Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Academic Success Center


 

Academic Success Center

 (702) 895-3177 / http://asc@unlv.edu / http://www.unlv.edu/asc

Purpose and Focus  

The Academic Success Center (ASC) is a resource and service hub that partners with the UNLV campus community to welcome, guide, and support students through their academic careers. The ASC offers a wide variety of programs that include academic advising for Exploring Majors and non-degree seeking students, campus-wide tutoring and supplemental instruction, academic success coaching, math bridge programs, first- and second-year seminars for Exploring Majors, student-athlete services, scholarship programs, a learning specialist program, and much more.

Academic Success Center Service Areas

Academic Advisement (Exploring Majors)

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Exploring Majors students are required to meet with an Academic Advisor in the ASC at least once a semester, to discuss their goals, interests, and major/career plans. The Academic Advising Unit also has tools designed to help with the exploration of various majors, minors, careers, and continuing educational pursuits. The planning process for Exploring Majors begins with new students and continues each time a student meets with an Academic Advisor. Upon earning 30 credits, students are required to schedule an appointment to discuss future plans in more detail. Upon completion of 48 cumulative credits, students are required to change from the exploring category to a specific major. Students can also decide to change their majors at any time as long as they meet the entrance requirements for the major selected.

Change of Major Policies
Students can change their major to the Academic Success Center as an Exploring Major if they are: 1) unsure of a major/career path, 2) are in a Good Academic Standing with a minimum UNLV or transfer GPA of 2.00, and 3) have earned fewer than 48 cumulative credits.

Probation/Suspension
A student is subject to a one-semester college/center suspension after being on academic probation (less than 2.00 cumulative UNLV GPA) for two consecutive semesters. Students wishing to appeal the suspension may submit a Reinstatement after College Suspension form to the Academic Success Center Academic Standards Committee for review. Also, a transfer student entering a probation contract who fails to fulfill that contract is subject to college/center suspension until such time as that student raises his or her GPA to 2.00 or higher. Students will not be considered for reinstatement to the Academic Success Center after three college/center and/or university suspensions.

Undergraduate Non-Degree Seeking Students
Undergraduate non-degree seeking students can take a maximum of eight credits per semester. No more than 24 credits earned as a non-degree seeking student may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree. Credit overload petitions will be considered only for students who possess at least a 3.00 GPA from the most recently attended institution and/or a combination of all institutions attended. Students who have earned 24 credits or are close to earning this number of credits, as a non-degree seeking student are highly encouraged to apply for admission to UNLV as a degree-seeking student.

Tutoring

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The ASC provides a campus-wide tutoring program for a variety of UNLV courses.  Tutoring is available in the Lied Library, second floor, and Thomas Beam Engineering (TBE 207L) complex.  Subjects typically tutored every semester include, but are not limited to, math, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, accounting, psychology, and foreign languages. Additional subjects are added each semester based on tutoring requests and availability. Tutoring is provided throughout the school year, including the summer. Additional information about tutoring and the schedule is available at www.unlv.edu/asc or on Facebook at UNLV Tutoring. The mission of the program is to enhance a student’s overall academic experience at UNLV by providing a respectful, educational environment to reinforce classroom learning. Students who have excelled in their chosen subject(s) and are highly recommended by a UNLV faculty member, are hired throughout the school year as peer tutors.

Supplemental Instruction

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Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a program where SI leaders attend a specific course and then conduct group sessions after class twice a week, usually lasting about an hour.  This program provides students the opportunity to immediately review material covered in class, work through difficult concepts, and form study groups that can continue to work together throughout the semester and in future courses. Students are provided the opportunity under the guidance of the SI leader to reinforce class concepts through a hands-on approach while working with peers. SI is typically offered for economics, biology, chemistry, computer engineering, math, and business courses. For a current listing of courses and session times, email SI@unlv.edu. SI leaders conducting the session have successfully completed the course with a B or better and are highly recommended by a UNLV faculty member.

Expect Success Bridge Program

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The Expect Success - Math Bridge Program is a free opportunity for UNLV freshmen to reinforce their math skills utilizing an online platform combined with live tutorial support.  Freshmen students who placed into Math 95 or Math 96 based on their SAT/ACT math scores are encouraged to participate in this intense math refresher program.  The Expect Success utilizes ALEKS, an adaptive online learning program that provides students with an individualized plan to refresh their mathematical knowledge in preparation for credit-bearing math courses.  Live tutorial assistance is provided in the classroom while students are working on ALEKS.  Tutors are available to answer questions regarding the content online and supplement the program with additional information and practice for the students.  At the end of the program, students will take the ALEKS Mathematics Placement Assessment provided in the online program to reassess their math placement.  Completing the program provides students with a great, free opportunity to refresh their math skills in order to potentially retest into a credit-bearing math course; the program does not grant college credit.  The program costs $25.00 for the purchase of ALEKS.  Students must complete the program in order to avoid incurring additional costs for the program.

Academic Success Coaching Program

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Academic Success Coaches help students develop strategies for successfully navigating college academically, socially, and personally. Coaches individualize their approach with every student by engaging in the processes of reflection, goal-setting, and planning. The Academic Success Coaching Program empowers students by helping them:

  • Objectively assess obstacles to academic success
  • Establish attainable educational goals
  • Create and maintain positive daily routines
  • Improve time management and organizational skills
  • Develop a positive mindset
  • Study more effectively and efficiently
  • Engage in courses through participation and effective note taking
  • Prepare for exams
  • Build rapport with professors
  • Utilize campus resources

First-Year Seminar for Exploring Majors (COLA 100E)
The ASC, in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts, provides a 3-credit first-year seminar designed to help students build a strong foundation for academic success. COLA 100E: First-Year Seminar for Exploring Majors addresses topics regarding learning strategies, critical thinking, citizenship, ethics, multiculturalism, writing, and other topics relating to student development. Major and career exploration is also intertwined throughout the course content, as students are exposed to a blend of information and experiences to help them explore potential major and career choices.

Second-Year Seminar for Exploring Majors (ENG 231E)
The ASC partners with World Literature to offer ENG 231E, which is a second-year seminar (SYS) designed for Exploring Majors with the theme, “Finding Your Path.” It is a three-credit course that explores issues of identity and vocation through the reading of original literature from antiquity to the present day. ENG 231E reinforces the University Undergraduate Learning Outcomes (UULOs) introduced in the first-year seminar, COLA 100E.

Scholarships
The ASC annually offers the “ASC Dean’s Award” for qualifying Exploring Majors. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, Exploring Majors must first apply through the Center’s Advising Unit. Applications are collected in the spring and successful awardees are notified in the summer for fall and spring semesters.

The ASC also offers the Hixson-Lied Success Scholars Program during the Fall and Spring semesters for selected incoming and current undergraduate students. The scholarship is geared toward students who have overcome significant challenges (academic, economic, etc.) to find success in-and-out of the classroom. For more information, visit www.unlv.edu/asc or email hlscholars@unlv.edu.

Student-Athlete Academic Services

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The Office of Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) provides academic advising and support services for over 400 of UNLV’s student- athletes. The office is committed to assisting student-athletes in earning a degree of their choice, while fulfilling UNLV, Mountain West Conference (MWC), and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility requirements. Further, every effort is made to instill in each individual those skills necessary to become an independent, responsible member of the UNLV student body. SAAS is committed to providing an environment that facilitates the academic success of every student-athlete. SAAS’ goal is to prepare student-athletes to be fully accountable for their academic progress, resulting in graduation and personal/professional development.

The academic services staff provides a variety of academic services, to both prospective student-athletes and currently enrolled UNLV student-athletes, per NCAA Bylaw 16.3.1. These services include, but are not limited to:

• Providing UNLV athletic department coaching staff preliminary evaluations of the eligibility and admission status of prospective student-athletes (recruits)
• Assisting student-athletes in course selection, planning, and scheduling for their specific UNLV degree program
• Monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes toward degree program requirements.
• Informing student-athletes of the myriad NCAA, MWC, and UNLV requirements they must satisfy in order to remain eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at UNLV
• Monitoring the eligibility status of student-athletes and providing direction for meeting eligibility requirements
• Assisting the faculty athletics representative (FAR) in the eligibility certification of all student-athletes
• Providing assistance and direction to student-athletes regarding UNLV’s non-academic support services that may help them adjust to and cope with the challenges of university life
• Creating and administering programs that will support and enhance the academic performance and potential of student-athletes
• Preparing student-athletes for graduation and the ensuing challenges, including employment and post-graduate education

Learning Specialist Program
In partnership with the Disability Resource Center and a range of campus services, the Learning Specialist Program provides services to undergraduate UNLV students who face challenges that pose barriers to their academic success. These challenges may be linked to learning disabilities or areas identified through learning assessments. For more information, call (702)895-0661.

 

Early Studies Program

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The ASC hosts the Early Studies Program, which provides highly-motivated high school students an opportunity to get a head start on their college education by enrolling in UNLV courses before high school graduation. Early Studies students have the opportunity to earn dual credit (university and high school credit) with the approval of their high school counselor. In addition, Early Studies Students receive full access to ASC resources, such as tutoring, advising and academic success coaching. The Early Studies Program attracts some of the best and brightest students in Clark County and creates a more streamlined bridge from their high school to UNLV.

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