University College

The University College is the academic unit ensuring that Fayetteville State University students make a successful transition to the University, master the University’s core learning outcomes, enter the major program of their choice, and graduate in a timely manner.

Mission

The mission of University College is to successfully transition incoming students into Fayetteville State University and their academic major departments. University College promotes excellence through engaging instruction in the core curriculum, effective academic support, outstanding academic advisement, and innovative enrichment programs.

Academic Support Resources

Bronco STAR (Supporting Transition, Access, and Retention)

Bronco STAR is an initiative at Fayetteville State that works toward increasing access and decreasing barriers to a college degree for students who learn differently. The Bronco STAR project works in two ways:

• For students: Students who have learning differences, and do not learn the traditional way may benefit from our package of services. Bronco STAR participants have access to specially trained tutors, dedicated study space in the Bronco STAR HUB, access to assistive technology, and the ability to learn from one another to meet school and life goals.
• For faculty: The STAR program also addresses students’ needs by helping faculty become better teachers. Our faculty development program shares ideas based in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in regular workshops as well as semester- and year-long learning community partnerships.

Freshman Center

The University College Freshman Center provides assistance to first-time freshmen as they make the transition to the university. The center is staffed by the Retention Counselor, Academic Support Specialists, and Freshman Seminar instructors who assist students in resolving the variety of problems they face either as freshmen or as first semester transfer students. The staff provides information about academic advisement, university policies and procedures, career planning, academic support resources, and other similar matters. The Retention Counselor works closely with the faculty of Freshman Seminar and University Studies. University Studies instructors provide viable information to first semester transfer students as well.

Freshman Seminar I and II is a two-semester orientation to the university that is required of all first-time freshmen. These courses are designed to introduce students to the university experience in general, and the history, policies, procedures, and resources of Fayetteville State University. Students learn about a variety of university resources, such as the Counseling Center, the Chesnutt Library, the Office of Career Services and Placement, and the Business Office and Office of Financial Aid. The courses are intended, further, to help students develop an academic plan that will enable them to graduate in four years, and acquire the time management skills, study habits, and other skills that are necessary for success at the university.

University Studies is a one-semester orientation to the university designed specifically for transfer students who enter FSU with fewer than 30 transfer credits (freshman status). The course content is comparable to that of Freshman Seminar I and II.

Freshman Seminar/University Studies instructors serve as academic advisors for all students enrolled in their respective classes. They seek to help students resolve the variety of problems they may face in making the transition to the university. They assist students with academic advisement and career planning during the freshman year, and direct students to other resources for assistance, as needed.

Transfer students who enter FSU with 30 or more transfer credits are not required to complete University Studies.

University College Learning Center

The University College Learning Center houses several academic support programs to provide computer-based instruction and peer tutoring in a variety of subjects.

The Mathematics Center provides computer assisted instruction and tutoring for students who wish to strengthen their mathematics skills. Students who sign Extension Grade contracts in mathematics or statistics courses may be required to complete weekly assignments in the Mathematics Center. Students in other courses may also seek assistance from the Mathematics Center.

The Writing Center provides a confidential, nonjudgmental environment where student writers can work with other writers through peer tutoring and/or computer programs. Tutors provide feedback and strategies on every part of the writing process, from getting started to organization, style clarity, development, surface problems, and documenting sources. The Writing Center also provides resources for students to use independently, including dictionaries, thesauri, grammar handbooks, handouts, and workbooks, style manuals, and computer assisted instruction.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is provided in some classes at Fayetteville State University. In this program, which is used in more than 900 colleges and universities throughout the world, highly-qualified students, known as SI Leaders, provide four one-hour sessions of academic support each week. Since the SI Leader attends class, he or she knows what the course instructor has covered in class. SI Leaders review notes, conduct practice quizzes, and carry out additional assignments to reinforce the knowledge and skills required by the class.

Academic Enrichment Programs

Freshman Interest Groups

The University College supports freshman interest groups at Fayetteville State University. Freshman interest groups are sets of linked courses, usually for students in a common major area. Students enroll in all of the courses linked through the freshman interest group. By linking together students, faculty, and courses, freshman interest groups create more opportunities for enrichment, interaction, and exploration.

University College Core Curriculum

The University College Core Curriculum provides the academic foundation for all the undergraduate degree programs at Fayetteville State University. The core curriculum enables students to develop the skills and general knowledge that are essential to success in their respective major programs and careers after graduation.

Core Learning Outcomes

All Fayetteville State University graduates, regardless of major, will achieve the following learning outcomes, which will be introduced in 100- and 200- level courses and reinforced throughout a student’s major courses as appropriate. Fayetteville State University recognizes eight core learning outcomes in two main groups:

A. General Education

Communication Skills: Students will comprehend, analyze, and evaluate the effectiveness of various forms of written and spoken communication, and they will assemble original written and spoken communications that display appropriate organization, clarity, and documentation for a given purpose and audience.

Reasoning Skills:

• Reasoning Skills - Critical Thinking: Students will accurately evaluate the reasonableness of arguments’ evidence and support, and they will construct reasonable arguments using various forms of evidence drawn from multiple sources.
• Reasoning Skills - Quantitative Reasoning: They will apply math to situations common in everyday living, and they will calculate, interpret, and assess statistical data and concepts, percentages, proportions, rates of change, geometric measures, linear equations, probability and risk.

Information Literacy: Students will formulate effective questions based on a need; organize, sort, evaluate, and retrieve academic information to address the need; cite sources appropriately for their context.

Scientific Literacy: Students will create and assess hypotheses using research methods, interpret and express the results of observation and experimentation, understand the fundamental concepts of natural and social sciences, and apply scientific knowledge to situations common to daily life to promote physical and psychological well-being.

Humanities and Creative Arts: Students will demonstrate comprehension, analysis, and/or synthesis of the cultural and historical contributions of the humanities and/or arts to human cultural and intellectual advancement by engaging in inquiry, writing, and/or creative processes.

Global Literacy: Students will experience global diversity through interaction, examination, and critical reflection. Our students will broaden their comprehension and appreciation of globalization and their role as global citizens.

B. University Requirements

Transitional Studies: Upon completion of transitional studies courses students will be able to demonstrate skills they need for a successful transition to university life.

Ethics and Civic Engagement: Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of principles of ethical and civic responsibility.

 

The University College Core Curriculum is designed to ensure that graduates will achieve these learning outcomes.

Major Requirements

Core Requirements: Minimum of 38-40 credits required of all students. Students who enter as first-time freshmen must take an entering freshman and rising junior assessment to complete core requirements.

Other Program Requirements: See “Other Program Requirements” on the department catalog page. Major programs may require that students take specific courses from those listed below.

 

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