Milligan Advising FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

 

“What is the role of the current Catalog?”

It is important for both advisers and students to be aware of the current Catalog under which the new students are entering.  This Catalog constitutes a contract between the College and the students which lasts for six years.  After six years, students have to meet current degree requirements.   This Catalog specifies the academic requirements of these advisees for graduation.  Remind the student that they should be familiar with the general education requirements, major requirements and minor requirements (when applicable).

 

“Is advising students who want to pursue a teaching license really that difficult?”

 Yes, it is a complicated maze of state requirements that often changes on a yearly basis.  Indeed, to aid in their academic career, students wishing to pursue licensure must file an “Intent to Pursue Teaching Licensure Form” in the CASE Center.  Faculty members are encouraged to read the sections entitled, “Advising students pursuing licensure” at least once per year.

 

 Do developmental studies classes count for graduation?

No, developmental studies classes are not included in the 128 hours that is needed to graduate.  However, they do figure into a student’s GPA.

 

Are there any classes that students can test out of?

Yes, when students enter the college they can take foreign language, mathematics or computer placement testing.  The only class that a student can receive credit through Milligan College testing is CIS 275 (Windows Applications) for which students can receive 3 credits through testing.  Questions about CLEP tests, AP credit, transfer credit, and other such questions should typically be answered through the registrar’s office.

 

When can students drop classes without them appearing on their transcript?

Typically, students can drop classes without anything appearing on their transcript within the first two weeks of classes.  Students can typically drop a class with a guaranteed W during the first 11 weeks in the semester.  Check with the registrar for this information

               

Are there any classes that a student can’t withdraw from?

Students may not withdraw from any developmental class.  It is important to note that the academic year 2004-2005 is the first year that students may withdraw from Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, and Humanities.  Students must meet with a registrar to discuss the impact of withdrawing from Humanities before being allowed to withdraw, as withdrawing from Humanities may significantly interfere with the student’s planned graduation date.

 

“Can a student reschedule final examinations?”

Only if a student has 3 exams scheduled on the same day.  If this occurs he or she may request permission to reschedule one at a later date.  The student should submit a request for rescheduling an exam to the Dean with faculty endorsement attending the request.  The Director of Academic Advising encourages faculty to grant “relief” to students with 3 exam scheduled on the same day.  Cheap airfare or the desire to get a good price on a cruise is not a valid reason to reschedule exams.

 

Are minors required at Milligan College?

A student may choose to pursue a minor but they are not mandatory.  Some majors, such as pre-med or pre OT may strongly encourage minors.  Also, students pursuing licensure in secondary education must still complete all of the teaching requirements required by Tennessee state law which is equivalent to an Educational Studies minor.

 

 

Can a course fulfill both a general education requirement and a major requirement?"“

 

 The answer is usually yes.

 

• A course can count for both a major and a general education requirement.  For example, Psychology 250 is required for psychology majors. It is also a general education requirement.  Thus, a psychology student might wish to take Psych 250 and have it count towards both his or her major requirement and general education requirement.  This would free up room for electives or other courses of interest.

 

• A course can count for both a minor and a general education requirement.

 

BUT

 

• A course cannot count for both a major and a minor requirement.  Business administration majors are required to take ECON 201 and 202.  The economics minor contains ECON 201 and 202.  Thus if a student wanted to major in business administration and a minor in economics, ECON 201 and 202 would count only for their business major.  They would be required to take an additional six hours of appropriate electives to fulfill their accounting minor.
  • EXCEPT for certain education classes can count for both Early Childhood Development major and the Early Childhood Education Minor.

 

ALSO

 

• A course cannot fulfill more than one general education requirements course.  For example, a student could not count World Geography 202 as both a Social Learning Requirement and an ethnic studies requirement.

               

 

SPECIAL CASE: BIBLE MINORS

 

• Bible 101 and 102 can count towards the Bible Minor but not Christ and Culture.  The Minor requires 9 hours of Old Testament coursework and 9 hours of New Testament Coursework.  Christ and Culture doesn't fit into that structure. Thus, a bible minor must take Bible 101, 102, and 12 hours of classes in addition to Christ and Culture.

 

Does a student really have to fill out paperwork to withdraw from a class?

Yes.  I know this seems like a silly question, but each semester there are students who stop coming to class or drop out of school without officially withdrawing.  This will result in an F. Please remind students that if they choose to withdraw from a class, they must fill out the proper paperwork.

 

“What happens if a student does poorly in one class and afterwards decides to retake the class?

As long as the class is taken at Milligan College, the most recent grade will be the one that is figured into a student’s GPA.  Their past  grade will be dropped from their GPA. If a student performs worse in their most recent class, the most recent class is still the grade that counts toward the GPA. 

 

“Can a student pump up their GPA by taking courses at a less demanding institution?”  Beginning with students transferring in after Spring 2001, their grades will not figure into Milligan GPA’s.  In other words, the hours will count toward graduation, but a student’s Milligan GPA will be based only on courses taken while at Milligan.

 

“Can a student avoid Humanities classes by taking equivalent classes at another college?”

Once a student enrolls in traditional undergraduate program at Milligan College, still needing humanities courses as part of the core, those courses must be taken at Milligan College.  Initial transfers can receive some Humanities credit, depending on their courses.

 

 

“When does a student go on academic probation?”

An undergraduate who fails to receive a 2.0 GPA during any semester of enrollment in Milligan College or who fails to have a 2.0 cumulative GPA is placed on academic probation or dismissed.  If a student fails to achieve a 2.0 the following semester, the College is not obligated to grant the privilege of further study. 

 

To participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities, rising sophomores must have a 1.6 GPA and rising sophomores and seniors must have a 2.0 GPA.

 

“How do I seek accommodations for a student with a learning disability?”

Students wishing to receive special accommodations for their learning disability must submit appropriate documentation to the Academic Dean.  The professional counseling staff or special education faculty of Milligan College will then evaluate it.  This evaluation will recommend specific accommodations.  After these accommodations are approved by the Dean, the Dean will notify the student’s instructors.

 

I know that Humanities is a six-hour class, but I have a student who transferred into Milligan with 3 hours of Humanities credit.  Which Humanities course should the student sign up for?  Those students taking Humanities 101 for three hours of history credit only (because they already have three hours of college composition credit) should sign up for a MWF Discussion Section (101S).  Those students taking Humanities 101 for three hours of composition credit only (because they already have three hours of college history credit) should sign up for a T/R Writing Section (101W).  Six hour students (that is, most students) should sign up for both discussion and writing sections.

 

I know that my advisee should take Humanities, but there are several different sections listed.  Which section should he or she choose?

Humanities 102 (spring) and 201 (fall) must be taken for 6 hours of credit so students should sign up for both discussion section (MWF) and lecture (T/R).

 

 

 

My advisee is a transfer student with more than 12 hours of Humanities credit, what is the appropriate class for the student to take?  Humanities 111, 112, 113, and 114 are interdisciplinary courses designed to "fill all holes" for transfers needing fewer than 12 hours of humanities to complete their requirements.  Please call Charlene Kiser or Jack Knowles if you have questions about this. 

 

“What should I do if a student is having serious social, emotional, or academic problems?”

A variety of resources exist for the student experiencing these problems.  Please see the  section “How to Refer Students to Student Services” which discusses how to refer students to these resources and the names, phone numbers, and procedures that are associated with each.