Independent Departments and Programs
There are several independent units that
contribute to undergraduate programs. The independent departments or programs
included here are Transitional Academic Studies and University Honors Program.
THE
NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE: The University of Memphis is a member of the National
Student Exchange (NSE). Students at NSE member institutions may spend a
semester or up to a full year at other participating institutions, while paying
tuition and fees typically comparable to costs of attending The University of
Memphis. Students might exchange to experience a different part of the country
or to pursue special academic opportunities offered by other member
institutions. Over 130 member institutions in nearly every state and Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands have exchanged over 40,000 students since the
program was established in 1968.
Participating
students must have a 2.5 grade point average at the time of application for an
NSE exchange. Applications are screened by The University of Memphis and will
include biographical essays, transcripts, and letters of reference from
faculty. Institutions to which students are applying then select incoming
exchange students based on how many students they are able to accept and the
strength of the studentsÆ applications. Ninety-seven percent of students are
placed at their first, second, or third choice exchange institutions; 84% are
placed at their first choice institution.
For more
information and applications see the NSE coordinator in the University Honors
Program office.
TRANSITIONAL ACADEMIC STUDIES
SUSAN
MAGUN-JACKSON, Ph.D., Director
Room 203, Administration Building, (901) 678-2028
http://www.people.memphis.edu/~dstudies
The
Transitional Academic Studies Program at The University of Memphis permits
students to enroll in special remedial/developmental level courses to develop
the academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Major
components of the program include testing and placement in appropriate level
courses.
ADMISSION TO THE
PROGRAM (PLACEMENT)
Students admitted to The University of
Memphis as beginning freshmen may be required to take various placement tests
to determine if they have the appropriate academic skills to successfully
complete college level courses. Depending on the results of these tests,
students may be required to take one or more Transitional Academic Studies
courses. The following regulations regarding placement tests and course
enrollment will apply:
First-time freshmen admitted with an ACT
composite score less than 19 (SAT total score less than 890), an ACT
mathematics subscore less than 19 (SAT quantitative score less than 450), an
ACT English subscore less than 19 (SAT verbal score less than 460), or no ACT (SAT)
score, are required to take appropriate components of the AAPP course placement
test as a condition of enrollment, and to enroll in the courses indicated by
the test results.
An advisor in the
Academic Counseling Unit or the Transitional Academic Studies Office should be
consulted regarding the test scores and placement.
Testing is also required of students whose
ACT (SAT) scores are more than 3 years old, transfer students with fewer than
60 semester hours and no college level credit in math or English, non-degree
seeking students before enrollment in math or English, students with high
school unit deficiencies in algebra or English, and students with GED scores.
Students placing
in Transitional Academic Studies courses must enroll in and begin each subject-area
sequence at the level indicated by the test results and complete that
particular sequence before enrolling in the subsequent Level I (college level)
course.
Enrollment in any Transitional Academic
Studies (TRAC prefix) course is restricted to students who have taken the
appropriate AAPP test. Self-placement without testing is not permitted.
RETESTING
Approval for retesting will be made only in
extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the Transitional Academic
Studies Program Director. Retesting must take place prior to university
enrollment, but not within 90 days of initial testing.
CREDIT
Each Transitional Academic Studies course
carries 3 semester hours of non-degree level credit.
The credit will
count in the calculation of full-time status and the undergraduate joint (UJ)
grade point average, and toward eligibility for athletics, financial aid,
scholarships, and housing.
FEES
Fees for Transitional Academic Studies
courses are the same as those for college level courses.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
Students requiring Transitional Academic
Studies testing or courses should be advised in the Academic Counseling Unit,
Room 107, Scates Hall.
COURSE GRADES AND
CLASS ATTENDANCE
The grading scale for Transitional Academic
Studies courses is A, B, C, F. No audit students will be permitted. Regular
class attendance is mandatory and will be used in determining semester grades.
TWO-ATTEMPT RULE
A student who fails after two attempts to
complete a Transitional Academic Studies course with a grade of C or better
will be suspended from the University for one regular semester (spring or
fall). Drops, withdrawals, and F grades count as unsuccessful attempts.
Students who
believe that extenuating circumstances justify a third attempt without
suspension should contact the Transitional Academic Studies Office regarding
the appeals process. In the case of an appeal the burden of proof for any
extenuating circumstances will rest with the student. Other matters which will
be taken into consideration in an appeal include current grade point average,
class attendance, instructor recommendation, performance in other Transitional
Academic Studies courses, and recommendations of student support services
staff. Students failing to meet exit criteria after the third attempt will be
suspended from the university.
ADD/DROP AND
WITHDRAWAL
All students in Transitional Academic Studies courses
wishing to drop a course or withdraw from the university after the end of the
registration period must make an application to the Program Director within the
normal university deadlines as stated in the “Semester Calendar.” Approval for
course add/drops or withdrawals will be made at the discretion of the
Transitional Academic Studies Program Director.