Our Mission

The mission of the developmental studies program is to maintain the university's academic standards and provide educational opportunities for more students by

• placing underprepared students in courses to ensure a smooth transition to university-level work,
• providing appropriate curriculum in reading, writing, mathematics, and learning strategies courses to sufficiently raise proficiency levels, and
• counseling and advising students to maximize their retention in their subsequent university career.

General Information

Developmental studies courses (DSP) are designed to address the basic skill needs common among a number of students entering college

Advising -- an essential component of Developmental Studies involves regularly scheduled individual and/or group counseling sessions. The services provided include assistance with personal adjustment to college life, goal formation, career orientation, academic advising, and support counseling. Referrals for more involved counseling or psychological and career testing can be made to the Counseling Center. Students may contact the University Advisement Center in the ARC (2nd Level of D.P. Culp Center) at (423)439-5244 for additional information.

Assessment and Placement -- Valid ACT or SAT scores less than three years old will be used to determine whether students will be placed in DSP courses. If the ACT subscores (comparable SAT is 460) in English, Reading, and Math are less than 19, placement will be made in required DSP courses. For students 21 years of age or older who do not have valid ACT or SAT scores, the COMPASS is required. Following a review of transfer credit, it may be determined that a transfer student must complete the COMPASS before registration for classes. Students must complete each course in which they have been placed with a minimal grade of "C".

Students who wish to challenge their placement in DSP courses may do so by taking the COMPASS test prior to the beginning of the term. A $20.00 fee is charged for the challenge test. Contact the University Testing Center at 423-439-6708 to schedule the test.

Credit Hours Computation -- Credit hours earned in Developmental Studies courses are in addition to the minimum number of hours required for graduation within any degree program. Credit hours and grade points earned in these courses are used in the computation of a student's overall grade point average (GPA), but are not computed for honors recognition or for meeting minimum average requirements for graduation.

Attendance Policy -- The attendance policy for developmental studies courses follows the University class attendance policy as outlined in the student handbook. The maximum number of allowable absences depends on departmental absentee policies; see your syllabus for your instructor's exact policy.

Students with excessive absences realistically need to consider the distinct possibility that they may not be able to complete the course successfully. Consulting with their academic counselor would be advised. Developmental Studies faculty have the authority to assign an F to students who exceed the maximum number of absences. For absences fewer than the maximum allowable see the instructor’s policy regarding makeup work on the class syllabus.

Drop/Add Policy --Developmental Studies courses cannot be dropped without written permission of the director of Developmental Studies. Check with the University Advisement Center for more information (423-439-5244).