http://dstudies.memphis.edu/

Transitional Academic Studies (TRAC) at The University of Memphis permits students to enroll in special basic and developmental level courses to develop the academic competencies necessary for success in college level courses. Major components of the program included testing and placement in appropriate level courses.

Placement

Students admitted to The University of Memphis as beginning freshmen will be placed in appropriate writing, math, reading, and study skills courses based on valid ACT subscores (no more than 3 years old). Students without ACT scores will be required to take the COMPASS placement test to determine if they have the appropriate academic skills to successfully complete college level courses. Depending on the results of this test, students may be required to take one or more DSP courses. The following regulations regarding placement tests and course enrollment will apply:

COMPASS testing is required of students whose ACT (SAT) scores are more than 3 years old, transfer students with 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 no ACT/SAT scores.

Students placing in DSP courses must enroll in and begin each subject-area sequence at the level indicated by their ACT/SAT placement or the COMPASS test results and complete that particular sequence before enrolling in the subsequent Level I (college level) course.

Enrollment in any DSPM or DSPW course is restricted to students who have been placed by their ACT subscores or who have taken the appropriate placement test. Self-placement without testing is not permitted.

Retesting

Students may retake the COMPASS test for a fee of $20. To sign up for retesting, students should go to Wilder 200. They will take a form to the Bursar's office to pay the retesting fee and then return the form to Wilder 200 to select a COMPASS test date.

Credit

Each DSP 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.

Course Grades and Class Attendance

The grading scale for DSP 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.

Academic Advising

Students requiring COMPASS testing or DSP courses should be advised in the Academic Counseling Center, 212 Wilder Tower.

Courses

Students required to enroll in DSPW 0700 or DSPM 0700, 0800, and 0850 may take these courses on the University of Memphis campus. These courses will be taught by Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Students required to enroll in DSPR 0700 and DSPR 0800 may take Reading and Study Skills sections of ACAD 1100 to fulfill these requirements. Students with an ACT subscore of 16 or higher in Reading may take any section of ACAD 1100 to fulfill their requirement for DSPR 0800.

Students required to enroll in DSPS 0800 may take any section of ACAD 1100 to fulfill their requirement for this course.

Students required to take DSPW 0800 may take special sections of ENGL 1010 that meet 5 hours a week to complete both their DSPW 0800 and their ENGL 1010 courses.

Students required to take DSPM 0850 have the option of taking special sections of MATH 1420 or MATH 1710 that meet 5 hours a week. Students must check with their advisor to determine which college level math course is appropriate for them- MATH 1420 or MATH 1710.