First Year Experiences
The School of First Year Experiences (FYE) oversees freshmen seminars, developmental education, and the Multidisciplinary Studies Degree (MDS). The mission of the School is to ground students in early academic college experiences, through FYEs. Simultaneously, students interact and become aware of campus services available to support them throughout their degree completion, as well as exposure to campus activities and events. The School of First Year Experiences provides students with their “roots and wings” - roots that are strengthened and deepened by strong academic support and wings that help them to experience academic success. The School accomplishes this by providing a full array of academic initiatives and support services.
FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCES (FYE) and Academic Communities
First-time freshmen must participate in TAMIU’s First-Year Experience, which includes two semesters of coursework as part of the Core Curriculum (unless credit was earned at another institution or high school dual-enrollment credit). Typically in the fall semester, first-year students participate in academic communities composed of a first-year seminar class (UNIV 1201) and one or more classes that may be linked to each other or a particular academic discipline area. Typically in the spring semester, first-year students participate in Signature Courses (UNIV 1302), where students are exposed to interdisciplinary reasoning, critical thinking, and research skills through problem-based learning. UNIV 1201 and UNIV 1302 are designed to help students transition to the college experience's rigor and challenges.
Developmental Education
The goals of these courses are 1) to comply with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) through an effective developmental education plan for each student based on their TSI diagnostic report; 2) to prepare students for the rigor of the college core curriculum; 3) raise the persistence rates of under-prepared students; 4) teach successful learning and studying strategies; and 5) provide learning support through the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).
Students must attend intensive tutoring at ACE in addition to their regularly scheduled classes. Students who have yet to meet this obligation will only have their enrollment restricted to developmental courses. A student may enroll in the same developmental course no more than three times.
Multidisciplinary Studies Degree (MDS)
The mission of the Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) Program is to provide an avenue for students interested in studying more than a single discipline to develop a personalized degree. It is designed to diversify students into three concentration areas instead of a single major. This degree expands students' marketability skills, communication, and leadership for the twenty-first century.
To graduate from the MDS Program, students must maintain a minimum institutional and overall GPA of 2.0 in all areas of concentration. Each concentration consists of fifteen (15) semester credit hours (SCHs), Twelve (12) of the fifteen SCHs must be upper level courses, and six (6) of the fifteen SCHs must be taken at Texas A&M International University. For transfer students, a minimum overall grade average of “C” must also be maintained on the work attempted at this University.
UNIV 1102 Learn a Global Context II
Class focuses on information literacy, memory, communication and the role these topics play in successful academic progress. Writing and discussion groups promote academic success through core curriculum-focused assignments. An introduction to academic and student life resources through peer and faculty mentoring and awareness of university resources is also included, particularly as they apply to career choice through self-assessment and goal setting. Departmental Approval required.
UNIV 1201 Learn a Global Context I
This course focuses on building connections, with peers, mentors, advisors, professors, and other campus resources to encourage growth as successful college learners. To help prepare students as global citizens, they will explore connections with other cultures within the context of an international common read, known as Reading the Globe (RTG). Students will also learn ways to develop the attributes of a growth mindset, such as seeking help, trying new strategies, and flipping failures into opportunities for growth. To foster empowerment, students will practice taking charge of their learning and self-advocating by making informed decisions about their academic and career path in relation to their goals.
UNIV 1302 Signature Course
This course builds on UNIV 1201 by expanding student focus from self-awareness to global awareness. Designed to introduce undergraduates to in-depth analysis from an interdisciplinary perspective, students will explore community issues through a problem-based approach. This course will foster community engagement by integrating University and other relevant resources.
Prerequisites: Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in UNIV 1201.
UNIV 3320 Directed Studies in MDS
This course provides students the opportunity to understand complex social, political, and civil issues as they relate to their areas of concentration. The course will develop and foster foundational and marketable skills such as research, critical thinking, and communication. Additionally, students will begin to develop career-related goals with respect to their areas of concentration. Students will develop multidisciplinary research and critical thinking skills, examine their own academic interests, and explore their identities as multidisciplinary students, scholars, and researchers. This course is required for the B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies program.
UNIV 3389 Study Abroad
This course offers students a unique opportunity to engage with diverse cultures through a study-abroad experience, fostering global awareness, intercultural communication, and critical thinking. Designed as an immersive, hands-on component of the curriculum, the course allows students to travel to a selected international destination while completing academic coursework and field projects that explore the social, historical, and cultural aspects of the host country. Throughout the program, students will participate in guided excursions, cultural workshops, and community-based learning activities. These experiences are integrated with assignments that encourage reflection on global issues, intercultural dynamics, and personal growth. May be repeated up to four times when the topic changes.
UNIV 4390 Capstone Experience-WIN
The Capstone Experience course is required for all students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) and is designed to integrate student’s three areas of concentration. This course reinforces professional writing and communication skills through presentations and projects. Additionally, students will develop career-oriented skills by creating a portfolio that contains a personal mission statement, objective, a narrative, and a study of professional ethics.
Prerequisites: UNIV 3320
UNIV 4399 Special Topics Course
This course examines selected contemporary issues in order for individuals, or small groups of students, to gain particular and/or additional knowledge in a given area of focus. Students demonstrate competence in the course through sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen topic. May be repeated once when the topic changes.
Prerequisites: UNIV 1302 or consent from instructor.
UNIV 4689 Study Abroad
This course offers students a unique opportunity to engage with diverse cultures through a study-abroad experience, fostering global awareness, intercultural communication, and critical thinking. Designed as an immersive, hands-on component of the curriculum, the course allows students to travel to a selected international destination while completing academic coursework and field projects that explore the social, historical, and cultural aspects of the host country. Throughout the program, students will participate in guided excursions, cultural workshops, and community-based learning activities. These experiences are integrated with assignments that encourage reflection on global issues, intercultural dynamics, and personal growth. May be repeated up to two times when the topic changes.