Learning Support

Learning Support Program

The Learning Support program at University of North Georgia provides the opportunity for students to improve their basic academic skills in the areas of English, Mathematics, and Reading, before enrolling in related college-level courses.

Students whose previous academic record, admissions test scores, and placement test scores indicate the need for additional preparation in English, Mathematics, and/or Reading are required to take the appropriate Learning Support courses. Additionally, students whose COMPASS Placement test scores indicate a READ 0099 and/or MATH 0097 requirement must take UNIV 1101 their first semester of enrollment. Students who are required to take one or more Learning Support course must enroll each semester in the required Learning Support courses(s) before enrolling in any credit course until the requirement has been satisfied. Students may enroll concurrently in college-level courses for which they have satisfied the prerequisites. If students withdraw from any Learning Support course, they will not be allowed to remain in any regular college credit courses. If they remain enrolled in at least one Learning Support class, they will be allowed to remain in UNIV 1101, 1000-level PHED courses, and/or performance courses. The maximum time allowed for the completion of Learning Support READ 0099, ENGL 0099, and MATH 0097 is two semesters. The maximum time allowed for the completion of Learning Support mathematics is three semesters. Any semester a student is enrolled in a Learning Support course beyond the midpoint counts as one of the allowed semesters toward completion of Learning Support requirements. Students who fail to complete any Learning Support course within the time allowed or who do not make satisfactory progress will receive a grade of U in the course and be placed on Learning Support Suspension for one year (three consecutive semesters). They may apply to return after that suspension and begin anew with a placement test and all prior attempts set to zero (0).

Visit the Learning Support Program [http://ung.edu/learning-support/index.php] on the UNG website for more specific information about the Learning Support program and policies.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) Program

University of North Georgia offers courses designed to prepare students whose native language is not English for success in college credit courses. This is a program designed to achieve advanced English skills and does not accept students who have little to no command of English. Placement in ESL is determined by TOEFL score, COMPASS placement testing, or professor’s recommendation.

In addition, students who score high enough on COMPASS placement tests to enroll in collegiate-level courses may also choose to take some ESL courses in order to enhance their academic performance. With the exception of ESLO 1101, ESL courses carry institutional credit.

UNG offers one course in pronunciation, one course in college orientation/classroom communication, two in academic vocabulary, three in writing/grammar taught on different skill levels (intermediate, high-intermediate, and advanced), and three in academic reading, also taught on different skill levels (intermediate, high-intermediate, and advanced). A student’s placement within the ESL program is determined by COMPASS score, an internal English test, and a writing sample. Students have three attempts to exit each level. Students exit from the intermediate and high-intermediate level classes by earning passing grades in these courses. Students exit the advanced reading class by earning a grade of C or higher in the class and by attaining a passing score on the COMPASS reading test. Students exit the advanced writing/grammar classes by earning a grade of C or higher in the class and by passing the Exit Essay, which is scored by members of the ESL and English faculty.

Students who are placed in ESL Reading must also take both ESLV 0051 and ESLV 0052 (Academic Vocabulary for ESL Students), which are non-sequential courses. Students who are placed ESL Reading and/or Writing must take and pass ESLO 1101 (Classroom Communication and College Orientation) with a grade of C or higher. Lower-level students or students with deficits in speaking and/or listening skills may also be required to take ESLC 0061 (Pronunciation).

Students who fail to pass a course in three semesters will receive a grade of U and be placed on Learning Support (ESL) Suspension for one year (three consecutive semesters). Students may apply to return after serving their suspension and begin anew with a placement test and all prior attempts set to zero (0).

Visit the ESL Program [http://ung.edu/university-college/english-as-a-second-language.php] on the UNG website for more specific information about the Learning Support program and policies.

Transfer Policies for Learning Support and ESL

Students who complete Learning Support English, Math, or Reading courses at another USG institution are exempted from that/those area(s). Those students who begin Learning Support courses but do not complete them at another USG institution are placed in the equivalent courses at UNG. Previous terms of enrollment in Learning Support courses at another USG institution are counted toward the maximum allowed for completion. If transfer applicants have already accumulated the maximum number of attempts allowed, those applicants will not be accepted. Any students placed on Learning Support suspension from another USG institution may be admitted at the end of one year suspension in accordance with University System and Admissions policies. Any students placed on Learning Support suspension or who leave for three consecutive semesters without satisfying her/his Learning Support requirements will, upon application for readmission, will be required to take the COMPASS Placement Test in any unsatisfied Learning Support area.

Students who transfer in fewer than 30 hours of college credit are subject to all the requirements of entering freshmen. Students who transfer in 30 or more hours of college credit are exempt from CPC requirements, but they are subject to COMPASS testing and placement if they have not completed the Learning Support requirement at a prior University System of Georgia institution.

Students accepted into UNG through the Learning Support and/or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) Program are not allowed transient permission to take Learning Support and/or ESL courses at other institutions nor does the institution accept transient students into Learning Support and/or ESL courses.

Voluntary Enrollment

Students who believe they will profit from additional academic support prior to enrollment in the college-level course are welcome to voluntarily enroll in Learning Support and/or ESL courses. Such students will not be required to take the exit-COMPASS to complete the course. If students place into MATH 0099 but voluntarily elect to take MATH 0097 instead, the semester(s) of enrollment in MATH 0097 ~~also~~ count toward allowed number of semesters toward completion of Learning Support Math. Additionally, students who place into MATH 0099 but voluntarily elect to drop down to MATH 0097 must pass MATH 0097 before being allowed to advance to MATH 0099.