Pre-Arrival Academic Advising & Enrollment Guide for Undergraduate Students

Fall 2020

We are very excited that you will be joining us at the UMass Boston Navitas Global Student Success Program. Please read through this

guide carefully as it includes very important information about course enrollment for your

upcoming term.

PAYMENT

▸ If you have not made your 50% payment to UMass Boston Navitas GSSP, you will NOT be able to register for classes. Please make your payment today if you have not already done so!

▸ Methods of Payment:

▸ Online payment https://www.umbnavitasgssp.com/online-payment

▸ Cashier Check made out to “Navitas USA”

▸ International Bank Draft

▸ Credit Card

▸ Wire Transfer/Telegraphic Transfer

▸ Email Finance@umbnavitasgssp.com for questions.

▸ Visit our website for detailed payment options

MANDATORY ORIENTATION

▸ ALL STUDENTS must attend orientation on Wednesday,September 2nd on Zoom.

▸ This is your opportunity to meet your classmates and the UMass Boston Navitas GSSP staff and learn about your new life here at UMass Boston. Your attendance is required.

▸ DON’T BE LATE!

PLACEMENT EXAMS

▸ You are required to take your MATH (ALEKS) and ENGLISH Placement Exams by Tuesday, August 11th

▸ Students in the following programs must complete the ALEKS Math Placement Test and the Writing Assessment:

▸ GSSP + Academic English Students

▸ 2-Semester Students

▸ 3-Semester Students

▸ Full-time ESL students do not need to complete these exams prior to arrival.

▸ To take your placement exams, you must sign into WISER, your UMB student account. For instructions on how to log in to WISER, go HERE. Instructions are in the following slides as well.

HOW TO TAKE YOUR PLACEMENT EXAMS:

▸ Step 1: Activate your account using this link. Please note that you need to put in your personal email address that you indicated on your application. If the email addresses do not match, the system will not recognize you, and you will not be able to activate your account.

▸ Step 2: After you click submit you will receive an email to your personal email address to verify and continue the process. This process will include creating answers to security questions and creating your password.

▸ Step 3: Access your WISER Account

▸ https://www.umb.edu/it/getting_services/wiser

HOW TO TAKE YOUR PLACEMENT EXAMS:

▸ Step 4: Log in to WISER using UMB username and password (You should have it after Step 2).

Your Campus User ID is the same as

your UMass Boston email address

(*DO NOT include “@umb.edu”, all

you need is your username). Your

UMB email address will be your

FIRST NAME.LASTNAME and a

number, likely 001. Read this for

help:

https://www.umb.edu/it/getting_servi

ces/email/logging_on_for_the_first_ti

me

HOW TO TAKE YOUR PLACEMENT EXAMS:

▸ Step 4 : Click on “Academics”

Select “Academics”

HOW TO TAKE YOUR PLACEMENT EXAMS:

▸ Step 5: Start Your Exam Here

Make sure you disable all pop-up blockers in your web browser before you start your placement testing!

PLACEMENT EXAM – MATH (ALEKS)

▸ All undergraduate students must take the ALEKS Math Assessment. You cannot enroll in a math class until you have received a score of at least 44 on the ALEKS.

▸ Math track in different colleges:

▸ College of Management Students: MATH 115 → MATH 129 → MATH 134

▸ College of Liberal Arts Students: Need to take MATH 115 to satisfy the “Quantitative Reasoning” general education requirement. Some degrees in the College of Liberal Arts may require further coursework. Make sure to check with your GSSP advisor.

▸ College of Science and Mathematics Students: MATH 115 → MATH 130 → MATH 140

Use the guide below to understand which course(s)

you are eligible to take:

If your ALEKS assessment score is 43 or below, you will be required to take a non-credit Math Prep class in order to help you develop the skills you need to place into Math 115.

PLACEMENT EXAM – MATH (ALEKS)

▸ I did not do well. Can I take it again?

▸ Yes. You can retake ALEKS after 48 hours and after doing 3 hours of training in the ALEKS learning module.

▸ If you retake ALEKS and feel you need to take it a 3rd time, you are required to spend a minimum of 5 hours in the learning module training tool within ALEKS.

▸ Please note that you can only retake ALEKS 3 times in one calendar year.

▸ For more information, please visit the school site here.

ATTENTION:

Please disable your computer browser’s pop-up blocker when you are trying to access the exam. Email studentsuccess@umbnavitasgssp.com

when you have completed ALEKS with your full name and UMB ID number.

PLACEMENT EXAM – WRITING ASSESSMENT

▸ All incoming undergraduate students must take the online Writing Assessment before enrolling in classes. Please email studentsuccess@umbnavitasgssp.comonce you have completed the assessment so that your GSSP academic advisor can notify you of your result as quickly as possible.

▸ You must take this test seriously, as it determines which English class you will take during your first semester. Please note that ALL first-year students at UMass Boston are required to take English classes.

▸ IMPORTANT: You cannot enroll in an English class until we have received your Writing Assessment result. Your Writing Assessment is reviewed by the English Department at UMass Boston and your English placement is final.*

*Please note that Navitas GSSP respects and supports the decisions made by the UMass Boston English Department and we are not in a position to contest your Writing Assessment result. Students who did not demonstrate the minimum English writing level may be required to take non-credit writing courses to start, and in some cases, students may be dropped to full-time ESL.

PLACEMENT EXAM – WRITING ASSESSMENT

English classes you can be placed in based on your Writing Assessment result:

▸ ESL 100 A (Speaking & Listening) + ESL 100 B (Reading Comprehension I) + ESL 100 C (Academic Writing I)▸ These are non-credit classes that must be taken concurrently.

▸ ESL 100 A may be waived based on your English-speaking level, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis by your GSSP advisors.

▸ GSSP + Academic English students will take ESL 100 A + ESL 100 B + ESL 100 C + 1 credit class

▸ ESL 100 D (Academic Writing II) + ESL 100 E (Reading Comprehension II)▸ Students in the College of Liberal Arts / College of Science and Mathematics receive 4 credits

for ESL 100 D/E. College of Management students do not receive credit. Either way, you must take your ESL 100 D/E classes seriously as your final grades for these courses are reflected on your Official Transcript.

▸ 2-Semester students will take ESL 100 D + ESL 100 E + 2 additional credit classes

▸ 3-Semester students will take ESL 100 D + ESL 100 E + 1 additional credit class

▸ ENG 101 (Freshman English)▸ This is the highest level English class you can place into as a first-year student. ENG 101 is worth

3 credits.

▸ 2-Semester students will take ENG 101 + 3 additional credit classes

▸ 3-Semester students will take ENG 101 + 2 additional credit classes

PLACEMENT EXAM – WRITING ASSESSMENT

Important Guidelines

▸ You must finish the exam within one hour without interruptions.▸ Failure to do so may result in an unsuccessful submission and you will need to retake it, possibly

with a different essay question.

▸ You only have ONE chance to take the Writing Assessment. NO ACCEPTIONS.▸ Students who fail to demonstrate the minimum English writing level may be required to take ESL

or non-credit writing courses before taking credit classes.

▸ Take it seriously and demonstrate your true writing abilities.

▸ Do not plagiarize! Using someone else’s work is a violation of the UMass Boston Code of Conduct and you will face serious consequences if you are suspected of cheating. If you are flagged by the English Department for suspected plagiarism, you will need to retake the assessment in the University Testing Center under supervision after you arrive to campus.

WHEN TO ENROLL IN CLASSES

▸ Once you have taken your ALEKS (Math) and Writing Assessment exams, you will be ready for Enrollment to begin!

▸ Registration for the Fall 2020 semester starts on Tuesday, August 18th

and will close on Tuesday, September 1st

▸ It is also VERY IMPORTANT that you select your classes prior to Orientation.▸ Don’t worry about making a mistake – that’s OK! We will review every student’s

choices to make sure that you have chosen the proper courses. However, if you don’t register for your classes prior to Orientation, we will be forced to choose your classes for you based on what is available at the time of Orientation.

WHERE TO FIND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

▸ Where can I find course titles and descriptions?

▸ The UMass Boston Navitas GSSP Student Handbook is available here at our website.

▸ The Handbook is a resource that contains details about the program, including course titles and descriptions.

▸ Please review the Student Handbook prior to Enrollment and use it as a reference when selecting classes!

▸ Not all classes in the Student Handbook will be offered, but we will try to provide you with multiple selections.

WHAT TO EXPECT ACADEMICALLY

▸ What are the requirements to graduate from American colleges?

▸ Major vs. Non-Major Requirements

▸ 120 credits

▸ 2.0 GPA

▸ Must meet requirements for their major (field of study), general education, and electives.

WHAT TO EXPECT ACADEMICALLY

▸ NON-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS – General Education Courses▸ Arts/Humanities

▸ MUSIC 115, AMST 101, HIST 212, PHIL 108, HIST 266

▸ Natural Science/Math

▸ BIOL 101, ENVSCI 101, MATH 115, MATH 129, MATH 130, MATH 140

▸ Social & Behavioral Science

▸ COMM 100, ECON 101/102, SOCIOL 101, POLSCI 101, POLSCI 102, HIST 214

Note: You must take courses outside your major in order to graduate. Students will complete many of their non-major requirements during their first year of study.

WHAT TO EXPECT ACADEMICALLY

Please use this form as a guide to help you choose your classes. On the right side, it breaks into different colleges. Note that only students within the College of Management will receive credit for MSIS 110 & MSIS 111.

Also, not every course is going to be offered in a given semester, but we will make sure students have a good range of classes they can choose from.

CHOOSING CLASSES

➢ Undergraduate GSSP 2-Semester Students (advanced full academic program):

Choose 4 academic classes and UNI101

Refer to Student Handbook (available on www.umbnavitasgssp.com) and a previous slide of advising form for classes offered. Be sure to check for pre-requisites.

During registration, you should only finalize enrollment once your Study Load reaches 125%. (See next slide)

*You must take UNI 101 (required of all first semester full degree students) + 4 academic classes.

➢ Undergraduate GSSP 3-Semester Students (full academic):

Choose 3 academic classes and UNI101

Refer to Student Handbook (available on www.umbnavitasgssp.com) and a previous slide of this presentation for available classes. Be sure to check for pre-requisites.

During registration, you should only finalize enrollment once your Study Load reaches 100%. (See next slide)

*You must take UNI 101 (required of all first semester full degree students) + 3 academic classes.

➢ GSSP + Academic English Students:

Choose 1 class

During registration, you should only finalize enrollment once your Study Load reaches 25%.

*Upon arrival you will take the writing placement test which will determine your additional ESL classes.

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

▸ Please use this link to log in and choose your classes: https://learning.umb.navitas.com/user/login

▸ Your USERNAME is your 6-digit GSSP ID number (can be found on your letter of offer)

▸ Your PASSWORD is your Date of Birth in this format: dMonthyyyy! (no leading zeros)Ex: January 5, 1995 = 5January1995!

You will not be able to log into the Portal until after you have

paid your tuition!

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

▸ Click on “Enrollment”

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

▸ Please read the Enrollment Conditions, then click “I agree”

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

Enrollment Main Screen

▸ Note that some classes may not be available to you due to prerequisites, class capacities, or based on your program.

▸ Course descriptions available in Student Handbook (Students tab → Documents).

▸ Click on a class to see the time it is offered.

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

▸ Select a class time that is available. Click “Next” and then click “Enrol”

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

After each class is chosen, your study load will increase as your funds decrease.

2-Semester students should take 125% Study Load.

3-Semester students should take 100% Study Load.

GSSP + Academic English students should take 25% Study Load.

After you reach your correct study load, you may “Finalize Enrollment” by clicking on the green button at the bottom of the screen.

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

Remember!

You must click FINALIZE ENROLLMENT in order to register for classes!

Please log into your Portal account regularly to check your schedule. Your schedule may change between enrollment and the start of

classes.

It is your responsibility to know when your classes are. Please do not rely on a screen shot of your schedule!

PORTAL CLASS REGISTRATION

▸ Once you finalize your enrollment, you may view your class schedule by clicking the “Timetable” tab at the top of the screen.

▸ You may log into the Portal at any time to review your timetable.

IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!

IMPORTANT: Changes may be made to your schedule before the start of the semester due to…

▸ Timetable changes

▸ Instructor scheduling

▸ Enrollment in the wrong class due to ALEKS/Writing Assessment results or course prerequisites

***Please check your schedule regularly by logging into the Portal to see if any changes have been made to your schedule prior to the first day of classes. Do not rely on a photo or a print-out!

WHEN TO REGISTER

▸ Registration for the Fall 2020 semester will begin on Tuesday, August 18th and will close on Tuesday, September 1st

▸ Please complete the ALEKS and the Writing Assessment BEFORE registration

You cannot enroll in a math or English class until we have your ALEKS and Writing Assessment results!

QUESTIONS / CONCERNS

▸ If you are having any issues, please email studentsuccess@umbnavitasgssp.com

▸ For questions regarding payment, please email finance@umbnavitasgssp.com

Good luck and

We look forward to meeting you at Orientation!