Developmental Studies Overview

The Department of Developmental Studies is organized to promote student success by providing a comprehensive approach to basic skills assessment, mandatory placement, and developmental course work in math, reading, writing, English as a Second Language (ESL), study skills, and personal development. In 2010, the department received advanced-level certification from the National Association for Developmental Education.

Students who enroll in development courses may receive supplemental instruction, tutoring support and advising. Although each developmental course carries college credit, these credits may not transfer to other institutions and, in general, do not fulfill any college subject matter requirements. They are, however, prerequisites to regular college courses and programs and, with the exception of courses below the 100 level, do count toward the total number of credits needed for graduation with a maximum of 12 credits and are counted in the grade point average.

The courses offered through the Department of Developmental Studies or taught by Developmental Studies faculty are listed below. Follow the Related Link to Course Descriptions on this page, to search by subject for course descriptions or use the Schedule of Classes link provided to search for current course offerings for a particular course.

Our faculty are specialists in teaching and learning, tutoring, student assessment, study skills, and in providing personal and academic support for students. We invite you to browse our website, and we invite your inquiries about our department, course work, and our academic support services.

Dr. Naomi Ludman
Dr. Naomi Ludman
Director of Developmental Studies

Faculty Contact Information

Dr. Naomi Ludman
Director of Developmental Studies
(269) 782-1329
nludman@swmich.edu

Annette Magyar
Professor Emeritus/Mathematics
(269) 782-1228
amagyar@swmich.edu

Ria Thomas
Lead Faculty/Developmental Mathematics
(269) 782-1447
rthomas@swmich.edu

Natalie Anagnos
Faculty/Spanish
(269) 782-1360
nanagnos@swmich.edu

Barbara Karwacinski
ESL Coordinator
(269) 782-1445
bkarwacinski@swmich.edu

Joyce Subera
Regular Adjunct Faculty/ESL, English
(269) 782-1445
jsubera@swmich.edu

Developmental Studies Course Offerings

Course Number Course Name
ENGL 101 Freshman English I
ENGL 103 Freshman English II
ENGL 251 Children’s Literature
ESL 086C ESL-Discourse, Level 1
ESL 086R ESL-Reading, Level 1
ESL 086W ESL-Grammar and Writing, Level 1
ESL 150C ESL-Discourse, Level 2
ESL 150R ESL-Reading, Level 2
ESL 150W ESL-Grammar and Writing Level 2
ESL 151C ESL-Discourse, Level 3
ESL 151R ESL-Reading, Level 3
ESL 151W ESL-Grammar and Writing, Level 3
ESL 152C ESL-Discourse, Level 4
ESL 152R ESL-Reading, Level 4
ESL 152W ESL-Grammar and Writing, Level 4
MATH 100 College Arithmetic
MATH 101 Introductory Algebra
READ 100 College Reading
SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish (Humanities Department)
SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish (Humanities Department)
SPS 103 Career Exploration
SPS 105 Achieving Academic and Personal Success
SPS 110 First Year Experience I
SPS 111 First Year Experience II