Department of University Studies
The First-Year Experience Program
The First-Year Experience begins at New Student Orientation, when new students arrive on campus for a series of activities, including placement testing, course scheduling, and academic advising. Students also have an opportunity to experience residence life and to participate in student life activities.
The First-Year Experience expands further with Freshman Seminars I and II, required courses that exposes students to the rich history and culture of the University and teach time management skills, test-taking strategies, academic rules and regulations, and a variety of other skills and activities designed to enhance the transition from high school to college.
Academic Advisement Program
The Academic Advising Program is a major component of General Studies. The objective of the program is to enable students to achieve excellence in their educational and personal goals. Students who indicate a major interest are advised by a faculty advisor in the academic department in which the major is offered. Additionally, advisors in General Studies primarily advise freshmen students. The advisors are responsible for assisting students in completing their general education requirements.
Specific responsibilities of the Academic Advising Program include the following: (1) providing individual guidance to students in the preparation of their course schedules and emphasizing the appropriate course selection in the sequence required by General Studies, (2) providing guidance in the selection of courses where there are available options, (3) maintaining accurate advising files and records of each freshman student in E4U, (4) following up on students in the testing program, and (5) assisting in the implementation of the Department’s program designed for the retention of students. All new advisors are required to attend an academic advising workshop prior to their first semester of advising students.
General Education Program
The General Education Program is comprised of a group of coordinated and interrelated courses which contain a body of knowledge designated as liberal arts. The University maintains that all students, regardless of academic major, must include in their individual curriculum specific general education courses which are designed to provide fundamental knowledge and skills and a broad cultural education.
The General Education Program is coordinated by the Department of General Studies. The Department of General Studies assigns students to academic advisors, and it coordinates the scheduling of courses for freshman and sophomore students who have not declared a major.
Goals
The goals of the Department of General Studies are to assist all students in their transition to the University; to provide effective advisement to students; to offer strong programs of academic support in reading, writing, mathematics, and the natural sciences; and to work with other academic departments to ensure that students develop the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for success in all academic majors.
The General Education Core Curriculum provides the academic foundation for all the undergraduate degree programs at Elizabeth City 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. In addition to providing the skills and knowledge that are essential to academic success, the General Education Core Curriculum is designed to promote positive human values and encourage an appreciation for learning in all students.
Since most major degree programs specify courses to be taken as part of the General Education Core Curriculum, students must review the curriculum of their intended majors and consult with assigned advisors in selected core classes. All students are expected to complete the General Education requirements during the freshman and sophomore years. After completing the required GE courses, students take electives and courses in their major fields.
The Academic Support Center
The Academic Support Center is the component of General Studies which provides support services to the academic programs at ECSU. The Center designs and implements student-oriented activities geared to the individual academic needs of students enrolled in the freshman and sophomore classes. The Center houses two laboratories that enhance the basic discipline skills of reading, writing, and mathematics, which are fundamental skills for academic achievement. Students who would benefit from the Academic Support Center are identified and assigned to one or more of three developmental courses as a result of their pre-college performance records and freshman placement examination results. In addition, the Center operates a computer laboratory which has computer-based tutorials and offers course-related materials designed for learners who want more in-depth study in discipline areas. A professional team consisting of specialists in reading, writing, and mathematics provides direct services to students in laboratory settings. The Academic Support Center services are also available to upper-division students by referral.
The Tutorial Services Program
The Tutorial Services Program is a peer-tutorial program primarily designed as an academic support service. The program employs successful students as peer tutors based on their academic expertise and their understanding of the General Studies experience. The Tutorial Services Program works with individual students and with groups of students. The program works in conjunction with major departments.
The primary goal of the Tutorial Services Program is to meet students’ academic needs. It provides academic support and a strong community base for ECSU students. The program is committed to promoting independent, active learning among the students it assists. Peer tutoring should have a direct and positive effect on improving the academic performance of students who are enrolled in GE courses, as well as promoting a strong community among students, peer tutors, and faculty.
The General Studies Advisory Board
The General Studies Advisory Board (GSAB) functions as an advisory committee to the chair of the Department of General Studies. The primary purpose of the GSAB is to assist the chair in planning, implementing, communicating, and assessing general education programs and the curriculum. Proposed curriculum changes are advanced to the University Curriculum Committee.
The Board’s membership includes faculty representatives from the degree granting programs and a representative from the following areas: Honors Program, Library, Institutional Effectiveness, Registrar’s Office, and the Office of Retention.
Freshman Placement Testing
The Freshman Placement Testing Program evaluates first-time freshmen, readmitted students, and transfer students who have not completed three semester hours of acceptable transfer credits in both English and college level mathematics. Tests are administered in the areas of writing and mathematics. The placement tests are designed to help students identify skills that should be strengthened and to place students in appropriate English and mathematics courses. If indicated by test results, students who need further development will be assigned to developmental courses. The laboratories are located in the Academic Support Center and are designed for both skill development and enrichment.
Students who need to strengthen various college skills will be assigned to one or more of the following developmental courses. These courses will then constitute prerequisites for required English and Mathematics courses. Although GE 100 and GE 109 carry course credit, these courses do not count toward fulfilling graduation requirements. Students must earn grades of "C" or better in these classes.
| GE-100 |
Grammar and Usage |
(2) |
| GE-109 |
Introduction to College Math |
(3) |
ETS Proficiency Profile
All freshmen are required to take the ETS Proficiency Profile. The assessment will be administered to freshmen within the first eight weeks of their first semester. The assessment will be administered to sophomores during the Fall or Spring semester.