The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP), mandated in the spring of 1987 by the State of Texas (Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated - Education Code, Sec. 51.306) was instituted to ensure that students entering an institution of higher education in the fall of 1989 or thereafter possess the necessary academic skills for successful performance in college. The TASP test measures skills in reading, mathematics, and writing and is administered according to published schedules. The TASP test cannot be used as a criterion for admission. Registration information regarding test dates and fees is available at the TASP advising center located in the Academic Enrichment Center, Killam Library Room 214. Anyone wishing more information regarding TASP policies should contact this office. The following highlights some of the most important policies students should know.
Students must take the TASP test during the semester in which they accumulate nine or more hours of college credit hours. Failure to do so will result in students' non-admission into ANY Texas public institution of higher education. If students do not complete or take all sections of the TASP test after nine hours, they will have to take developmental education course work in at least one of these areas to enroll at a public institution of higher education. Students who take and pass the TASP test have met all TASP program requirements.
Students may not enroll in any upper-level course completion of which would give the student 60 or more semester credit hours or the equivalent until their test scores meet or exceed the minimum standards in all test scores. In the spirit of this state mandate, TAMIU requires that our students successfully complete all three sections of the TASP test to enroll in any upper-level (3000 or above) courses at TAMIU.
Students who do not meet the minimum passing standard for any section of
the TASP are required by state law to enroll and
participate in developmental instruction (either course or non-course based instruction) until they pass the TASP.
Non-course based instruction is only available to students who have been so advised by the
AEC
administrative staff. If students are not enrolled in developmental instruction,
they cannot take any academic credit hours in any Texas state institution of higher
education. Students concurrently enrolled MUST TAKE required
developmental courses at TAMIU and not at another institution.
Grandfather Clause: Students who have accumulated at least three college-level semester credit hours or the equivalent from an accredited institution prior to the fall of 1989 are not required to take the TASP test. However, this does not apply to students seeking education certification since the Texas Education Agency requires that ALL teacher candidates, regardless of their prior academic history, take and pass the TASP test.
Baccalaureate Degrees: Students who already have an baccalaureate degree are TASP exempt.
SAT/ACT/TAAS: Students who perform at or above the following levels on the tests are TASP exempt. SAT and ACT scores are valid for five years, TAAS for three.
SAT: Recentered score of 1180 combined with a minimum of 550 on the math and English tests each. Original scale scores of 1090 combined with a minimum of 530 on the math and 470 on the verbal test.
ACT: Composite score of 26 with a 22 minimum on the mathematics and English test each.
TAAS: Minimum scale scores of 1780 on the writing, reading, and math tests and for tests taken Spring 1994 and thereafter a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test. Scores must have been achieved in one test sitting.
Other exemptions apply for special populations with diagnosed learning disabilities. Please inquire with the TASP Academic Advising Office in the AEC.
Students who qualified for exemption under the grandfather clause relinquish their exemption status once they begin an education certification program.
Effective Fall 1996, students seeking education certification must pass ALL three sections of TASP before they can take ANY of the following professional development courses:
EDBE 3334* EDCI 4392 EDCI 5307(1) EDME 4324
EDCI 3301 EDCI 4397(1) EDCI 5311(1) EDRD 3305(2)
EDCI 3303 EDCI 4398(1) EDCI 5397(1) EDSE 3310**
EDCI 3305 EDCI 4993 EDCI 5398(1) EDSE 3315**
* For Bilingual Education majors only
**For Special Education majors only
(1)For students in Alternative Certification Program or working on Deficiency Plan
(2)For Senate Bill 218 Certification Program students only
The passing scores are as follow:
Math 230
Reading 230
Writing 220
The Language Proficiency Program (LPP) is administered by the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC). The LPP serves two major functions: (1) it administers the Rising Junior Exam, and (2) it provides tutoring for university students.
All students will take the Rising Junior Exam at the end of the sophomore English sequence. This exam will include both the objective Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) and a written essay.
Students who pass the TSWE with a minimum score of 52 OR who pass the essay exam will be exempt from taking ENGL 3301. Those who do not pass the Rising Junior Exam, that can be taken only once for exemption, will be required to take ENGL 3301 the next semester of their enrollment. Students who have already earned a Bachelors degree (or higher) from an accredited institution before entering may petition the Chair of the English department for exemption.
Students required to take ENGL 3301 must pass the Rising Junior Exam in order to pass the course. These students must also satisfactorily complete all other requirements of the course in order to pass. Students who are not making a serious effort to fill these requirements will not be permitted to take the Rising Junior Exam. Anyone enrolled in ENGL 3301 who fails the course will receive a grade of "NC" and will be required to repeat the course.
Students should consult the academic calendar listed in the catalog for test dates or contact the Department of English, Spanish, and Fine Arts or the Academic Enrichment Center for further information.
Semester Credit Hours
The semester hour is the unit of credit and is defined as the amount of credit given for one recitation hour a week for one semester. Each recitation hour requires two hours of preparation on the part of the average student. In general, three hours of carefully planned and supervised laboratory work are equivalent to one hour of lecture or recitation.
Normal Load: The normal load for an undergraduate student for a long semester is fifteen (15) hours except during student teaching when a twelve-hour block is a normal load. The normal load for summer school is six (6) semester hours per session.
Full-Time/Part-Time: A full-time undergraduate student, defined as one carrying a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours, is expected to register each semester for a normal load of work in the degree field. An undergraduate student registered for less than twelve (12) semester hours is considered a part-time student. Full-time during each summer session is an undergraduate student carrying six (6) semester hours.
Transfer Students: A transfer student may not register for more than the normal load during the first semester at TAMIU. In any succeeding semester, the student may be permitted to register for the normal load plus one additional course, provided the grade average during the semester of last registration was 3.3 or better, and provided certain other conditions prevail.
Maximum Number of Hours: The maximum load for an undergraduate student is seventeen (17) hours a semester. Maximum number of hours in a summer session is six (6).
Exceptions to this policy will require a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and the approval of the appropriate Department Chair and Dean. Nineteen (19) or more hours in a regular semester or more than twelve (12) hours in total summer requires additional approval from the Provost.
Courses
The term "course" shall be understood to mean a definite unit of work in a subject and may continue through two semesters. Credit allowed for each course is written out in full immediately following the title of the course. Example: HIST 3301, Mexico. Three semester hours. The first digit of the course number is the course level. The second digit is the number of semester credit hours (SCH).
Advanced Courses: An advanced course is one which is numbered 3000 or
4000 and which requires junior or senior standing and the completion of any
prerequisite
course or courses in the subject. In some cases, the completion of courses in
another field serves as the prerequisite.
Repetition of a Course: If a student repeats a course that may not be taken for additional credit, it is the policy of the University to count only the last grade received in the course, whether passing or failing, other than a grade of "W" (see Grades below).
Grades
Grades are recorded from "A" to "F", inclusive and are mailed to each student at the end of each semester. Numerical values corresponding to these letters are as follows:
A 90-100, excellent
B 80-89, good
C 70-79, average
D 60-69, passing
F Below 60, failure
S/CR/P Satisfactory/credit/pass
U/NC Unsatisfactory (no credit)
W Dropped or withdrawn
I Incomplete
CR/NC, Credit/No Credit: Courses taken in residence on credit/no credit basis are not computed in the grade point average. Special projects designed to provide staff development for teachers and which carry academic credit will be taken on the credit/no credit basis. Grades assigned will be "S/CR" for satisfactory completion of the objectives and "U/NC" for unsatisfactory completion of the objectives. These grades may be used to satisfy degree requirements only for credit by examination and courses so designated in this catalog.
S/U, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: This grading criteria applies only to courses in the College of Arts and Humanities and the College of Business Administration. This grade can be given for only predesignated courses and may be used to satisfy degree requirements (e.g., business internships). For undergraduate students, a grade of "S" indicates achievement of 70 percent or greater for the course requirements; for graduate students, a grade of "S" indicates achievement of 80 percent or greater for the course requirements.
W, Dropped/Withdrawn: Given when a student has officially dropped or withdrawn from the University by the deadline on the official University calendar, regardless of student's standing in class.
I, Incomplete: Given to a student who is passing but has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work. Students electing to complete unfinished work in the course must sign an incomplete contract along with the instructor specifying assignments to be completed and the due date. Failure to sign contract, and have on file in the Registrar's Office, will result in the "I" being converted to an "F" through an administrative action of the Registrar.
For the student, the grade of "I" may be removed under certain conditions:
(a) if the student elects to complete the course, they may, within the time specified by the instructor, but not exceeding twelve months from the date the "I" was recorded, complete the work in the course and request that the instructor submit a change of grade form to the University Registrar. Extensions of time in cases of merit may be granted by the Dean of the appropriate College.
(b) if the student elects not to complete the course and the signed contract within a period of twelve months, the "I" will be converted to a grade of "F" through an administrative action of the Registrar.
(c) a student may not register for a course for which he/she has a current grade of "I".
Change of Grade: After being reported to the Office of the University Registrar, grades other than "I" may not be changed unless a computation error has been made by the instructor.
Grade Points: A student's grade average on university work is expressed in grade points. Each semester hour of "A" counts four points, "B" three points, "C" two points, "D" one point, and "F" zero points. Thus a "C" average, which is the minimum overall average for any bachelor's degree, is expressed as a 2.0 grade point average.
Dean's List and Honor Roll: Full-time undergraduate students of high academic caliber are honored each long semester by the publication of their names on the Dean's List and the Honor Roll. The Dean's List requires a grade point average of 3.65 on all work attempted for a particular semester, with a minimum of fifteen hours completed. The Honor Roll requires a GPA of 3.50 on all work attempted for the semester with a minimum of twelve hours completed. The Dean's List and the Honor Roll are compiled as quickly as possible after the close of the semester.
Registration
Degree Plan: The student should select his or her major field of study as early as possible or at the latest, the spring semester of their sophomore year. The planning of a course of study should be exercised in consultation with a faculty advisor. Final degree plans must be approved by the Dean or Chair of the appropriate department. Students will be provided one degree plan per year and will be required to present it at each registration. A degree plan may be superseded by a new one according to the provision explained under Graduation Under a Particular Catalog in this section.
Schedule: The student's class schedule should be worked out in conference with a faculty advisor. Students are urged to confer with their advisors well in advance of registration day in order to avoid difficulties in scheduling.
Early Registration: A period of early registration is scheduled each semester for the following semester(s). During that time a currently enrolled student is responsible for making an appointment with the assigned faculty advisor to discuss the degree plan, determine the courses to be taken during the next semester, and complete the registration form.
Fees may be paid at any time during early registration or on the official registration day. However, a student is not officially enrolled until all fees have been paid.
New students should contact the Office of Admissions and Advisement for admission information and for an appointment with an advisement counselor. The advisement counselor assists new students in the early registration process. Then, during the first semester at the University, students are advised by faculty within the college of their major.
Registration for a Course: The only way to become a member of a class is to officially register for it or by adding a course after registration is completed. In any case, the instructor receives the student's name from the Office of the University Registrar.
Adding a Course: To add a course to a schedule after registration, an add form is obtained in the Office of the University Registrar. A student should obtain permission from their assigned faculty advisor to add the course. The faculty advisor must sign the add form. (See Maximum Number of Hours in this section.)
Dropping a Course: A course may be dropped by obtaining a drop form from the Office of the University Registrar. Drops may be processed in person, by mail, or by phone. (See previous section on W, Dropped.)
A student may be dropped from a course by the respective Dean or Chair of the Department for excessive unexcused absences from class.
Auditing a Course: Any person may audit a course except for individual instruction courses. Auditors do not have the privilege of submitting papers, taking part in class discussions, or participating in laboratory or field work. Auditors pay tuition and fees according to the published semester credit hour fee schedule.
Withdrawal from the University
Students who find it necessary to withdraw during the session must notify the Office of the University Registrar and process a withdrawal form. Withdrawals may be processed in person, by mail, or by phone.
Absence from Class
It is assumed that a vital part of every student's education is regular attendance of class meetings. Every faculty member keeps a current attendance record on all students. Any absences tend to lower the quality of a student's work in a course, and frequent or persistent absences may preclude a passing grade or cause a student to be dropped from one or more courses by the respective Dean or Chair of the Department.
A student who abandons courses without officially withdrawing will receive a grade of "F" in each course, regardless of when that student ceases to attend classes. (See regulation entitled Refund of Fees under the Division of Student Affairs section.)
Minimum Grade for Good Standing
To be in good standing, a student must have a 2.0 grade-point average on his/her cumulative record as well as on his/her current semester record.
The grade point average for a semester is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the number of semester hours of "A", "B", "C", "D", and "F".
The cumulative, or overall, grade point average is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the number of hours of "A", "B", "C", "D", and "F". Transferred hours, as well as hours earned from Texas A&M International University, are included.
Academic Probation
A student will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative grade point average is below a "C" (2.0/4.0) or if work for any semester falls below a "C".
Removing Academic Probation: A student who has been placed on academic probation will be removed from such probation at the conclusion of the semester or summer term at TAMIU when the cumulative grade point average required for their classification, as well as the current semester has been achieved.
Enforced Withdrawal: If a student who has been placed on academic probation again fails to achieve the minimum requirement for their classification on at least one of the two standards (that is, the cumulative grade point standard or the current semester standard), he/she will be placed on enforced withdrawal during the next semester. The student may petition through the Office of the University Registrar to register again on academic probation after an absence from the University of one long semester, or longer.
Official Summons
Answering an Official Summons: Occasionally, it is essential that a student be summoned to one of the administrative or academic offices on the campus. A student who fails to answer an official summons promptly will be subject to suspension from all classes until the particular matter of business has been concluded and the student has been granted permission to return to classes.
Change of Address
Students who change their home address while attending TAMIU are expected to notify the Office of the University Registrar immediately. Changes of local address must also be made with the Office of the University Registrar as grades and degree plans are mailed to the local address of record.
Student Conduct
Upon registration, students automatically become members of the University community and, as such, assume full responsibility for proper conduct until their separation from the University. All University students should be familiar with the ordinary conventions of adult society governing their behavior. In addition, the University student must be acquainted with and bound by the University rules and regulations covering student conduct as stated in the Student Handbook which is available at the Department of Student Development.
Texas A&M International University reserves the right, through due process, to place on probation, suspend, or expel any student for improper conduct.
Distribution of semester credit hours (SCH) is as follows:
(for specific core requirements, consult appropriate degree program)
Computer Literacy - 3 SCH
Three (3) hours in computer literacy chosen from: CIS 1300, or for students seeking initial teaching certification: EDCI 2101, EDCI 3101, and EDCI 3103. Nursing students may meet the computer literacy requirements within nursing courses.
English and Literature - 12 SCH*
ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302, and six (6) hours sophomore-level literature
Fine Arts - 3 SCH
Three (3) hours from ARTS or FINA courses
History - 6 SCH
HIST 1301, and HIST 1302
Kinesiology (Physical Education/Health) - 2 SCH
Two (2) hours in Kinesiology, one (1) hour must be activity based
Language - 6 SCH
Six (6) hours in a foreign language (1301 or higher)
Mathematics - 6 SCH
Six (6) hours of college-level mathematics (MATH 1305 or higher with the exception of Math 1342)
Political Science (Government) - 6 SCH
PSCI 2305 and PSCI 2306
Science - 8 SCH
Eight (8) hours of science including two laboratories chosen from:
ASTR/BIOL/CHEM/EPSC/PHYS
Social Science - 6 SCH
Six (6) hours chosen from CRIJ/ECO/GEOG/HIST/PSCI/PSYC/SOCI
*All students who do not pass the Rising Junior Exam must take ENGL 3301.
The remainder of hours in the degree are to be distributed among major, minor (if applicable) and free electives.
Majors and Minors: A major when specified as a degree requirement shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four (24) or more semester hours in one subject, six (6) of which must be taken at TAMIU. For English degrees, the required freshman courses may not be counted as part of the major.
A minor or concentration shall consist of eighteen (18) or more hours, six (6) of which must be taken at TAMIU, in a subject selected by the student. For English degrees, the required freshman courses may not be counted as part of the minor.
At least fifty percent of the work taken in the major field must be advanced (3000- or 4000-level) coursework, and at least twelve (12) semester hours of advanced work must be taken in the minor field.
Grade Average: An overall average of "C" (2.0) or above on all work attempted must be maintained for a degree, and, in the case of transfer students, a minimum overall grade average of "C" must also be maintained on the work attempted at this University. The grade average in the major and minor field where required must be "C" or above on work taken at this University.
Second Bachelor's Degree: No second bachelor's degree will be conferred until the candidate has at least twenty-four (24) hours, and satisfies any additional requirements, in addition to those counted toward the bachelor's degree which requires the higher number of hours credit.
Residence Requirement: The applicant for a bachelor's degree must have been in residence at TAMIU for at least two full semesters or the equivalent (a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours). Twenty-four semester hours of the last thirty (30) advanced hours required for the degree must be completed at TAMIU.
Advanced Work: A student must complete a minimum of forty-five (45) semester hours of advanced work (course work numbered 3000-4000) to be eligible to receive a bachelor's degree.
Language Proficiency Program/Rising Junior Exam: The Language Proficiency Program (LPP) is administered by the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC). The LPP serves two major functions: (1) it administers the Rising Junior Exam, and (2) it provides tutoring for university students.
All students will take the Rising Junior Exam at the end of the sophomore English sequence. This exam will include both the objective Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) and a written essay.
Students who pass the TSWE with a minimum score of 52 OR who pass the essay exam will be exempt from taking ENGL 3301. Those who do not pass the Rising Junior Exam, that can be taken only once for exemption, will be required to take ENGL 3301 the next semester of their enrollment. Students who have already earned a Bachelors degree (or higher) from an accredited institution before entering may petition the Chair of the English department for exemption.
Students required to take ENGL 3301 must pass the Rising Junior Exam in order to pass the course. These students must also satisfactorily complete all other requirements of the course in order to pass. Students who are not making a serious effort to fill these requirements will not be permitted to take the Rising Junior Exam. Anyone enrolled in ENGL 3301 who fails the course will receive a grade of "NC" and will be required to repeat the course.
Students should consult the academic calendar listed in the catalog for test dates or contact the Department of English, Spanish, and Fine Arts or the Academic Enrichment Center for further information.
Graduation under a Particular Catalog: A student may have the privilege of being graduated according to the curricular requirements as stated in the catalog of the year in which he/she first registered for work in residence at a college/university, or he/she may be graduated under any later catalog of a year in which he/she was registered for residence work, provided that requirements are met within five years (six years for the M.A. in Counseling Psychology) of the date of the catalog chosen, and provided further that the institution offers courses listed as requirements in previous catalogs.
Application for Candidacy for Bachelor's Degrees: A student intending to have a baccalaureate degree conferred at TAMIU must file an Application for Candidacy with the Office of the University Registrar and pay the graduation fee to the University Business Office.
For May graduation: by the end of the first week in February.
For August graduation: by the end of the first week in May.
For December graduation: by the end of the first week in September.
Graduation In-Absentia: Students intending to graduate in-absentia should notify the Office of the University Registrar upon application for candidacy.
Graduation with Honors: Requirements for graduation with honors include an overall minimum grade point average of 3.25 with at least 45 hours taken at TAMIU. The grade point average on work transferred to this University must be less than the grade point average on TAMIU work to be considered for honors. If the grade point average on transferred work is higher, only the grade point average on TAMIU work will be used to determine eligibility for honors.
The criteria for graduation with honors are:
Cum Laude (with honors):
a grade point average of 3.25 or higher but less than a 3.5.
Magna Cum Laude (with high honors):
a grade point average of 3.5 or higher but less than 3.65.
Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors):
a grade point average of 3.65 or higher.
Degree Conferral: No degree will be conferred except publicly and on Commencement Day of the spring, summer, and fall semesters.