Issuing Office

College of Applied Studies and Academic Success (CASAS)          

Affected Parties

Students

Policy Language

The University offers nine developmental courses to students who need assistance with some of the basic skills required in order to be successful in college. Based upon a placement assessment that combines SAT, ACT, and High School GPA with appropriate Liberty placement test results, if they are accepted on Academic Caution or Probation or if they cannot provide test scores, students may be required to complete the appropriate developmental courses listed below:

1. MENT 100 – Foundations for Academic Success.
   This course is designed to assist students in their academic adjustment to college. There is a focus on learning and application of study strategies and self-management skills. In addition, emphasis is placed on community and accountability which provide the foundation for academic success.

2. MENT 101 – Mentoring for University Transition.
   This course is designed to provide instruction in study strategies and life skills basic to the successful transition to the university. Within a small group setting, instructors will mentor students in their understanding and application of these concepts.
   
   
3. CLST 101 – College Learning Strategies.
   This course is designed to equip students with the study strategies necessary for success at the college level. It teaches self-management skills such as organization and time management, as well as learning strategies including memory and test-taking. Students are also encouraged to discover their individual learning styles, while incorporating practical application techniques.
   
   
4. CLST 102 – College Reading Improvement.
   This course is designed to teach students the essential reading skills necessary to improve their ability to comprehend the material contained in college textbooks. Topics include analytical reading, critical reading, and vocabulary development.
   
   
5. CLST 103 – Individualized Laboratory in Reading and Study Strategies.
   This course is an individualized program in reading and study strategies based on students’ goals and assessed needs. The varied curriculum focuses on academic, personal, and/ or spiritual domains. It is delivered in a lab format with faculty/student interaction.
   
   
6. CLST 105 – Strategies for the Application of College Learning Skills.
   This course provides strategies that will enable students to apply college learning skills to their current courses. It incorporates one-on-one mentoring, as well as weekly accountability. It is designed to foster an awareness of current academic progress and to encourage the motivation and responsibility necessary for academic success.
   
   
7. ENGL 100 / ESOL 100 – Basic Composition.
   These courses are available to students who do not have a strong back-ground (does not need hyphen) in English grammar and basic composition. ESOL 100 is designed for students whose native language is not English.
   
   
8. MATH 100 – Fundamentals of Mathematics.
   This course is offered to students who do not have strong math skills. The course is a review of arithmetic and elementary algebra.
   
   
9. MATH 110 – Intermediate Algebra.
   This course is offered to resident students who do not have the algebra skills required for a college-level math course. Topics reviewed include exponents, factoring, graphing, equations, and rational expressions.

Policy Rationale

This policy is designed to help students achieve demonstrated foundational competencies for college success.

Definition of Glossary Terms

Developmental Courses:  A pre-college level course to develop skills needed in reading, writing, English, Math, and study skills.

CASAS: Center for Academic Support and Advising Services

CGS: College of General Studies

Academic Caution: Students with  SAT scores less than 480, ACT scores less than 18, and HS GPA’s less than 3.0 (looking at the combination of scores) could be placed on Academic Caution.  Students on Academic Caution are limited to taking 14 credit hours and must take a MENT 100 or 101 course (or CLST course that is deemed appropriate).

Math Placement Score: Calculated formula that takes into consideration Math Assessment score, SAT/ACT score(s), and HS GPA.

Math Placement for Math 100:  Placement score below 70

Math Placement for Math 110:  Placement score between 70-74

English Placement Score:  Calculated formula that takes into consideration English Assessment score, SAT/ACT score(s), and HS GPA

English Placement into ENGL 100:  Placement score below 70

Procedures

A query is made of all students placed on Academic Caution.  Dave Bellows will then place each student into the appropriate MENT or CLST course. 

For math and English, once the students take the assessment test, the students are informed automatically what ENGL or MATH course to take and prerequisites are set in place so students cannot register for what they do not qualify for.

Sanctions

For math and English, this is done automatically with the placement scores.  The system will not let students register for courses they are not qualified to take.  For Academic Caution, queries are submitted right before school starts to see what caution students do not have MENT or CLST on their schedules.  Those who do not, Dave Bellows will make the adjustment.

Exceptions

If a student transfers in with a similar course, the student may be exempt from taking the required developmental course.

Date of Last Review

8/26/2019