Florida International University is committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals through quality academic advising. Using a holistic approach to the student’s development, advising services provide students with information, guidance, and access to a network of campus resources in order to obtain maximum benefit from their educational experience. Students develop autonomy and decision-making skills, and are expected to assume increasing responsibility for seeking accurate and authoritative information and using it appropriately to make sound academic and life decisions. Service delivery is multi-faceted, combining educational and personal support to meet the assorted needs of diverse students.
  Academic advising of students with fewer than 30 semester hours of earned credit is the responsibility of the Academic Advising Center in Undergraduate Studies. When admitted to the University, the student will meet with an advisor who will help plan the student’s academic program. Freshmen are required to see an advisor for at least two terms after which continued advising is dependent on their academic performance. Freshmen in good standing are encouraged to continue seeing an advisor. At the completion of 30 semester hours of earned credits, the student can choose an intended major, and after 60 semester hours, a student should officially declare a major. Students with intended or declared majors will be advised by faculty members or professional advisors in their major department.
  Academic information is available in PC 249, University Park, ACI-180, Biscayne Bay Campus, and on our website: http://www.fiu.edu/~advising.

The Center for Academic Success houses the University Testing Center and University Learning Center, and provides a variety of academic support services to students at all levels.

The University Testing Center coordinates and administers the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), CAT-CLAST (CLAST on computer), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Nurse Entrance Test (NET) and the Florida College Entry-Level Placement Test (CPT) for freshmen. The Center also administers and provides information on other undergraduate and graduate admission tests, along with other professional and individualized distance learning examinations. Additional information is available on the test information line at (305) 348-2441 or by visiting https://testing.fiu.edu.

Placement Testing

Testing is available to students for placement into selected courses. Mandatory placement testing for college preparatory requirements is provided prior to Freshman Orientation and at other designated times during each semester.  Students need to consult with an advisor in Undergraduate Studies regarding any questions about test requirements.

The College-Level Academic Skills Test is part of Florida’s system of education accountability that satisfies the mandates of Section 229.551(3)(i), Florida Statutes. The CLAST is an achievement test that measures students’ attainment of the college-level communication and mathematics skills that were identified by the faculties of community colleges and state universities.
  Since August 1, 1984, students in public institutions in Florida have been required to pass the four sub-tests of the CLAST for the award of an Associate in Arts degree, for admission to upper-division status or no later than earning 96 credit hours. There are two exceptions to this rule: 1) anyone seeking an undergraduate degree from a Florida institution and who already has earned an accredited Bachelor’s degree; 2) anyone awarded an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida institution before September 1, 1982, and admitted to upper-level status at a Florida institution before August 1, 1984, is not required to take the CLAST.
  FIU degree-seeking students may take the CLAST after earning a minimum of 18 credit hours. Regular administrations of the CLAST are scheduled on the first Saturday in October, first Saturday in June and the third Saturday in February. The essay section of the CLAST is available only once each semester through the on-campus administration.
  The College-Level Academic Skills Test is also available as a computer assisted test, the CAT-CLAST, for the reading, English language skills and mathematics subtests. The CAT-CLAST is offered in the University Testing Center at various times during each semester. Online registration is available at https://testing.fiu.edu.  Students who are not admitted and degree seeking at FIU must receive approval from their home institution prior to the scheduling of an appointment for the CAT-CLAST.
  The 1997 Legislature and the State Board of Education approved the following conditions under which any student may be exempt from the CLAST if the student fulfills one or more of the following requirements before completion of the undergraduate degree program. All exemptions are processed by the Registrar’s Office.
  Alternative based on the SAT or EACT scores (or the equivalent scores on the original SAT, SAT I and ACT score scales). An SAT (beginning March 2005) score of 500 on the Critical Reading section qualifies for an exemption for the essay, English language skills, and reading sub-tests; and a score of 500 on the Math section qualifies for an exemption for the Mathematics sub-test. An EACT score of 21 on the Mathematics section qualifies for an exemption for the Mathematics sub-test; a score of 22 on the Reading section qualifies for an exemption for the reading sub-test; and a score of 21 on the English section qualifies for an exemption for the English language skills and essay sub-tests.
  Alternative based on the student’s GPA. To exempt the English language skills, reading, and essay sections of the College-Level Academic Skills Test, the student must have earned a 2.5 grade point average in two courses for a minimum of six semester hours of credit from ENC 1101, and ENC 1102 or other equivalent college-level English courses.
  To exempt the Mathematics section of the College-Level Academic Skills Test, the student must have earned a 2.5 grade point average in two courses for a minimum of six semester hours of credit from: MAC 1105 or any other MAC course with the last three digits higher than 105; MGF 1106 or any other MGF course with the last three digits higher than 106; STA 1014 or any other STA course.
  CLEP, IB, and AP credits may be accepted for one of the required courses in the evaluation of CLAST exemptions.
  The State Board of Education and the Florida Statutes provide special consideration for students in public institutions who have a specific learning disability such that they cannot successfully complete one or more CLAST sub-tests. These students may appeal to an institutional committee for a waiver of the requirement to pass any applicable sub-test(s) of the CLAST.
  The State Board of Education and the Florida Statutes permit an institution president, under certain conditions, to grant a waiver from one or more of the CLAST sub-tests. A student who has taken any subtest of the CLAST at least four (4) times and has not earned a passing score may appeal for a waiver of that subtest. Before such a waiver may be approved by an institution president or designee, the waiver must first have been recommended by a majority vote of the institutional committee established to review waiver requests.

The University Learning Center is made up of academic assistance tutoring labs equipped to help students improve their academic skills and their performance in related courses. Included among these skills are reading, writing, English, mathematics, statistics, and training in learning/study skills. Special emphasis is given to those students who need or want assistance passing the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST). For additional information visit the website at http://learningcenter.fiu.edu.

The Academy for the Art of Teaching is a part of Undergraduate Studies, and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the quality of classroom teaching at FIU. It serves both as a resource to the teaching community—faculty, adjuncts, and graduate teaching assistants—and a source for proactive programming focused on enhancing approaches, methodologies and practices of teaching.
  Through workshops, individual and departmental consultations, mini grants for research and development, and information dissemination, as well as collaborative programs with other FIU agencies such as the Library, Instructional Technology, and the Graduate Students Association, the Academy reaches out to all those who teach at FIU. Information and assistance can be obtained from the Director of the Academy at GL 154W or (305) 348-4214/3907.

The Student Athlete Academic Center provides a range of academic support services for student athletes—including advising, tutoring, and monitoring of academic progress. The Center is located west of the Golden Panther Arena, at the University Park Campus, and has hours of operation to meet the needs of the full-time student athlete. The Center is equipped with a computer laboratory, study carrels, and classrooms. It is staffed with advisors, tutors, and learning specialists. The unit works in conjunction with various university academic departments, as well as with other university support units to ensure the academic success of athletes. For information call (305) 348-6412.

Undergraduate education seeks to develop productive, creative, and responsible citizens who both shape society and lay the foundation for tomorrow.  In addition to exploring areas of specialization, the university experience must provide a venue for investigating the origins and natures of cultures, ideas, and the physical universe and endow graduates with the ability to analyze critically, think sustainably, learn creatively, and express themselves clearly and cogently.  Diversity and breadth of experience are essential characteristics of both education and success in our global community.
  The University Core Curriculum (UCC) provides the broad, well-defined curriculum that enables graduates to think critically, analytically, and creatively, with a passion to learn and with the skills and ability to assemble, assess, incorporate, and synthesize new knowledge and information; organize and clearly express their knowledge and ideas; and determine the importance and relevance of new ideas through a synthesis of both broad and narrow contexts and the integration of seemingly disparate pieces into a meaningful whole.
  The UCC rests upon the belief that a foundational curriculum, shared by students, fosters intellectual development and enhances personal, social, intellectual, and academic relations.  Together with concentration in major fields of study, the UCC builds the base that makes future academic and professional excellence possible.
  First Year Experience (one, one-credit course required): The transition to a university environment is a unique one for first-time university students.  FIU's orientation course is designed to facilitate this transition.  The First-Year Experience course provides a forum for integrating the FIU experience and for discussing issues promoting intellectual, personal, academic, social growth and success as a member of the University community.  The course introduces students to University policies, procedures, and services; addresses academic and career choices; and enhances study and time-management skills. All students entering the University with fewer than 30 semester hours are required to take this one-credit course,  SLS 1501 First-Year Experience.
  English Composition (two, three-credit courses from either sequence required): A foundation in the critical analysis of issues and texts, both discursive and creative, and in argumentation and persuasion is essential in all university courses.  English Composition provides this foundation by encouraging the mastery of written and oral communication models, including the essay and research paper.
  For students entering FIU with 30 or fewer credits and for all first-term-in-college students, ENC 1101, Writing and Rhetoric I and ENC 1102, Writing and Rhetoric II are required.
  For students entering FIU with more than 30 credits (who are not first-term-in-college students), ENC 2301, Expository Writing, and one of the following: ENC 3317, Writing Across the Curriculum; or ENC 3311, Advanced Writing and Research; or ENC 3211, Report and Technical Writing are acceptable.
  Humanities With Writing (two, three-credit courses required, one of which must be a historically-oriented course): In these courses students strengthen the critical reading and writing skills needed to succeed within the University and beyond.  Students interact analytically with, and respond critically to, primary and secondary texts in the humanities and learn to integrate the ideas and words of others into their own writing.  By writing informed essays, students develop the ability to present ideas logically and sequentially and to provide balanced exposition and critical examination of complex events, positions, arguments, or texts.
  In these courses students learn to use writing as a form of inquiry in reflecting critically upon central topics in the humanities, such as individual, moral, and social values; historical perspectives and events; culture and the arts; philosophy; and religious beliefs and practices.  Students address themes centered on the traditions; shared values and myths; literary, artistic, historical, and philosophical traditions; and cultural standards and common values which underlie contemporary societies and their historical antecedents.

 (* indicates a course designated as being "historically oriented")

Quantitative Reasoning (two, three-credit courses required, at least one of which must be in mathematics): The requirement aims at preparing students to master concepts and ideas in logic, inductive and deductive reasoning, and abstract and quantitative thinking. Students will become proficient in the art of reasoning critically, solving problems, and analyzing data.

(* indicates a mathematics course).

Social Inquiry (six credits required, three credits in each of the two sub-categories below): In these courses students investigate social, political, and economic configurations; cultural and psychological features of human life; gender, race/ethnicity, and social class; consciousness and identity; social interactions with the natural environment; and local, national, and global aspects of the human world.

Foundations of Social Inquiry (one, three-credit course required): Students learn theories and methodologies that underlie these areas of study and enhance their research and analytic skills.

Societies & Identities (one, three-credit course required): Students compare societies and cultures in local, national, or international contexts and in contemporary or historical perspective.

Natural Science (two, three-credit courses required, one in the life sciences and one in the physical sciences, and two corresponding one-credit labs): Our technologically dependent world requires an understanding of the processes that led us here.  Learning the basic concepts and ideas of scientific fields provides contact with not just those fields but with how science is done.  In these courses students study the scientific method through examination of the foundational theories of modern scientific thought.  Students apply scientific principles and theories to problem solving, evaluate scientific statements, and incorporate new information within the context of what is already known.
  Emphasizing the essential connection between theory and experiment, the hands-on laboratory experience provides the context for testing scientific theories.

Life Sciences:

Arts Requirement (three credit hours required): Art embodies human dreams, visions, and imagination and renders the human experience creatively in sound, movement, performance, design, language, color, shape, and space. Art responds critically to current events, changes in society, and the drama of human life.
  In fulfilling this requirement, students will become acquainted with the fundamental aspects of the arts while developing a capacity to understand, appreciate, or experience particular forms.  Students address universal themes central to the cultural traditions of the past and present as expressed through the perspectives of the arts.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
In addition to the above University Core Curriculum requirements, any student who was admitted with a foreign language deficiency must successfully complete two semesters of sequential instruction in one foreign language prior to graduation.

TRANSFER CREDIT
For purposes of clarity, transferability refers to the conditions under which the University accepts credits from other post-secondary institutions. Applicability of credit toward a degree refers to the prerogative of the respective academic division to count specific credit toward a student’s degree requirements. Normally, collegiate work will be considered for transfer credit only from post-secondary institutions that are fully accredited by a regional accrediting association. The Office of Admissions will evaluate the acceptability of total credits transferable to the University. Transfer credit will be applied as appropriate to a student’s degree program. The authority to apply such credit to the degree rests with the Academic Advising Center for University Core Curriculum requirements, and the academic division of the student’s intended major for upper division and prerequisite requirements. If a student chooses to transfer to another academic division within the University, credit previously earned at another post-secondary institution will be re-evaluated and applied as appropriate to the student’s new degree program.
  A maximum of 60 lower division semester hours taken at a two-year or a four-year institution may be counted toward a degree at the University. A maximum of 30 upper division semester hours taken at a senior institution may be counted toward a degree at the University.
  Lower division courses in excess of 60 semester hours may serve to meet specific course requirements for an FIU degree, but credit hours represented by these courses will not reduce the number of credit hours to be completed at the University.
  A grade of ‘D’ will be accepted for transfer credit, although it may not satisfy specific requirements. However, such a grade in coursework in the major field is subject to review and approval by the appropriate academic department.  Credit from military schools will be transferred in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Education. Credit from foreign institutions will be considered on an individual basis.

The academic programs of the University are planned in such a manner that students may complete some of their degree requirements through one or more of the mechanisms listed below. Specific information on the accelerated mechanisms utilized in each academic program is available from the department or program description of the student’s major. Up to 45 total credit-by-exam credits may be awarded. Florida International University accepts Examinations for credit according to state guidelines established by the Articulation Coordinating Committee in August 2006.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
The University awards credit for Advanced Placement test scores of three, four, and five. For University Core Curriculum requirements, only the following examinations will be recognized for credit: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB and BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science AB, Economics: Macro, Economics: Micro, English (Language and Composition or Literature and Composition), Environmental Science, European History, Government and Politics: Comparative, Government and Politics: United States, Human Geography, Music Theory, Physics, Psychology, Statistics, Studio Art: Drawing, United States History, World History.
    Additional subject test credits are accepted but not applied to the University Core Curriculum: Modern Languages or Literature, Studio Art: 2-D Design and 3-D Design, Latin Literature, and Latin Vergil.

ADVANCED LEVEL PROGRAM
The University awards credit for Advanced Level Programs completed through the College Board, Puerto Rico and Latin America Office, only for scores of 4 or 5 on the Pre-Calculus (Level II) test, 4 or 5 on English, and 3, 4, or 5 on Spanish.

CAMBRIDGE AICE (A-LEVEL) EXAMS
For University Core Curriculum requirements, only the following examinations will be recognized for credit: Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, English, Literature in English, Geography, History, Foreign Languages, Foreign Language Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology.

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)
The College Level Examination Program is designed to measure knowledge in certain subject areas of general education.  Credit earned through CLEP examination will reflect as lower division transfer credit.  Students must discuss the transfer of CLEP credits with their academic department.        To register for an exam, go to https://testing.fiu.edu or contact the University Testing Center at (305) 348-2840.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year program leading to examinations. Based on the pattern of no single country, it is a deliberate compromise between the specialization required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. Florida International University recognizes the quality of the IB program and will award six semester hours of college credit to those students who score a 4, 5, 6, or 7 on each subject at the higher level. Credit is also awarded for Subsidiary examinations with scores of 5, 6, or 7. For University Core Curriculum requirements, only the following examinations will be recognized for credit: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English A1, Environmental Systems, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, Information Technology for a Global Society, Islamic History, Math Methods, Math Studies, Mathematics, Music Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Social Anthropology, Theater Arts, and Visual Arts.
    Additional subject test credits are accepted but not applied to the University Core Curriculum: Business and Management, Design Engineering, Film Studies, Latin, and Modern Languages.

ADDITIONAL ACCELERATED EXAMS
University Core Curriculum credit is also given for successfully passing Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), DANTE/DSST and Excelsior exams. Students must meet with advisors for these equivalencies.

CREDIT FOR NON-COLLEGE LEARNING
The awarding of credit for learning acquired outside the university or classroom experience is the prerogative of each academic department or program. Only degree-seeking students are eligible to receive this type of credit. The significant learning must be applicable to the degree program of the student, and should be discussed and appropriately documented at the time the desired program of study is initially discussed and decided with the student’s program advisor. A maximum of 6 credit hours will be awarded.

NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE
National Student Exchange provides students with the opportunity to study at one of 198 colleges and universities in the United States and its territories for one semester or academic year, while paying in-state tuition. Full credit is given for work satisfactorily completed on exchange. NSE offers the student the opportunity to live in a different geographic setting, explore a particular academic interest, and, of course, make new and lasting friendships.
    In order to participate in the National Student Exchange, students must be enrolled full-time and have a 2.8 cumulative GPA. For further information contact Jamie Perez at (305) 348-1292 or PerezJa@fiu.edu, or visit the website at http://undergrad.fiu.edu/nse/.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The International Student Exchange (ISE) Program provides students with the opportunity to study abroad (during one or two semesters) at one of the various universities that have an agreement with Florida International University. Full credit is given for work satisfactorily completed during the exchange program as long as it has been pre-approved by an advisor. Grades are not transferred. The International Student Exchange Program offers the opportunity to live abroad, explore other languages and cultures, and become acquainted with new friends from all over the world. Students will be required to pay FIU tuition, insurance, housing, and travel arrangements.
    In order to participate in ISE, a student must be enrolled at FIU and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
    For more information, please contact the Office of Education Abroad located in DM 441, (305) 348-1913, email: EducationAbroad@fiu.edu, or http://educationabroad.fiu.edu.

Each year FIU offers a number of Study Abroad Programs through the Office of Education Abroad, in coordination with different academic units and Continuing and Professional Studies. Most of these programs are under the direction of FIU faculty members who accompany the students abroad. Students receive FIU credit for these programs and scholarships are available. Program locations include Brazil, China, Spain, England, Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, and others. FIU also has exchange agreements with universities throughout the world, through which students can go for a semester and take classes at a partner university in the language of the host country. The Honors College also offers programs in Italy, Spain, and Jamaica.
  For more information, please contact the Office of Education Abroad located in DM 441, (305) 348-1913, email: EducationAbroad@fiu.edu, or http://educationabroad.fiu.edu.

Students interested in pursuing a career in one of the health professions [medicine (M.D./O.D.), dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry,physicians assistant, or chiropractic medicine] should contact the Director of Pre-Health Professions Advising Center, Dr. John Landrum at John.Landrum@fiu.edu prior to registration in their first semester of study. Students will need to be in frequent communication with the Pre-Health Professions Advising Center during their academic careers.  When nearing completion of their required professional prerequisite courses, students must contact the Pre-Health Professions Advising Center to arrange for an interview with the Pre-Health Professions Advisement and Evaluation Committee.  For those applying to professional Schools, the Center provides needed assistance with the application process and the Committee prepares an important letter of recommendation.  Please visit the website of the Pre-Health Professions Advising Center, at http://www.fiu.edu/preprofc where you will find extensive information about the different career options within the health care professions, the pre-health curriculum, a description of the professional school application process and appropriate requirements for the different professional schools.

Students interested in receiving information on Law School/pre-professional education, on application procedures, testing, and references should contact the Department of Political Science or the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences or the Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Social Work, Justice, and Public Affairs. A faculty advisor in these departments will advise students who are seeking information about attending law school. Students are encouraged to visit: http://www.fiu.edu/~casdean/Advising/Pre-Law.htm.

In accordance with Florida Board of Governors guidelines, Florida International University has developed an Academic Learning Compact for every one of its baccalaureate degrees, accessible through http://www.fiu.edu/~opie/academiclearningcompacts.htm.
  The Compacts identify the expected core student learning outcomes for program graduates in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills; communication skills; and critical thinking skills. The Compacts will also be posted on collegiate and departmental/program web sites. Students will also be given a hard copy of the Compact for their declared major when they attend their first orientation and advisement session in their academic unit. Students may be expected to participate in a number of activities associated with the Compacts such as answering embedded questions in scheduled exams, creating a portfolio, enrolling in a capstone course, or sitting for a specialized exam.  The program or department will notify students of what measurement procedures have been selected for their baccalaureate program.