University placement tests and surveys are administered by Advising and Educational Planning Services. All students who have been admitted to the University for study toward a degree are required to take the Saint Xavier University placement tests appropriate to their academic program prior to registration of classes. Transfer credit may exempt students from placement tests. The results of these tests are used for placement in courses and for academic advising.
English Placement
- All incoming undergraduate students without acceptable transfer credit in English 101 will be placed in English their first semester at the University. Previous English coursework and standardized test scores, such as ACT and SAT, are used to assist in placing students. Depending upon the student's background and test scores, a placement test may be required to determine appropriate course enrollment.
- Students will be placed in English 100: Reading, Writing and Rhetoric; English 101: Critical Thinking and Writing; or English 150: Honors English based on the results of the assessment of previous coursework and standardized test scores.
- Students invited to enroll in English 150: Honors English will receive 6 semester-hours credit at the successful completion of the course. English 150 satisfies the English 101-102 requirement when the additional 3 hours for English 101 credit are posted to their record.
- Students participating in the University Honors Program enroll in Honor 150: Honors English. Students will receive 6-semester-hours credit at the successful completion of the course when the additional 3 hours for English 101 credit are posted to their record. Honor 150 satisfies the English 101-102 requirement when the additional 3 hours for English 101 credit are posted to their record.
English 101-102 Core Requirement
- Successful completion of English 101-102 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better in the course is required for graduation from Saint Xavier University. Courses not completed with a grade of C or better must be repeated the next semester.
- Normally transfer credit will be accepted as satisfying the English 101-102 Core Requirement only if that credit was earned before the student first attended Saint Xavier University. The English and Foreign Languages Department chairperson and the dean of Arts and Sciences must approve any exceptions to this policy.
- Students are expected to enroll in English 101-102 (in English 100, or English 150 as described above) during their first semester at the University and during every following semester until they have met the English 101-102 Core Requirement. Failure to satisfy this English 101-102 Requirement during the student's first 60 credit-hours or first four semesters at the University may prevent students from registering for future semesters.
Mathematics Placement
All incoming undergraduate students (matriculated and students-at-large) without acceptable mathematics transfer credit must participate in the Mathematics Placement Program. Graduate students enrolling in a mathematics course must present evidence of completion of a college-level mathematics course or must participate in the Mathematics Placement Program. Previous mathematics coursework and standardized test scores, such as ACT and SAT, are used to assist in placing students in college-level mathematics. Depending upon the student's mathematics background and test scores, the University Mathematics Placement Test may be required to determine placement. Students may be required to begin at either Math 090: Beginning Algebra or Math 099: Intermediate Algebra prior to enrollment in a college-level mathematics course.
Chemistry Placement
Previous chemistry coursework and standardized test scores, such as ACT and SAT, are used to assist in placing students in college-level chemistry. Depending upon the student's chemistry and mathematics background and standardized test scores, the University Mathematics Placement Test may be required to determine placement. Science students may be required to complete Chemistry 106 before taking Chemistry 111. Nursing students may be required to complete Chemistry 106 before taking Chemistry 107.
Speech 101 Core Requirement
- Students are expected to enroll in Communication 101 during their first year at the University.
- Successful completion of Communication 101 or the equivalent with a grade of C or better is required for graduation from Saint Xavier University.
- Normally, transfer credit will be accepted as satisfying the Communication 101 Core Requirement only if that credit was earned before the student first attended Saint Xavier University. The Communication Department chairperson and the dean of Arts and Sciences must approve any exceptions to this policy.
- Students expecting to qualify for state teaching certificates are required to have 3 semester-hours of speech.
Academic Support Requirements
Newly admitted undergraduate students are expected to complete the following University requirement during the first semester of attendance.
- Academic Support 100: Transitions is a 1 credit hour seminar required of all students entering Saint Xavier University with 45 credit-hours or less. Students must complete the Transitions in the first fall semester of attendance. The curriculum includes an introduction into the Saint Xavier University community, development of an appreciation of the broader culture of a university education, diversity, wellness, academic support services and strategies, and the use of technology.
- Academic Support 101: Transfer Student Orientation (TSO) is a one-day orientation program designed for students with 45 or more transfer-hours or for students who have transferred the equivalent of Transitions . All newly entering students must enroll in either Transfer Student Orientation or in SXU Transitions, as it is a graduation requirement. Topics covered include academic support services, library/computer facilities, and student life.
Saint Xavier University 2009-2010 Catalog
Please visit the SXU Web site for the most recent information.