Department of University Studies
The Department of University Studies is within the Division of Student Success and offers the First Year Experience Program, the Tutoring and Academic Success Center, and the General Education Program. The Department of University Studies assist students with their transition to academia through academic accountability, support, and opportunities.
THE FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
As an integral part of the Department of University Studies, The First Year Experience program assists all students in their transition to the university. The First Year Experience is an intentional and dynamic program designed to promote student success, persistence, progression, and foster a sense of community.
While the First Year Experience begins at the New Student Orientation, first year students participate in the following First Year Experience components during your freshman year at Elizabeth City State University: First Year Advising, Freshman Seminar, Freshman Convocation and Pinning Ceremony, and Service Learning and Parent Outreach.
FIRST YEAR ACADEMIC ADVISING
The Academic Advising Program is a major component of University Studies. The purpose of the program is to enable students to achieve excellence in their educational and personal goals. Students entering the University as new freshmen are advised by a University Studies academic advisor, regardless of their major. Freshmen are transitioned to a faculty advisor in the academic department of their field of study during their second semester freshman year. University Studies 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 University 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 programs 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.
FRESHMAN SEMINAR
The First-Year Experience includes Freshman Seminars I and II, which are required courses for first time first year freshmen students. In both sections of Freshman Seminar, the course design and curriculum exposes students to the rich history and culture of the University and provide students with college essentials such as 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. Freshman Seminar includes opportunities for students to participate in university events, Student Success seminars and workshops, peer mentoring, and Capstone and e-Portfolio projects.
FRESHMAN YEAR CONVOCATION AND PINNING CEREMONY
The Freshman Convocation and Pinning Ceremony is a university tradition for first time, first year students. The ceremony serves as a charge to freshman students to pursue academic excellence and timely degree completion.
SERVICE LEARNING
All freshman students have the opportunity to participate in service learning to reinforce the value of serving the community and gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Through service, learning students enhance employability skills and prepare for other experiential learning opportunities. Students engage in an evaluative process for skills development.
THE TUTORIAL AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM
The Tutorial and Academic Success 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 University Studies experience. The program works with individual students and with groups of students. The program works in conjunction with major departments.
The primary goal of the Tutorial and Academic Success 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 enrolled in GE courses, as well as promoting a strong community among students, peer tutors, and faculty.
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 designed to provide fundamental knowledge and skills and a broad cultural education.
The General Education Program is a component of the Department of University Studies within the Division of Student Success. The Department of University Studies assigns students to academic advisors and coordinates the scheduling of courses for all freshman and sophomore students who have not declared a major.
GOALS
The goals of the Department of University 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 of the undergraduate degree programs at Elizabeth City State University. The core curriculum enables students to develop the general knowledge and the skills 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 GENERAL EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
The General Education Advisory Board (GEAB) functions as an advisory committee to the chair of the Department of University Studies. The primary purpose of the GEAB 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 COURSE PLACEMENT
University Studies advisors evaluate first-time freshmen based on their SAT/ ACT test scores. Freshmen are automatically placed into ENGL 102 (unless dual enrollment, Early College credits have been determined).
Students are placed in the college level mathematics courses based on the math score on the SAT/ ACT.
Course Placement
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SAT
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ACT |
MATH 114
MATH 115
MATH 121
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Math Score of 470 or Below
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Math Score of 17 or Below
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MATH 118
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Math Score of 480-520
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Math Score of 18-20
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MATH 165
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Math Score of 530 or higher
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Math Score of 21 or higher
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Score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus
AB Exam
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COLLEGE LEARNING ASSESSMENT
All freshmen are required to take the College Learning Assessment (CLA) . The assessment will be administered to freshmen within the first eight weeks of their first semester. The assessment will be administered to seniors during the Fall or Spring semester.