Placement and Prerequisites

Students are placed into their first mathematics course at Oakland University in one of the following ways:

• SAT/ACT math subscore*
• Mathematics Placement Assessment (ALEKS PPL)
• Transfer credit from an accredited college or university
• Advanced Placement Calculus exam score

Consult the math placement score chart for details about scores needed for placement into mathematics courses.

We want students to succeed in OU’s math courses, and success is possible when someone has the necessary prior mathematical skills and knowledge.  Students who feel they have been placed too high may choose to take a lower level course in order to brush up on rusty skills. 

*Note: Based on a report from Oakland University's Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Data Analytics, using SAT/ACT scores to place into courses is as good as any other placement test provided.

OU’s Mathematics Placement Assessment

Oakland University has adopted the Mathematics Placement assessment, ALEKS PPL.  The assessment must be proctored.  Students schedule an appointment time to take the assessment either through remote proctoring by ProctorU or on-campus through the Academic Success Center.

The placement assessment covers the algebra and trigonometry that are taught in high school college-preparatory programs. Students who are deficient in these prerequisite subjects must take the appropriate prerequisite course(s) — or their equivalent at another university, college, or community college — before attempting any higher-level courses. Successful performance on a placement assessment will enable a student to start with a higher-level course without having to take courses that are earlier in the sequence.

Students can follow the instructions below to get started and schedule their initial proctored placement assessment. 

Step-by-step guide for taking the Mathematics Placement Assessment

Transferring Credit

In most cases students who have taken a math course at another university, college or community college should use that as the basis for placement, rather than SAT/ACT scores or the placement assessment (since college course grades are better indicators of the students' level of knowledge). For example, if a student passed (with at least a C or 2.0) Elementary Algebra at OU (MTH 0661) or an equivalent course elsewhere, then that student should plan to take Intermediate Algebra (MTH 0662) next.

Statistics courses (such as MAT 1580 at OCC) do not have any relevance to meeting prerequisites for further mathematics courses.  It is the algebra background that is important, not the material learned in a statistics class. Therefore, for example, STA 2220 or its equivalent does NOT meet the prerequisite for MTE 2110 or MTH 1221.

Students who have taken MTH 1221 and 1222 but not MTH 1441 and who now wish to take MTH 1554 (a typical reason being a change of major from business to engineering) need to take OU’s Mathematics Placement Assessment and score 76 or higher to be eligible to take MTH 1554.  MTH 1221 and 1222 do not include trigonometry, which is used in MTH 1554; therefore, students need to show proficiency in trigonometry through the assessment before taking MTH 1554.  For further information, please contact a Department adviser at 248-370-3430.

Advanced Placement Program

Students who have studied calculus in high school and have taken the Advanced Placement (AP) tests will be able to get credit for math courses based on the following scores:

• Scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the AB Calculus test (or the AB subscore of the BC test) earn four Oakland University credits for MTH 1554, Calculus I.
• Scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the BC Calculus test earn eight Oakland University credits for MTH 1554, Calculus I, and MTH 1555, Calculus II.
• Scores of 1 or 2 on the AP tests earn no credit or placement.

Each student enrolling in a course offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics must meet the prerequisites for that course. Students who do not meet the prerequisites will not be permitted to enroll or remain enrolled in the course.

The prerequisites may be met in a number of ways: 

• Completing the stated prerequisite course(s) with a grade of C or better
• Completing an equivalent course at another university, college, or community college with a grade of C or better
• OU’s Mathematics Placement Assessment
• Placement based on the mathematics portion of the SAT/ACT

Grades below C in prerequisite courses are not acceptable, nor are high school courses. In rare cases, the department may grant permission to enroll in a course without the formal prerequisites; students with unusual circumstances should consult the instructor of the course or a department adviser.