About ABC - Scholars College

Mission

The mission of the Scholars College is to provide an integrated, comprehensive program designed to strengthen the students' academic skills, build self-esteem and citizenship, move students to collegiate level courses, and enhance the students' abilities to complete a degree program.

Function

The Scholars College serves as the point of entry for all students attending Arkansas Baptist College. The primary function of the college is to ensure the completion of the general education core curriculum by all students. Additional functions of the college include providing support through programs and services, and knowledge and guidance which will aid students in the successful matriculation through their academic years.

Programs

Academic Advising is a critical program in the Scholars College. To aid in academic planning, each student is assigned an advisor who works in concert with the student to help clarify their goals, interests and values; to provide accurate information about educational options, requirements, policies and to procedures; and to assist students with educational decision-making, and refer students to other resources as needed. A complete review of the student's academic record is provided each term.

Retention and Support Services are also critical programs in the Scholars College. The goal of retention and support services is to increase students' stay at the institution and to increase the graduation rates of students. These service units provide student counseling in the areas of job placement, personal and social development, and stress/time management.

In addition, enrichment courses are offered in English, mathematics and reading. Disabled Students Services and tutoring is also provided.

Assessment

The Scholars College implements meaningful measures of student academic performance and learning as well as identifies any possible instructional or procedural changes that may be required to ensure and promote an environment conducive to learning. Arkansas Baptist College utilizes the ASSET test for entry placement purposes. The test measures proficiency in English, mathematics and reading. Students who score below the standard cut-off score on each area of the test will be placed in enrichment studies courses. All new and transfer students who fail to present acceptable scores or other verifiable tests for reading, english and or math must enroll in enrichment studies courses. These enrichment courses are designed to prepare students for college-level work.

Advance to Degree Granting Division

Students will advance from the Scholars College to the appropriate degree granting division upon meeting one of the following conditions:

• Completion of the Scholars General Studies Curriculum with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5.
• Completion of at least 60 semester credit hours, including the General Studies
• Curriculum with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0.
• Completion of at least 60 semester credit hours, including the General Studies
• Curriculum, with a grade-point average of at least 2.0, but with specified deficiencies in the general education and institutional requirements where the demands of professional or major sequences have led to approval by the Scholars
• College for delaying certain courses in the general curriculum.

Exit from the Scholars College

To exit from the Scholars College, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Completion of all requirements, which consist of the core curriculum and institutional requirements.
• Completion of the Scholars College Exit Exam the Collegial Assessment Academic Proficiency Exam (CAAP-Rising Junior Exam).