Freshmen Learning Communities
Want to make friends? Want to take courses that interest you? Want to succeed in college?
Then look into Freshmen Learning Communities (FLC), an innovative and successful approach to your first semester at Georgia State University.
In 2009, and for the seventh year in a row, U.S. News & World Report listed the FLC program at Georgia State University among the “outstanding examples of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success.”
In 2005, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia recognized the Freshmen Learning Communities program with a “Best Practices” award for Academic Affairs.
What are Freshmen Learning Communities?
- 25 students enrolled together in the same courses
- 5 courses centered around an academic theme
- Introduction to the university and its resources
- 4 core curriculum courses that fulfill degree requirements
Why should you consider an FLC?
- Smooth transition from high school to university life and culture
- Immediate connection to other students, faculty, campus and Atlanta communities
- Higher success rates in GPA, retention and time it takes to graduate
- Wide variety of academic themes to choose from
Spring 2010 Freshmen Learning Communities [PDF]
2009 Freshmen Learning Communities [PDF]
Freshmen Learning Communities (FLC) offer first-year students an opportunity to connect with Georgia State University and each other during the fall semester. The program started in 1999 with 11 learning communities and is now offering 59 learning communities in the fall of 2009.
FLCs link clusters of courses, usually four or five, from the Core Curriculum with the GSU 1010 New Student Orientation course. Each FLC is built on an academic theme that brings together students who share an interest in the theme. Through their involvement in an FLC, students form a small, friendly community within a large, research university.
Each FLC is designed around general education Core Curriculum courses that will apply to any major. In other words, FLCs are not restricted to particular majors, nor do you have to declare a major in order to register for an FLC. If at the end of the first semester you decide to select a major in a different area, you can be sure that your courses will count as part of your general education requirements.
Enrollment in each FLC is limited to 25 students. Registration for FLCs only takes place at Incept New Student Orientation. If you are still unsure on how to select an FLC, faculty advisers from the various learning communities will help you decide during Incept which FLC best suits your interests and skills.
For more information on FLCs, e-mail FLC@gsu.edu, contact Nia Haydel, Academic Professional for Freshmen Learning at 404-413-2057, or Nikolas Huot at 404-413-2085 or nhuot1@gsu.edu. Also feel free to drop by the Office of Undergraduate Studies in 224 Sparks Hall.