First-Year Learning Communities

Each section of UNIV 1101: Bearkat U has an instructor and an embedded Peer Mentor. Peer mentors work with students individually and in small groups to ensure personalized attention. Students explore career paths, connect to campus resources and services and learn to develop and apply self-directed learning skills to their own academic programs and career development. Prerequisite: None. Open to all first-year students (first-time and transfer) with less than 60 hours of college credit. Students with junior and senior status will need to contact the First-Year Experience Office for approval. 1 credit hour meets two hours per week.

Please check with your academic advisor to see if this course is right for you!

SHSU has a variety of specialized sections of UNIV 1101: Bearkat U. See which one is right for you today by completing this brief survey!

UNIV 1101 Section Survey

• Major Themed Learning Communities

  Business- The COBA UNIV 1101 is for students in the College of Business Administration who are business majors. 

  Arts & Media- The CAM UNIV 1101 is for students in the College of Arts and Media. This section allows students to explore career options in the arts and media and to help manage their time as they balance rehearsals, auditions, and events.

  Criminal Justice- The COCJ UNIV 1101 is for students in the College of Criminal Justice who are interested in a career in criminal justice.

  First-Gen Criminal Justice-  The First-Gen COCJ UNIV 1101 is for first-generation students in the College of Criminal Justice who are interested in a career in criminal justice.

  Education- The COE UNIV 1101 is for students in the College of Education who are interested in becoming a teacher.

  First-Gen Education- The First-Gen COE UNIV 1101 is for first-generation students in the College of Education who are interested in becoming a teacher.

  Health Sciences- The COHS UNIV 1101 is for students in the College of Health Sciences who are interested in people health careers.

  Humanities/Social Sciences-The CHSS UNIV 1101 is for students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences who are interested in people helping careers.

  Pre-Nursing- The Pre-Nursing UNIV 1101 is for students who are pre-nursing majors. 

  STEM- The STEM UNIV 1101 is for students who are STEM majors. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

  First-Gen STEM- The First-Gen STEM UNIV 1101 is for students who are STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) who are also first-generation students. 

  Ag Science- the Ag Science UNIV 1101 is for students who are majoring in the Ag Science department. 

  Pre-Law Community- The Pre-Law UNIV 1101 is for students interested in legal careers. This section allows like-minded students to explore opportunities in the legal field, participate in activities that provide information about law schools and law-related professions, and engage with legal professionals. Students in the pre-law section have the opportunity to take a Mock LSAT, attend seminars on graduate and law schools, participate in a Mock Law Class, and take field trips to law schools. With one of the largest groups of pre-law students in the country, SHSU’s Pre-Law UNIV 1101 is a great way to get a head start on your law career!

• Non-Major Learning Communities

  Bearkat Community-The Bearkat UNIV 1101 is for all students! 

  First-Gen Bearkat- The First-Gen Bearkat UNIV 1101 is for all students who are first-generation college students.

  100% Online- The 100% Online UNIV 1101 is for the students who are not on-campus students and are fully online. 

• Specialty Learning Communities

  Transfer Community- The Transfer UNIV 1101 is for students who are new to being bearkats and are transferring in to SHSU with hours from a previous college. 

  Residence Hall Communities- The Residence Hall UNIV 1101 sections were created to create a true sense of community within the living space. These sections will take place in the residence halls.

  • Pineywoods
  • San Jacinto
  • Elliott

  Civic Understanding- The Civic Understanding UNIV 1101 section will will focus on community-building, dialogues, and projects to think critically about students roles and responsibilities as local and global citizens.

• Cohort-Based Learning Communities

  Honors- Honors College UNIV 1101 sections are highly recommended for incoming freshmen who are in Honors College. These sections focus on career research that compliments student strengths and interests which are examined and aligned with college major and minor choices. Students receive academic and personal survival tools, are made aware of campus resources and services, get to know other students, and have fun. 

  Sam Scholars Honors- The Sam Scholars Honors UNIV 1101 is for students who are Sam Scholars. 

  Smith-Hutson Scholars- The Smith-Hutson UNIV 1101 is for students who have received a Smith-Huston scholarship. This section helps build a community of scholars who engage in service and leadership opportunities, and who value academic achievement. We engage in our Mission to Learn Together. Serve Together. Lead Together.

  Peer Mentors