University College

The University College has two primary goals:

• To prepare students to meet the standards of the faculty
• To offer programs that encourage educational attainment and graduation

All new degree-seeking students are initially admitted to the University College.  With the exception of selective programs, students matriculate into the academic department of their choice once they have demonstrated proficiency in college-level English and mathematics via the University’s placement tests or qualifying scores on the ACT/SAT/PRAXIS.

Students seeking admission to selective programs will move from the University College to the program of their choice upon admission to that program.  Those students who are “undecided” about their academic major may choose to remain in the University College until they have completed 60 semester hours of credit.

ADVISING

The University College staff advises undecided majors, pre-health science majors, individualized studies majors, and students who place into one or more developmental English or math courses.  Pre-education and pre-engineering students are also advised by University College staff.

The Student Success Center, housed in the University College, is designed to offer advising and registration services in many different areas. Staff work collaboratively with faculty members to provide advising for course sequencing and career goals through testing services, orientation to the University, and prerequisite checks.

Issues affecting your successful participation within the Shawnee State learning community are always at the forefront of the services the Student Success Center provides.

Determining your degree / program plan by using the Degree Audit System and the Shawnee State catalog under which you entered the University makes your decisions for registration much easier.

Other academic support includes the completion of Academic Improvement Plans, supplemental instruction, mentoring, tutoring, computer labs, disability services, counseling at the time of complete withdrawal, and reentry procedures for those students who wish to return.

UNDECLARED MAJOR / UNDECIDED STUDENT

If you intend to pursue a degree but are undecided about your major, you may remain “undecided” until you earn your first 60 semester hours of credit.  At the completion of 60 hours, you are required to declare a major or you are prohibited from registering for classes.  The Student Success Center advisors will assist you with this process.

PRE-HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS

A student who is applying to one of the selective health science programs such as:  Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Laboratory, or Emergency Medical Technician, but has not been accepted to the program, is advised by an advisor in the University College. The advisor works with the student to ensure that all requirements and prerequisites for the health science program are complete.

DEVELOPMENTAL PLACEMENT

Students placing into one or more developmental math or English classes are advised in University College.  Upon completion of these courses the student moves to the academic department.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION (DE)

If you lack college-level academic skills in basic English or mathematics, you may choose or be advised to take developmental courses in these areas. Furthermore, in instances where the placement procedure indicates an explicit need for college preparatory coursework, you are required to take certain developmental courses before registering for some University courses.  Students that place into at least two or more developmental courses are required to take UNIV 1101, Academic Development Skills.

Developmental courses provide under-prepared students an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to attempt college-level coursework. They are intended for students who have had no background in a subject, inadequate preparation in a subject (e.g., mathematics, writing, reading), or have been away from school and need review. Credit hours earned in developmental courses, excluding UNIV 1101, cannot apply toward degree requirements.

The Departments of English and Humanities and Mathematical Sciences and the University College offer the following courses. Their descriptions are found in the ‘‘Course Descriptions’’ section of this catalog.

ENGL 0095 Basic Writing 1: Mechanics
ENGL 0096 Basic Writing 2: Paragraphs and Essays
ENGL 0097 Reading Development 1
ENGL 0098 Reading Development 2
MATH 0099 Fundamental Mathematics
UNIV 1101 Academic Development Skills                                                                                              

RESTRICTIONS ON REPEATING COURSEWORK

Students who receive a non-passing grade or a “W” in any DE or foundational-level GEP (General Education Program) course may repeat that course twice.  Should students fail to earn credit in their third attempt, they must petition the Academic Appeals Committee to be admitted to the class.  The decision of the committee is final.  Courses in which a passing grade was earned may be repeated unlimited times.

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER

The Student Success Center provides placement testing, academic support services, such as the completion of Academic Improvement Plans, supplemental instruction, tutoring, mentoring, computer labs, and services for students with disabilities.

PLACEMENT TESTING

The English and mathematics placement policies direct you into the University curriculum and ensure that you register for courses that match your level of academic preparedness for college-level coursework.

All first-time, degree-seeking students are placed by their ACT or SAT scores for both English and mathematics. If you are entering the University with credits from other colleges or universities, you must participate in the English and mathematics placement process if you lack transferable English or mathematics credits.

• If you enter with an ACT English subscore of 19 or higher (SAT 460) and a reading subscore of 16 or higher, you will be permitted to register for ENGL 1101.
• If you enter with an ACT English subscore of 24 or higher (SAT 550) and a reading subscore of 16 or higher, you will be permitted to register for ENGL 1102.
• If you enter with an ACT mathematics subscore of 18 or higher or an SAT mathematics subscore of 425 or higher, you will be permitted to register for MATH 1100, 1020, and/or 1500.

Additional information on placement in math: If you are not satisfied with your math placement, please contact the Department of Mathematical Sciences at (740) 351-3301.

Additional information on placement in English: If a student has not taken the ACT, he / she will be required to take the COMPASS battery of placement tests. Placement measures in mathematics, reading, and writing are components of COMPASS. Ordinarily, a student may take the placement test only once. A student may petition for the opportunity to challenge his or her placement by filling out the “Request for Retest” form. Please contact the Student Assessment Coordinator at (740) 351-3594 or stop by the Student Success Center to obtain the retest form. If the chair of the Department of English and Humanities and the Director of Composition determine that a challenge is warranted, the student may be given one opportunity to retest. Completed forms are to be submitted to the Student Assessment Coordinator before being sent to the English department.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION (SI)  

The Student Success Center, in conjunction with selected academic departments, offers supplemental instruction (SI) on a course-by-course basis. Facilitated by student leaders under the direction of a faculty member and the Student Success Center, SI is intended to help students understand course material presented by faculty and to augment in-class activities. Contact the Student Success Center or academic department chairperson for more information.

MENTORING 

The Student Success Center mentoring program pairs entering college students with upper classmen, University faculty and staff.  This program helps new students get acclimated to the campus.  Mentors provide information about campus resources such as SSU student services, financial aid, registrar, and student activities.  The mentors also assist the mentees to become aware of campus activities and opportunities which help the mentees become comfortable with college life.  Mentors may assist with academic tutoring the mentees if needed.  The purpose of the mentorship program is to help build a support system for the entering college student and to help with retaining the student until graduation.

TUTORING

The Student Success Center offers peer tutoring to students that want to improve academic performance in their enrolled courses.  Students apply online for tutoring services.  Tutors are selected based upon session and cumulative GPA (2.5 or higher) and have earned a B or higher in courses that they tutor.

COMPUTER LABS

The Student Success Center is home to the largest open computer lab at Shawnee State University. There are nearly 90 computers dedicated for student use, which allows for quick, user-friendly access to e-mail, OhioLink, and World Wide Web browsing.

DISABILITY SERVICES

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) promotes equal access to academic material and opportunities by coordinating services and accommodations for students with disabilities.  Appropriate documentation is submitted by the student, reviewed by the coordinator, and a meeting is arranged to determine appropriate accommodations.  The ODS works to empower students to take control of their educational experience.  The ODS assists in this process by providing access and opportunity in order for the student to reach their full potential, as well as advocating for a student’s rights.  The ODS also works with Student Affairs to ensure access to University programs, activities and facilities.

INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES 

ASSOCIATE OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES (AIS)

The associate of individualized studies degree (AIS) at Shawnee State University allows you to formulate your own individualized program of study based upon specific criteria. The goal of this degree is to permit the student, under the guidance of faculty advisors, to combine selected courses in academic and/or technical areas that might not meet the degree requirements for Shawnee State’s associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied science, or associate of applied business degrees.

The following conditions must be met for completion of the degree: 1) a total of 60 credit hours of 100-level or above coursework with a minimum grade point average of 2.00; 2) a minimum of two areas of concentration with at least 14 credit hours in each; 3) a set of minimum general education requirements as outlined below; 4) completion of a minimum of 30 hours of credit after admission to the program.

The minimum set of general education requirements for the AIS is as follows:

• ENGL 1101 or 1102 and ENGL 1105 (6-8 hours)
• One course at or above MATH 1100 (3 hours)
• 8-10 hours from three different categories of the Foundational Level of the University’s General Education Program. The Foundational Level includes the following categories: social sciences, natural sciences, and fine and performing arts.

Note: If you plan to transfer to another state university in Ohio in order to pursue a four-year degree program, you should consider completing the general education transfer module 44/39 .

For specific details and application forms for the program, contact the dean’s office in the University College. 

BACHELOR OF INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES (BIS)

The bachelor of individualized studies (BIS) is administered by the University College. Students interested in a BIS program should contact the dean of the University College.

The BIS is intended for undergraduate students who wish to pursue an area of study (or combination of areas) which is not available in other academic programs at Shawnee State. The proposed course of study must not closely parallel programs already offered at the university. The desire to avoid certain specific requirements of existing majors or degree programs is not a sufficient justification for choosing a BIS program.

This degree may be particularly useful to working students taking evening, weekend, or off-campus classes. Also, the BIS may be used to combine the coursework from an associate degree program with an area of concentration from another field of study. For example, students completing an associate degree in one of the health sciences programs may elect to include an area of concentration in health management or business administration for a BIS degree.

Students planning to pursue graduate or professional school degrees are advised to complete a traditional major at the undergraduate level rather than complete the BIS degree.