Developmental Studies

In keeping with the Mission of University of Holy Cross, UHC offers holistic support for underprepared students through developmentally appropriate placement, courses, and resources.

UHC assists underprepared students in acquiring the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and attitudes necessary for success in the General Education curriculum. Subsidiary program goals promote development of the following:

1. Vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency skills necessary for reading and understanding college-level material;
2. Logical and effective written communication skills, at the college-level, using standard English;
3. Mathematical concepts and competencies necessary for success in College Algebra;
4. Personal, technical, and social skills necessary for college success, promoted by holistic support, membership in a learning community, and service learning.

COURSES

The following courses help underprepared students acquire proficiencies needed for success in subsequent courses in the General Education curriculum in college: Introduction to College Success (ICS 100), Introduction to College English (ENG 100), Fundamentals of Mathematics (MAT 099), Introduction to College Algebra I (MAT 100A), Introduction to College Algebra II (MAT 100B), and Introduction to College Reading (REA 100).

All first-time freshmen must successfully complete ICS 100. For transfer students, successful completion of ICS 100 is required of all students taking one or more PSSP courses. Exemptions are granted to students who have previously taken ICS 100 or a similar course and to juniors and seniors. ICS 100 introduces students to the Marianite core values and the University Mission. Campus involvement, service learning, and personal/career goal setting are also components of ICS 100. Course embedded sessions at the Thomas E. Chambers Counseling and Training Center are provided at no cost to students. Guest speakers from various academic and administrative departments visit class sessions to orient students to the special services, curricula, and involvement opportunities available at UHC. Enrollment in ICS 100, therefore, helps students to become part of the larger learning community. Introduction to College Success is a one-credit tuition-free course.

PLACEMENT

University of Holy Cross uses American College Test (ACT) subtest scores in English, Mathematics, and Reading as criteria for placement in developmental courses. ACCUPLACER subtest scores for Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra & Statistics, and Reading are used when ACT or SAT scores are not available. Students whose scores exceed placement requirements may enroll voluntarily. The following placement matrix defines the Placement Policy:

Resources

Multiple resources aid in providing holistic support for underprepared students. Services include access to the Academic Skills Center, the Blaine S. Kern Library, the Writing Lab for online tutoring, the Thomas E. Chambers Counseling and Training Center, the Office of Campus Ministry, and the Office of Student Life.

Computer-assisted support, such as Learning Express, provides students with 24-hour electronic access to study guides, practice examinations, career information, and tutorials, which are available both on and off campus. Critical thinking, active learning, pre-/post-testing, and the posting of mid-term grades are essential components of all developmental courses.

Academic Credits

Institutional credit hours earned upon successful completion of ICS 100, ENG 100, MAT 100A, MAT 100B, a n d REA 100 do not satisfy general education requirements but may be used as electives, where applicable. Successful completion is defined as earning a final semester grade of C or higher.

Developmental credit hours earned upon successful completion of MAT 099 do not satisfy General Education requirements, nor are they applicable to any degree program. Successful completion is defined as earning a final semester grade of P on a PASS/FAIL scale.