Curriculum Information
College Catalog
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Placement Testing and Developmental Course Work
To assure that our students are academically prepared for College-level course work and the rigors of their chosen majors, placement exams are conducted prior to official enrollment. The College uses placement examinations to assess an applicant's skills in mathematics, English, and reading. An applicant may also satisfy the placement requirements through transfer courses or certain SAT scores.
An applicant whose test results indicate deficiencies in any of the three areas may be placed in developmental courses, offered enrollment in an alternate major, or denied enrollment until appropriate remediation has taken place (see sections below).
When placement test results signal a level of academic deficiency that the College is unable to address, enrollment may be denied. Some majors are subject to special remediation requirements and are noted in the Curriculum pages.
Minimums Required for Bachelor-degree Majors
An applicant whose placement tests identify a need for developmental reading course RDG 001 or developmental math course MTH 004 may not enroll in a bachelor-degree major
Developmental Education Courses
An applicant whose placement tests indicate deficiency in math, English, or reading skills must take specific developmental courses before enrolling in other math and English courses and/or before enrolling in major-specific courses. A new student who has deficiencies must schedule as many developmental courses as possible in his/her first semester. All developmental course work must be completed prior to the student's third semester.
The College awards institutional credit for developmental courses (courses numbered 001-009). The developmental reading course RDG 111 (College Reading, Reasoning, and Study Skills) may be used as an open or general elective. No other developmental course with institutional credit may satisfy a course requirement or elective. However, the grades earned in all developmental courses will be included in the student's grade-point average and contribute to "satisfactory academic progress" for financial aid purposes.
Developmental Semester
An applicant whose placement test scores indicate triple deficiencies (below-minimum scores in all three sections: mathematics, English, and reading) will not be permitted to enroll in his/her major until the deficiencies have been addressed in one of the following ways:
- Full-time enrollment in a 12-credit Developmental Semester intended to improve the student's academic skills and understanding of career majors offered by Penn College. The Developmental Semester includes appropriate developmental courses in math, English, and reading as well as ORN 001 (Orientation to College). After successfully completing this semester, the student may apply for the major. Note: A Developmental Semester enrollee must complete the 12 credits with a 2.0 GPA to remain enrolled.
- Successful completion of alternative plans, which may include enrolling part-time until completing most required developmental course work; enrolling in and completing summer courses, remedial programs, or courses at another institution (must satisfy developmental requirements); or working with a tutor and retesting without deficiencies. All alternative plans must be approved, in advance, by Penn College.