nmsu-a online student orientation part: 1

Welcome to New Mexico State University-

Alamogordo

This orientation covers information for Online and On-Campus students

All new college (NMSU) students must complete this online SOAR session in order to fully complete registration.

SOAR Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration

Student Orientation Required for all Online Courses.


College Terms

•  Course Load - number of semester hours for which a student is registered

•  Full-time student - one who is enrolled for 12+ semester hours in a 16-week semester.

(Overload = more than 18 hours)

•  Part-time student - less than 12 semester hours in a 16-week semester.


Scheduling Options •  Course Types:

–  On-campus -Day, evening, Saturdays –  On-line - Computer-delivered instruction –  ITV - Instructional television

•  Course Length: –  16 week full semesters-Fall/Spring, 10 week for

Summer –  8 week mini-semesters-Fall/Spring, 5 week for Summer

Distance Learning (Instructional Television and On-line Classes) is not recommended for first-time college

students.


Which Degree/Certificate Are You Pursuing?

•  Associate of Arts- a two-year degree in the arts –  prepares students to enter a four-year college or university.

•  Associate of Science- a two-year degree in the science –  enable students to enter as juniors at a four-year college/university with a

major in a science discipline.

•  Associate of Applied Science- a two-year Technical degree –  may not be transferable –  Some AAS degrees require specialized admission

•  Certificate of Completion – •  Certification in a Smaller part of an AAS degree


NM State Core Classes

Communications:(10 Credits)

ENGL 111G English-‐Level I ENGL 203G, 211G, or 218G English-‐Level II COMM 253G or 265G Public Speaking

Math: (3 Credits)

MATH 121G or Higher, StaIsIcs 251G

Lab Sciences: (8 Credits)

Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography 111G, Geology, Physics


These classes provide the student with a broad foundation and common framework upon which to develop knowledge and skills, social consciousness and respect for self and others

Note: Some courses require passing a placement rest to enroll

NM State Core Classes (Continued)

Social/Behavioral Sciences:

(6-9 Credits)

Anthropology, Counseling & EducaIon Psychology, Criminal JusIce, Economics, Geography 112G, Government, Health Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Women’s Studies

Humanities and Fine Arts

(6-9 Credits)

Art, English 220G, History, Music, Philosophy, Theater Arts

Campus Requirements College 101, Computer Science 110

Electives Number of elecIves is based on specific degree plan


Balancing Work and School

13 hours of course load (hours in class each week) 26 hours of prep time (2X hours in class each week) 39 total hours per week spent on school


Placement Testing (Compass)

•  Math, English, and Reading placement tests are designed to measure the student’s academic ability in each

subject area for course-level placement.

•  Have taken the ACT or SAT? Talk to your advisor about having placement testing waived

•  Testing requires a referral form from Advising or an instructor

•  Retesting is at your advisors discretion

A session with an Academic Advisor is required to assess, advise, provide student with a degree plan, and register

student for classes.


A Little Worried About Compass Testing?

  Retesting can be done on a case by case basis. Students must see an Academic Advisor for scheduling and all fees.

  If you have taken the test 2 times, you must wait 30 days.

  Brush up for the test at: www.thea.nesinc.com www.testprepreview.com www.purplemath.com www.sosmath.com www.mathmax.com www.google.com www.math.com/prealgebra www.algebrahelp.com

  Search for other free Compass practice tests on Google. There are many options available on-line.


Understanding Your Compass Scores

Writing 76-100 You can enroll in ENGL 111G 35-75 You can enroll in CCDE 110N

0- 34 You can enroll in CCDE 105N

Reading 81-100 You can enroll in any college class

61-81 You can enroll in CCDR 110N 0-60 You can enroll in CCDR 105N

Math 51-100 You can enroll in CCDM 112N or CCDM 114N

28-50 You can enroll in CCDM 103N 0-27 You can enroll in CCDM 100N


What are Developmental Courses (CCD_)

•  Are offered in reading, writing, and math.

•  They are designed to increase skill levels so students are ready for college level courses

•  Are Required of Students who have not successfully passed Compass testing before registering for most college credited courses

•  Do not count in GPA

•  Are not transferable and do not count towards your degree

•  DO count as part of your course load for financial aid, medical insurance, etc.


Our Developmental Classes Are:

  English CCDE 105 N Developmental English

CCDE 110 N Developmental Writing

  Reading CCDR 105 N Reading Tech I

CCDR 110 N Reading Tech II

  Math CCDM 100 Arithmetic (Pre-Algebra)

CCDM 103 Beginning Algebra CCMD 114 Intermediate Algebra or CCDM 112& 113

The class you begin with is based on your Compass scores, each class

must be passed with a grade of C or better to progress to the next class


Planning Your Course Load If you work: You May Wish to Take: 35+ hours per week 1 – 2 classes 25-34 hours per week 3 classes 0-24 hours per week 4 – 5 classes Example:

ENGL 111G 4 credit hours HIST 101G 3 credit hours BIOL 101G 3 credit hours MATH 121G 3 non-credit hours 13 hours course load


A Typical Class Schedule may look like

this:

Sample Classes Semester Hours

ENGL 110G 4

GOVT100G 3

HIST101G 3

MATH 121G 3

COLL 101 1

Total Hours: 14


Course Descriptions You may visit the NMSU-A website to view The Course Catalog and The Class Schedule.

Course: English 111G – Rhetoric and Composition

Description: Skills and methods used in writing university-level essays. Prerequisites: ACT standard score in English of 16 or higher or a Compass score 76 or higher; for those scoring 13-15 in English on the ACT or 35-75 on the Compass, successful completion of a developmental writing course; for those scoring 12 or below on the ACT standard score in English or 34 or below on the compass, successful completion of two developmental writing courses. Prerequisite: Engl 111G is a prerequisite for every English course numbered 200 or above. Co-requisite: NA Sem Hrs. 3 Lecture Hrs. 4 Lab Hrs. 0

Course: Economics 201G – Introduction to Economics

Description: Economic institutions and current issues with special emphasis on the American economy. Prerequisite: NA Co-requisite: NA Sem Hrs. 3 Lecture Hrs. 3 Lab Hrs. 0


Calculating Your GPA Grade = Point Value A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0

Course Grade Semester Hours x Point Value = Grade Points ENGL 111G (B) 4 x 3 = 12 HIST 110G (A) 3 x 4 = 12 BIOL 101G (F) 4 x 0 = 0 CCDM 100N (A) Developmental Class COLL 101 (A) 1 x 4 = 4 ______________________________________________________________ Hours Attempted = 11 Total Grade Points = 28

28 Total Grade Points divided by 11 Semester Hours Attempted = 2.54 GPA


Academic Status

Good Standing: •  Students are considered to be in

Good Standing when they maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.


Academic Probation •  Students who drop below a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

are placed on Academic Warning. •  Students who fail to raise their status from Academic Warning

will be placed on Academic Probation I the following semester. Students on Probation I will be limited to 12 credits for that semester.

•  Students who fail to raise their status from Academic Probation I will be placed on Academic Probation 2 the following semester. Students on Probation 2 will be limited to 6 credits for that semester.

•  The student who does not raise themselves out of Academic Probation will be placed on Academic Suspension. You will not be allowed to enroll in the university for a full academic semester.

•  All students on Warning and Probation must meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes.


Academic Suspension •  Students placed on Academic Suspension may not

enroll for the next long semester (for example: two summer sessions and the fall semester if suspended following the spring semester.)

•  After serving his/her suspension, students may contact an advisor to request continued enrollment, must write an appeal letter and re-apply at admissions. If a student is granted re-enrollment he/she must maintain 2.0 or higher.

•  If suspended a second time, students may contact an advisor to request continued enrollment, must write an appeal letter and re-apply at admissions. If a student is granted re-enrollment he/she must maintain 2.0 or higher. Re-enrollment must be approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.


Should I drop a course?

Dropping a course will affect the following situations:

•  Financial Aid & Scholarships. If you are receiving financial aid, you may face a penalty, and be ineligible for future financial aid.

•  Veteran’s Benefits. These funds could be reduced in the next semester.

•  Medical Insurance Coverage. If you drop a course, you may no longer be considered a full-time student, which can affect your medical insurance coverage if you are covered by a parent’s insurance.

•  Payment Plan Obligations. Even if you drop a course, you are still expected to pay for it.

•  Textbooks. You may be required to purchase a newer edition book the next time you repeat the same course.


To activate your my.nmsu account you will need your Banner ID number from your admission letter.

STEP 1: Go to http://my.nmsu.edu

STEP 2: Click on “Create an Account” toward the bottom left of the page

STEP 3: Enter your Banner Id and Date of Birth to begin the process.

Follow the onscreen instructions to finish setting up your account.

Your email address is: [email protected]

Activating your Account


Once you have activate your my.nmsu account use these steps to access your account:

STEP 1: Go to http://my.nmsu.edu

STEP 2: Enter your username and Password

STEP 3: Use the same Username and password to log into any NMSU system (i.e. Canvas)

Note: This is not the same information used to log into the NMSU-A system You will need to stop by the Computer Center (SC 104) to activate your NMSU-A account.

Your email address is: [email protected]

Accessing your Accounts


Student Email! This email account is the official means of

communication to students. •  Log into my.nmsu

–  Click on the mail icon (blue envelope) on the left of the screen.

•  Why check your my.nmsu.edu email? –  To communicate with Teachers –  To check grades –  To download class Assignments and Notes –  To get important updates from financial aid office –  To view important information like your class

Syllabus –  To communicate with other students in your class

Check Daily!


HELP ME, PLEASE !!!!

If you have any questions, Please call is at:

575-439-3720 SOAR

Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration

nmsu-a online student orientation part: 1

Education