Elements of the Program
(Revised Fall 2007)

The Reading and Study Skills Program (RSSP), offered through the Learning Opportunity Center, is a two-semester program offered during the freshman year to give special attention during the first year in college to incoming freshmen whose preparation for college is, in certain respects, inadequate. Students are selected for the Reading and Study Skills Program on the basis of their high school records and Scholastic Aptitude Test or American College Test scores. Some students will not be admitted to Westminster unless they agree to participate in the program. A few students who are not required to participate may be invited to enter the program on a space-available basis.

All students enrolled in the program must take two special courses and will receive special advising and academic counseling.  The program is comprised of the following elements:

Special Courses:  In the fall, program participants will take CLS 090, College Language and Study Strategies I, a 1 credit hour course focusing on reading, writing and study skill strategies to succeed in college courses.  This course is linked to a general education course like psychology or history and provides an opportunity to practice the skills being addressed.  In the spring semester participants will take CLS 091, College Language and Study Strategies II, also a 1 credit hour course.  This course continues developing strategies in reading, writing and study skills, and is linked another general education course as an opportunity to practice these strategies.  Each of these one-credit hour classes will meet two times per week.  In addition to class meetings, students enrolled in the program will also have the opportunity to receive individualized attention in one-on-one meetings with the instructor. 

Advising:  Staff members will function as a secondary academic advisor to the participants in the program.  In this role, staff will assist students in selecting courses for their schedule, and teaching appropriate and effective study skills.

Counseling:  Counseling is an integral part of the program as its importance lies in helping students evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, establishing personal goals and developing self-confidence in their academic endeavors.

All students participating in the Reading and Study Skills Program are required to enroll in CLS 090 and CLS 091 along with their linked courses.

It should be noted that no more than two credit hours of 090 level courses count toward the minimum hours required for graduation.  Therefore, some students in the Reading and Study Skills Program may need to complete an additional two credit hours more than the minimum required in order to graduate if they are also enrolled in MAT 090, Intermediate Algebra