Developmental Studies

Program Description

Developmental Studies (or remedial) courses, which are for college credit, are intended to provide the fundamental preparation for college-level work. The courses do not count towards a degree, although they do qualify for federal financial aid for up to 30 credits.

Educational Advancement Opportunities

Developmental Studies courses are offered in series. Upon the successful completion of the developmental English requirements, the student will register into ENGL 1110 for college credit. FYEX 1110 a required co-requisite course associated with the developmental English course (ENGL 100). Mathematics courses follow a similar pattern beginning with MATH 0099 and then MATH 100 or MATH 021/022 (MATH 021/022 together are equivalent to MATH 100). These courses have required co-requisite MATH 1996 topics courses associated with them. Depending on the student’s major, the student will register into MATH 1215, MATH 1170, or MATH 1118 after successfully completing MATH 100. 

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete developmental MATH and ENGL courses before registering into college-level mathematics and English courses. ENGL 1110 is a suggested prerequisite for many college courses, such as Anthropology, Art History, History, and Sociology. This is due to the quality of writing and research skills expected to be successful in the courses. MATH 1215 or MATH 1215X and/or MATH 1215Y are prerequisite courses for college-level, transfer courses such as MATH 1350, MATH 2118, and MATH 1220.  Students are placed into these series of courses according to their placement scores on the ACCUPLACER, ACT, or SAT, or according to analysis of their high school transcripts. The Learning Commons offers tutoring to students who want to improve their ACCUPLACER scores.

Program Learning Goals

Developmental Studies provides students with research-based instruction with an end to provide them with the preparation necessary to be successful in college-level work. All course syllabi include course learning objectives indicating the skills and behaviors the student should know and be able to perform upon successful completion of each course. Upon successful completion of the required Developmental Studies courses, students will demonstrate that they have developed the ability to:

1. Successfully complete MATH 1215, MATH 1215X and MATH 1215Y, MATH 1170, or MATH 2118 and ENGL 1110.
2. Apply effective strategies for critical thinking, study skills, mathematical problem solving, college-level writing and reading including the use of Internet and library resources.

Contact and Advising Information

Information about Developmental Studies is available from the Advisement Center at 505.925.8560 or vcadvise@unm.edu.