Academic Support Services

Your Academic Support Systems

Even though some goals may seem hard to reach, you’ll always benefit if you reach higher than you think you need to. At Saint Francis, we have lots of academic support systems in place to help you reach those lofty goals.

 

 

Academic Advising

The Center for Academic Success provides a comprehensive advising program for first year students, including registration, adviser training and tracking of at-risk students. The center coordinates all scheduling for first-semester freshmen and transfer students as well as evaluates college transcripts for college-in-high-school or traditionally-earned college credits. For questions on scheduling and our first-year advising program, please contact cas@francis.edu.

 

Advising for all exploratory majors and other special populations are also provided by CAS. In addition, students that do not make progression standards in our professional majors are referred to the center. Students enjoy the friendly atmosphere and realize the invaluable help that is offered at CAS.

Accessibility Services

Saint Francis University is a community that welcomes and embraces students with physical and academic disabilities. Each disability is unique and for this reason, services are individually tailored to the needs of each student.

 

The Coordinator of Academic Support and Accessibility Services is located in Scotus Hall. Please contact (814) 472-3176 or cas@francis.edu with questions or for more detailed information on available services.

 

For more information, please review our Disability Services.

 

 

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Testing

The Center for Academic Success in Scotus Hall provides a testing room for students in need of a distraction-free environment for their exams. These rooms are electronically monitored and need to be reserved in advance. Additional accommodations are available as needed.  If a student has a documented learning disability, the student should contact the Academic Support and Accessibility Services Coordinator, Scotus Hall, (814) 472-3176.

 

The Center for Academic Success also has information available for the following national standardized exams:

  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) (Administered at Saint Francis University)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
  • Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS)
  • FE (Fundamentals of Engineering)
  • GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
  • GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
  • LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
  • MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
  • OAT (Optometry Admission Test)
  • PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)

For questions regarding Testing Services, please contact Sandy Rea at (814) 472-3287 or testing@francis.edu.

Testing Center

The Saint Francis University Testing Center offers year-round paper-pencil and computer-based exams to Saint Francis University students and the general public.

 

Mission Statement: The SFU Testing Center is committed to providing high-quality test administration and exceptional customer service to SFU students, faculty, staff and the community. We provide a professional, secure, and accessible environment for testing and subscribe to National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines.

 

Located within the Center for Academic Success (Scotus 317), the Testing Center is a distraction-reduced, camera-monitored testing room. First priority for the distraction-reduced testing rooms is given to students with approved, documented disabilities. Other students may make up missed exams upon instructor approval only. Lockers are provided for storing personal belongings during testing. A valid ID is required for all exams.

The Center provides the following testing services:

 

  • Proctoring for SFU students
    • Testing rooms are available by reservation for students with approved testing accommodations and for makeup exams as approved by the instructor. Accommodation students must have their documentation approved by April Fry (afry@francis.edu), Accessibility Services Coordinator, prior to testing in the Testing Center. Approved accommodation students may then take their exams and quizzes in the Testing Center and receive such accommodations as extended time on tests, reader, scribe, and a distraction-reduced environment. A student may also be approved to test in the Testing Center due to a short-term disability, such as a concussion. Any instructor with a student in his/her course who is approved for disability services will be asked to sign a form listing the permitted accommodations. Any SFU student missing a regularly scheduled exam due to a family emergency, serious illness, class trip, or sporting event also may test in the Center at the approval of the instructor. All testing should be scheduled at least two business days in advance; otherwise, space cannot be guaranteed. All students testing in the Testing Center must sign a testing waiver and abide by all Testing Center policies and procedures.
  • Proctoring for students from other institutions
    • Proctoring of Exams for Other Institutions - The Saint Francis University Testing Center is pleased to offer exam proctoring for students attending other institutions. Proctoring can be arranged by contacting Sandy Rea (testing@francis.edu, 814-472-3024). Cost is $20 per exam. Fees must be submitted prior to each test. It is the examinee’s responsibility to notify the college/company to send the exam and all necessary guidelines and instructions to the Testing Center. All exams must be scheduled at least one week in advance. Proctoring is not available on holidays or weekends. The student is required to present a valid government-issued photo ID upon check-in for each exam. The Testing Center will submit completed exams online, via email or regular mail. If any special mailing service is necessary (Next Day Air), the examinee will be responsible for the expense.
    • Proctoring of SFU Exams at Other Institutions - At times a student may be unable to take an exam on campus, perhaps due to returning home and needing to satisfy an Incomplete course grade. The Saint Francis University Testing Center will be happy to assist the student in securing a test proctor at another institution. Fees for such testing will be the responsibility of the student. The exam will be obtained from the instructor, submitted to the outside institution, administered off-site, and returned to the instructor for grading. For assistance in making arrangements to test elsewhere, contact Sandy Rea (testing@francis.edu).
  • Standardized testing for the following exams:

Contact Sandy Rea at 814-472-3287 or testing@francis.edu for  additional information.

 

  • Testing Center Procedures

    The procedures for scheduling exams in the Testing Center are as follows:

     

    • If a student has a documented disability, documentation must be submitted to and approved by the Academic Support and Accessibility Service Coordinator, April Fry, (814) 472-3176, afry@francis.edu. Accommodation needs must be reviewed each semester.
    • Student and instructor will discuss the required exam accommodations prior to each exam.
    • Instructor will approve and inform the student of the date/time to take the exam in the Center.
    • Instructor should submit test and instructions at least two weekdays prior to exam (or sooner, if possible). Tests & instructions may be submitted in person (Scotus 317) or by email (testing@francis.edu or cas@francis.edu). The Instructor Test Room Request form gives the Testing Center the instructions for the exam and can be completed online at my.francis.edu (under the Academics tab and under Academic Forms & Policies) or in the office if the exam is hand-delivered.
    • The student is to schedule with the Testing Center at least two weekdays prior to each exam in one of the following ways: 1. in person, by visiting Scotus 317; 2. by email (testing@francis.edu or cas@francis.edu); or online at my.francis.edu under the Student Support Services Icon for SFU Students.
    • Scheduling in advance by the instructor and student will guarantee that a Testing Center proctor will be available at the designated time. Having the exam in advance will allow time to scan it into adaptive software prior to the test, if such software is permitted for that student.
  • Testing Center Policies
    • Students are expected to arrive on time to their testing appointment, much as they would in a regular classroom. If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late, the instructor will be notified and the student may not be able to take the exam. 
    •  When a student is unable to report for an exam as scheduled, the student must notify the instructor and the Testing Center as soon as possible. The exam may only be rescheduled upon permission from the instructor.
    •  Students must present a valid photo ID (driver’s license or SFU student ID) at the time of check-in. Exams will not be administered without proper identification.
    • Each student signs a waiver acknowledging that he/she is aware of testing policies and procedures, such as camera surveillance in the testing rooms and cell phones and other devices prohibited during testing.
    • Cell phones and other electronic devices (iPhones, iPads, iPods, smart watches, etc.) are not allowed in the testing room. They are to be stored in a Testing Center locker until completion of the exam. Cell phones should be turned off.
    • Only those materials designated by the instructor on the Testing Information Sheet will be permitted in the testing room.
    • Student may not access any of his/her belongings at any time during testing (from the time he/she receives the test until it is returned to Test Center staff).
    • The student is responsible for following all instructions on the exam and will assume any penalties that may result from misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
    • Upon completion of the exam, student must immediately report directly to the front desk.
    • The student must return all materials at the end of the test (test, scantron, scrap papers whether used or not, and anything else designated by the instructor).
    • Students may not talk with other students about questions on the test, since they are not always scheduled to take tests on the same date/time as the rest of the class.
    • All suspected or obvious cases of academic honesty, including the use of unauthorized devices, will be reported to the instructor, who will then make the decision on how the situation will be handled. If the student is receiving accommodations, the Accessibility Services Coordinator will also be notified.
    • Unless specified by instructor or outlined in the student’s approved accommodations, each exam must be completed in one sitting.
    • Violations of these policies may result in forfeiture of test or additional disciplinary actions. 

    *Violation of these policies may result in forfeit of test or additional disciplinary actions.

ACSM Test

ACSM credentialing is the most respected in the health and fitness industry and is viewed as the best measure of competence of sports medicine and health and fitness professionals. . It is the most rigorous in the industry, requiring the highest level of knowledge and skill and establishing the standard for all other certifications. Other programs have used ACSM certification as a model, but none has achieved ACSM’s high standard.

 

ACSM-certifies professionals can be found in all clinical and health and fitness practice environments, setting the best possible performance examples. They provide safe environments and a caring atmosphere. Programs staffed with qualified professionals show a greater incidence of client and patient success and health and fitness goal achievement. Available tests: 

 

  • ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
  • ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS)
  • ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist (CES)
  • ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
  • ACSM/NCPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
  • ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer

  • Registration

    ACSM candidates can register by visiting the Candidate website (www.pearsonvue.com/acsm). Candidates must create a web account and meet all criteria for testing before scheduling an exam(s). All scheduling and payment for ACSM exams at Saint Francis University are handled online; payment cannot be accepted at the SFU test site. Candidates may also schedule by phone at 1-800-704-3613. Visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/acsm for information on qualifications, test fees, scoring, retake and other policies, and tips on how to prepare for the exams. 

  • Accommodations

    All requests for accommodations, including accommodations for candidates whose second language is English, must be individually approved by ACSM. To apply for an accommodation, the candidate must contact ACSM at either certification@acsm.org or by calling 317-637-9200.

  • Test Day

    Candidates taking an ACSM exam should report to Scotus 317 15 minutes prior to their scheduled test time and may park on Franciscan Way in front of Francis Hall during the exam. The physical address for directions/GPS is 110 Franciscan Way. Report to Scotus 317.

    Candidates must bring two valid forms of ID: primary government-issued ID with photo and signature plus a secondary ID with signature. An erasable notepad and marker will be provided to use as scratch paper. If a calculator is permitted during testing, it will be provided within the software, and the candidate will be given instructions on how to use it. White-noise machines and disposable earplugs are provided to minimize distracting noises. All personal belongings must be stored in the provided lockers during testing.

    There are no scheduled breaks during ACSM exams. Although breaks are discouraged, candidates may take unscheduled breaks, but the exam clock does not stop running during a break. During unscheduled breaks, personal belongings may not be accessed, and candidate may not leave the building.

  • Results

    ACSM candidates will receive a score report after finishing the exam. If a candidate fails an exam, he or she must wait a minimum of 15 calendar days before taking the exam again. This applies to second or subsequent attempts as well.

  • Contact

    Candidates who have questions about an exam or its content should contact ACSM using one of these methods:


    http://www.acsm.org
    certification@acsm.org
    (800) 486-5643 or (317) 637-9200

CLEP Test

 

The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) helps you receive college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course. Developed by the College Board, CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program, available at more than 2,900 colleges and universities. Pass any of the 33 CLEP exams and achieve your college and career goals.

 

CLEP exams test mastery of college-level material acquired, and cover material that students typically encounter during their first two years of college. Exams are approximately 90 minutes in length and primarily include multiple-choice questions. Some exams include an essay section. Language exams include listening sections. Exams are computer-based, allowing for instant candidate score reports (except College Composition and those with essays).

 

Upcoming CLEP test dates:    Testing times will vary. Please schedule with Sandy Rea (testing@francis.edu) at least one week in advance.

  • Registration

    Step 1: Find Out Your College's CLEP Policy.

    Each college sets its own policy regarding which CLEP exams it will grant credit for and how many credits it will award. Contact your admission officer or academic adviser to learn more about the CLEP policy at your institution. If you are not yet enrolled in a college when you take your CLEP exam, you can send your scores to your college when you enroll. For a list of the colleges that grant credit for CLEP, visit clep.collegeboard.org/search/test-centers.

     

    Step 2: Log In to the My Account Registration Portal.

    You can create and manage your personal account through the My Account link on the CLEP website ( clep.collegeboard.org). The registration platform will allow you to register for a CLEP exam 24/7, manage your personal information any time prior to taking the exam, search for test centers, select your score recipient institution, and purchase study materials.

     

    Step 3: Schedule Appointment with the Test Center.

    CLEP examinations are administered throughout the year at over 1,800 test centers in the United States and abroad. You can find the most up-to-date database of test centers through My Account. After you register for an exam, it is important that you contact the preferred test center to schedule your appointment to test. Registering for an exam provides you with a payment receipt and a Ticket ID, but you must contact a test center to schedule the date and time you wish to take the test. In addition to the $87 exam fee, most test centers charge a nonrefundable administration fee, directly payable to the institution. Check with your test center and confirm the amount required and acceptable method of payment.

  • Test Day

    Test Day

     

    Candidates taking a CLEP test should report to Scotus 317 15 minutes prior to their scheduled test time and may park on Franciscan Way in front of Francis Hall during the exam. The physical address for directions/GPS is 110 Franciscan Way. Report to Scotus 317.

    Candidates MUST bring the following items and will not be permitted to test without them:

    • registration ticket printed after candidate registered and paid online
    • $20 SFU fee (cash or check made payable to Saint Francis University)
    • government-issued ID - must contain BOTH signature AND photo (passport, driver's license, etc.)
    • additional $10 fee if taking an exam with an essay (cash or check payable to Saint Francis University - must be a second check and not combined with the $20 SFU fee)

    Scratch paper and pencils are provided. A calculator will be provided if you are permitted to use one. White-noise machines and disposable earplugs are provided to minimize distracting noises. All personal belongings must be stored in the provided lockers during testing.

    There are no scheduled breaks during CLEP exams. Although breaks are discouraged, candidates may take unscheduled breaks, but the exam clock does not stop running during a break. During unscheduled breaks, personal belongings may not be accessed, and candidate may not leave the building.

  • Results and Contact

    Results and Contact

     

    Students see their scores onscreen immediately upon completion of an exam. They also receive an unofficial printout to take with them. The score report shows the total scaled score for each exam taken. Total scaled scores fall between 20 and 80. 

    On CLEP tests, candidates receive one point for each correct answer. Points are not deducted for wrong or skipped answers. This means they should do their best to supply an answer for each question on a CLEP exam.

     

    If a student does not pass a CLEP exam, the same exam may not be retaken within a 6-month period.

     

    For more information on qualifying scores, receiving scores, retesting, rescheduling, or available study materials, please visit clep.collegeboard.org.

     

    For general CLEP inquiries and candidate questions, contact:

     

    (800) 257-9558 or (212)237-1331
    clep@info.collegeboard.org
    www.collegeboard.org/clep

  • Exams Accepted for Credit at SFU

    Credit for CLEP at SFU

    All CLEP exams are administered at SFU, but only results from the exams listed below are accepted for credit at SFU.

     

     SFU Course

     CLEP Subject Exam

    # Credits 

     ACCT 101  Financial Accounting 3
     BIOL 101  Biology 3
     BLAW 301  Introductory Business Law 3
     CHEM 113  Chemistry 4
     CPSC 101  Information Systems 3
     ECON 101  Principles of Macroeconomics 3
     ECON 102  Principles of Microeconomics 3
     EDUC 150  Introduction to Educational Psychology 3
     ENGL 104  Analyzing & Interpreting Literature 3
     *FREN  French Language 6-12
     *GERM  German Language 6-12
     HIST 101  **Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 (essay covers material from 1500-1815)  3
     HIST 102  **Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present (essay covers material from 1815 onward) 3
     HIST 103  **History of the U.S. I: Early Colonization to 1877 3
     HIST 104  **History of the U.S. II: 1865 to the Present 3
     MATH 107  College Algebra   3
     MATH 121 and 122  Calculus 6
     MGMT 101  Principles of Management 3
     MKTG 302  Principles of Marketing 3
     PLSC 102  American Government 3
     PSYC 101  Introductory Psychology 3
     SOC 101  Introductory Sociology 3
     *SPAN  Spanish Language 6-12


    *Student can receive 6-12 credits of French/German/Spanish (101/102, 201, 202), depending on score.
    **Essay and additional $10 fee required. Essay exams may be taken a maximum of two (2) times.

  • Accommodations

    If you have a disability, such as a learning or physical disability, that would prevent you from taking a CLEP exam under standard conditions, you may request accommodations at your preferred test center. Contact your preferred test center well in advance of the test date to make the necessary arrangements and to find out its deadline for submission of documentation and approval of accommodations. Accommodations that can be arranged directly with test centers include: ZoomText (screen magnification); modifiable screen colors; use of a reader, amanuensis, or a sign language interpreter; extended time; and untimed rest breaks. If the above accommodations do not meet your needs, do not register online for your exam. 

     

    To inquire about testing accommodations, contact CLEP Services at:

     

    800.257.9558 or 212.237.1331 or clep@info.collegeboard.org.

  • SFU Policies

    Attention SFU Students Only: 

    Please read the following policies before scheduling a CLEP examination.

    • Certain Subject CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) examinations, which have been approved by the appropriate department chair, are recognized for the purpose of course fulfillment and credit at Saint Francis University. 
    • The optional essay section of the CLEP is required by the history department at Saint Francis University. 
    • Any individual is eligible to take a CLEP examination.
    • Courses satisfied by means of the CLEP will be listed in a student’s file, and total credits earned will be recorded on a student’s transcript as “CL” or “Credit-by-Examination.”
    • Passing students receive credits only for CLEP exams. No grade is awarded.
    • Taking the CLEP will not affect a student’s option for P-F grades in that the student still will be entitled to the maximum number of P-F course grades allowable. 
    • A student may fulfill a maximum of 30 credits by means of Advanced Placement and/or College Level Examination Program examinations for a bachelor’s degree and 15 credits for an associate degree. A student may substitute a free elective in place of a course requirement satisfied by examination. A student who satisfies a course requirement by examination will not be charged tuition for that course.
    • A student will not be entitled to receive credit for a lower-level course after having taken a higher-level course. For example, a student who has taken Spanish 201 cannot receive CLEP credit for Spanish 102.
    • Some examinations may not be accepted for required or elective courses. Students should check with the advisor in their major. 
  • Scores and Contact Information

    SCORES 

    Students see their scores onscreen immediately upon completion of an exam. With CLEP’s “rights-only” scoring, there is no pen­alty for guessing.

     

    CONTACT INFORMATION:  

    Center for Academic Success / Testing Center
    Saint Francis University
    110 Franciscan Way, Loretto, PA
    Scotus 317
    Phone: 814-472-3287
    Email: cas@francis.edu

     

    Saint Francis University reserves the right to change its CLEP test policies, procedures, and fees when warranted.   

GED Test®

The GED® test credential is the only high school equivalency credential recognized in all 50 states. The GED® test includes 4 modules (mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, science, and social studies) which can be taken in a single or multiple appointments. The GED requires approximately 8 hours to complete the entire test battery.

In 2014 candidates have more than just a test. They’ll have access to MyGED™ the online portal to sign up, study, schedule, check scores, and learn about jobs and college. MyGED™ is the start-to-finish tool for the 2014 GED® program. Get started now at www.GED.com.

The GED® test has been updated to make sure it measures what graduating high school seniors know and what colleges and employers will expect.

The GED test is administered on computer (paper testing is available for accommodations only). Candidates are not required to know how to use a computer in order to test.

Please note that test candidates must be at least 16 years of age and not currently enrolled in an accredited high school.

2014 Website Graphics
http://www.gedtestingservice.com/uploads/files/2c69ee78eaae0e7819095abcea7d4bed.zip

  • Registration

    Registration is simple in 2014. Simply sign up for MyGED™ at www.GED.com and you will get information about local policies, how to request modified testing conditions (accommodations), or you’ll be able to schedule right then.
     

    Scheduling is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week with MyGED™ at www.GED.com. Log in and click on “Schedule Test” on the top. Once you complete the scheduling questions you’ll be directed to choose your language, subject, and the day and time that works best for you to test. You can also schedule one test at a time to make sure you feel prepared every time.

     

    All scheduling and payment for GED exams at Saint Francis University are handled online; payment cannot be accepted at the SFU test site. You can pay as you go with the GED® test. This means you can pay for each subject individually or when you are ready to test. In Pennsylvania the fee per subject is $30.  

     

    Accommodations  

    In order to apply for accommodations, students should create an account first at www.ged.com. The Pearson VUE ADA program coordinator schedules appointments with accommodations and makes the necessary arrangements. All requests must be approved before the exam appointment.

  • Test Day

    Candidates taking a GED test should report to Scotus 317 15 minutes prior to their scheduled test time and may park on Franciscan Way in front of Francis Hall during the exam. The physical address for directions/GPS is 110 Franciscan Way. Report to Scotus 317.

    Candidate must bring a government-issued, non-expired ID which includes name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph. Candidate can provide more than one form of ID to meet the requirements above.

    An erasable notepad and marker will be provided to use as scratch paper. If a calculator is permitted during testing, it will be provided within the software, and the candidate will be given instructions on how to use it. White-noise machines and disposable earplugs are provided to minimize distracting noises. All personal belongings must be stored in the provided lockers during testing.

    There are no scheduled breaks during GED exam modules. There is a 10-minute scheduled break between each module if taking more than one module during a single appointment time (1 day). The Language Arts Reasoning test includes a scheduled 10-minute break between sections. Students are not allowed to take unscheduled breaks

  • Results and Contact

    On the 2014 GED® test you need to earn at least 150 points on each subject to pass. At the completion of the GED test, candidate will be given a document with instructions for obtaining results on www.ged.com. If you do not pass any portion of the GED test, you can take your fist three attempts per subject area without wait time restrictions. All subsequent attempts are subject to a 60-day waiting period between attempts. This is no maximum limit to the number of attempts per candidate within a year.

    Students with questions should contact GED Testing Service at:


    Phone: 800-626-9433
    Email: Help@gedtestingservice.com

PECT Test

Teacher Certification Exams

The Saint Francis University Testing Center now administers Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) through Pearson. The PECT are delivered as computer-based tests. Each PECT assessment includes multiple modules, each with its own qualifying score. Modules consist of selected-response questions and, for the PAPA, constructed-response assignments to assess candidates’ knowledge and skills based on the test objectives. Visit pa.nesinc.com for exam descriptions, test fees, scoring, retake and other policies, and tips on how to prepare for the exams.

 

PRAXIS Testing: Information regarding PRAXIS exams is available at www.ets.org/praxis. Saint Francis does not administer PRAXIS exams at the current time.

 

Other Teacher Certification Testing at SFU: Saint Francis University also delivers teacher certification exams through Pearson for the states of CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MI, MN, NY, OK, VA and WA.  

For the most current and detailed information about Pennyslvania state teacher certification, testing, and scoring requirements, visit www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certifications/7199. You may also direct teacher certification and testing questions to your institution’s education department.

  • Registration

    PECT candidates can register by visiting the Candidate website (www.pa.nesinc.com). Candidates must create a web account and meet all criteria for testing before scheduling an exam(s). All scheduling and payment for PECT exams at Saint Francis University are handled online; payment cannot be accepted at the SFU test site. It is recommended that the candidates register at least 30 days in advance, because test appointments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and seating is limited.
    Accommodations

    Candidates request accommodations when registering to take a test. If Evaluation Systems approves an accommodation, it sends the approval information to Pearson VUE. Candidates are informed in an email that appointments with accommodations must be scheduled, rescheduled and canceled through the accommodations coordinator in the call center.

  • Test Day

    Candidates taking a GED test should report to Scotus 317 15 minutes prior to their scheduled test time and may park on Franciscan Way in front of Francis Hall during the exam. The physical address for directions/GPS is 110 Franciscan Way. Report to Scotus 317.

    Candidate must bring a government-issued, non-expired ID which includes name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph. Candidate can provide more than one form of ID to meet the requirements above. 

    An erasable notepad and marker will be provided to use as scratch paper. If a calculator is permitted during testing, it will be provided within the software, and the candidate will be given instructions on how to use it. White-noise machines and disposable earplugs are provided to minimize distracting noises. All personal belongings must be stored in the provided lockers during testing.

    There are no scheduled breaks during GED exam modules. There is a 10-minute scheduled break between each module if taking more than one module during a single appointment time (1 day). The Language Arts Reasoning test includes a scheduled 10-minute break between sections. Students are not allowed to take unscheduled breaks.

  • Results and Contact

    Candidate will receive a score printout upon completion of the exam. Examinees who do not pass a module may retake it. If you wish to retake a module, you must complete the registration process again. Please note that you must wait 30 days before retaking the module. 

     

    Candidates who have questions about a test or its content, cancelling scores, changing reporting institution, or changing personal information such as name, address, etc., should visit http://www.pa.nesinc.com/ or contact Evaluation Systems at:

     

    (800) 877-4591 or (413) 256-2886  
    es-east-customersupport@pearson.com

Tutoring

 

Tutoring

The Tutorial Services offered on campus are an important component of academic success. Qualified undergraduate tutors are available to all students at no charge. Tutorial sessions are offered in a centralized location, in our Tutoring Center on the main floor of the Saint Francis University Library and Learning Commons. Students can schedule appointments in groups or come in to get help on an individual basis. Students in either the SAGE or OASIS programs can also use a set amount of tutoring hours as a substitute for mandatory study hours. Our tutoring program is certified through the International Tutor Certification Program sponsored by the College Reading and Learning Association.

For more information, please review our Testing and Tutoring details.

Business students studying data

Tutoring Details

The Tutorial Services offered on campus are an important component of academic success. Qualified undergraduate tutors are available to all students at no charge. Tutorial sessions are offered in a centralized location, in our Tutoring Center on the 2nd floor of the Saint Francis University Library and Learning Commons. Students can schedule appointments in groups or come in to get help on an individual basis. Students in either the SAGE or OASIS programs can also use a set amount of tutoring hours as a substitute for mandatory study hours.

Our tutoring program is certified through the International Tutor Certification Program sponsored by the College Reading and Learning Association. Any tutor that earns a regular, advanced, or master certification is more than equipped to assist his or her peers.

 

Tutoring is/is not...

Tutoring Is....

  • A service that helps students to develop and strenghten the skills necessary for academic success in college.
  • An active exchange of information and skills between the student and the peer tutor.
  • A way for students to get the extra help and information not obtained in the classroom.

Tutoring is Not...

  • A time for students to do homework.
  • An opportunity for students to get someone else to do their work for them.
  • A substitute for attending class or a chance for students to catch up on material they missed by not attending class.

To Request a Tutor...

  • Attend all classes, take notes, and seek assistance from the course instructor before determining your need for a tutor.
  • To schedule an appointment visit my.francis.edu 
  • Schedule an appointment with the desk attendant, or if a tutor for your specific class is free, request to see him/her as a walk-in. 

Student's Responsibilities

Tutors will be working with students to assist them academically. However, in order for tutoring to be more effective, students must fulfill some responsibilities themselves.

  • Take all necessary materials to tutoring (e.g. textbooks, notes, pens, pencils, course syllabi, class handouts, calculator, etc.). Your tutor is not responsible for providing these materials.
  • Be prepared for each tutorial session (i.e. do any assigned reading, review class notes, work on assignments before going to tutoring, have questions prepared, etc.)
  • Expect to be an active participant. Do not expect the tutor to do the work for you.
  • Be on time for scheduled sessions. 
  • Contact the Tutoring Center in advance if you are going to be absent. Reschedule if your are going to be absent.

To Become a Tutor...

Tutors are successful students at Saint Francis University. They have been selected as tutors because they have strong academic backgrounds and possess qualities essential to be successful students.

 

The tutor's objective is to guide and help students develop and strengthen their own study skills so that ultimately, they can work on their own with confidence. It is not the duty of the tutor to do the work for them, but to help them to help themselves. The tutor accomplishes this by asking questions, making suggestions, proof-reading/editing work before submission to the instructor, etc.

 

How to Become a Tutor

Please stop by in the Tutoring Center to provide your contact information, or email Sandy Rea at tutoring@francis.edu. We have a limited number of tutoring positions available per semester, but the roster may change as student demand changes. All tutors will need to be approved by their academic department before being selected to be a tutor. 

 

Qualifications for Becoming a Tutor...

  • Share in the mission of the Center for Academic Success.
  • Possess the appropriate academic skills related to the course(s) being tutored (At least a B in the course and a 3.0 QPA).
  • Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling hours to suit the job requirements. 

Responsibilities of a Tutor

  • Maintain confidentiality at all times.
  • Attend all scheduled tutoring work hours, unless you call or email April Fry with a legitimate excuse (e.g. illness or other academic obligation).
  • Conduct active tutoring sessions at all times.
  • Complete all routine documentation in a prompt and professional manner.
  • Fill out a Tutorial Session Report (sheet provided) and give it to the desk attendant after each session. 

As a Tutor, You Will Strive to do the Following

  • Demonstrate a caring and supportive attitude toward the student(s).
  • Refer the student(s) to a member of the Center for Academic Success staff, Resource Library, and other campus resources as necessary.
  • Empower the student(s) to solicit feedback from a professor regarding course content, assignments, exams, papers, etc.
  • Generate independent learning strategies with the student(s).

OASIS

 

The program is designed for first-year students who, upon applying for admission, have demonstrated a need for academic support and whose secondary school records indicate potential for college success. Students in the program receive extra support for their academic and social transition to college. The program teaches and reinforces important academic skills, while also introducing them to services across campus that will help them succeed.

 

Academic Success

We know that everyone has unique needs and learning styles. No matter your major or long-term academic goals, the OASIS program will help you pick at path, stay on track, so you can graduate with your undergraduate degree.

 

 

FLASH Facts:

  • Personalized Academic Advisor/Counselor

  • Customized Success Strategies

  • Informational Workshops

  • Structured Study Sessions

Contact Us

Center for Academic Success
Sarah Dumm
(814) 472-3892
sdumm@francis.edu

  • Advising and Counseling

    The OASIS Program counselors offer developmental academic counseling on an individual basis. Regular meetings are arranged. Discussion topics include adjustment to college, interpretation of assessments, academic planning, and social/personal issues.

  • Success and Strategies I and II

    (General Studies 111 and 112) All OASIS students are required to register for these courses for the fall and spring semesters. Students complete a variety of assessments to determine academic strengths and weaknesses. Students learn and practice strategies to improve their academic performance. These courses offered through the OASIS Program will strengthen the students' skills in future classes.

  • Informational Workshops

    Informational workshops are provided through General Studies 111 and 112 during the fall and spring semesters and through special programs.

  • Study Sessions

    Mandatory study sessions (five hours per week) provide students with a structured and supervised learning environment. Weekly sessions are mandatory during both the fall and spring semesters and are supervised by trained OASIS Coaches. These coaches offer students individual instruction and guidance in developing effective study techniques that encourage students to become independent learners.

  • Your First Year

     Course

    Credits

    Course

     General Studies 111
     (College Success Strategies 1)

    3  General Studies 112
     (College Success Strategies 2)

     Writing 101, 102 or Literature 104
     (College Composition, Research Writing, or Intro to Literature)

    3  Writing 102 or Literature 104
     (Research Writing, or Intro to Literature)

     History Elective

    3  General Education and/or Major Requirements

     Math 100 or General Education and/or Major Requirements

    3  General Education and/or Major Requirements

     General Education and/or Major Requirements

    3 - 4  General Education and/or Major Requirements

Act 101

 

The Act 101 Program was created as a result of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act 101 in 1971 and focuses on serving undergraduate students in order to make the ideal of educational opportunity a reality for all qualified students. Support services include access to free textbooks through our lending library, assistance with class registration, free peer and group tutoring, workshops, and academic and career counseling. If you are a resident of Pennsylvania, contact the Center for Academic Success to determine eligibility.

 

Admission into the ACT 101 Program

Students are admitted into the ACT 101 Program throughout the academic year. The ACT 101 staff, in cooperation with the Offices of Admissions and Student Financial Aid, identify those students who meet the academic and economic guidelines. These students are then invited by the ACT 101 staff to enroll in the Program.

 

ACT 101 - Benefits

Benefits to the Student

  • Free academic counseling and testing
  • Free tutoring
  • Help planning and scheduling classes for fall and spring semesters
  • Community Enrichment Series (CES) programs with an emphasis on studying smarter, not harder
  • Access to free textbooks through the ACT 101 lending library
  • Early class registration

Participants Will Have the Opportunity to:

  • participate in new and exciting college experiences
  • establish new relationships
  • interact continuously with support staff
    integrate academic and career goals
  • learn, develop, grow and reach one's true potential

Counseling Services

Counseling services are a fundamental component of each ACT 101 Program. Saint Francis University provides counseling services that help students to realize their personal and educational goals.
The ACT 101 Program at Saint Francis University uses professional counselors who work individually or in groups to provide help in the following areas:

  • orienting students to the college and the ACT 101 Program
  • assisting students in career planning and decision making
  • academic advising and course selection
  • assisting students in values clarification and self-concept development
  • personal counseling
  • financial aid counseling
  • assessing academic needs
  • providing study skills assistance
  • referring students to other campus service

Tutorial Services

The ACT 101 Program includes a strong tutorial component. This service is designed to supplement prior educational experience in high school or to act as a refresher for students entering the post-secondary educational system after a long absence.

To improve the basic skills of reading, writing, and math, the program provides tutorial support for those courses offered by the institution and remedial activities designed to deal with individual skills development.

Once the level of basic skills has been raised, tutorial support is provided for additional courses. Tutoring at this level may be provided on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. Attention is paid not only to the mastery of content in these areas, but also to the development of efficient, productive study habits. Information is available for study skills such as test preparation, test taking skills, test anxiety, reading and remembering, time management, and note taking.

As the student acquires the skills and disciplined study habits that make him/her an independent learner, extensive tutorial contact fades in importance. However, tutors are available to ACT 101 students who need help as long as they are enrolled in the institution.

 

ACT 101 - Eligibility

ACT 101 participants are chosen on the basis of their academic potential, motivation and aspirations. To be eligible for program services, students must be full-time residents of Pennsylvania and must meet certain academic and economic criteria.

 

Academic Eligibility

Institutional norms are used to establish educational eligibility. Traditional indicators of class rank, high school grades and college entrance scores can be supplemented by other indicators. Generally, eligible program participants have a predicted academic QPA of 2.0 (C) or less as determined by Saint Francis University.  

 

Economic Eligibility

Eligible program participants are students whose financial resources for higher education are limited. Eligibility is based upon the adjusted family income as defined in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency procedures for calculating student financial aid.  

 

 

SAGE

The SAGE Program is designed for students who are experiencing academic difficulties. The program provides students with a structured study environment for six hours weekly under the supervision of University faculty and staff who serve as their SAGE Coach.