DSP Program

I. Description

Directions for Student Potential (DSP) is for motivated people who do not currently meet the admission requirements for the University, but who demonstrate the potential to succeed at the college level. This is a competitive six week summer program that prepares students for academic success at the University by helping them to improve their Verbal, Math, and English as a Second Language Skills. There are day and evening classes to fit personal work schedules.

COURSE WORK

VERBAL SKILLS CLASSES are 2 hours each day, Monday - Thursday. The Verbal Skills courses focus on the reading, writing, and critical thinking needed for college level work. Topics from across the university curriculum are included. There are six daytime sections, and two evening.

ESL CLASSES are 3 hours per day. They are designed to increase English fluency across the four language skills areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Special attention is paid to reading comprehension, written composition, and critical thinking at the college level. There are four daytime sections and one evening. ESL students do not take DSP math classes.

MATH SKILLS CLASSES are 2 hours each. There are two levels of Math Skills courses in DSP -- Pre-Algebra and Introduction to Algebra. Math course placement is determined by an in-house Math Placement test. All students who place into one of these two levels are required to take it in the summer.

Some students will place beyond the summer level courses and will take math in the fall.

TUTORING

All classes have tutors who attend every session. Individual tutoring is also scheduled to help students improve overall academic performance.

II. PLACEMENT INTO CLASSES

Verbal Skills - Students are tested into levels of verbal skills according to their performance on an in-house essay exam. This test measures critical reading and writing for college level texts.

English As A Second Language – ESL/Multi-lingual students will also take an in-house essay exam designed to measure critical reading and writing in English. Students may or may not be placed into DSP’s ESL track.

Math Skills - Students are placed into Math courses by the math placement test. There are 3 levels of tests:

A: for students with l year of Algebra or less
B: for those with 2 years of Algebra
C: for those who have a strong math background
and wish to place into Calculus.

Most DSP students take test A.

During the first days of the program, all instructors will be evaluating the accuracy of placements to be sure students are in the right level courses.

Students who miss testing dates need to see Polly Welsh or Roberta Young, Office of Academic Support Programs, CC/1/1300.

III. DSP REQUIREMENTS

Pass assigned courses. Faculty will regularly assess assigned work to measure student progress and potential for success in college courses.

Attend all classes. Students who miss more than two classes will not pass the program. Excessive tardiness will be considered as absences.

Show a serious effort to improve, participate, and be responsible. Meet with faculty and staff about academic program selection. Faculty evaluation of student work will be the basis of recommendations for fall course placements.

Attend UMass/Boston after successful completion of DSP. This program is provided tuition-free for persons who will become students at this University. Students who attend DSP are being prepared for the specific courses and requirements of this University. This is not a basic skills program and is not
transferable to another university. Students who attend a university other than UMass/Boston will be billed for summer coursework.

IV. RELATIONSHIP OF DIRECTIONS FOR STUDENT POTENTIAL TO COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND THE UNIVERSITY

Directions for Student Potential is a program sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts, (CLA) through the Office of Academic Support Programs.

Once students pass the DSP program, they are registered into CLA.

In the fall, students will work with advisors and faculty and start course work related to the GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. These are courses in various disciplines that form the foundation for the Liberal Arts degree.

CLA is one of the 5 colleges at UMass/Boston. The others are the College of Science and Mathematics, College of Management, the College of Nursing, and the College of Public and Community Service. If students are interested in attending one of these other colleges, they can usually transfer in after the first year.

V. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FIRST WEEK OF DSP

1. Classes will be held in the red section of McCormack Building, first floor, rooms 201 - 213.

2. TRANSPORTATION
MBTA - Red Line to JFK Columbia Station, Shuttle Bus to UMass until 9:30 p.m. everyday. Fields Corner, Columbia Ave. MBTA Bus, check schedule with MBTA or driver. CAR POOL if you can - it saves on the Parking Fee; a 10 day pass will cost you $56; you can purchase these tickets at the booth on exiting the parking area – or in the Parking and Transportation Office (UL-008-Admin).

3. I.D. CARDS
Each student can obtain an UMass I.D. once her/his name has cleared on the computer (during the first week of the program).

I.D. Office, Campus Center, 3rd. floor, room 3401
ext. 7-7957. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 - 5:00,
Friday, 8:30 - 4:00 (Evening hours will be announced).

4. BOOKSTORE
The Bookstore will be open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 - 6:00, Friday, 8:30 - 5:00. You should check with your instructor about books you will need to purchase for class. Be prepared to purchase books after attending the first class.