Academic Catalog

Candidates applying in Nicaragua: Prospective students should write the of�ce of the Provost ( g i s e l l e . p o v e d a @ u a m . e d u . n i ; o r yeska.garcia@uam.edu.ni;) or visit the of�ce and request an interview. They should bring photocop-ies of all transcripts and diplomas to the interview. The purpose of the interview is to determine the candidate’s level of English and his or her knowl-edge base. Graduation from an English speaking high school or a recent TOEFL score of at least a 60-64 in IBT (See table under graduation require-ments) will be accepted as proof of English �uency.

Those who are approved for enrollment should go to the admissions of�ce and pay an application fee (pre-matrícula) and pay the matriculation fee which is paid for an entire year. A student’s academic year begins in the semester in which they enter CUSE. Bring the following documents to admissions:

• National identity card (Cédula) for Nicaraguan citizens. Foreign residents present a Cédula de Residencia card and foreign non-residents a pass-port. Leave photocopies with Admissions. • Official transcripts of the last two years of secondary school• The original secondary diploma with a photo-copy for the record

Transfer students request your former university to mail an of�cial transcript to: Provost, Universidad Americana College of University Studies in English, P.O. Box a-139, Managua, Nicaragua. Transfer students should have an accumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 (70 in a 100 point scale) or above. CUSE accepts a maximum of 70 credits from other institutions. Only grades above a 2.00 GPA are accepted (70%).

Admissions will assign a student number and a pin number for CLASS. For the purpose of accommo-dating CLASS, you will be required to choose a major, but this is a temporary designation which students may change at any time through their �fth semester.

Candidates applying from abroad: ISEP and other foreign exchange students should follow the instructions provided by their exchange organization. All others follow the requirements in the previous section. You may use photo-copies, faxes and PDF �les in your initial contact with the College. Students who do not have all documents authen-ticated may be admitted provisionally. When you arrive in Nicaragua, the CUSE of�ce will help with admissions. If you have any questions, send an e-mail or call country code 505 and the number 2278-3800, ext. 5428 or 5325.

Nicaragua allows visitors from many countries to enter with a valid passport and a tourist visa obtained at the airport but you should check with the closest Nicaraguan Consulate about the need for a visa for citizens of your country. As soon as possible students need to apply for a residency card (cédula de residencia).

University credit earned at the secondary level: CUSE awards credit for Advanced Placement AP scores of three (3) or higher and for International Baccalaureate IB scores of four (4) or higher. CUSE will also recognize university credit earned before the freshman year. To qualify, the credits must apply to offerings in CUSE. The College is open to offering university pre-university courses to secondary schools through negotiated agreements with the school.

Placement Tests: Candidates will be asked to take entrance exams in English Writing and Mathematics. These tests will determine which level the students are permitted to enter. Those documenting suf�cient strengths (SAT, AP or IB scores, transcripts, etc.) may be exempt from taking placement exams in one or more areas. Students who are placed in courses below the 100 level must satisfactorily complete these courses before entering the regular 100 level courses.Determination of Class status:

Class CreditsFreshman 25 or fewer creditsSophomore 26 to 55 creditsJunior 56 to 85 creditsSenior 86 or more credits

Class Load: Students enrolled for 12 or more credits in a semester are considered full-time. Those taking less than 12 credits will pay according to enrolled credits. Students who earn a 90% average in a semester may take up to seven courses in their major. Students with an 80 average or above may take up to seven courses if one course is part of a minor. Students whose semester credit load exceeds 21 credits must pay an extra surcharge per excess credit.

Admision to UAM-CUSE

Registration semester classes: Students who are up-to-date with payments may register classes on line utilizing CLASS. After registering your courses, you must pay at the cashier. The CUSE of�ce will assist any student needing help or advice for registration. The class hours, days when classes meet, codes and group numbers are in the CUSE of�ce, Uvirtual, and in Registration. Once students are registered, they should carefully safeguard all RECEIPTS AND PROOF OF REGISTRATION!!

Registration of classes for visiting students (Non-degree seeking): Visiting students enroll as provisional students (estudiantes libres) by �rst going to the CUSE of�ce to determine what classes and options are avail-able. They next go to admissions to �ll out a form and to obtain a student ID number and then return to the CUSE of�ce for assistance in registering courses. If they are taking single student classes (UAM calls them tutorials), this of�ce will assign them a professor and put them in contact with the professor in order to arrange a schedule. After registration, students pay all charges at the Cashier and bring their receipts back to CUSE to be photocopied. CAREFULLY SAFEGUARD ALL RECEIPTS AND PROOF OF REGISTRA-TION!! Registration of Summer and/or Interim classes: Check �rst with the CUSE Of�ce to determine the courses available. Registration is done on line. Students are limited to two courses per session. Pay for the classes registered at the cashier. First time students or visiting students must �rst go to admissions to �ll out an appli-cation form and obtain a student ID number. For those who wish to drop a course, if the course opens, money will not be returned.

Late Registration: Returning students registering late after the registering period has passed will have to pay $10.00 per class in order to register. New students (incoming and transfer) are exempt from this rule.

• Completion of all courses in the Plan of Study with and accumulated GPA of 2.00 or above.• All graduates must demonstrate competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and the ability to use computer applications relevant to their �eld of study.• English skills will be determined by a TOEFL exam score of 550 (80 IBT)*.• Four colored photographs passport size• Original secondary diploma with photocopy• Payment of graduation fee

All of the above must be completed six weeks before the date of graduation.*TOEFL Equivalency Table Do you �nd all of the different English language test scores confusing? Do you have trouble comparing a TOEIC score to a TOEFL score? Well, that's understandable because there are a number of different language tests and they all have different systems. Even the TOEFL Paper Based Test, TOEFL Computer Based Test (TOEFL CBT), and TOEFL Internet Based Test (TOEFL IBT) all have different scoring schemes. The table below shows comparisons between various test scores and level systems (like TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS) and the VEC level system. Use this table to compare your own score or VEC level with the approxi-mate equivalent score of another test.

CLASSES REGISTRATION

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

TOEIC TOEFL Paper

TOEFL CBT

TOEFL IBT

IELTS Cambridge Exam

CEFR VEC Online Score

Approximate VEC Level

0 - 250 0 - 310 0 - 30 0 - 8 0 - 1.0 0 - 34 2

310 - 343

33 - 60 9 - 18 1.0 - 1.5 A1 35 - 38 3

255 - 400

347 - 393

63 - 90 19 - 29 2.0 - 2.5 A1 39 - 45 4 - 5

397 - 433 93 - 120 30 - 40 3.0 - 3.5

KET (IELTS 3.0)

A2

46 - 53 6 - 7 PET (IELTS 3.5)

B1 (IELTS 3.5)

405 - 600

437 - 473

123 - 150

41 - 52 4.0 PET B1 54 - 57 8

477 - 510

153 - 180 53 - 64 4.5 - 5.0

PET (IELTS 4.5)

B1 (IELTS 4.5)

58 - 65 9 - 10

FCE (IELTS 5.0)

B2 (IELTS 5.0)

605 - 780

513 - 547

183 - 210

65 - 78 5.5 - 6.0 FCE B2 66 - 73 11 - 12

550 - 587

213 - 240

79 - 95 6.5 - 7.0 CAE C1 74 - 81 13 - 14

785 - 990

590 - 677

243 - 300

96 - 120 7.5 - 9.0 CPE C2 82 - 100 15

Top Score

Top Score

Top Score

Top Score

Top Score

Top Score Top Level

Top Score

Top Level

990 677 300 120 9 100 C2 100 15

One-on-one classes (tutorials): One-on-one classes combine the concept of individualized study with 30 hours of classroom attendance. Students may take up to three single student classes during their plan of study.

Suf�ciency Exams: Suf�ciency exams allow students to obtain credit for a course through a comprehensive examination. They will only be given to students who have demonstrated either academic or life experiences that would help prepare them for the exam. Suf�ciency exams cannot be taken for failed courses. Normally, suf�ciency exams are not permitted for 300 and 400 level courses, for communication courses, and for courses requiring group dynamics such as leadership for example. Students may take up to three courses by suf�ciency exams during their plan of study.

Requirements for a second degree and for dual enrollments: Students who wish to earn a second Bachelor’s degree must complete all 300 and 400 level classes required for that degree. With the permission from the Provost, students may be allowed to earn two degrees simultaneously. Students earning a dual degree must complete all 300 and 400 level courses required for each degree.

SPECIAL ACADEMIC OPTIONS

Majors, Minors, and Concentrations: A Major is the principle �eld of study and requires at least 31 credits or more in the specialty above the basic and professional core courses. A Minor is a secondary area of specialized study which may be outside of one’s major and requires at least 15 to 18 credits in that specialty. A Concen-tration is a special emphasis within the major and consists of at least 22 hours of credit in that emphasis. For example, within the major of international Development, the student may concentrate in Environmental Issues.

Courses taught in Spanish from other faculties & universities: Up to eight courses in the major may be taken in the Spanish either in UAM or other universities and transferred into CUSE. They may also serve as electives when needed for this requirement. Students who have studied entirely in English language secondary schools are encouraged to take advantage of this in order to prove their abilities in Spanish.

Evaluations and grade policies: The lowest passing grade is 70 on a 100 point scale which is the equivalent of a C- in the US system. CUSE grades are reported in numbers. Grades at midterm are accumulative and the grades from the �rst half and the second half do not always average into one semester average. *Grades

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

C- 70-73 B- 80-83 A- 90-93

C 74-77 B 84-87 A 94-97 C+ 78-79 B+ 88-89 A+ 98-100

*How to Calculate Your G.P.A

Value of Letter Grades

4.0 = A+ or A = 100 3.7 = A- = 90 3.3 = B+ 3.0 = B 2.7 = B- = 80 2.3 = C+ 2.0 = C 1.7 = C- = 70 1.3 = D+ 1.0 = D 0.7 = D- 0.0 = F

Take the value of the grade earned and multiply by the number of credits earned for each course. Add "total value" and divide by "# of credits" earned to get GPA.

Class Grade Value # of Credits Total Value B104 A 4.0 x 3 = 12.00 M111 B- 2.7 x 4 = 10.80 W131 A- 3.7 x 3 = 11.10 N251 C+ 2.3 x 3 = 6.90 Total 13 / 40.48 GPA = 3.14

Final examinations: Final exam periods will be available early in each semester. Interim and summer classes will have �nal exams on the last day of class. If a �nal exam is not a valid method in evaluating a particular course, the professor may use an alternative evaluation with the consent of the Provost. Final exams cannot be taken early except in the case of students who must leave for academic reasons and will not return to Nica-ragua. Students who have a valid reason may be permitted to take a makeup �nal exam with the permission of the Provost. A make-up fee is assessed. A grade reduction penalty may be exacted by a professor for a make-up exam as indicated in their syllabus.

Failing a course: Students who fail a course must repeat it and those failing a second attempt must petition the Provost for permission to try a third time. Those failing any course more than two times must leave CUSE. Special exams for a failed course (Convocatoria Exams) to be substituted for a failed grade are not permitted.

Academic Probation: Students whose semester average is below 70 (a 2.00 point grade average) will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. Transfers and new students, who do not meet all enroll-ment requirements but demonstrate other abilities, may be enrolled on probation. Probationary students must achieve a 70 average with no failures in order to exit probation. Those unable to exit probation in two semesters will be dropped from the College. Students on probation must sign up for regular counseling with the Of�ce of Student Life (Vida Estudiantil) or CUSE counseling.

Honors: Students who earn a grade average of 90 and above are placed on the Provost List of Honor. The baccalaureate degree summa cum laude is awarded to students whose credits earned at UAM are at 98 or above. Between 94 and 97.99, the student will be awarded the degree as magna cum laude. Those between 90 and 93.99 will graduate cum laude. Students earning these honors must have ful�lled all other CUSE requirements.

DISCIPLINE AND CONDUCT

Professors of CUSE have �exibility in setting discipline guidelines for their classes. They are expected to delin-eate these rules in the syllabus. Students who are disruptive, disrespectful to professors or fellow students may be temporarily suspended from a class pending consultation with the of�ce of the Provost. Generally after counseling, they will be admitted back to class but other options are possible in severe cases. Cause for Disciplinary Action: There are a few guidelines that all students must follow with especial attention to the following:

• Class attendance: Students are expected to attend classes regularly and on time. Those who miss more than six classes in the semester will normally fail the course. Students who have chronic illnesses or who require hospitalization or have jobs that require occasional absences should �le the proper documentation with the CUSE of�ce. Absences due to �eld trips, university activities, and class assignments may be accepted when veri�ed. With documentation, the Provost may allow more than six absences in a particular class but absences may never exceed ten in a semester. • Repeated uncooperative or severe disruptive or behavior: Students who are disruptive or uncooperative in a class and unresponsive to corrective measures will be referred to the CUSE of�ce. Students who exercise extreme disrespect to professors, fellow students and university authorities either in person, in writing or on the Internet will be disciplined which could include a recommendation for expulsion.• Cheating: Includes any form of dishonesty in exams, class work, and homework in order to gain higher grades. This includes the use of electronic devices, crib sheets, and any other dishonest means to raise a grade. Any person who aids or helps in the cheating is considered to be cheating. Professors should give a failing grade on the material or exam and report the incident to the of�ce. A second incidence of cheating will auto-matically result in a failing grade and referral to the CUSE of�ce for disciplinary action• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a special form of cheating when you steal or use the words and ideas of another as if they were your own. It is considered very serious in academe. Universities have been known to annul degrees years after graduation when plagiarism was veri�ed. There are strict guidelines for quoting or para-phrasing the words or pictures of others. Plagiarism includes copying sources and other students. Cut and paste from the Internet is almost always a form of plagiarism. The same penalties apply for plagiarism as to other forms of cheating.• Speak English in the classroom: Spanish is a beautiful language but many students need to practice their English full time and for this reason the of�cial language of the classroom is English except in non-English language courses. Parents are paying extra for an English language education. When a class is in session, all communication must be in English. • Alcohol and use of controlled substances: Students who bring alcohol or controlled substances (illegal drugs) on campus or who attend classes under the in�uence of either will be subject to disciplinary action which could result in disciplinary probation and/or expulsion from CUSE.

Disciplinary Probation: Students may be placed on disciplinary probation when the Provost or a disciplinary committee decides that a serious violation of disciplinary rules has taken place. The probation will result in cases of repeated violations or when the �rst offence has been especially grave. Violations of the drug and alco-hol regulation and gross insults to other members of the university community will result in probation even if it is the �rst time. Students on disciplinary probation must show marked improvement in behavior and attitude in order to be removed from probation. Students who earn a second disciplinary probation will be recom-mended for dismissal from the program. Students on probation must sign up for regular counseling with the Of�ce of Student Life (Vida Estudiantil).

REGULATIONS FOR PAYMENTS & FEES

Tuition payments & payment obligations: Students may pay the tuition for one or more semesters, make monthly payments, or pay in four installments. Those who pay for entire semesters will receive a discount and they must pay the full sum in either January or July. Those who make monthly payments must do so by the 7th of each month and those who pay in four installments must pay in the �rst �fteen days of January, April, July, and October. Tutorials will be paid for in full before the tutorial begins. Students are obligated to pay monthly assessments by the seventh of each month. Failure to pay on time may result in withholding of grades, inability to take necessary exams, and suspension from classes.

Insurance & Student ID (carné): Students are required to purchase the university’s accidental life insurance at the beginning of their academic year. Those students who present proof of an insurance policy matching the UAM requirements are exempt from this requirement. At the same time students are obligated to pay for the student ID card (carné). This ID is to be used for all transactions with the university.

The academic year and payment of the matriculation fee: UAM begins its �rst semester in February and its second semester in August but CUSE begins its �rst semester in August and its second semester in February. However, since CUSE follows a �exible educational model, students may enter in either semester without dif�-culty. The semester that students enter technically becomes their academic year. This means that new students pay the once-a- year matriculation fee, the ID card fee, and the insurance fee based on their entry cycle. January to December students must pay these fees in December and July to June students must pay this in June. Students who will graduate in only one semester pay 50% of the value of the matriculation fee.

Withdrawing from the university: Students should �rst notify the CUSE of�ce and then go to the Collection Department (Cartera y Cobro) to verify their pending unpaid debts to the university. Once outstanding debts are paid, that of�ce will notify the registrar’s of�ce. If these procedures are not followed, the university will con-tinue to cover all tuition and fees due until the end of the academic period.

Graduation fees and outstanding debt payment: In order to graduate, all students must pay all outstanding debts to the university including the graduation fee. This fee must be paid at least 45 days before the ceremony of graduation. Students who have outstanding debts will not be able to graduate or receive diplomas or tran-scripts.

The cost of books, materials, and calculators: Books and materials for a class are included in the tuition. Students in business should also purchase calculators that meet the needs of �nancial calculations. The recom-mended calculators are: HP 12-C (including HP 12C Platinum) and TI BA-II Plus (including BA II Plus Profes-sional).

Return of payments: If the university cancels a course or program, the student will receive a reimbursement. In Summer or Interim courses, the money will not be returned if the course opens. If a student withdraws from the university before classes begin in the regular semester, he or she will receive a reimbursement less any adminis-trative cost incurred.

The medium and methods for payment: Payments may be made in dollars or Córdobas in cash, certi�ed checks, bank transfers, and acceptable credit card payments. Students who make bank transfers should bring the transfer slip to the collection Department (Cartera y Cobro). All payments are based on the exchange rate established by UAM for that day. Payments can be made at the Cashier, in accepted banks, telephone and internet transfers using credit cards, or through automatic credit or debit card charges. There is a late charge for all late payments.

Fees and payments for exchange students: Foreign exchange students are exonerated from the payment of fees, insurance, certi�cation of grades, translation of documents, and the cost of sending transcripts to the student’s home university. They only pay for the cost of the ID card. CUSE students in exchange programs abroad will pay all fees and tuition in the established dates as if they were studying in Managua. CUSE students will continue to receive any scholarships they have been awarded.

Scholarships: Students should apply for scholarships at the admissions of�ce. They are usually awarded for previous academic achievement and are based on a percentage system. Rarely do scholarships exceed 30%.