First Year Programs

Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs)
A FIG consists of 25 freshmen who take two courses together during fall term. This small group also meets in a College Connections course that offers mentoring and further exploration of the university and its services. The school is very active in the FIG program and offers multiple journalism-themed FIGs. Journalism FIGs often pair J201 Media and Society with another university group-satisfying course, typically in areas such as literature, history, political science, science or economics. If you are interested in a FIG, see your Chart Your Course booklet or visit the First-Year Programs website for more details.

Transfer Seminars
A Transfer Seminar consists of 25 transfer students (typically juniors or seniors) who take the same courses during their first term. The school offers a journalism-themed Transfer Seminar in the fall and winter terms. It combines J100 Media Professions, J101 Grammar for Communicators and a one-credit J399 Transfer Seminar for a total of five credits. If you don't have transfer credit for J201 Media and Society, the transfer seminar "package" will also include this course.

The journalism Transfer Seminar is a good opportunity for new transfer students to get on-going orientation to the university and the journalism major. Assignments include a library orientation and one-on-one meetings with both an academic adviser and a career counselor. Students interested in the fall journalism Transfer Seminar may register during New Transfer Student Orientation (May), IntroDUCKtion (July) or, space-permitting, Week of Welcome (September). Students interested in the winter journalism Transfer Seminar can register during early orientation (November) or new student orientation (January).

Freshman Seminars
Freshman Seminars are small classes that encourage incoming students to develop mentor relationships with university professors. All incoming undergraduate students, including transfer and international students, are eligible to register for a Freshman Seminar. The seminars offer an environment that promotes class discussions as well as faculty-student and student-student interaction. It often introduces students to a faculty member’s special academic interests. The class size is limited and there is a strong emphasis on the development of writing, verbal, and reasoning skills. Interested students may register for a Freshman Seminar using Duck Web. For more information, visit the Freshman Seminar website.