The Mount provides students with an opportunity to confirm their basic skill competencies in writing, mathematics and computing. The appropriate academic departments, in conjunction with The Learning Center, will make recommendations, course placements and monitor students’ progress.

Proficiency for traditional students includes:

  • Writing Assessment: During the registration process, students complete a self-assessment of their writing needs. Based on the results, appropriate course work will be recommended.
  • Math Assessment: High School Algebra II is required except for those who demonstrate competency in basic algebraic skills through a combination of high school mathematics programs and SAT or ACT mathematics scores. During the registration process, traditional students complete a self-assessment of their math skills. Based on the results, appropriate course work will be recommended.

Proficiency for non-traditional students may be demonstrated through our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process(es)

  1. successful completion of previous college course work (e.g. Credit by Credential or Direct Award of Credit);
  2. relevant life or work experience (e.g. Credit by Validation, Validation for Work Experience, Validation for Service Learning, Credit by Portfolio Process); and/or
  3. successful completion of the placement tests (e.g. Credit by Examination).

Detailed information on the various PLA options is available at: https://www.msj.edu/academics/academic-opportunities/prior-learning-assessment/index.html

Non-traditional students may be required to take the placement test if one or more of the following apply:

  1. Completed high school, but have no previous college credits.
  2. Previously completed college course work is fewer than 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours).
  3. Cumulative GPA for prior college course work is less than 2.0.
  4. Prior college course work was taken six or more years ago.
  5. Patterns in academic record indicate a need to assess skill levels.