Essential Studies
Essential Studies Statement of Philosophy
Baccalaureate graduates at Mayville State University complete a program of essential studies consistent with the Liberal Education - America’s Promise (LEAP) model developed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. It empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity and change. It emphasizes broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g., science, culture, and society). It helps students develop a sense of social responsibility as well as strong intellectual and practical skills that span all areas of study and includes a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. Through technology-enriched instruction, students acquire basic knowledge in the behavioral and social sciences, the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the fine arts.
Essential Studies Program
Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees complete the Essential Studies program of the University. Essential Studies are basic to the many learning experiences offered in higher education and aim to assist in the realization of the goals and purposes of the University. The Essential Studies program is intended to provide students a liberal education that encourages informed involvement in the changing world, an appreciation to different modes of learning, and an awareness of an integrated core of knowledge.
Essential studies covers areas of academic study which are deemed basic to a well-educated person. All students in the baccalaureate degree programs complete this program.
Mayville State courses accepted at other NDUS institutions as general education courses are designated on the list of general education course requirements that follow (e.g. N.D.: ENGL). For more information and/or questions about the NDUS Transfer Agreement, contact the Registrar at Mayville State University or any other NDUS institution.
English Placement
Under NDUS Policy 402.1.2, effective Fall 2012, the following placement scores are required for admission to ENGL 110-Composition I. Students with an ACT English subtest score of 18 or higher or transfer students entering MSU with a developmental writing course graded “C” or higher, may enroll in ENGL110. New students who do not demonstrate readiness for ENGL 110 (ACT or Equivalent SAT of 14 or less) must complete ASC 86 prior to enrolling in ENGL 110. New students with ACT or SAT equivalent scores of 15-17 may enroll in ENGL 110 but must also enroll in an ASC 88 lab course at the same time. Neither ASC 86 or ASC 88 credits count towards graduation requirements, do not meet Essential Studies requirements and are not counted towards athletic eligibility. They do count towards full time status for financial aid purposes, however. Students without qualifying assessment scores must successfully complete ASC 86 prior to enrolling in ENGL 110. Additional chancellor-approved placement tests are listed in the matrix below.
Waive ENGL 110 and placement in ENGL 120 or ENGL 125:
ACT
English
subtest |
SAT
Writing |
COMPASS
Writing Skills |
27+
|
610+
|
99+
|
Required placement scores:
|
Course
Placement
|
ACT
English
subtest |
PLAN
English
subtest |
SAT
Writing
|
COMPASS
Writing Skills |
ACCUPLACER®
WritePlacer® |
ACCUPLACER®
Reading
Comprehension
|
ACCUPLACER®
Sentence
Skills
|
ENGL 110
|
18+ |
15 |
430+
|
77+ |
5 |
>78 |
>86
|
|
ENGL 110
with ASC 88
|
15-17
|
NA
|
380-420
|
49-76
|
3-4 |
>78 or
|
>86
|
ASC 86
|
<14 |
NA
|
<370 |
<48 |
0-2 |
<78 and
|
<86 |
Math Placement
Under NDUS Policy 402.1.2, effective Fall, 2013, the following placement scores are required for admission to MATH 103. Students with an ACT mathematics subtest score of 21 or higher or a transfer student entering MSU with a developmental mathematics course graded “C” or higher, may enroll in MATH 103. Students with a mathematics subtest score of 20 or less must complete the combination of ASC 91, ASC 92 and/or ASC 93 based on their ACT/SAT or COMPASS scores. These Algebra preparation courses do not count towards graduation requirements, do not meet Essential Studies requirements and are not counted towards athletic eligibility. They do count towards full time status for financial aid purposes, however. Students without qualifying assessment scores must successfully complete ASC 93 prior to enrolling in MATH 103. Additional chancellor-approved placement tests are listed in the matrix below.
Waive MATH 103 and placement into higher level math courses:
ACT
Mathematics
subtest |
|
SAT
Critical
Reading +
Mathematics
|
ACT COMPASS
|
28+
|
Test Credit (3 SH
"S" grade(granted)
|
1250+
|
79+
|
Required Placement Scores:
|
Course
Placement
|
ACT
Mathematics
subtest |
SAT
Critical
Reading +
Mathematics
|
COMPASS
Algebra
|
ACT
PLAN
Math
Subtest |
ACCUPLACER®
Elementary Algebra |
MATH 103
|
21 |
990+
|
49+
|
116
|
>76
|
ASC 93
|
19-20
|
900-980
|
57+
|
NA
|
56-75
|
ASC 92
|
16-18
|
770-890
|
34-56
|
NA
|
36-55
|
ASC 91
|
<15
|
<760
|
<33
|
NA |
0-35
|
PLAN test scores may be used only by currently enrolled high school students for placement into college/university courses offered by an NDUS institution and are superseded by ACT, SAT, COMPASS, or ACCUPLACER placement scores.
Students who successfully complete a required developmental course or final course in a developmental sequence with a grade of “C” or higher that fulfills a pre-requisite for ENGL 110 or MATH 103 will be deemed to have met the pre-requisite to enroll in ENGL 110 or MATH 103. Students may request to retake a placement test to meet pre-requisite requirements for ENGL 110 or MATH 103.
ACT Reading and Science minimum subtests scores are associated with a 50% chance to earn introductory college courses grades of a “B” or higher and a 75% chance to earn a “C” or higher in introductory college courses; therefore, students are highly encouraged to meet at least the following minimum subtest scores for Reading and Science:
| Exam |
ACT
subtest |
PLAN
subtest |
SAT |
COMPASS |
ACCUPLACER® |
| Reading |
21 |
17 |
NA |
88 |
85 |
| Science |
24 |
21 |
NA |
NA |
NA |