ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø has specialized First-Year Studies courses to meet the needs of a variety of entering students. First-Year Studies courses are one of several high impact practices that are built into Spartan Studies. Opportunities to participate in well-designed high
impact practices improve a student’s likelihood of success in meeting their educational goals.
This requirement must be met at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø and cannot be transferred in.
Entering First-Year Students
Students that are starting their college career take a two-semester sequence of courses with a cohort of fellow students, a faculty member, and a peer mentor. When possible, we place students with others that have similar majors or interests. We strive to provide an environment where students can build community with one another, their faculty, and their peer mentor.
This course is the first in a two-semester sequence that is required for all entering first-year students. This course helps student achieve academic and personal goals by introducing them to campus resources, policies, and processes. This course also introduces students to the University’s Spartan Ready® competencies. Additionally, students will receive training in campus systems, a variety of software packages, online collaboration, and online security. (1 credit)
This course is the second in a two-semester sequence that is required for all first-year students. It is taken the semester immediately following successful completion of ÌÒñ«ÉçÇøAMPA 101. It is delivered in a hybrid format with a significant amount of content delivered in on-line modules. This course will continue students’ development of Spartan Ready® competencies. Students will work in teams to explore and cultivate an intentional on-line presence. Additionally, students will complete a financial literacy tutorial designed to develop a basic understanding of personal financial management tools. (1 credit)
Entering Transfer Students
A one-semester version of our first-year experience course was developed, and is required, for all entering transfer students. While transfer students have experience with college, we want to
make sure that they have the information needed to successfully navigate ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø’s systems and
resources. Additionally, we believe it is important for all our students to build a connection with fellow students, faculty, and the community. The peer mentor for this course is a fellow transfer student who understands and can help manage the unique needs that transfer students face.
This is a required course for transfer students. Delivered in a hybrid format with a significant amount of content delivered in on-line modules. This course helps students achieve academic and personal goals by introducing them to campus resources, policies, and processes. The course also introduces students to the University’s Spartan Ready® competencies. Students will receive training in campus systems, and a variety of software packages, including internet infrastructure. Students will work in teams to explore and cultivate an intentional on-line presence. Students will also complete a financial literacy tutorial designed to develop a basic understanding of personal financial management tools. (2 credits)
Entering Veterans
A special version of ÌÒñ«ÉçÇøAMPA 103 was designed, and is required, for our entering veterans. This course is taught by one of our faculty who is a Veteran. The peer mentor is also a Veteran. While the course covers the same topics as ÌÒñ«ÉçÇøAMPA 103, it does so with a focus on the unique needs of our Veterans and provides opportunities for our Veterans to build community with other Veterans on campus and to learn about community resources that support Veterans.
This is a course uniquely designed to meet the needs of our student veterans. The course is taught by one of our faculty who is a veteran and the peer mentor is also a veteran. While the course covers the same topics as ÌÒñ«ÉçÇøAMPA 103, it does so with a focus on the unique needs of our veterans and provides opportunities for our veterans to build community with other veterans on campus and to learn about community resources that support veterans.
