Center for Academic Success

As an Academic Support department of the Academic Affairs division, CAS is charged with the responsibility of positively impacting student retention. Academic excellence is achieved through student participation in an integrated educational process of student mentoring, retention services, math connection, Writing, and Reading Lab usage. For students with special needs, we offer professional and confidential Disability Services. Personalized and intrusive Academic Counseling is offered in an environment that is both nurturing and accommodating.

Academic Advisement and Program Planning
Although their declared interests in specific disciplines will be acknowledged, first-year studentswill be encouraged to concentrate on general education requirements for the purpose of academic exploration and continuing self-discovery. Freshman advisors, by means of extended interviews and performance reviews throughout the year, will assist in the process of confirming or modifying the personal interests and aspirations of each student.

Freshman Studies
The Freshman Studies Program is a composite of diagnostic, instructional, and supportive services to first-year students.

Disabilities Support Services
The Office of Disability Services is committed to the principle of providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities by eliminating barriers and providing access to academic opportunities at Oakwood University

Monitoring Students’ Academic Progress (MSAP)
The Committee on Monitoring Students’ Academic Progress (MSAP), which consists of a consortium of university administrators, departmental chairs, faculty, and staff, ensures students’ conformance and compliance to the academic policies of the institution.

Remedial Courses
Beginning freshmen entering Oakwood University on academic probation must pursue a prescribed course of remedial studies during their first year, which may include any of the following: EN 095, EN 099, MA 095 (mandatory lab attendance is required), and OU 097 which supports the academic development of Oakwood students by assisting students to develop time management and study skills. In addition, students who have scored less than 500 on the TOEFL must take EN 090 and EN 091 during the first year.

These remedial courses, which are in addition to the 128 hours needed for graduation, must each be passed with a minimum grade of C. Any course failed must be repeated the next semester until passed. Grades and hours received from remedial courses will not be computed for graduation purposes in the cumulative GPA.

Diagnostic Testing
During Freshman Orientation Week, the American College Test (ACT) will be administered to new freshmen who have not already taken it or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

Results are used for placing students in appropriate courses of study, fulfilling Alabama state requirements for entrance into special programs and assisting advisors and counselors in their work of helping students to plan their academic programs, evaluate their academic progress, and set realistic personal and career goals. Accumulated data will help the university to determine what areas of its programs and services need strengthening and/or modification in order to effectively fulfill its commitment to the success of its students. Test scores are to be used for institutional purposes and cannot be released to another college.

Tutorial Services
The overall goal of the Tutorial component of CAS is to assist all students with their academic success through peer tutoring. The following objectives are included in this goal:

• Increase the number of students with improved GPA’s
• To continue to hire qualified tutors to interact effectively with the students and professors
• Hire more tutors for the highly populated courses
• Provide customer service and academic training for the tutors and labs assistants
• Offer tutoring in courses that cover the general education curriculum as well as some major requirements as needed