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All students who graduate from NSU must successfully complete ENGL 101 (English Composition). ACT English subscores will be used to determine placement.  All students who do not have ACT scores or who have ACT scores older than five years will be required to take the Compass exam.

Students whose test scores fall below 18 on the ACT or below 71 on the Compass must take from 1 to 3 semester hours of either ENGL 031, 032 or 033 (Basic Writing) CONCURRENTLY with ENGL 101.  These basic English courses offer individualized instruction at the Writing Center and consist of one-on-one tutoring and small group workshops on specialized topics.  The number of hours each student in these courses must take is based on the following scale:

ACT English subscores 15-17 = 1 hour of ENGL 031
ACT English subscores 13-14 = 2 hours of ENGL 032
ACT English subscores 12 and lower = 3 hours of ENGL 033

Compass scores 48-70 = 1 hour of ENGL 031
Compass scores 30-47 = 2 hours of ENGL 032
Compass scores 29 and lower = 3 hours of ENGL 033

If you have questions regarding English placement or testing, please contact Vicki Evans (626-7782) or Lisa Ducheneaux (626-3006) at the University College. If you have questions regarding billing for these English courses, please contact Enrollment Services (626-2012). All students who place into ENGL 031, 032, or 033 will also be required to take a Compass Diagnostic Exam and will be contacted by Lisa Ducheneaux.
 
 

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Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree from NSU must successfully complete MATH 102 (College Algebra), MATH 143 (Finite Math), or another math course at or above the level of MATH 102 or MATH 143.  Students will be placed into the appropriate math class based on their ACT math subscore.  Those students who do not have ACTs or have ACTs more than 5 years old must take the COMPASS placement test.  If a student has taken a math placement test previous to FA99 and has not taken one of the courses required they must take the COMPASS or use their ACT subscore (if the test is less than 5 years old).  Any previous placement test score is no longer valid.  If they have already begun their math (021 and/or 101) they can place into the next appropriate math course.  Students CANNOT take a mathematics course at NSU until they have been properly placed.   If a student needs to take the COMPASS or has questions regarding math placement s/he should contact Lisa Ducheneaux at the University College (626-3006).

Transfer students who have taken a math course at another institution should contact the registration staff in Enrollment Services for advisement.  If a transfer student has not taken a college math course, s/he must take the COMPASS placement test or use current ACTs.

Scoring and placement information (July 2001) is as follows:

ACT MATH             COMPASS          PLACEMENT

<18                         <33(Algebra                  MATH 021
                                        domain)

<20                         <45(Algebra                   MATH 101
                                        domain)

<25                          <101(Algebra                MATH 102, MATH 143,
                                          domain or    
                              <53 (College
                                        Algebra Domain)
Check with the dept. if there are any questions. Any student scoring 25 or higher must take the COMPASS Advanced Placement test to place into any higher math course, including:

MATH 120 Trigonometry
MATH 123 Calculus I
MATH 222 Calculus for Business/Social Science/Life Science

A student with 25 or higher is not required to take the Advanced Placement if they intend to only take MATH 102 or 143 as their math requirement.  However, that student will need a waiver signed by the VP of Acacemic Affairs to take one of these math classes.  Contact Dr. Cozzetto's office at 2524 or Lisa Ducheneaux to get the waiver.  The test is no harm, no foul and the student should know any advantages of placing in a higher math dependent on their major.  The results are available immediately after taking the test and can give the student a better idea about their math skills and appropriate placement.  The determinant factor for placing into Calculus is the Trigonometry score.  The test takes approximately 20-30 minutes and is administered on computer.  The student may use a calculator, graphing or scientific notation.  The test is administered by the University College.  To schedule an appointment call Lisa Ducheneaux at 3006.  Math, Science or Business majors should meet with their advisors to discuss their program requirements.

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Requirements

Primary Core, NSU Graduation Requirements, and the Degree Requirements together make up the total General Education Package. No course may be used to fulfill more than one general education requirement except for Cultural Diversity.

Primary Core, NSU Graduation Requirements, and the Degree Requirements together make up the total General Education Package. No course may be used to fulfill more than one general education requirement except for Cultural Diversity.

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Communication - 3 courses

            _______ENGL 101, Composition I  (3 credits)

            _______ENGL 201, Composition II or Writing Intensive Course in major (ENGL 280,
                          OED 244, POLS 270) (3 credits)

            _______ SPCM 101, (SPCM 215 or 222 may be substituted) (3 credits)

Humanities and Fine Arts— 6 courses

Take one (1) course from each category:

            _______I.  ARTH 100, MUS 100 or THEA 100 (3 credits)

            _______II. ENGL 210, 213, 240, 258, 431, 432, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319,
                               363; SPAN 353, 354, 355; GERM 353, 354; FREN 353, 354 (3 credits)

            _______III. HIST 121, 122: PHIL 100, 270 (3 credits)

            _______IV.  SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202; GERM 101, 102, 201, 202; FREN 101, 102,
                                 201, 202 (3 credits)

Take two (2) additional courses from any category in the above Humanities & Fine Arts list.

            ________(3 credits)

            ________(3 credits)

Mathematics - one course

            _______MATH 102, 113, 120, 123, 143, 224 (3 credits)

Laboratory Science –  two (2) survey courses OR a 1-year sequence in a major science:

            ________BIOL 101, CHEM 106, PHYS 101, GEOL 101 (3 credits)

            ________ BIOL 101, CHEM 106, PHYS 101, GEOL 101 (3 credits)

            OR
            ________; _______BIOL 151/152; 153/154 (8 credits)
                                            CHEM 112/113; 114/115 (8 credits)
                                            PHYS 111/112; 113/114 (8 credits)
                                            PHYS 211/212; 213/214 (8 credits)

Behavioral/Social Science –  three (3) courses from 3 different prefixes:
ECON 201, 202; POLS 100, 250; ANTH 210; GEOG 210; SOC 100, 150; PSYC 101; HIST 151, 152

            _______ (3 credits)

            _______ (3 credits)

            _______ (3 credits)

Wellness: one course

            _______ WEL 100/100A (2 credits)

Human Values: one course

            _______ ARTH 350; PHIL 100, 270; BADM 457; POLS 270, MFL 101  (3 credits)

            NOTE:  PHIL 100 and 270 may not satisfy Human Values requirement if used to satisfy
            another requirement.

Cultural Diversity: 2 courses (these may be used to fill requirements listed above)
ECON 202; GEOG 210; POLS 250; HIST 121, 122, 151, 152; PHIL 100, 270; MUS 100; ARTH 100; THEA 100 or Foreign Language, ENGL 258, SOC 150 (6 credits)

Technology Literacy:  Pass the technology literacy exam or take MIS 105 with a minimum grade of C (3 credits)

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Communication - 3 courses

            _______ENGL 101, Composition I  (3 credits)

            _______ENGL 201, Composition II or Writing Intensive Course in major (ENGL 284,
                          OED 244, POLS 270) (3 credits)

            _______ SPCM 101, (SPCM 215 or 222 may be substituted) (3 credits)

Humanities and Fine Arts— 4 courses

Take one (1) course from each category:

            _______I. ARTH 100, MUS 100 or THEA 100 (3 credits)

            _______II. ENGL 213, 240, 258, 431, 432, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 373,
                              SPAN 353, 354, 355; GERM 353, 354; FREN 353, 354
                              SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202; GERM 101, 102, 201, 202; FREN 101, 102,
                              201, 202 (3 credits)

            _______III.  HIST 121, 122: PHIL 100, 270 (3 credits)

 Take one additional course from any of the above Humanities and Fine Arts categories:

             ________( 3 credits)

Mathematics - two courses

            _______MATH 102, 113, 120, 123, 143, 224 (3 credits)

            _______MATH 120, 123, 224, 225; PSYC 475; or BADM/ECON 320 (3 credits)

Laboratory Science –  two (2) survey courses OR a 1-year sequence in a major science:

            ________BIOL 101, CHEM 106, PHYS 101, GEOL 101 (3 credits)

            ________ BIOL 101, CHEM 106, PHYS 101, GEOL 101 (3 credits)

            OR
            ________; _______BIOL 151/152; 153/154 (8 credits)
                                            CHEM 112/113; 114/115 (8 credits)
                                            PHYS 111/112; 113/114 (8 credits)
                                            PHYS 211/212; 213/214 (8 credits)
Math/Science: one additional course

             ________(Math above 102/143, OR any BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, or GEOL course not
                               used for other GE requirement)

Behavioral/Social Science –  three (3) courses from 3 different prefixes:
ECON 201, 202; POLS 100, 250; ANTH 210; GEOG 210; SOC 100, 150; PSYC 101; HIST 151, 152

            _______ (3 credits)

            _______ (3 credits)

            _______ (3 credits)

Wellness: one course

            _______ WEL 100/100A (2 credits)

Human Values: one course

            _______ ARTH 350; PHIL 100, 270; BADM 353; EDFN 475; POLS 270  (3 credits)
            NOTE:  PHIL 100 and 270 may not satisfy Human Values requirement if used to satisfy
            another requirement.

Cultural Diversity: 2 courses (these may be used to fill requirements listed above)
ECON 202; GEOG 210; POLS 250; HIST 121, 122, 151, 152; PHIL 100, 270; MUS 100; ARTH 100; THEA 100; ENGL 258; SOC 150; or Foreign Language (6 credits)

Technology Literacy:  Pass the technology literacy exam or take MIS 105 with a minimum grade of C (3 credits)

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Communication - 3 courses

            _______ENGL 101, Composition I: Minimum grade of C required (3 credits)

            _______ENGL 201, Composition II or Writing Intensive Course in major (ENGL 28,
                          OED 244, POLS 270) (3 credits)

            _______ SPCM 101, (SPCM 215 or 222 may be substituted): Minimum grade of C
                           required (3 credits)

Humanities and Fine Arts— 4 courses

Take at lease one (1) course from each category:

            _______I. ARTH 100, MUS 100 or THEA 100 (3 credits)

            _______II. ENGL 213, 240, 258, 431, 432, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319,
                              373; SPAN 353, 354, 355; GERM 353, 354; FREN 353, 354  SPAN 101,
                              102, 201, 202; GERM 101, 102, 201, 202; FREN 101, 102, 201, 202
                              (3 credits)

            _______III.  HIST 121, 122, PHIL 100 or PHIL 270 (3 credits)

            _______one course from any Humanities/Fine Arts category (3 credits)

Mathematics - one course

            _______MATH 102, 113, 120, 123, 143, or 224 (3 credits)

Laboratory Science –  two (2) survey courses OR a 1-year sequence in a major science:

            ________BIOL 101, CHEM 106, PHYS 101, GEOL 101 (3 credits) (ELED majors must
                            choose Biology option)

            ________ BIOL 101, CHEM 106, PHYS 101, GEOL 101 (3 credits)

            OR
            ________; _______BIOL 151/152; 153/154 (8 credits) (ELED majors must choose
                                            Biology option)
                                            CHEM 112/113; 114/115 (8 credits)
                                            PHYS 111/112; 113/114 (8 credits)
                                            PHYS 211/212; 213/214 (8 credits)

Behavioral/Social Science –  6 courses

            ______ SS 300 (3 credits)

            ______ PSYC 327 or PSYC 322(3 credits)

            ______EPSY 302 (2 credits)

            Take three (3) courses from 3 different prefixes:
            ECON 201, 202; POLS 100, 250; ANTH 210; GEOG 210; SOC 100, 150; PSYC 101;
            HIST 151, 152

            _______ (3 credits) (ELED majors must take POLS 100)

            _______ (3 credits) (ELED majors must GEOG 210)

            _______ (3 credits)  (ELED majors must take HIST 151 or 152)

Wellness: one course

            _______ WEL 100/100A (2 credits)

Human Values: one course

            _______EDFN 475  (3 credits)

Cultural Diversity: 2 courses (these may be used to fill requirements listed above)

            ECON 202; GEOG 210; POLS 250; HIST 121, 122, 151, 152; PHIL 100, 270;
            MUS 100; ARTH 100; THEA 100; ENGL 258; SOC 150 or Foreign Language (6 credits)

Technology Literacy: Pass the technology literacy exam or take MIS 105 with a minimum grade of C (3 credits)

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Effective Spring 1998, satisfactory performance on the proficiency examination is required for all students seeking a baccalaureate degree from the South Dakota Unified System of Higher Education. All students entering an associate degree program from the regental system, Fall 1999 or later, must pass the proficiency examination in order to graduate.

To prepare for this examination, incoming freshmen must complete 15 credit hours of the general education core in their first 32 credit hours. Sophomores must complete an additional 15 credit hours of the general education core in their first 64 credit hours. Students should have completed, or be enrolled in these course requirements, in order to sit for the proficiency examination.

The proficiency examination consists of four parts:  reading; writing skills; mathematics; and science reasoning. The examinations will be given on November 5, 2002 and March 18, 2003 during this academic year. Each of the four sections of the proficiency test will take 40 minutes. A fifth block of time, also 40 minutes long, will be used for local general education assessment exams. This year, all baccalaureate degree students who meet the eligibility requirements must participate in all five sections of the examinations. Students who do not comply with this requirement will be barred from registering for courses at all South Dakota regental institutions.

Criteria for Test Eligibility
A. Degree seeking students registered for credit.
B. Completion of 48 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level. Students will sit for the examination during the first semester in which they become eligible in terms of passed credit hours.
C: Lower division general education core courses which students must have completed, or currently be enrolled in, to sit for the proficiency exam include:

                                Credit Hours             Course Requirement
                                        3                         Composition
                                        3                         Mathematics at or above the level of college algebra
                                        3                         (6 recommended) Natural Science (chemistry,
                                                                    biology, physics or earth science)
                                        3                         Social Science (anthropology, economics,
                                                                    geography,history, political science, psychology, or
                                                                    sociology)
                                        3                         Humanities and Fine Arts (art, drama, foreign
                                                                    language,humanities, literature, music, philosophy
                                                                    or religion)
                                        15                       (18 recommended) Required Lower Division
                                                                    Credit Hours

Deferments:

Students who meet the eligibility requirements but, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to sit for the examination, may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs for a deferment prior to the test date or no later than the final day of the semester in which the examination should have been taken.

Failure to sit for the Proficiency Examination as scheduled will result in denial of subsequent registration at all South Dakota regental institutions.  Students who have been denied registration due to failure to take the proficiency examination, may apply for readmission after 2 academic terms (fall, spring or summer).  If readmitted, they must sit for the exam during the next administration.  Failure to do so will result in immediate administrative withdrawal.

 Writing 59;  Math 52;  Reading 56;  Science 54

Students are required to perform satisfactorily on four sections of the examination: reading, writing, mathematics, and science reasoning. Students failing one or more sections of the test must retake ONLY those sections that were failed and pass them within one year of the original test. During this year, students may continue to enroll in classes. Remediation support for students who fail one or more sections of the test will be provided by Northern through the University College. Students will work with an advisor in the Academic Advisement Center (626-3006, DH 202) to establish a development plan for meeting the proficiency requirements. This plan will be specific to the needs of the individual student and may include additional course work, tutorial sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and self-study.

If a student takes the proficiency test in the Fall 2000 and fails the writing, for example, s/he can register for courses in Spring 2001 and retest, taking only the writing section. If s/he fails again, s/he can register for courses in the Fall 2001 and retest, repeating the writing exam. If s/he passes, s/he has met the requirement and can continue to work toward his degree. If s/he fails in the Fall 2001, one year after the original taking of the examination, then s/he will be denied subsequent registration at all regental institutions. Application for readmission will be contingent on satisfactory performance on the proficiency examination.

 Students who have participated in a remediation process developed in collaboration with university advisors and who have failed one or more sections of the proficiency test on their final opportunity, are eligible to submit an appeal for alternate certification.  A written appeal for alternate certification must be filed with the Vice President for Academic Affairs within 60 days of the date of the student’s final retest opportunity.  The NSU Director of Assessment (626-2429)can provide information on the process and required documentation.  The chart on the following page shows the alternate methods that are approved for this purpose.

AREA                                       ALTERNATE METHODS

                Mathematics                            Mathematics Portfolio Assessment
                                                                MAA Algebra Test (Calculator-based)

                Reading                                    Reading Portfolio Assessment
                                                                TOEFL Reading (Computer-based)*
                                                                Nelson-Denny Reading Test (G & H)
                                                                Woodcock Reading Mastery Test - Revised (G & H)

                Science Reasoning                     Science Reasoning Portfolio Assessment
                                                                  To be determined

*Alternate method option limited to international students for whom English is a second
  language.

Proficiency Examination Fees

The first time the student sits for the proficiency examination there will be no cost to the student. For all subsequent examinations, students will be charged the cost of administering the test: approximately $10 for all.

Students who can demonstrate a need may request reasonable accommodations according to NSU policy. Students seeking accommodations should contact Karen Gerety, Coordinator of Disability Services (626-2371).

 For more information contact Lisa Ducheneaux in the University College office at 626-3006 or Jan Jirouch, the NSU Director of Assessment at 626-2429.

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Rising Junior Proficiency Exam (RJPE)

The University College runs a series of review sessions for students who are taking the exam for the first time and for those students who are attempting to repeat one or more sections.  These reviews cover grammar, reading and math skills as well as an overview of general test-taking strategies.  Current schedules for review sessions open to any student preparing to take the exam are available from the University College at 626-2633.

The University College's Reading and Study Skills Coordinator, Lisa Ducheneaux, meets with students who have failed section(s) of the exam and establishes a plan to address individual needs. These plans will utilize ACT study guides, "Inside the SAT & ACT '98 W/ Word Smart" software, staff-generated worksheets or exercises (mainly for math and grammar), sample tests, etc.  The action plan will be implemented by Lisa and the math and writing center directors will also be documenting the progress.  Advisors are also asked to keep in touch with students preparing to take the RJPE.  For more information please contact Lisa Ducheneaux at 626-3006.

The University College offers a series of reviews for students taking the PPST Exam in November or April. These reviews cover grammar, reading and math skills as well as an overview of general test-taking strategies.  Review sessions are free and open to any student preparing to take the PPST exam.  However, to ensure enough worksheets are available to students they are asked to register with the University College at 626-2633.

In addition, the University College can recommend study guides for students preparing for this exam.

For more information about these books or for the current schedule for reviews contact the University College at 626-2633.

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