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Developmental Education at MSU

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Developmental Education? 

• This term applies to a set of courses that help prepare students to be successful in college level coursework. The Kentucky Legislature empowers the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to define college eligibility standards. 
• The CPE currently uses ACT sub-test scores to determine college readiness.  Students scoring BELOW 18 in English, 19 in Math, and 20 in reading must pass remedial coursework in any area in which they score below the standard BEFORE they can enroll in college credit bearing courses in that area. 
• Developmental requirements are described on page 11 of the MSU catalog.

What are developmental courses ?

• The courses are listed in the SOAR Guide and in the MSU catalog.  Developmental courses are numbered in sequences beginning with “0”. 
• They do not count for college credit, but they do count toward full-time enrollment status and are computed as part of the student’s grade point average.  
• For tuition purposes, they are assessed at the same rate as college credit bearing courses and are taught by MSU faculty.               

When do I take Developmental Courses?

• The CPE now requires that students enrolling for the Fall 2009 semester in any public university in Kentucky must complete all developmental courses within their first two semesters of full time enrollment.
• Developmental courses may not be “dropped” from a student’s schedule without permission from the Director of First Year Programs and Academic Services and the student’s academic advisor.
• If a student does not complete the required courses within the time limit, the student may not enroll in additional coursework until the requirements are met. 
• This is a serious issue that can keep a student from meeting fulltime enrollment status in the third and subsequent semesters, which could make them ineligible for continuing financial aid.

Students with two or more identified developmental needs are strongly encouraged to enroll in MSU’s “Success Academy,” a five-week summer bridge program designed to build the student’s academic knowledge and skills prior to their enrollment in fulltime college coursework.

I scored below the minimum in one or more of the areas.  Do I have options OTHER than the required remedial courses? 

• Yes.  Students may re-take the ACT.  If they score above the minimum on the retake, they are not required to take the remedial courses.
• If the student did not prepare adequately for the ACT the first time, this step can save both tuition dollars and time to degree. 
• If the student has missed the cut score by one point, another option is to request placement testing.  In certain cases, this can qualify a student for credit bearing courses that include supplemental instruction to meet the developmental requirement. 
• A third option is the “Success Academy” mentioned above.  Statistics show that most students who successfully complete summer bridge programs double their chances of being successful in college.

What happens if I transfer? 

• Developmental needs identified by ACT scores follow the student.  The requirements are similar at all Kentucky public universities.

I have questions not answered here.  Whom should I contact? 

• Patty Little coordinates Developmental Education.  Contact her at p.little@moreheadstate.edu or 606.783.5194.
• Craig Dennis advises students who have been provisionally admitted because they have two or more developmental needs.  Contact him at c.dennis@morehead-st.edu or 606.783.2310.