BCHHS General Orientation Information

Choosing General Education Courses

Students must fulfill general education requirements to graduate. Some majors lay out in their curriculum what those must be, however some majors like criminal justice and social work allow students to choose. Please use the links below to look at your choices of courses that will meet requirements for your major. If you have any questions, always contact your advisor.

ALEKS Math Placement

If you have taken the ALEKS Math Assessment and did not place into the required math course for your major, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Math Readiness Coach. Together, you can develop a personalized plan to refresh your skills and prepare to re-test.


Why re-test?
Placing into the correct math course can save you time and money—and keep you on track for your academic goals.
Learn more about Math Readiness Coaching


Important for Health & Human Services Majors
Many degree programs in the College of Health and Human Services require students to begin at a specific math level in order to enroll in essential math and science courses. Starting below the required level can delay your ability to apply for restricted programs and may impact your graduation timeline.
Be proactive—connect with a Math Readiness Coach today!

I Need Help With:

Students can get answers and help for many questions and concerns by visiting the Penguin Service Center.

Changing my schedule – If you simply want to change the days/times of a class, follow the directions for registration. We recommend that you speak to your advisor before changing the courses discussed during your advising appointment.

Important Dates

  • August 25 | First day of the fall semester
  • September 2nd | Last day to add a class
  • September 7th | Last day to withdraw from a class and receive 100% refund with no academic penalty
  • September 8th | First day to withdraw with a "W" (no refund) which does not impact your GPA
  • October 26th | Last day to withdraw with a "W"

The Composition/English Placement Test

The Composition Placement Test is a one-time written essay in which students have 40 minutes to write a response to a prompt provided at the start of the exam. This test is given once with no opportunity for retesting. Click Here to make an appointment.

YSU 1500 and your First-Year Advisor

You will be enrolled in a YSU 1500 class your first semester. That instructor will be your academic advisor for your first year. They work in partnership with the professional advisors in the college to make sure you are on track and all your needs are met. The course will help make your transition to college smoother. If you are an honors student, you will be enrolled in HONR 1500 and will meet with a BCHHS professional advisor.

Tutoring and other Support

You may think tutoring is only for students who struggle or fall behind. In college, tutoring is for all students as it supplements what is being taught in class. Students are required to learn much more on their own in college and our experienced peer tutors (all YSU students who have taken the same classes you are now in) are here to help. Our data shows that it is our strongest students who attend tutoring on a regular basis. YSU supports students both in and out of the classroom. College can be overwhelming. We encourage students to reach out to their advisor and/or the Student Counseling Services if needed.