Office of Counseling and Career Development

216 Davis Hall • Box 19156 • 817-272-3671 • www.uta.edu/studentaffairs/services/

The major programs of service to undergraduate students offered by the U.T. Arlington Office of Counseling and Career Development include personal/academic/career counseling, the college adjustment course, testing and career services.

Counseling

Assistance with questions or problems concerning personal matters, academic skill development and career planning is offered. In addition to the opportunity for individual counseling, there are a large number of training workshops provided to students covering a full range of topics relating to academic skills and career planning. Computerized guidance systems are available to those students who need a start in the career planning process.

College Adjustment Course

Freshman students have the opportunity to take EDUC 1131, a one-credit-hour course titled "College Adjustment," taught by trained, upperclass peer counselors. Subjects covered in the course are development of academic and study skills, career planning and using the resources at the University. This course is an excellent way to learn the requirements, procedures and skills necessary for successful completion of a degree.

Measurement and Testing Services

Four types of testing programs are offered:

•Admissions Tests: SAT, ACT, Graduate Record Exam, Graduate Management Admission Test, Law School Admissions Test and Medical College Aptitude Test.

•TASP Test: Required by Texas law to ensure that students in state colleges possess the academic skills to perform effectively.

•Credit by Examination: Several programs are available for advanced standing credit. Contact Measurement and Testing Services in Counseling and Career Development for a current list of credit by examination options.

•Individual Tests: Aptitude, interest and ability tests given in conjunction with counseling.

Students who wish to prepare for an admissions test may locate manuals in bookstores or may take a test preparation course from the Division of Continuing Education.

For more information on Measurement and Testing Services, call 817-272-2362 or access the following website: www2.uta.edu/testing_services

TASP Examination

The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) is required by Texas law to ensure that students in Texas public colleges possess the academic skills needed to perform effectively. TASP includes a testing component designed to identify and diagnose the reading, writing and mathematics skills of each student.

Students required to take the TASP test must do so prior to enrolling in any college-level coursework. The receipt of official scores from a regular TASP test administration, an Unofficial Examinee Test Results Form from a Computer-Administered TASP test, and an addendum to the transcript or official scores from the school that administered a TASP alternative test are the accepted methods of verification of having taken the TASP test.

The TASP Office is located in the University Advising Center, Room 101, University Hall.

Students who qualify for and want to receive an exemption from TASP requirements are responsible for providing documentation to the University to establish the exemption. Students are eligible for an exemption if they meet any of the following criteria:

•The student earned three or more hours of college credit, including credit earned by examination, prior to September 1, 1989.

•The student was exempted from another Texas public college or university on the basis of any of the permitted criteria.

•April 1995 and thereafter, the student earned a total SAT score of 1070 on the "Recentered Scale" combined with a minimum of 500 on each of the mathematical and verbal tests. Prior to April 1995, the student earned a total SAT score of 970 combined with a minimum of 470 on the mathematical test and a 420 on the verbal test. Scores more than five years old will not be used.

• The student earned an ACT composite score of 23 with a 19 minimum on each of the mathematics and English tests. Scores more than five years old will not be used.

•On the TAAS test, the student earned a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test and a Texas Learning Index (TLI) of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test. Scores more than three years old will not be used.

•Blind students will take the TASP test with appropriate accommodations, and deaf students will take the Stanford Achievement Test.

Students may prepare or remediate for one or all three parts of the exam by registering for course-based developmental education through the English and Math departments. These classes are ENGL 0300 (Reading/Writing), ENGL 0301 (ESL Reading/Writing), MATH 0301 (TASP Preparation) and MATH 0302 (Fundamentals).

None of these courses/review sessions fulfill any degree requirements.

Important: Students who fail one or more sections of the TASP examination are required by state law to take developmental education by registering for the appropriate courses when registering for other credit courses. Failure to attend TASP-required developmental activities will result in students being dropped from all of their classes. Students must continue to enroll in developmental courses until completion in all three TASP sections is reported to the Registrar's Office.

Students must pass all sections of the TASP test by the time they have completed 60 hours credit or its equivalent in order to enroll in upper division courses. For more information regarding TASP regulations, contact the academic advisor in the TASP Office in the University Advising Center.

A fee of $29 ($85 for the computer-administered test), all fees subject to change, must be paid when registering to take the test. For more information on registering for the TASP test, contact the Office of Counseling and Career Development, 216 Davis Hall, 817-272-3670, or contact TASP, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12780, Austin, Texas, 78711, 512-926-0743.

Career Services

The mission of U.T. Arlington Career Services is to encourage and educate students and alumni in developing comprehensive career plans and self-directed job search techniques.

Career Services assists students and alumni in funding full- or part-time, internship and co-op employment opportunities. Services provided include: career development seminars, job listings, resume referral, on-campus employment interviews, career days and information on careers, employers and job search techniques.

Career Services has three offices across campus to better serve U.T. Arlington students and employers.

• Business Career Services offers part-time, full-time and internship opportunities to students and alumni interested in business careers.

• Student Employment Services offers non-degree-required part-time, full-time and internship opportunities to currently enrolled students in all degree programs.

• University Career Services offers full-time degreed opportunities to new graduates and alumni in all degree programs. On-campus recruiting is conducted in the fall (October and November) and in the spring (February and March).

Career Services Locations

Website: www.uta.edu/career_services/homepage.htm

University Career Services: Room 216, Davis Hall, 817-272-2932

Business Career Services: Room 106, Business Bldg., 817-272-5201

Student Employment Services: First Level, University Center (West Entrance), 817-272-2895