet internally established indicators of college entry level competence in mathematics must fulfill their high school mathematics deficiency by successfully completing Math 120 or higher. Those students whose test scores fall below such internally established indicators will be required to enroll in and successfully complete appropriate course work as determined by their test scores and other transcript and ACTE factors. No credit toward graduation will be awarded for developmental courses used to meet high school course deficiencies.

      Students who are lacking courses in areas other than skills must complete one 3 semester hour course in the area(s) of deficiency for every year (or fraction thereof) of deficiency in such high school courses. Courses must be selected from Introductory and Advanced General Education departmental courses numbered below 300, or from the following non-General Education courses that have been approved for correcting deficiencies: CHEM 113 may be selected to rectify a deficiency in the specific requirement for one year of chemistry, PHYS 119 may be selected to rectify a deficiency in the requirement for a third year of science, and AD 085 may be selected to rectify a deficiency in the specific requirement of one year of Geometry. Students must complete such courses with a passing grade or achieve a minimum grade of "C" on proficiency examinations for these courses. (All departmental courses numbered 111 are required to have proficiencies; whether proficiency examinations are to be administered for advanced courses is at the discretion of departments.) No courses taken to rectify such high school course deficiencies will carry credit toward meeting general education requirements or major/minor requirements. Credit will be awarded as elective credit toward graduation, i.e., elective credits not required by the major and/or minor.

   2. Requirements for Students Admitted as Non-Traditional Freshmen with GED Credentials
      
      Students admitted as Non-Traditional Freshmen who presented GED credentials and who applied five years after their high school class graduated must complete the following requirements: 1) Fulfill English, mathematics and reading deficiencies as indicated by University administered placement tests; and 2) complete at least one three semester hour course in each of the following areas: a) science, b) social sciences and c) either foreign language, music, art, theater, dance or speech. Courses must be selected from Introductory and Advanced General Education courses numbered below 300. Students must complete such courses with a passing grade or achieve a minimum grade of "C" on a proficiency examination for these courses. No course taken to meet this additional course requirement will carry credit toward meeting General Education or major/minor requirements. Credit will be awarded as general elective credit toward graduation, i.e., elective credits not required by the major and/or minor.
      
   3. Entry-Level Competencies for the General Education Program
      
      
      1. Students who have been identified through placement testing as needing developmental instruction in English composition must successfully complete Basic Writing (Academic Development, AD 090 and/or 092) prior to enrolling in Introductory General Education Courses and in other General Education Courses requiring writing skills.
      2. Students who have been identified through placement testing as needing developmental instruction in reading must have completed College Reading (Academic Development, AD 080) or have concurrent enrollment in or completion of College Reading II (Academic Development, AD 082) when enrolling in General Education Courses.
      3. Students who have been identified through placement testing as needing developmental instruction in mathematics must successfully complete the equivalent of intermediate algebra by completing (Academic Development, AD 065 and/or 075 and/or 095) prior to enrolling in Introductory General Education Courses in the General Education Area of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Approved by Chancellor effective 5/22/00
This policy was issued on January 11, 2002, replacing the September 14, 2000 version.
Document Reference: 1G2
Origin: CC 7-90/91; CC 12-90/91; CC 14-90/91; OP 8/1/91; OP 11/22/91; CC 14-91/92; OP 8/20/92; CC 7-92/93; CC 21-92/93; CC 11-99/00