Academic and Learning Support Services

Success in college depends onmany factors. Academic and Learning Support Services (ALSS) provides a variety of services to increase a student's level of academic success including Academic Advising, Act 101, Educational Enrichment, Learning Center, MAAPP, and Undecideds/Exploratory Advising. Further information can be found at www.mtaloy.edu:8080/academic_services/index.dot

Academic Advising
Academic advising is important and available to every student, including incoming students who have been accepted and paid their deposits. Each new student will meet with a professional Academic Advisor. During this meeting, students schedule their planned course work and are assigned an advisor, typically within their specific discipline. Schedules in semesters subsequent to the first semester will be completed in conjunction with the assigned academic advisor. Each student's relationship with his or her academic advisor is important, and it is the student's responsibility to meet with the advisor. Through discussion with an academic advisor and the use of services provided by the Offices of Academic Advising and Career Services, a student is better able to: clarify academic, life, and career goals; understand the nature and purpose of higher education; gain information about educational options, requirements, policies and procedures; plan a program of study consistent with interests and abilities; select and schedule appropriate courses; and understand College resources that might provide assistance for academic success.

Act 101
Act 101 is an academic support program for Pennsylvania residents. All Act 101 services are free to tudents who qualify. The admission criteria is based on PAState regulations and include meeting family income guidelines. Services include regularmeetings with anAct 101Academic Counselor formentoring and academic advising purposes, a book lending library, a laptop lending program, help in time management, note taking, test taking, memory enhancement, and peer tutoring program. PA students interested in learning more about the Act 101 program should contact the Director of Act 101 or the Act 101 Academic Counselor.

Educational Enrichment
The Educational Enrichment department offers developmental courses in study strategies, reading, English, and mathematics. These courses are designed to assist students in strengthening skills to repare them for college-level work. Students are placed in Educational Enrichment (EE) courses based on SAT and ACT scores. While students can earn institutional credits by successfully completing ducational Enrichment courses, these credits are not counted toward graduation requirements. The ollege will place incoming, first-year students in Educational Enrichment courses based on their SAT and/orACT scores. Astudent may take the College Placement Test if he/she believes their skills have been under assessed by these national exams. Any incoming, non-traditional student without prior college work and no SAT/ACT scores will be required to complete the College Placement Test and complete EE courses as appropriate and according to current guidelines. While all transfer student records are reviewed individually, the following guidelines for transfer students will be used:

1. Students with an Associate or Bachelor Degree:
   Students who apply to Mount Aloysius College and who possess either an associate or bachelor degree earned at a regionally-accredited institution will normally not be required to take EE courses. (In some majors with a heavier mathematics requirement, students may need to take an EE mathematics course.)
2. Students with Transfer Credits:
   Transfer students who have completed at least 24 credits at a regionallyaccredited institution and have earned a minimum 2.5 grade point average will normally not be required to take EE courses in reading and writing.
   
   Transfer students will not be required to take EE writing courses if they transfer to the College the equivalent of EN 110 and/or EN 111.
   
   Transfer students will not be required to take EE mathematics/algebra courses if they transfer to the College the equivalent of a college mathematics course.

Students are highly encouraged to complete their Educational Enrichment (EE) coursework prior to taking courses in their major. Students should complete EE courses by the conclusion of their second semester. Mathematics and/or algebra requirements may be postponed until the semester prior to scheduling a college mathematics requirement. It is recommended that this be done early in the program of study, and the plan of study should be reviewed by the Academic Advisor. Completion of EE course requirements in the immediately preceding summer will usually allow the students to complete any potential course requirements necessary to declare a major within a timely fashion.

Learning Center
The Learning Center at Mount Aloysius College offers a variety of free services to undergraduate students at the institution. The aim of the Learning Center is to help students grow personally and professionally in order for academic goals to be successfully reached. Through the assistance of the Writing Specialist, students can receive one-to-one or group tutoring to further development of writing skills. Workshops are also offered on study skills, time management, and note-taking strategies.

Mount Aloysius College offers a peer and professional tutoring program to all students. Professional tutors are available in both the Nursing Division and the Health Studies and Sciences Division. Additionally, Mount Aloysius College offers peer tutoring for a number of courses offered on campus. It is important for students to seek academic assistance early in the semester to encourage a better chance for academic success.

Mount Aloysius Academic Preparation Program (MAAPP)
MAAPP is a conditional admission program. During the week prior to Fall semester classes beginning, MAAPP students participate in a residential program aimed at easing the transition from high school to college, thereby increasing a student's chance for academic success. Students engage in college-level reading and writing seminars to help formulate accurate academic expectations for college success. Additionally, students are introduced to campus technology and opportunities to build connections with other students, staff, and faculty. Students in the program must complete the program successfully to receive permission tomatriculate into the fall semester. During the year students will be full-time students and take some courses together, attend group meetings and will meet their advisors often. Once students are accepted for college matriculation, students work closely with the MAAPP coordinator. Admission into the program is based upon criteria set by the College.

Undecided/Exploratory Advising
Students who are exploring bachelor degree programs atMountAloysius Collegemay choose to begin in Undecided/Exploratory Studies. All students in Undecided/Exploratory Studies will complete CP 101, Career Planning Seminar, within their first year of study. Students will schedule classes to meet the College's Core requirements and meet regularly with their advisors. Students are encouraged to declare a major by the end of the first year and not later than their fourth semester of full-time college enrollment.