306  Learning Support

Approved by President
Effective Date: June 5, 2017
Responsible Division: Academic Affairs
Responsible Office:  Student Success
Responsible Officer: Vice Provost for Student Success

I. Purpose

This policy reflects the commitment of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or University) to enhance students’ access to and success in higher education. Learning support in this policy is defined as academic support needed by a student to be successful in college level general education courses to increase the likelihood of program completion that will prepare students for career success in their chosen field of study. 

II. Assessment

All students, regardless of age, who do not present ACT, SAT, or other assessment scores approved by the Office of Academic Affairs will be placed into the appropriate learning support course(s) or interventions for reading, writing, and/or mathematics, as required by the academic program. 

If these scores are available, but fail to demonstrate college readiness based upon the table below or documented evidence to the contrary, the student will be placed into the appropriate learning support course(s) or interventions for reading, writing, and/or mathematics, as required by the academic program.

MTSU provides the opportunity for secondary diagnostic assessment to allow students to challenge placement into learning support if they have not met established criteria. The challenge assessment will be an approved nationally normed standardized assessment that will be identified in the MTSU Catalog and/or Student Handbook.

A.  Degree Seeking: First-time and Transfer Students

1.  Scores used for initial assessment must have been earned within five (5) years prior to the first day of class for the student’s entering term for placement courses.

2.  Students entering without initial assessment scores or transferable college-level English composition credit will be placed into writing learning support with the option of challenge testing.

3.  Students entering without initial assessment scores or transferable college-level credit from a reading intensive general education course will be placed into reading learning support with the option of challenge testing. The designation of the reading intensive course will be made by MTSU.

4.  Students entering without initial assessment scores or transferable college-level mathematics credit will be placed into mathematics learning support with the option of challenge testing.

B.  Special Students: Non-degree Seeking / Certificate Programs

1.  Certificate seeking students entering without transferable college-level English composition credit will be subject to the same placement criteria prior to enrollment in college-level English or in any course with English composition as a prerequisite.

2.  Certificate seeking students entering without transferable college-level credit from a reading intensive general education course will be subject to the same placement criteria in reading. The designation of the reading intensive course will be made MTSU.

3.  Certificate seeking students without transferable