Advisor's Page

Placement Exams and Exams for Academic Credit  

What is a placement exam?  

Placement exams are a means of assessing the academic preparation of students in certain courses, for example, math and English.   Students must take the appropriate placement exam and obtain satisfactory results before they can enroll in those courses.  

Do I have to take placement exams?  

If you have not completed the math or English courses required for your degree, you will have to take the appropriate placement exams.  

Does TROY-Montgomery give credit for Advanced Placement Exams taken at other colleges?  

Yes.   Students who have completed advanced level courses in secondary schools and have passed College Board Advanced Placement Examinations with scores of 4 or 5 may be granted credit (without grades).   Credit is granted upon approval of the appropriate dean for those courses.  

Other students have mentioned CLEP and DANTES exams.   What are they?  

The CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) exams determine knowledge of a subject and may earn you college credits.   Credit is allowed for DANTES and CLEP Subject Examinations as approved by the Undergraduate Council.   See your catalog.

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How will I find out which of my previous college work will transfer to TROY - Montgomery?  

TROY-Montgomery will evaluate all of your transcripts and prepare a degree program check sheet that will show how your previous work applies to the major that you indicated on your initial Application for Admissions.   We will then mail you a postcard to inform you that your records have been evaluated and that you should contact an academic advisor to discuss the evaluation.   Names and phone numbers are provided on the postcard.   Note that this information cannot be discussed on the telephone.  

Does TROY - Montgomery accept college preparatory courses taken in high school?  

No.   They are not accepted as being equivalent to college credit.  

Does TROY - Montgomery accept   credit for remedial, developmental and preparatory classes taken at other colleges?  

No.   Like the high school preparatory courses these courses are designed to prepare you to take college courses but are not considered as credit toward a degree.

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Academic Advisors  

Will I be assigned an academic advisor?  

No.   We do recommend that you see an advisor periodically.   TROY - Montgomery has several academic advisors with offices in Whitley Hall and Maxwell AFB.   You may visit the advisor that is most convenient for you.   If you like, you may choose your advisor and stay with him or her throughout your undergraduate academic career.  

Why should I see an academic advisor?  

Advisors can clarify university policies, regulations, programs and procedures.   They can offer advice on selecting courses and assist you in developing an academic plan that satisfies degree requirements.   They are knowledgeable about campus resources and can make the appropriate referrals.

What are some of the roles and responsibilities of an undergraduate academic advisor?

An undergraduate Academic Advisor assists students in pursuing their educational goals, facilitating access to the full range of learning opportunities and services available at TROY - Montgomery.   To succeed in this helping role, an Academic Advisor must:

1.   have a thorough understanding of current curriculum, institutional requirements, course sequences and general education requirements.   In addition to the core, an Advisor must have knowledge of the specific requirements for major/minor concentrations offered.

2.   have a working knowledge of current institutional policies and procedures.

3.   to offer advice on selecting courses and to assist you in developing an academic plan (check-sheet) that satisfies degree requirements

4.   have basic interpersonal communication and counseling skills.

The Academic advisor serves as a facilitator and role model.   However, there are limitations to an Advisor's responsibilities.   An Academic Advisor:

1.   can NOT make decisions for an advisee, but can be a sympathetic listener and offer alternatives to consider.

2.   can NOT alter the native abilities of a student, but can encourage maximum development of talents.

3.   can NOT change college policy or academic requirements, but can inform and recommend courses of action.

What are some of the roles and responsibilities of students in the advising relationship?

Students should take the initiative to seek advisement and develop close helping relationship with their Advisors.   Students must be proactive in regards to their educational goals.   The advisee has the primary responsibility for:

1.   making decisions about their educational goals, including selection of courses, major, and career.

2. arriving prepared to make full use of the advising session.   Adequate preparation includes reviewing core and major requirements, course offerings, academic check-sheet, academic progress and education plan where appropriate.    

3.   consulting with an Advisor before changing majors, transferring, or withdrawing from college.

4. reading all college communications and meeting all deadlines pertinent to them. (For example, the college catalog, the course schedule booklet, the student handbook, letters/postcards from the registrar.)

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Graduating  

I have completed most of my course work for my baccalaureate degree.   When will I receive my diploma?  

You must file an Intent to Graduate Form with the registrar as prescribed in the TROY-Montgomery class schedule (two terms prior to graduation).   For example, if you want to graduate at the end of the spring semester you must file your Intent to Graduate Form by the specified date in the summer semester.   Remember graduation is not an automatic process.   You make it happen.  

Why do I have to file my Intent to Graduate Form so early?  

When you file your intent, we perform a complete audit of your academic record. Once the audit is complete we send you a letter stating the final requirements for the degree.   You will receive this “ need letter ” prior to the first walk-in registration day of the term you filed to graduate, so that you will know exactly what to register for.

What are the GPA requirements for graduating?  

You must have an overall 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. You must also have a 2.0 in your major, which includes hours and quality points earned at other universities and colleges as converted by TROY-Montgomery (2.0 on a 4.0 a scale).  

Are there any other requirements for graduating?  

Yes.   There are several other requirements besides the obvious necessity of successfully completing all course work for your particular degree.   Your program check sheet lists some additional requirements and your catalog lists all requirements. Recommend that you read your catalog and then if you have other questions E-mail Academic Advisors using your Troy University email account.  

Is it true that the last semester grades do not count toward my GPA?  

No. That is not correct. Your last term grades do count toward your final GPA.   However, grades and credit earned during your final term are not calculated when computing honors.  

How are graduation honors determined?  

To be eligible for graduation with honors, a student must be completing a bachelor ’ s degree and:  

1. Have completed at least 30 semester hours of degree credit at TROY - Montgomery.
2. Earn a minimum GPA of 3.4 on all TROY - Montgomery credit.
3. Meet GPA requirements for honors on all course work ever attempted at any college.   In other words every course you have ever taken is used in the calculation to determine honors and not just your TROY - Montgomery course work.

What are the GPA requirements for honors?  

Overall GPA of 3.40 – Cum Laude (With Honors)

Overall GPA of 3.60 – Magna Cum Laude (With High Honors)

Overall GPA of 3.80 – Suma Cum Laude (With Highest Honors)  

I will finish my degree requirements next summer.   When will I receive my degree?

Your diploma will be presented during the fall graduation ceremony because we do not have a ceremony after the summer session.  

What happens to my academic records after I graduate?  

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Miscellaneous Topics  

What is meant by residency requirement?  

Residency refers to the course work that you complete while attending a college/university as a degree-seeking student with that college/university.   The TROY - Montgomery residency requirement to earn a Bachelor ’ s degree is 30 semester hours and to earn an Associate ’ s degree is 15 semester hours.  

What is senior college credit?    

Senior college credit is course work completed at a four-year college or university.   Two-year institutions are called junior colleges.   Course work taken at the junior college does not transfer as equivalent to the junior (300) and senior (400) course work even though the course titles may be identical.  

What are the qualifications to be on the Chancellor's and Provost's honor Lists?   Do you have to have a certain GPA?  

To be on the chancellor's List you must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours with a 4.0 on a 4.00 scale GPA.

To be on the Provost's Honor List you must complete a minimum or 12 semester hours With a 3.65 GPA on a 4.00 scale GPA.

How do I determine what my classification is, i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc.?

0 - 29 semester hours = Freshman

30- 59 semester hours = Sophomore

60 -89 semester hours = Junior

90 - or more semester hours = Senior

Look at your grade reports and update your check-sheet.   Count the hours completed toward your degree to determine your status.

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How do I calculate my Grade Point Average (G.P.A.)?

_{Before explaining how to calculate your G.P.A., there are a few terms you should be familiar with.
Definition of Terms:}  

^{·         Credit Hours - the hours assigned to a course, this number is listed in both the schedule of classes and the catalog and is usually 1 to 5 hours.}

^{·         Grade Value - the numerical value assigned to a grade; A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, and F = 0 points.}

^{·         Grade Points - number of credit hours for a course times the grade value.}

^{·         Attempted Hours - credit hours for which you earn a grade in (excluding I's or W's); note: WF is the same grade as an F and counts in attempted hours.}

^{·         Earned Hours - credit hours which you passed (with a grade of D or higher).}

^{·         Repeating a Course - when the same course is taken a second time, the first grade can be deleted from your G.P.A. when a Repeat a Course form is filled out and turned in to the Registrar's Office. Note: the first grade is the only grade that can be deleted from your G.P.A.     When a course has been taken and completed for a grade (excluding I's or W's) three or more times; if a Repeat a Course form has been filed only the first grade is removed from your G.P.A. and each course attempt after the first is included in your G.P.A.}  

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_{Step by Step Process on How to Calculate Your Grade Point Average:
Standard G.P.A. Calculation -}