Student Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is University College (UC)?
What kinds of degrees are offered?
What classes are offered through UC?
Some elective courses that are recommended for the first year (or two).
Do I get credit for taking UC classes?
Are the courses graded or pass/fail?
How are UC courses different from high school courses?
Are there computers on campus for student use?
Who can help me decide on a major?
What can the Math Lab, Peer Tutoring, and the Writing Center do for me?
Why won't the computer system allow me to register for class and section I want?
How can I succeed in courses that I failed in high school?
What tutoring options are available?
What are leaning strategies, and how can they help me?
What is Academic Tutoring and how can it help me?
All students admitted to UVU now have an academic home. A central mission of UC is to support students who are exploring the direction of their academic careers. UC will serve as an entry point for various groups of two-year general education students:
- first-year exploratory students with undeclared majors
- students seeking the individualized degrees
- decided students needing to strengthen academic skills before matriculation
- students pursuing a major not offered at UVU who intend to transfer
Academic departments in UC - Basic Composition and ESL, College Success and Academic Literacy, and Developmental Mathematics - offer challenging developmental and personal success courses in a supportive environment designed to help students prepare to succeed at the College. Academic Tutoring - Math Lab, Writing Center, Peer Tutoring, and the Learning Strategist - continue to offer students various forms of educational advantages that supplement classroom instruction and model effective learning strategies.
The central business of UVU is student learning; UC begins with a willingness and readiness to move beyond traditional roles to support students.
What kinds of degrees are offered?
Individualized and Bachelor Degrees. The Career and Academic Counseling Office can guide students who want this degree.
UC provides an academic home for various students who have needed one in the past. It provides developmental or preparatory course work to bolster students' skills for success in subsequent course work; it provides ancillary services in several forms (Math Lab, Writing Center, Peer Tutoring, Learning Strategies); and it encourages students to make connections that may help to keep them in college beyond the first year.
UC also provides advisors who are knowledgeable about possible academic paths for students to take, who can help students with registration needs, and who can refer students to other appropriate resources on campus.
What classes are offered through UC?
Developmental Mathematics courses from Fundamental Mathematics through Intermediate Algebra.
Basic Composition courses that prepare students for required English writing courses.
College Success and Reading courses that teach learning skills, self/life management skills, college reading/study skills, leadership skills, plus much more.
ESL courses
Library research courses
Some elective courses that are recommended for the first year (or two):
- CLSS 1000 College Success
- CLSS 1010 Student Success Topics
- CLSS 0900 Critical Thinking and Reading Strategies
- CLSS 1170 Advanced Critical Thinking and Reading Strategies
- CLSS 1050 Library Research
- CLSS 1200 Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
- CLSS 2100 Career and Major Exploration
Do I get credit for taking UC classes?
Yes, but developmental course credits do not count toward graduation requirements. Elective credits may. All credits are figured into the overall GPA. Refer to an advisor for more specific information.
Are the courses graded or pass/fail?
Most UC courses are graded.
How are UC courses different from high school courses?
Although some content may be repetitive, instruction is geared to an adult learning audience. Greater rigor and student responsibility for learning is expected.
The University College also includes courses that are designed for personal enrichment as well as individualized degrees through the Independent Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies departments. For questions relating to placement, content, sequence, or section availability of UC classes, see and advisor.
Are there computers on campus for student use?
Open Computer Labs (863-8390):
- "Loft" SC 215 M - H 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., F 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- "Fishbowl" SC 116 M - H 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., F 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- "Greenhouse" SB 101 M - F 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- "Spy Lab" AD 007 M - F 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Who can help me decide on a major?
There are counselors available in Career and Academic Counseling that can assist students with determining their major. There are also courses available through the College Success Studies department that can help students find out what they want to do.
What can the Math Lab and Writing Center do for me?
Tutors are specially trained to answer questions and help students with their assignment challenges. Math tutors are available on a drop-in basis whenever the lab (LA 201) is open.
Online math tutoring is available at www.uvu.edu/mathlab.
Writing tutorials are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Appointments are not required but are encouraged in order to better serve all students. Inquiries can be made by calling 863-8936 or by stopping by the front desk in LI 208. The Online Writing Lab is also available at www.uvu.edu/owl.
Please refer to an advisor to determine the reason why you are not allowed to register for a class.
How can I succeed in courses that I failed in high school?
If you want to bake a different cake, you have to use a different recipe. Taking a study skills or college reading course first may be helpful preparation. In the case of math courses, it is advisable to start taking them early in the college experience and take a math course each semester until the highest required course is completed.
Try to avoid interruptions in the sequence of math courses needed for your degree. For courses that present particular challenges to you, try taking them when other courses in your schedule are not as time demanding. Balance your load so you have time for the tough classes.
What tutoring options are available?
The Peer Tutoring Lab (LA 201) is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on a drop in basis. Students who have successfully completed courses, have shown exceptional competence, and have been trained as tutors are available as peer tutors to help other students in academic course work. Students in high volume courses such as Chemistry 1010 and Biology 1010 find peer tutors extremely helpful. Many other subjects are also taught by peer tutors.
What are learning strategies, and how can they help me?
The Learning Strategies Support Center offers help in Learning Strategies: any skills or strategies that can help students develop the skills to do better in their academic courses.
The strategies consist of:
- Test taking skills, including test anxiety, and how to take different types of tests
- Reading texts and note taking skills
- Study skills
- Time management and organization skills
- Learning styles and how best to learn and study with any given learning style
- Active listening and focusing
To get help with any of these, please contact Pat Nelson, LC 405Q/R, 801.863.7418 or email pat.nelson@uvu.edu.
Return to top of pageWhat is academic tutoring and how can it help me?
Academic Tutoring includes the Math Lab, Writing Center and Peer Tutoring (everything but math and writing). Our tutors are trained through a nationally certified tutor training program, so they know the best techniques for helping students learn and succeed.In addition to drop in tutoring, Academic Tutoring sponsors a number of programs to support student learning: Supplemental Instruction, Writing Fellows, Structured Learning Assistance, Math Pass, group tutorials, workshops, and online tutoring. If you are not familiar with these programs, please call 863-8310 for more information.
Math Lab
The best place for students to do their math homework is in the Math Lab. Tutoring is available to all UVU students for math-related courses — no appointment is necessary to get help. Tutors work to provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for learning. Students who are unable to come to the lab can chat with a tutor at MathLab Online: www.uvu.edu/mathlab.
Academic Tutoring
Drop-in tutoring, one-on-one tutoring by appointment, supplemental instruction, and group study sessions are provided for academic courses other than math or English. Tutors not only help students understand course concepts, they also share effective study strategies with students. Tutoring assistance is available on campus and on the internet through Online Peer Tutoring: www.uvu.edu/peertutoring/services/online.html
Writing Center
The UVU Writing Center provides a space where students of all disciplines may further their understanding of writing principles and enhance their writing skills. By focusing on improving the writer and not just the paper, tutors help students become more confident writers. Students can call or drop by to make an appointment with a tutor. Online tutoring can be scheduled at www.uvu.edu/owl
Studies conducted at universities worldwide have shown that students who consistently interact with trained tutors have higher grades first-term GPAs, have higher cumulative GPAs, and have a higher retention rate than non-tutored students. Visit the Academic Tutoring programs often to improve your academic performance.
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