Mathematics and Statistics

Student Eligibility and Enrollment (R165-4)


All students who enroll in Math 1050 and/or Math 1060 must satisfy all prerequisites for these courses. This includes concurrent enrollment students. The following includes descriptions of the requirements and prerequisites necessary to enroll in Math 1050 and/or Math 1060 at USU. Most of the information contained here can be found in the USU General Catalog. If high school administrators, teachers, students, or parents have questions about any of these requirements, they should contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics by phone or via e-mail.

Utah System of Higher Education Policies (R165-4.1)


To be eligible for concurrent Math 1050 and Math 1060 students must be enrolled in a public high school and have high school status. Students who have graduated from high school or have received a diploma are not eligible for concurrent enrollment.

Student Eligibility Requirements (R165-2.1)


Concurrent enrollment student eligibility is determined by local schools and the USHE credit-granting institution. The eligibility requirements for students as determined by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at USU are no different than students who are enrolled at USU. Theses requirements are outlined in the following sections.

Math Prerequisite Acceptability Time Limit (MPATL)


The Math Prerequisite Acceptability Time Limit (MPATL) at USU is defined in the USU General Catalog. As of this writing, the following definition applies to all students enrolled in concurrent enrollment Math 1050 and Math 1060.

Mathematics Prerequisite Acceptability Time Limit


ACT and SAT scores for mathematics competency and passing grades in MATH 0900, 1010, 1050, and 1060 are valid for use in placement and as prerequisites for one calendar year for nonmatriculated students and three successive semesters (including summer semester) for matriculated students. (See page 44 of the General Catalog for specific dates by which prerequisites must be completed.)
Note: This acceptability time limit applies only to prerequisites for MATH 1010, 1030, 1050, 1060, 1100, 1210, 2020, and STAT 1040. The time limit does not apply to mathematics prerequisites for courses offered by other departments.

All students registering for mathematics and statistics courses (concurrent or otherwise) as described must satisfy this requirement. Students who do not satisfy the MPATL will be required to take the Math Placement Test before enrolling in concurrent Math 1050 or Math 1060.

Satisfying Prerequisites for Math 1050 and Math 1060


All students registering for Math 1050 and Math 1060 must satisfy the prerequisites that are given in the official course descriptions for Math 1050 and Math 1060. For those interested in keeping up to date with prerequisites, the official course description are here: Course Descriptions. If questions arise, please feel free to contact ouradvisors in the Math Advising Office.

Since the Math 1050 and Math 1060 can be taken at the same time the following discussion applies to both Math1050 and Math 1060. Students may satisfy the given prerequisites in several ways. Assuming a prospective high school student satisfies the MPATL as described in the previous section, the following may be used to satisfy the prerequisites for Math 1050 and Math 1060.

  1. Students who have received a C or better in Math 1010 Intermediate Algebra will be able to enroll in Math 1050 and/or Math 1060. The reader should note that USU does not offer concurrent enrollment Math 1010.
  2. Students with a Math ACT score of 23 or better that satisfies the MPATL will be able to enroll in Math 1050 or Math 1060. For example, a student who has taken the ACT exam as a junior will be allowed to use a math ACT score of 23 or better to place into Math 1050 and/or Math 1060 while still in high school.
  3. Students with a Math SAT score of 540 or better that satisfies the MPATL will be able to enroll in Math 1050 and/or Math 1060. This score is equivalent to the Math ACT score given in the previous item.
  4. Students who have a satisfactory score on the Math Placement Exam that satisfies the MPATL will be allowed to enroll in Math 1050 and/or Math 1060. The USU fee for the Math Placement Exam is $10. More information on the Math Placement Test is given in the next section of this document.

If any student does not meet the prerequisites through one of the items above a hold will be placed on the student’s record that will not allow the student to register for Math 1050 or Math 1060. Once a student satisfies the prerequisites for Math 1050 and Math 1060 the hold on registration for Math 1050 and/or Math 1060 can be removed by calling the Math Placement Office at USU. The number is 1-435-797-0268.

High school administrators, students, and parents should be aware that the USHE Board of Regents policy document (R165, Concurrent Enrollment) suggests that concurrent enrollment eligibility for high school students should be limited to juniors or seniors. USU also supports this policy. Sophomores who want to apply for an exemption from this requirement must submit a request to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics will enforce these prerequisites. If a student enrolls in Math 1050 or Math 1060 concurrently and does not satisfy prerequisites, the student will be administratively dropped from the course. Depending on the school district, students may still be able to receive high school credit for Math 1050 and Math 1060 even though no concurrent credit will be allowed through USU.

If high school administrators, teachers, students, or parents have any questions or concerns they should call the Math Advising office for clarification.

The Math Placement Exam at USU


The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at USU offers students the opportunity to take an on-line Math Placement Exam (MPE). The test is administered through the Math Advising Office at USU and information about the MPE can be obtained by calling the Math Advising Office at 1.435.797.0268 or by visiting the Department of Mathematics and Statistics web site.

Currently, the Math Advising Office staff is in charge of arranging times, places, and proctors for the MPE. To date, the MPE has been given in a number of locations in the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. As long as a student has access to the internet and a proctor can be found, the MPE can be administered in just about any corner of the world. For students planning on enrolling in classes at USU or at Regional Campuses, the MPE is available at all USU regional sites upon request. This includes all concurrent enrollment Math 1050 and Math 1060 students. High schools who want to use the MPE for students in high school can arrange for access to the MPE at USU by calling the Math Advising Office (1.435.797.0268). The MPE is already being given at several high schools in Utah.

The particular test being administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics is called Accuplacer which has been developed by College Board. This is the same organization that offers the SAT exam to college bound students. The choice of test and scoring system may change in the future. However, some form of this test will be made available to high school students who want to enroll in concurrent math courses at USU.