To help ensure success in college-level courses, the Developmental Education Department offers English, math, and reading courses for students who need to improve their basic skills as indicated through placement testing. Specific courses that must be taken are determined by test score results. Students who place in developmental courses also are required to take lighter course loads to enhance their success. Students must complete developmental courses with a grade of C or better in order to progress to the next developmental or college level course. Developmental courses are not considered as part of any program’s total hours required for graduation. They are, however, included in a student’s cumulative grade-point average (GPA). Therefore, students must maintain a certain GPA in order to remain in good standing. The length of time that a student remains in the department depends upon the number of developmental courses that must be taken and the progress made by the student. As developmental requirements are completed, students take curricular courses.