Academic Advising

Evaluation of Student Skills and Placement Testing

In order to promote student success, the college shall, where appropriate, evaluate the academic preparation of enrolling students. Placement test results shall be used to advise students and, in some cases, to place them properly in courses (Board Policy 5.12).

Students desiring to enroll in any course with established prerequisites in reading, English and/or mathematics shall be assessed in the relevant subject area(s). All students must be assessed UNLESS:

1. The student holds a degree at the bachelor’s level or above;
2. The student has already achieved grades of C or better in a college-level English composition course (EGL 101, its equivalent, or above) and a college-level mathematics course (MAT 104, its equivalent, or above) from any accredited college or university; or
3. The student has earned an ACT score of 21 or higher in English, an ACT score of 22 or higher in reading, or a SAT score of at least 480 in combined reading and writing;
4. The student has earned an ACT score of 22 or higher in mathematics, or a SAT score of 530 or higher in mathematics.

Proof of degree status will be determined either by receipt of an official transcript from the awarding institution or by the student’s signature verifying degree status on the appropriate LLCC form.

Students may take the placement exam at the LLCC-Springfield campus or at one of the Outreach Centers. For information, contact the Placement and Testing Office, 217-786-2211 or visit www.llcc.edu/testing.

Any student with a documented physical or learning disability who desires accommodations should contact the Accessibility Services coordinator at 217-786-2599 to arrange for appropriate alternative testing procedures.

Students may be allowed one retake of the placement tests or a portion thereof upon recommendation of a department dean.

Placement in Developmental Programs and Courses

Following placement testing, some students may be placed in developmental programs and courses. These include college-preparatory coursework and academic support services. These courses and support services are intended for new and continuing students. Information about developmental programs may be obtained from an academic advisor. See the Center for Academic Success for information about the Study Skills Center, the Writing Center and the Math Center, important academic-support services for students.

Developmental courses in reading, writing and mathematics are provided to build confidence and to prepare students to succeed in college. Using placement test scores, the college may require placement in one or more of the following courses: RDG 098, RDG 099, EGL 098, EGL 099, MAT 081, MAT 082, MAT 087, MAT 088, MAT 092, MAT 094, MAT 096, or MAT 097.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Advisories

Course prerequisites are conditions (e.g., prior courses, test scores) that must be satisfied before a student is authorized to enroll in a class. A corequisite is a condition that must be satisfied concurrently or previously. Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites and corequisites. At any time prior to the tuition-refund deadline each term, students may be dropped from a class for failure to meet prerequisites or corequisites. Prerequisites and corequisites are stated with course descriptions in the college catalog and they are included in the schedules published each term (Board Policy 5.12).

Prerequisites, corequisites and placement policies are strictly enforced. However, reasonable accommodations in exceptional circumstances may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Individual instructors, departments or programs may authorize exemptions as they determine the need to do so, but in such ways as not to undermine the intent and integrity of these policies. Exemptions may not exceed those approved by the Board as stated in board policy.

Math Advisory

Courses in which mathematics skills are considered necessary for successful completion are identified by either a Math-1 (M1) or a Math-2 (M2) advisory at the end of the course descriptions. Students are advised that successful completion of MAT 082 or a corresponding placement score prior to enrolling in a Math-1 course is strongly recommended. Those who score below 250 on the placement test in arithmetic will begin the sequence in MAT 081/08.

Students are advised that successful completion of MAT 092 or a corresponding placement score prior to enrolling in a Math-2 course is strongly recommended. Students who score below 250 on the QRAS placement test will start in MAT 088/MAT 092, while those with a score between 249 and 263 place into MAT 094/MAT 096.

Students who achieve a score of 263 or above in the QRAS placement test can start in MAT 104, MAT 105, MAT 113, MAT 141 or MAT 251. Students who score a 22 or higher on the ACT and/or 530 or higher on the SAT in math do not need to take math placement tests.

Reading Advisory

Courses in which college-level skills in reading are considered necessary for successful completion are identified by an R at the end of the course descriptions. Courses with this designation are considered “reading dependent” courses. Students are advised that a score of 256 or higher on the Accuplacer placement exam in reading or similar score on an equivalent placement exam, or successful completion of RDG 099 prior to enrolling in reading-dependent courses is strongly recommended. Students who score a 21 or higher on the ACT in reading or a 480 or higher on the SAT verbal section do not need to take the reading placement test. Those who score below 240 will be placed in RDG 098. For scores that fall between 240 and 255, students will be placed in RDG 099. No reading courses are required if a student achieves a reading score of 256 or above.

Writing Advisory

Courses in which college-level skills in writing are considered necessary for successful completion are identified by either a Writing-1 (W1) advisory, a Writing-2 (W2) advisory, or a Writing-3 (W3) advisory at the end of the course descriptions. Students are advised that a proficient score on the placement exam or successful completion of EGL 099 prior to enrolling in a Writing-1 course is strongly recommended. Those who score in range 1 on the placement test will begin in EGL 098. If the score range is 2, the student will begin the writing sequence in EGL 099. If the score is in range 3, the student will begin the writing sequence with EGL 101.

New Student Orientation

Orientation is an important stepping stone in your transition to LLCC. During your orientation program, you will meet current and incoming LLCC students, experience the services provided to students and discover valuable information about becoming a successful LLCC student. Orientation is a requirement for all new, degree- or certificate-seeking students.

After you have applied, sent your transcripts and met the assessment requirement, you will need to contact Admission and Registration in Menard Hall at LLCC-Springfield or call 217-786-2292. You may also call or visit your nearest LLCC location to schedule the next available orientation.

Orientations are offered prior to the start of the first term for which new students plan to enroll. For students starting in the summer, orientations are offered February through the beginning of June. For students starting in the fall, orientations are offered April through the end of August. For students starting in the spring, orientations are offered from the end of October through the first part of January. Orientation options are also available for new students who begin during short semester and some module periods.

Registration

On-Campus

Certain student groups must register in person at the LLCC campus or by telephone, 217-786-2292 or 800-727-4161, extension 62292. The registration procedures, including a full listing of students required to register in person or by phone can be found at www.llcc.edu/registration or obtained from the Admission and Registration Office in Menard Hall and each Outreach Center.

Online

After a student’s initial registration, access to LLCC’s web-based services via WebAdvisor is available for registration. Features include adding and dropping classes, transcript review, viewing grades, financial aid awards and payment options. For assistance, contact the Admission and Registration Office or an Outreach Center.

LLCC Outreach Centers

Students can apply for admission, register for classes, take classes and get information about LLCC, among other services, at LLCC’s outreach locations around the community college district. The phone numbers of the centers are listed below.

LLCC-Taylorville

217-786-2754 800-572-5448

LLCC-Litchfield/Hillsboro

217-786-3401 800-858-9193

LLCC-Jacksonville

217-243-6699 888-494-1622

LLCC-Beardstown

217-323-4103 877-800-4406

Late Registration

Students who register for a class after the first class session has been held pay a late registration fee of $20. This late fee is charged only once per student, per semester or module. Refer to the academic calendar for dates of late registration. Additional information may be found in “Adding or Withdrawing From Courses/Schedule Changes.