(http://www.uncw.edu/uc/)
All freshmen and undeclared transfer students are accepted to and remain in the University College until they declare their major intentions, usually by the middle of their sophomore year. The University College provides a number of services and programs to assist students in making a smooth transition to their new university academic environment.
University College Advising
The University College provides academic advising to all incoming students until such time as they declare their majors. Students are advised either by professional advisors in the University College Advising Center or by University College faculty advisors drawn from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, and the Schools of Business and Education. University College advisors focus on student‘s academic success and assist with the student‘s transition to college. They provide their students with guidance and encouragement in selecting courses and deciding on majors, meeting academic requirements, maintaining required scholastic standards, and considering possible career choices. Advisors meet with students whenever needed. It is mandatory for students to meet with their advisors at least once a semester as they plan for course registration. University College advisors can provide students with referrals to various specialized support services within the university to assist them in overcoming difficulties, in exploring options, and in achieving academic and personal success. Advisors also monitor their students’ mid-semester academic progress and their end-of-semester grades, and work with students who are having academic difficulty. Advisors provide students with critical and timely information related to academic procedures and regulations. Students are encouraged to read all emails and letters from their advisor and University College. Several intervention programs to help students recover from academic failure and to regain academic eligibility are implemented through University College. The Academic Success Agreement is a tool designed for students on academic probation. It is based on the negotiation of a contract between the student and the advisor providing for specific course selections, required follow-up meetings, assistance from other academic support offices, or other appropriate actions. A similar summer program is provided to aid those students who have been declared ineligible to continue regular term enrollment.
Student-Athlete Academic Support
The Student-Athlete Academic Support program, a joint effort of the University College and the university athletic program, seeks to help student-athletes balance the demands of academic and athletic responsibilities. The success of the program can be seen in the high grade-point averages and graduation rates of UNCW student-athletes.
Once student-athletes are admitted to the university, the Student-Athlete Academic Support advisors assist them with registration, sequencing and scheduling of required courses, and selection of a major. They also arrange for tutoring assistance and monitor student-athletes‘ grades, class attendance, study habits, and progress toward a degree. When a student-athlete declares a major, the program’s advisors continue to monitor academic performance and progress in conjunction with the student-athlete‘s departmental advisor.
Central to the role of this program is the maintenance of a strong working relationship between the program advisors and the university’s athletic department and coaches. The advisors are knowledgeable about NCAA and CAA rules that apply to eligibility for practice and competition. They are available for consultation when unusual or difficult rule interpretations are needed. They also play a key role in the athletic-academic certification process for all student-athletes.
Student-Athlete Academic Eligibility Requirements
The Student-Athlete Academic Support program helps to monitor the academic progress of each student-athlete as it relates to NCAA, CAA and institutional rules and regulations. The following are examples of rules applying to a student-athlete‘s academic progress:
- Student-athletes must be enrolled in no fewer than 12 semester hours (full-time) during the fall and spring semesters to be eligible for practice, competition and financial aid.
- Student-athletes must earn six (6) semester hours each semester to be eligible the next semester.
- Student-athletes must earn 18 semester hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring).
- The NCAA requires student-athletes to maintain progress towards a degree and has set benchmarks they must meet throughout their career. Student-athletes must earn: 24 hours prior to the start of their third semester; 40% of a degree prior to the start of their fifth semester; 60% of a degree prior to the start of their seventh semester; 80% of a degree prior to the start of their ninth semester.
- The NCAA requires a student-athlete to designate a major by the beginning of their fifth semester, or to be
taking major courses that lead to a degree, as certified by the dean or an appropriate academic advisor
- Student-athletes must declare and be accepted into a major field of study before or during the semester that they complete 45 semester hours of credit.
- Student-athletes must meet UNCW and NCAA minimum cumulative grade point averages in order to compete.
- In order to determine initial athletic eligibility, all student-athletes must be approved through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
A number of other policies affect a student-athlete’s participation in a sport. Additional information can be found in the Student-Athlete Handbook.
NCAA Academic Requirements for Continuing Eligibility
Following are the minimum guidelines defining satisfactory progress toward a degree for student-athletes:
Year 1 - Freshman
- Complete a minimum of 6 hours each semester for eligibility the next semester.
By the beginning of Year 2
- Complete 18 hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Complete 24 hours before the start of the third semester of enrollment.
- Earn at least a 1.80 cum GPA.
Year 2 - Sophomore
- Complete a minimum of 6 hours each semester for eligibility the next semester.
- Maintain at least a 1.80 cum GPA through the third semester for eligibility the next semester.
By the beginning of Year 3
- Complete 18 hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Declare or designate a major.
- Complete 40% of degree requirements.
- Earn at least a 1.90 cum GPA.
Year 3 - Junior
- Complete a minimum of 6 DA hours each semester for eligibility the next semester.
- Maintain at least a 1.90 cum GPA through the fifth semester for eligibility the next semester.
By the beginning of Year 4
- Complete 18 DA hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Complete 60% of degree requirements.
- Earn at least a 2.00 cum GPA.
Year 4 - Senior
- Complete a minimum of 6 DA hours each semester for eligibility the next semester.
- Maintain at least a 2.00 cum GPA through the seventh semester for eligibility the next semester.
By the beginning of Year 5
- Complete 18 DA hours during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters).
- Complete 80% of degree requirements.
- Earn at least a 2.00 cum GPA.
University College Curriculum
The University College coordinates and presents several special course offerings to assist students in making a successful adjustment to college life, developing research skills, and enriching their educational experience.
Freshman Seminar
The Freshman Seminar course provides freshmen with skills, strategies, resources, and information necessary to make a successful transition as a college student at UNCW. Academic and affective performance objectives assist students in making a successful transition to university life, developing sound study and problem solving skills, and engaging in career exploration and research. The small class size allows for mentor relationships with instructors and academic advisors.
Learning Communities (LC)
First-year students have the opportunity to participate in a Learning Community during their first semester at UNCW. A Learning Community is a group of students enrolled in two or three classes together. These clustered courses are organized around common themes or skill acquisition.
Cornerstone Learning Communities (CLC) are housed in UNCW‘s state-of-the-art residence hall, Cornerstone. This living-learning program allows students to select a CLC consisting of three integrated courses and to reside with their classmates. Students in this program attend their CLC classes in classrooms located in Cornerstone. The courses are appropriate for first-year students, and the program is designed to aid students in their transition to college. Cornerstone Learning Communities foster strong connections between students, faculty and advisors. The learning experience is enhanced by supplemental programs in the residence hall.
Freshman Seminar Learning Links connect fall semester freshman seminars with designated University Studies courses. This 5-6 credit hour module facilitates the development of problem solving skills and cognitive strategies within the context of a specific course topic or theme. It provides an opportunity to apply freshman seminar skills directly to the shared University Studies course. It also emphasizes the formation of student support systems with peers, academic advisors, and UNCW services. Freshman Seminar Learning Links provide students an opportunity to increase intellectual acuity while exploring issues critical to their long-term success. |
